Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/8/2006

Question
Sir,
I graduated SIUC with a B.S. in Aviation Mgmt. in 2003 (off campus-USMC).  I didn't really get an out-brief on what to do next with my education/career when I graduated.  I'm going to be stuck on active duty for the next couple of years so I'm trying to make sure that my education is matching my future career prospects.  I'm about to start Embry-Riddle's Master of Aeronautical Science and am wondering if their degree & reputation are as good as they advertise.  My career desires are pretty open.  I'm looking to prepare myself for any good job in aviation/transportation except flying.  If I had to jump into the world today I'd go for defense,gov,airports or corporate air.  Essentially I've got 7 years left on enlisted active duty to get as much paper with my name on it as I can.  I just want to make sure it's the right paper that will get me a great job that pays pretty good.  Thank you for your time and expertise.

Chris  

Answer
Hi, Chris:

It is great to hear from an SIUC alum...thanks for sending in a question.  I would be happy to have a direct email from you if you wish to ask any follow up questions.  My contact information is available from the SIUC office at the base where you attended classes.

As for your question, certainly, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has a very good reputation as an institution.  As far as taking their MAS degree in certain locations, the only thing that you have to watch is that they tend to hire their faculty locally.  If the aviation market is large where you are, the faculty quality and diversity will be good as well.  The fact is, there are relatively few options in the USA in terms of non-engineering aviation-related masters degrees....ERAU, SIUC, Univ of Nebraska Omaha, Florida Tech, Middle Tenn State, Oklahoma State, Concordia University (Montreal), Parks College of St. Louis Univ and Arizona State are the schools that I can think of that have such a degree.  With so few choices, I think you are on the right track at ERAU....but, if you wish, you can check the websites of the schools listed above for options.  As far as off campus or on line options for masters, I think that those are only available at ERAU, Concordia, Parks and, maybe at Univ of Nebraska at Omaha.

But, no matter what, the strategy that you have outlined to build as many qualifications as possible by the time that you leave the military is a good one.  Also, I believe that matching your qualifications to areas of aviatoin like Defense, government, airports or corporate aviation are also good.  I think that any ex-military aviation person normally has a very good match to the Defense industry and likely also to government and to airports (depending on what you are doing in the military).  So, that planning sounds good as well.  Remember, there are about 2.1 million jobs in the civil aviation community with over 600,000 in aviation/aerospace manufacturing, 670,000 in airlines, 632,000 in general aviation (includidng corporate) and about 175,000 in government at all levels (federal, state and local).  So, given those numbers, you have all but the airline segment covered in your thinking.....

Best wishes to you and let me know if I can be of further help to you.

Sincererly,

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