justindw199

Question for you guys: I'm currently working on getting a Professional Pilot bachelor's degree, mainly for the 500 hour ATP reduction. If it wasn't for my personal goal to have my R-ATP on my 21st birthday (or very close to it), I would be doing an aviation management degree.

In any case, I know most of you are probably cringing at the fact that I'm doing a pilot degree, but before you light the torches and grab the pitchforks, here me out. I plan on going back for my masters degree in Aviation Management. Isn't it just a MBA with an aviation focus?

Any advice going forward from here? I want to make sure I have marketable skills should something happen to the industry or me. What recommendations would you make for getting those other skills? I would really want to stay involved in aviation in some way if I couldn't fly for the airlines.

Thanks in advance!

rickair7777

In the past I would have given different advice, but with the R-ATP reduction (and certain legacies giving preference for university flight training), it makes sense. Doesn't provide as good of a backup, but it's still a degree.

For the masters, get something useful like MBA, computer science, accounting, etc. You can still work in aviation with those degrees. The problem with aviation degrees is that they are a dime a dozen, so you'd better off competing for jobs with some real skills.

justindw199

Isn't Aviation Management just an MBA-A? Also, I've tossed around the idea of getting certified as a dispatcher.

PotatoChip

No. It isn’t.
They are different degrees with different curriculum.

rickair7777

If you want an MBA, get an MBA. Anything with the word "aviation" in it will not make it past the resume screening for a real job, unless they happen to be looking for exactly that.

galaxy flyer

Get a real degree in a real area of concentration, not a degree in piloting. An MBA is fine, if you’re interested in a management position, but get a real one from a recognized program. MBAs from local colleges are a dime a dozen.

GF

canuckian

I always hear the same thing. Get a degree in something else as a backup.
Which field would accomplish that? Aren't most degrees just a box check if it's not backed up with relevant experience.
If you get a degree in something else and then fly as a line pilot for 15 years and lose your medical, what degree would allow you to immediately slide over to another decent job?
I'd say get the aviation degree.

JohnBurke

"Pilot" degree, aviation degree, aviation management degree...all worthless except as a box checking bit of paper.

That's what you're really getting. A line on your resume. Otherwise, aviation degrees are superfluous.

justindw199

What if I wanted to have a backup with a company like Boeing or Textron? Would an Aviation Management degree work then?

rickair7777

They hire engineers, scientists, and MBA's. They also hire accountants, HR professionals, etc. They don't really hire people to do "aviation stuff".

The only "aviation stuff" jobs are piloting, and a few jobs at small airports (big airports hire MBA's, MPA's, engineers, accountants, etc).