Careers

Although most Aviation Science students are focused on becoming career pilots, the aerospace industry contains multiple facets of aviation. From airport management to space exploration, the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science prepares you for a successful career in aviation - whether you choose to remain in the cockpit or on the ground. The following aviation employment careers are all attainable and represent only a fraction of the available opportunities for newly graduated aviation professional.

 

Flight Deck Careers:

 

Areas	Employers
Airline Pilot	Regional and Major Airlines
Corporate Pilot	Individual aircraft owners, businesses, and corporations
Military Pilot	USAF, USMC, USN, USCG, USA
Missionary Pilot	Churches, Missionary Organizations
Law Enforcement	Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies
Test Pilot	NASA, airlines, military, general aviation
Sight Seeing	Tourism companies or depts.
Search and Rescue	Military, law enforcement, fire/rescue agencies
Aerial Firefighting	Fire/rescue agencies
Flight Instructor	Part 61 and 141 schools
Unmanned Aircraft Pilot
Cargo Pilot	FedEx, UPS, DHL, Atlas, and other airlines, USPS
Agriculture Pilot	Farms, Dept. of Agriculture
Simulator Instructor	Part 61 and 141 flight schools, type-rating schools, corporate, and airlines

 

Aviation Administration Careers:

 

Areas	Employers
Airport Operations/Resource Management	Municipal, Regional, and International airports
Consulting
Airline Revenue Management	Regional and major airlines
Aviation Analyst	AOPA, NTSB, FAA, NOAA
Airport Planning	Municipal, Regional, and International airports
Fixed Base Operations Management	FBO's
Aviation Insurance	Insurance Companies
Aircraft Sales	Aircraft Manufacturers
Corporate Flight Departments	Large corporations (e.g., Walmart, AT&T)
Safety Manager	Corporations, airlines, FBO's

 

Space Careers:

 

Areas	Employers
Rocket systems and fuels	NASA, private-sector commercial space companies, space systems contractors
Space Exploration
Satellites
Astronaut (pilot)
High Altitude Flight Exploration and Research

 

Aircraft Dispatch Careers:

 

Areas	Employers
Aircraft Dispatcher	Regional and major airlines
Ramp Controller	FedEx, UPS, DHL
Flight Operations Analyst	XO Jet, NetJets

 

Research Careers:

 

Areas	Employers
Alternative Fuels	Government agencies, environmental groups, colleges and universities
Pollution Transport and Diffusion
Meteorology	NOAA, NASA, Airlines
Aerodynamics	Aircraft manufacturers, aircraft avionics/systems producers
Navigation and Approach Systems
Aircraft Systems
Climate Change Projects	NOAA, environmental groups, universities and colleges

 

How to LAND the job:

• Acquire Internships; these will create vital networking opportunities
• Fly as much as possible, being proficient in flying an aircraft will be the most attractive aspect of your portfolio and flight time is one of the biggest qualifications for employment
• Volunteer in many aviation areas, this will help you to find an aviation career that best suits you.
• Display confidence, good judgment, a hard work ethic, the ability to adapt, enthusiasm, and sensibility
• Consider taking low level jobs at airports, FBO's, manufacturing companies, etc. to gain experience in the aviation field.