Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/15/2004

Question
Dear Dr. Newmyer,
I am a recent graduate of SIUC with a degree in Aviation Management. I currently work for a State Farm agent, and am very unsatisfied. I plan to fly for the National Guard, but I would like to find a career to make use of my degree also.  I realize that the SIU aviation career day is coming up, but unfortuneately I will be overseas.  If you could point me in the right direction to find an entry level position in the aviation industry, I would be greatly thankful.
Thank You,
Zach Manhart  

Answer
Hi, Zach:

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

With regard to the aviation career fair...is that what you meant?  It is going to be held on Friday, October 22, 2004.   Just wanted to be sure since we have an aviation career day coming up on Oct 9 but it is not something that would be of particular interest since it is more for high school and community college students looking for an aviation degree.

Another thought is that you need to think about what type of work that you want to do and where you want to do it (that is, geographic location).  Some of the job areas that I will list below may or may not appeal to you based on your personal interests.

As for suggestions, I have lots of them and I am sorry we did not talk about them while you were still here.  Feel free to follow up with me later as you have the time.  As far as potential jobs, there are quite a number of jobs out there in aviation management:

With an aerospace manufacturer such as The Boeing Company, we have placed a number of graduates in their "Business Operations" area in such jobs as cost analyst, cost estimator and related areas.  These jobs are advertised on the Boeing web site which is:  www.boeing.com   The Boeing Company ONLY takes resumes which are submitted over the internet.  They accept nothing sent to them in the mail.  So, search their site for jobs that might apply to your background.  Since they employ about 130,000 people nation wide, then, there are lots of choices of jobs to apply for and locations.

Another possibility is airport management and operations.  The American Asscociation of Airport Executives (AAAE) has a national listing of airports that offer intern positions and I can send that to you.  Email me at newmyer@siu.edu with your mailing address and I will send it.  Also, by joining AAAE, you can get their twice-monthly newsletter that lists jobs with each issue.  There is normally an entry level job in each newsletter.  If you had joined while still at SIUC (AMS is a AAAE student chapter), then, it would have cost you $40 until you graduated. Now the cost will be higher.  Check the AAAE website at www.airportnet.org to see what the cost of membership is.

Airline management is another direction to go.  The problem is that most airlines are tough to get into and several of them are too volatile for me to recommend due to their financial situation.  The best thing is to pick the more successful airlines such as jetBlue Airways and go their website to check out jobs available.  I know that jetBlue has quite a number of listings on their website.  Also, Southwest is hiring but will hire primarily into customer service to begin with....or, if you are lucky, marketing/sales.  But, visit the websites and see what is available.

Another direction to go would be government agencies (other than airports) who hire Aviation Management graduates.  These would include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration and others.  FAA and TSA both employ 50,000 people and are hiring via their websites...www.faa.gov and www.tsa.gov

I can send you the latest Air Jobs Digest for Sept so, when you send me your mailing address for the AAAE list of internships, I can send you that, too.

Also, with regard to jobs availability, please consult the SIU Aviation Website at www.aviation.siu.edu
and you will see a link to our most recent job postings.  They change routinely, so, check every week or two.

Finally, get listed with Universtiy Career Services over in Anthony Hall.  They have a resume referral service and will also put you on an email list serve that will automatically notify you when aviation jobs are listed with them.  Email Cindy Jenkins at UCS a cjenk@siu.edu to find out more about UCS and what they can do for you.

I hope all of this helps.  Get me your mailing address and I will send the two items.

Take care.

Sincerely,

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