I'm about to graduate with a degree in Professional Aviation. I realize that this was not the most cost effective path to choose, so please don't comment about that. At this point, I am thinking about staying at Purdue and pursuing a Masters in either Human Factors or Airline Management. Do you think this would benefit me in the long run? I figure I can stay in school for a couple more years and wait for the industry to turn around while building enough flight time to be competitive when hiring picks up. If anyone has received a similar degree or thought about doing it I would like to hear your opinions.

 

Bottom line, you can't go wrong with an extra degree. In the long run it keeps more career door opportunities open for you. I've know a lot of people who have drag at school, more degrees or part time, in order to stave off paying back student loans until they were in a better position career wise.

I got my degree in aviation, and at the end of the day when you are applying at most Major Airline Carriers, they like to see the pursuit of upper level education. The degree itself is only a part of the equation the rest of it comes down to your experience, background, and personality.

Good luck, and for what it's worth hiring should pick up in a few years. Once that healthy attrition rate is back, we will see movement once again.
Specifically our seniority list starts retiring guys in 2012 and picks up exponentially every year through 2025.

 

Here's what I'd highly suggest, is get that Masters outside the Tech department at Purdue. While doing this, get a CFI job over at LAF Av so you can actually earn some money, and keep flying(I think this is the most important factor)!!! Plus this can give you an opportunity to make some connections outside of Purdue(and keep your Purdue connections good also)

I wish I had gotten a 2nd bachelors or something of that nature during my time at Purdue also, but I didn't and I can tell you unless I absolutely have to, I will never go back to any college(and I'm only 27). If I could do it all over again, I would've combined a management degree or some sort of business degree into my curriculum.

 

I graduated with a professional aviation degree from another university and with the industry the way it is right now, it has become my one regret from college. If I were in a position to go back to school I would do what Ewfflyer suggested and get a masters outside of aviation and/or add a business minor/major.

 

As another purdue grad who is contemplating a master's degree, I'd say go with something outside aviation. It will definitely help to prepare you to deal with a furlough if you fly for a carreer, and something like a business degree is equally helpful as an advanced degree in aviation if you want to stay in management or some other aviation capacity, including teaching someday.

 

I totally agree with everybody else. But my recommendation is to get a higher degree in something that you would enjoy. Having a higher degree and a good job is great but if you hate your job...

 

I understand you guys, and would much rather pursue an MBA or something in finance. However, here is the thing I tried to touch on in my original post:

M.S. in Aviation Technology: FREE TUITION + Monthly stipend of about $1000

M.S. OR M.A. in anything else: more student loans

See why I am considering this now?

 

How!?!??!!

 

Scholarships and/or Fellowships.

 

Brendan, I would suggest a plain ole run of the mill MBA. It'll work wonders .

Upper level managerial concepts and practices are the same whether you get the aviation graduate degree or the regular MBA.


atp