Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/24/2006

Question
Hello,
 I've been told by several different sources (including this site) that going to college and getting a bachelors is definitely advisable. I also hear it's something to consider not having your Major be aviation, so that when furloughs become plentiful there is something to fall back on.

  I have found some colleges that offer Associates degrees in my field of study. Is this just as good as a Bachelors? Why or why not?

 Also, I need to get funding for my schooling. My concern is that if I make something other than aviation my Major that I won't get the funding I need. Is it better to have an aviation major and an alternative minor instead? Will I be denied funding if my aim is Corporate Pilot but my major is not in aviation?

 Thank you for your time.
Stacey (male)  

Answer
Hi, Stacey:

Nice to hear from you, I will try to assist.

My advice is:  If you are interested in pursuing an aviation career, major in it.  I can not be more direct than that.  As far as having something to "fall back on" I would say that ANY industry can have its ups and downs....communications, business (a la Enron and many other failures), information technology, radio/TV, you name it.  But, if there is a field that you have passion for, then, why avoid it?  I do not get that advice your are receiving from other sources.  It is defeatist.

From the perspective of someone who has been in aviation since 1969 and who has had to adapt to many things in that timeframe, I can still say that I love what I do and I love the aviation industry.  HOWEVER, you DO have to well prepared for this industry, just like any industry.  You need to make sure you know all the ins and outs and you need to know all of the basics as well.

I would aim for a bachelor's degree for sure.  There are some schools that DO offer an associate degree in aviation flight, aviation technology or aviation management.....either at a community college or at a four year school.  I work for a four year university where, if you are interested in aviation flight, you can get a two year associate degree in aviation flight and a bachelor's degree in aviation management and the two degrees are linked so that you can articulate from one degree to the other with relative ease.  This gives each graduate two degrees in four years AND it gives the graduates a "back up" degree IN aviation management (for someone who does lose a medical in aviation flight who can then continue along a management or business track in aviation).  Or another way to go is to go to a community college aviation degree program and then transfer to a four year program that accepts the two year degree from the community college as essentially the first two years of college (some four year schools SAY that they accept such degrees but end up requiring you to take nearly four years once you tranfer....so check out such transfer arrangements carefully).

The other thing to keep in mind is that there are about 2.1 million jobs in aviation today in the USA, not counting the military.  This total has stayed essentially the same over the past ten years....but, there have been adjustments in the employment by category.  There are more jobs in TSA (government) now than before but a few less jobs at some major airlines.....but, there are more jobs at smaller, low cost airlines.  The situation is always changing...keep that in mind.

I hope that this answer has helped.  Let me know if I can answer anything else.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu

PS  For a listing of colleges and universities offering aviation degrees, order THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE from the University Aviation Association at www.uaa.aero or by emailing them at uaa@auburn.edu or calling them at 334-844-2434.  The cost is around $25.