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SIU Carbondale

Old 03-27-2006, 09:38 AM
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Does anyone here have any information or suggestions about Southern Illinois University Carbondale? I've enrolled in their flight program for the 2009 semester.
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Old 03-27-2006, 12:20 PM
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Good flight program. They're consistently in the top five in NIFA competitions. Carbondale is a typical college town in the middle of nowhere though. My step sister went there for a couple years (majored in biology) and her biggest gripe was that there is nothing to do there.
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Old 03-27-2006, 01:18 PM
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nothing to do but...GET DRUNK
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Old 03-27-2006, 01:35 PM
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That's good! I'm active duty Air Force (enlisted) right now, and that's all we ever do.

So is it safe to say, once I graduate SIU's Aviation program, I should be able to find a job or internship?
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Old 03-27-2006, 02:51 PM
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Assuming you meet the time requirements, and are what they're looking for, yes. It's a respected program.
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Old 03-27-2006, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by jacobsos
That's good! I'm active duty Air Force (enlisted) right now, and that's all we ever do.

So is it safe to say, once I graduate SIU's Aviation program, I should be able to find a job or internship?
No aviation training program can guarantee you a job. A few can provide a job opportunity, but be very suspicious of anyone who tells you that you will get a job with less than 1000 hours or without working as a CFI. Even if you get an airline job without a CFI background, you will considered a second-class citizen in many circles (unless you flew hornets of course).
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Old 03-27-2006, 05:19 PM
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But will graduating with a degree in Aviation Management with Commercial and Multi-engine ratings put me on the right track? I still have three years left on my enlistment contract, so I have time to change schools.

What will the biggest factor be for me once I graduate? Will my time in the military score me any points when it comes to the hiring process?
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Old 03-27-2006, 05:27 PM
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It's a start in the right direction. However, If I were you I'd look into a degree that isn't related to aviation so you have a little versatility. As Rickair said, no training program can guarantee you a job, and there are no guarantees in this industry. Get your CFI before graduating if you can and start working at SIU, or over at nearby Marion to build time.

The biggest factors are hard to say. The industry is very dynamic. However, a major one will be how much movement there is. As guys move "up" from instructing to regionals, then to majors, it opens doors for us bottom feeders. No hiring at the top, no movement at the bottom.

As for the Airforce, it won't hurt. And thank you for defending our freedom!
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Old 03-27-2006, 05:42 PM
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One last question and I'll leave you guys alone:

Is age a large factor when it comes to new pilots? When I finally graduate (probably in 2011!) I'll be 28. Will that impede my chances when competing against other rookie pilots younger than me?

Thanks a lot for answering my questions, you guys have been a big help. It is a pleasure serving this county. Thanks for paying your taxes, because you'll be paying for my flight training!
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Old 03-27-2006, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by jacobsos
But will graduating with a degree in Aviation Management with Commercial and Multi-engine ratings put me on the right track? I still have three years left on my enlistment contract, so I have time to change schools.

What will the biggest factor be for me once I graduate? Will my time in the military score me any points when it comes to the hiring process?
Get a non-aviation degree, or an engineering degree in the aerospace field. DO NOT get a Av mgt. or Av science degree...these have no practical benefit in the real world.

Commercial & multi ratings are just the very beginning of the training and experience building process. In 4 years of college you should be able to get all your ratings PVT, IR, COM, ME, CFI, CFII, MEI in 2 years, then spend the last two working as a CFI. The goal would be to accumulate 1000 total hours and 100+ ME hours by the time you graduate...that would put you in the running for a small crago or regional job. It might be tougher if you have to work full time to make ends meet.

If your school has a program that takes 4 years to get a COM/ME, then I would train at a local FBO while attending college. You don't even need an aviation college...for that kind of money go to a state school and fly on the side.

I quite my job, got all of my post-PVT ratings in 7 months, worked as a CFI for 2 years (sometimes part-time), then got hired at a regional. So did three other guys I worked with, one other guy (no degree) had to do night cargo before the regional thing.

Biggest hiring factor is ratings and flight time, especially ME time. A 4 year degree is very helpful at the regional level (some require it, all prefer it), and getting a reference from someone can often make the difference in this business. These things are all essentially worthless, they might be entertaining, but they cost huge $$$ and will rarely have any impact on your job prospects: A non-engineering "aviation degree", training in airline operations, jet systems, or jet simulator time. Save your $$$.

Your military background will be a small plus.
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