How Much Does The School You Go To Affect Getting Hired?

M20B_pilot

Well-Known Member
We keep going back and forth about what everyone thinks is the best dispatch school, but I really want to know how much the school you go to factors into getting hired or even just getting an interview. Does it really have that big of an affect on the person or people deciding who to hire to see that one dispatcher went to one school and another to a different school? Or do most airlines want to see that you have the license and or experience?
 
I really don't think it matters. What they care about is that you have your license. Not once have I heard management say, I wish we had some potential employees who went to "xxx school".

Now once you get the interview, it's up to you to know your stuff and sell yourself. One school vs another may have you better prepared for interviews but in the end, it's on you.

Good luck :)
 
Companies do have preference for grads of certain schools. Won't guarantee you a job. But it does give you an advantage.
 
The teacher where I got my ticket worked for an airline and got most of the people he taught a job. Before I gave any school money I would ask where the people from their last class got hired.
 
While I don't think it MATTERS, sometimes the networking of "Yeah, I worked with the guy that trained you at that school," and then you cna get a referral based on that person. If an airline approaches a specific school, maybe that is due to proximity of the office to the school, or simply networking that a member of airline management has with that school.
 
While I don't think it MATTERS, sometimes the networking of "Yeah, I worked with the guy that trained you at that school," and then you cna get a referral based on that person. If an airline approaches a specific school, maybe that is due to proximity of the office to the school, or simply networking that a member of airline management has with that school.
Definitely this, it's how you can differentiate yourself from the dozens or even hundreds of applicants for a job...
 
Who you know if far more important than what you know. This is true, like it or not. A very close second is your attitude.

My personal opinion to the original question? No, I do not believe it matters what school you go to.*

*HOWEVER - I also believe strongly that the best people in aviation are the ones who are self-motivated and driven for success. You have to approach your basic curriculum just hopefully like you would with the job you'd like to have, and that should be with an attitude of "I want to learn everything I can now and later in order to do the very best job that I can; I know people are depending on me and I care very much about not letting them down".

Using this attitude to pick a school, are you going to pick a place that 1) guarantees everybody passes, no matter how unqualified/unintelligent/shouldn't be anywhere near operations they are, 2) doesn't teach you everything you need to know, and 3) doesn't hold you to any real expectations? Doesn't sound good to me - don't waste your time and money. Sometimes the easiest road ultimately is the bust-your-ass road, because it's going to open up opportunities for you, not the "gimme" road.

Another point, THERE ARE SOME TERRIBLE DISPATCH SCHOOLS OUT THERE. How they stay operational is baffling to me. The FAA takes awhile to shut down shops, evidently, or they are just completely looking the other way. I have personally seen their "graduates" from a couple of these places on the job and their performance ranges from moderately just ok to a complete disaster. All of us are brought down by these people.

To be truthful, I have also seen great people from more than one school; what they all shared in common was the drive to be the best. Innate abilities and results account for something sure, but it's not everything. Be smart about your choice because many of your competitors for the job you want chose the bust-your-ass road, and continue to do so after they're hired.

Summary: Just do yourself a favor and go to a good school. It's pretty much the same price (or cheaper) and you're giving yourself a good framework. Please don't give any money to a clown school because I would like to see them all dry up and go away.

Living and personifying the attitude of "I will make it happen" virtually guarantees eventual success. People will notice and you will network. Opportunities will come because you've made them for you and you stand out. There are many good examples of these people who post regularly right on this website. Don't even need to mention names, they stand out on their own.

Just my .02 everyone. Good luck.
 
ljg said:
Who you know if far more important than what you know. This is true, like it or not. A very close second is your attitude.

My personal opinion to the original question? No, I do not believe it matters what school you go to.*

*HOWEVER - I also believe strongly that the best people in aviation are the ones who are self-motivated and driven for success. You have to approach your basic curriculum just hopefully like you would with the job you'd like to have, and that should be with an attitude of "I want to learn everything I can now and later in order to do the very best job that I can; I know people are depending on me and I care very much about not letting them down".

Using this attitude to pick a school, are you going to pick a place that 1) guarantees everybody passes, no matter how unqualified/unintelligent/shouldn't be anywhere near operations they are, 2) doesn't teach you everything you need to know, and 3) doesn't hold you to any real expectations? Doesn't sound good to me - don't waste your time and money. Sometimes the easiest road ultimately is the bust-your-ass road, because it's going to open up opportunities for you, not the "gimme" road.

Another point, THERE ARE SOME TERRIBLE DISPATCH SCHOOLS OUT THERE. How they stay operational is baffling to me. The FAA takes awhile to shut down shops, evidently, or they are just completely looking the other way. I have personally seen their "graduates" from a couple of these places on the job and their performance ranges from moderately just ok to a complete disaster. All of us are brought down by these people.

To be truthful, I have also seen great people from more than one school; what they all shared in common was the drive to be the best. Innate abilities and results account for something sure, but it's not everything. Be smart about your choice because many of your competitors for the job you want chose the bust-your-ass road, and continue to do so after they're hired.

Summary: Just do yourself a favor and go to a good school. It's pretty much the same price (or cheaper) and you're giving yourself a good framework. Please don't give any money to a clown school because I would like to see them all dry up and go away.

Living and personifying the attitude of "I will make it happen" virtually guarantees eventual success. People will notice and you will network. Opportunities will come because you've made them for you and you stand out. There are many good examples of these people who post regularly right on this website. Don't even need to mention names, they stand out on their own.

Just my .02 everyone. Good luck.

Well said!
 
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