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-   -   To major in aviation, or not to major in aviation? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/1781-major-aviation-not-major-aviation.html)

ChrisH 12-07-2005 03:18 PM

To major in aviation, or not to major in aviation?
 
After reading through this board, it seems that a number of you are currently majoring in aviation, or have majored in aviation.

I've been told by some pilots not to major in aviation. The reason being, if you were to lose your medical, get furloughed, etc., you will have a hard time finding a job outside of aviation.

On the other hand, I have been told by some pilots that a degree is a degree, and it basically is nothing more than a piece of paper showing a possible employer that you have the ability to work toward, and obtain a goal over a given amount of time. I've even had some pilots recommend that I major in aviation to get my degree and ratings all in one.

I am currently not majoring in aviation, but live only a few hours away from a college that has a really good aviation program. My sister will be transferring to this college for her major soon, and I have been thinking of following her, and switching to aviation.

Although an aviation degree is not recommended for the reasons stated earlier, I think those reason can go for other jobs as well. People in the medical field can lose their license and ability to practice, etc. Is there anything wrong with majoring in aviation, and later on, down the road, getting a real-estate license on the side, or something like that as backup?

For those of you who are majoring in aviation, or have, if you would chime in, I would appreciate it.

-Thanks.

avbug 12-07-2005 04:21 PM

I've got a B.S. in Engineering from State and a B.S. in Aeronautics (major in commercial aviation) from another school i really whish I would have gotten a math or computer science as my second major. A major in aviation is just a degree the universities offer to justify having the flight school as a 4 year program. My advice get some kind of science degree, ie engineering, computer science, etc, something you can fall back on and something you can go to graduate school on if the oppurtunity and need should arise.

That being said, there are still good classes in aviation you can take and minor in "professional flight", like transport category systems, aviation law, etc. You most likely have to take the associated ground school(s) with whatever flight course you are taking, ie IFR regs for your instrument course.

Good luck, and just out of curiosity what school are you going to?

Hawaiifly9 12-08-2005 04:55 AM

degree is a degree
 
You said it best at first. A degree is a degree. It really doesn't matter what you major in. If a company sees that you are a hard worker, can put your mind to something and actually do it that is all they want. Obviously some jobs require a major in that field (ie: medicine) but you can learn aviation on the side. I have my BS in Aviation Flight Operations and I wish I would have got my degree in business and flew on the side so I would have something to fall back on in case the unthinkable happens. Also, you will be a more well rounded person. You will have knowledge on different aspects of the business instead of just driving the bus.

I am happy with my degree in flight ops, I am 22 and working for a regional with low time and can award that to my degree and school. Aviation degrees are very expensive. You are looking at paying around 120-150 thousand when you could have another degree (or 2 or 3) and fly and not pay that much.

Both decisions are a good way to go. You have to weigh the options on what you want to do.

Hope this helps

Hawaii

SkyHigh 12-08-2005 06:30 AM

No Aviation Degree !!
 
I can tell you first hand about the twisted look that the interviewer gets when they ask about your aviation degree. It is totally useless. Even the airlines don't have much use for it. It makes you seem limited in your interests and abilities. Get a degree in anything else. The best majors are: accounting, business administration, engineering, marketing, and then the sciences.

Its true that a degree is just a degree, but aviation is down there with art and leisure services. It's not considered a strong and useful education and it really isn't. Universities have to work to fill useless classes with fluff in order to bulk up a B.S. degree in aviation. Get a diversified education. Reach beyond your immediate desires and you will not be sorry for it when you are furloughed for the third time and have something real to fall back on. I speak from experience.

SkyHigh

flier2005 12-08-2005 07:14 AM

I am new to using Airline Pilot Central forums. If I want to private message someone how do I do it and do I have to subscribe to an upgraded service?

Hawaiifly9 12-08-2005 01:53 PM

airlines don't care?
 
I disagree and agree with skyhigh on a few points. I graduated with a degree in flight ops. Companies do not look at it and say that is useless right away. It depends on the school that you have received it from. If you get it from an accredited university such as Purdue, Daniel Webster, UND, FSU then it is a structured aviation program where you not only learn how to fly but learn the background behind the business. You also learn different aspects of the industry such as corporate and international ops at most schools.

A degree in aviation is not usless to say the least.

But I do agree that other degrees are as good as an aviation degree. One is not going to put you over the other is this industry. They are looking for a degree and that they can fly with you for a few days at a time.

edik 12-08-2005 02:05 PM

Personally i dont think majoring in aviation is useless. I am currently at UND, and i am getting much better flight education then the people at local FBO's. I got my private from my home town, and the training was not nearly as good as it is here. As for my back up, i am minoring in something outside of aviation, just in case if i were to lose my medical. One of the mojor reason why i picked UND was that i could take classes outside of aviation, which some schools like Embry Riddle do not offer (I am not trying to sound negative towards Embry Riddle).

avbug 12-08-2005 02:13 PM


Originally Posted by edik
Personally i dont think majoring in aviation is useless. I am currently at UND, and i am getting much better flight education then the people at local FBO's. I got my private from my home town, and the training was not nearly as good as it is here. As for my back up, i am minoring in something outside of aviation, just in case if i were to lose my medical. One of the mojor reason why i picked UND was that i could take classes outside of aviation, which some schools like Embry Riddle do not offer (I am not trying to sound negative towards Embry Riddle).

I went to UND as well, if its not too late dont major in aviation, skip all the Skrammy and Lovelace classes you can. Major in business or engineering and minor in professional flight. You cant go wrong.

edik 12-08-2005 02:48 PM


Originally Posted by avbug
I went to UND as well, if its not too late dont major in aviation, skip all the Skrammy and Lovelace classes you can. Major in business or engineering and minor in professional flight. You cant go wrong.


Are you flying now? Did you get an aviation degree?

avbug 12-08-2005 04:12 PM


Originally Posted by edik
Are you flying now? Did you get an aviation degree?

Yup flying now (DC8s) and have the coveted B.S. in Aeronautics, emphasis on the BS.


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