Long time reader, first time poster. I am a Senior at a 4 year flight school. Just got my CFI, CGI, and MEL and am working on the CFII and MEI right now. I am interviewing for a job at my school as a CFI and have been told by the Chief that I have very good chances to be hired, just a matter of time now. I transfered to this school from another flight school, and due to the prereq's on one class required for the degree, I'll be a Super Senior next year. I'm not too worried about that though, as I have picked up a double minor in Economics and Management, and have built my schedule to be light the last year to instruct.

My question is that what is everyone's suggestion as far as graduate degrees go? My dad is an Ed.D and has been pushing me into aq grad program, and I am not opposed to it, as it would provide me a fall back incase anything ever happened. I am eventually hoping to be Chief Pilot of a major 121 carrier. I was thinking of a M.S. in Economics, but not sure if anyone knows the best path to go with this to get my eventual goals.

Thanks.

For those reasons alone, yes a graduate degree would be genius. Also if you are working at a College, do you get a tuition waiver? At the 141 school I just left I was able to get up to 5,000/semester waived and would have liked to get a grad degree.

Thanks, Do you have a suggestion in what to go into? Ive been looking at Economics programs, but the more I think of it, it seems that maybe a M.S. in Management would be more appropiate. I wish we got Tuition wavers, but no. Its a State University and all of the instructors except for the Chief and Assistant Chief are part-time, which does not provide those benefits, which would otherwise be half of Resident Rate of tuition.

If you really want something to "fall back on" then get an A&P lic. or better yet; learn a trade: plumbing, electrician, carpentry, HAVAC...etc. Take it from me a graduate degree other than satisfying the joy of learning something that intrests you, is over blown as far as advancement.

I think getting a graduate degree is a great way to get a leg up on the competition, it will set your resume apart from every other pilot with a bachlor degree. I agree that an A&P is also a great fall back and resume enrichment as well. You can't go wrong improving yourself with either one. Improve yourself and you will improve your industry!! Masters in Mangement or an MBA will be great for either the airline world or the corporate world.

I got my undergrad in Professional Aeronautics with a Minor in Aviation Safety. I wanted to build my aviation knowledge and experience, so my graduate degree is in Aeronautical Science specializing in Aviation/Aerospace Operations. As a fall back, I have found plenty of teaching positions that pay at least $55k with this degree and pilot/flight instructor experience. Of course, you'll hear the majority saying that you shouldn't get an aviation degree.

I would recommend either a graduate degree in Aeronautical Science or an MBA in Aviation/Aviation Management. Harvard, Stanford, etc. might be a better option if you get out of aviation, since they are not specifically related to Aviation.

Bollocks!! Go to Harvard or Stanford!!

The best way to get a leg up is to network.

There may be some statistical confusion regarding masters...people who have them seem to have a better shot at getting hired by majors.

But I suspect this number is skewed by the military pilots. Many military guys get a masters on government time, and often paid for by the government too. Airlines like to hire military guys, who happen to be more likely to have a masters...as far as the military is concerned, we are all supposed to have one.

You could also make case that pilots who have experience in the middle east are more likely to get hired by majors. That may be statistically true but it does not mean that a regional FO should quit his job and move to Kuwait!

I can see your point, and can't argue the logic. But on a major airline application there is no box to mark off "middle east experience", however there is one for "masters degree" as well as "A&P". In my recent JB interview the asked me about my masters degree and did not ask me about middle east experience.
I do agree with you that networking is important but why not have the competitive advantage of a masters degree and/or an A&P and
strong networking skills, more is better in this competitive environment.

Son't get me wrong, a masters will give you a potential advantage but not much of one. Don't spend time and money on it if you still need ratings, etc.