What is an aviaton degree actually worth?

J

justinisapilot

Well-Known Member
I have a degree in Airport Management now but when I initially started college, my major was Flight Management. At the time I was unclear on what that degree actually was and what I could do with it. My academic advisor, we wll call him Mr. Worthless, told me a Flight Management degree is the degree you need to fly airliners. I told him I have spoke with countless pilots from ASA(Expressjet), AirTran, and even Delta who did not have a college degree. Mr. Worthless replied with a "well" and a look of into deep space. That is when I decided to switch to Airport Management. I say all of this to ask what an aviation degree is actually worth? If you have an aviation degree, does it apply to your current job?
 
It's a good foundation for flying, if you're doing that. But it's somewhat less help if one loses their medical or something to where they can't fly, but is still good for other aviation-related work. Beyond that, it's just a degree.
 
I've seen a few corporate positions that say they "prefer" an "aviation related degree". That's it. AFAICT, the airlines don't care if your degree is in astrophysics or basket weaving, as long as you've got one. Plus, your degree actually has some value outside of a cockpit and it is STILL "aviation related". Don't sweat it.
 
I've got a 4 year aviation degree and as much as I hate having to pay student loans I am glad I have it. Yes, I could have probably gotten all of my ratings and certificates without a degree, but I see a LOT of good jobs that require or highly suggest that applicants have a degree. Just my 2 cents.
 
justinisapilot said:
I have a degree in Airport Management now but when I initially started college, my major was Flight Management. At the time I was unclear on what that degree actually was and what I could do with it. My academic advisor, we wll call him Mr. Worthless, told me a Flight Management degree is the degree you need to fly airliners. I told him I have spoke with countless pilots from ASA(Expressjet), AirTran, and even Delta who did not have a college degree. Mr. Worthless replied with a "well" and a look of into deep space. That is when I decided to switch to Airport Management. I say all of this to ask what an aviation degree is actually worth? If you have an aviation degree, does it apply to your current job?
Click to expand...

+1 to everyone else. It really doesn't matter. I also don't subscribe to the idea that a non-aviation degree is a good "backup," unless of course, you stay active in the field your degree is in.

In short, get a 4 year degree, any degree, and go fly airplanes.
 
I'll take an aviation degree over no degree, any day, as well will most employers.

Any degree is good, for the most part.

Some companies prefer aviation degrees, but truth be told, even though my present employer likes them, ***I*** would still prefer a non-aviation degree as a "Plan B"/back-up.
 
MikeD said:
It's a good foundation for flying, if you're doing that. But it's somewhat less help if one loses their medical or something to where they can't fly, but is still good for other aviation-related work. Beyond that, it's just a degree.
Click to expand...
I find most good degrees these days are worthless over time when not working wihin the field. Unless someone goes with a generic Business degree or something similar they wont have anything to fall back on when they fail a medical. Disuse, especially in a technical field, will yield the same result as an aviation degree.
 
Around $120,000 or so, last time I checked. But hey... at least you can take out loans for all of that, amiright?
 
A college degree, regardless as to the field, is todays high school diploma. All it signifies is you can read a book, retain most of the knowledge within it, and regurgitate said knowledge back on demand. IOW, you got one leg up on a box of rocks.

(just don't tell T7 this, he likes to think his degree gives him super powers of intellect.)
 
I went the "back-up" degree route and got a BBA in Marketing. My piece of paper is still in the tube they mailed it in 7 years ago.
 
The worth of any degree is what you do with it. I have the same political science degree as a friend of mine who complained she couldn't do anything with it and works as a receptionist. I used mine to go to grad school, then used that political science degree to get into polling, and then market research.

A diploma doesn't do anything for you just sitting on a wall - you have to go out and advocate on its behalf.
 
A college degree is like your pilot certificate(s); It's a license to learn. It shows that you know the "language" and the basics of life in the aviation business. What will add value to your degree is to go out and get some experience in the field. Find and opportunity, even if it is just volunteer, and make the most of it. Do good work, and people will notice. In the meantime, you only get to go to college once. Study what you want to learn about, and make the most of it.
 
All I'm going to say is don't listen to a guidance counselor that probably doesn't know about aviation. I'm finishing my bachelors degree online in Criminal Justice. No I don't plan on being a cop. When a bunch of pilots working at airlines or in the corporate industry are telling you that you can get a degree in anything, I'd listen to them.
 
justinisapilot said:
I decided to switch to Airport Management.
Click to expand...
You made a wise decision. You have a degree. You have an aviation related degree. You have an education in a field where a relatively minor medical problem is not going to prohibit you from doing the job.
 
I value some of the classes I took with my commercial aviation degree. Human factors, flight physiology(with altitude chamber), long range nav, and meteorology classes. It has been useful, but I could have read stuff on the internet about it to be honest. I was a double major in aviation management and commercial aviation, both were taking too much time, so I graduated in general studies just to GTFO and quit spending money. If tuition ever gets under control I might go back and finish aviation management. No one has scoffed at my general studies degree.
 
I must say this. I have a four year "aviation degree." It took me a lot longer than four years to earn, my education always came second to earning a living. However, I worked hard to complete my B/S from Embry Riddle. When I walked across the stage last December, it was a significant mile stone in my life. The only thing I rank above it is when I stood on the Reaper at Camp Pendleton on March 17th, 2000 when my drill instructor SSgt Ortiz handed me a Eagle Globe and Anchor and called me a Marine for the first time. I rank the fact I have a Bachelor Degree fairly high. In my opinion if you have any bachelors degree, I don't care what it is, it could be in International Underwater Basket Weaving you have something only 1/4th the population of the U.S can claim. When I hear "It is just a bachelor degree, so what?" or "That and 5 bucks will get you a venti mocha at Starbucks" I am rather dismayed. It was a long road to get here and it opens doors to go other places. This is my opinion, thank you for your support.

BGH
 
Honestly, one of my biggest fears about going into aviation is that I'll be reduced to just the sum of my hours and credentials. I left school in the seventh grade and never looked back, but I'm at the top of my field and make a comfortable salary and have turned down offers for jobs that required a PhD or equivalent experience. This is not abnormal in the computer industry; quite the opposite.

What I see missing from all the aviation jobs that require degrees is that little magical line: "or equivalent experience."

When someone in my position is considering getting a degree just to "check a box", there's something wrong with the system. The more I think about it , the more I wrap back around to that same conclusion: Education, as a means to 'check a box', is a racket.

And any job that evaluates candidates based solely on how they fit into a spreadsheet is a job I never wish to work.*

Just my opinion. It's a rehash really, but this whole thread is a rehash of a rehash of a rehash. ^.^

-Fox
(* - I'm not saying that I should be evaluated more favorably for an aviation job based on my tech experience, mind you. Obviously the sum of my experiences in aviation is my worth as a pilot. However, if you're going to consider my non-pertinent background, then just doing it by 'has degree/no degree' is idiotic and indicates an impersonality that's more suited to hiring for a job in retail.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top