Senzari

I was wondering if it is a good idea to get a degree in Aviation Managment from a community college. I want to have a career in aviation, wether it be a pilot or not. Aviation Management sounds like I have a better chance of getting a job then Career Pilot. I have planning to go to a local community college that offers aviation degrees for awhile now(I'm 17 now.)

I read on this forum to go for something other then an aviation degree. I was thinking just going for buisness. But if I did that, I would have to go a university and pay alot of money. I would rather not having lots of student loans when I get out of college(since I am not getting paid alot when I get of school.)

So what should I do?

jbt1407

I am currently working on my bachelors in aeronautical science with a business minor. Several people I know have done this and they claimed that it gave them an edge, especially in the corporate world. Also, you can go on and get your MBA, as I am planning on doing. That said, get a degree in something you like doing and dont let anyone talk you out of it. As for student loans, there is not much you can do to avoid them unless you are paying for the classes while you work or decide to join the military after school. Keep in mind that in today's world a bachelors degree is practically a necessity.

Good Luck

MoonShot

I got my 4 year degree in aviation management. I only did it because the college gave me credit for all of my flying activities up to that point and that was the 4 year degree offered for the flight program. I knew all along I only wanted to be a pilot, so I just plowed through the management program and got the degree.

It certainly hasn't hurt me to have it but I question its usefulness. I think most airlines count about any 4 year degree as meeting their requirements.

My advice is worth what you paid for it.

Good luck.

HSLD

Ask your university adviser for a list of Alum that are working in the aviation industry with the degree that you're pursuing. See if you can contact them to ask if they feel the degree is a benefit or not.

atpwannabe

Excellent advice.

I would also add that if you plan on making either airline or airport management a lifelong career, then I would say go for it. Otherwise, a good 'ole, run of the mill, business management degree will suffice.



atp

rickair7777

A prospective career pilot should, if at all possible, obtain a degree which will enable him to obtain employment after the inevitable furlough, bankruptcy, medical problems, etc. Also since aviation will generally not provide any sort of retirement you will need a job after age 65.

Don't worry about "self-fulfilment" in your major...aviation is your fulfillment, everything else is an enabler for that (including financial and family sacrifice).

I would recommend a major which would provide a PORTABLE skill set which is in-demand and can be exercised part time or full time. This will allow you to supplement your income during the first decade of debt and poverty wages as well as keeping your skill and industry connections simmering on the back burner in case you need (or want) to go full-time.

Programs which come to mind...nursing, physicians assistant, computer science (programming, databases), accounting, etc. Even dental would work great, but that's a long row to hoe for a backup (same with MD/DO, JD).

STLaviator

USMCFLYR posted in a separate thread a link to a Yahoo! article that was published earlier today listing the 5 most useful college degrees. It must be extremely subjective (they don't explain how/where/when they collected the data to come to those conclusions) but it lists a few of the degrees that others have referenced on here. I agree with a lot of the other responses though: Get a degree in something you know that is flexible, useful, and interesting. An aviation career can happen with many many different types of degrees on your diploma and application.

LukinUp

I second these. I am currently employed flying after having been furloughed for a year and I am seriously looking at working on something medical right now for a backup. Eggs...basket...you get it!

rickair7777

Best College Degrees for the Real World - Yahoo! Edcuation

The degrees listed in that article were...

1) Some journalist's opinion
2) included associates, University of Phoenix type degrees...ie, more vocational training vice real education.
3) Not targeted at the unique volatility and unreliability of professional aviation.

Marketing/business can be good generic fallback degrees, but only if you leave the industry for good. Those degrees are so broad that if you punch (or get booted) from aviation you will eventually be able to find something relevant. But their value is not so much a valuable skill set, but a framework and tools to help you advance in the corporate hierarchy. Since you can't do that part-time, you can't keep those degrees "on the back burner" with part-time work like you can with say pharmacy or computer programming.

An aviation career can happen with ANY sort of 4-year degree at all...the problem is that aviation probably won't provide a reliable financial future. You need to be prepared to do that on your own time.

AmericanIdiot#1

If you want to fly for a living, I would avoid getting a degree that is related to aviation. Make it a business degree. So, like RickAir7777 said, when, NOT if you get furloughed, you can get a job at Walmart as an assistant manager or managing the local Valvoline quick change oil joint. My degree was in history. And other than showing I had the commitment to get a four degree, it is worthless.