My dream is to become a Flight Dispatcher, and I will be completing my Associates Degree in Flight Dispatching this December. Will I have a good chance of getting a dispatching job with just an Associates Degree or will I need a Bachelors Degree in Aviation? I am practically oriented and would prefer to get on the job training after my Associates Degree. Will I be able to find a job or will I need a Bachelors Degree? My second question is: Will my long term salary be lower with just an Associates Degree, or will I be able to make up for it with work experience? I would love to hear from Flight Dispatchers. Thank you so much for your time.
Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degree?
- Thread starter sonali
- Start date
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degre
I would say that only having an Associate's Degree shouldn't prevent you from getting a job with a regional, but a bachelor's always looks better on your resume. If you're itching to get going, that's fine - but keep working on your bachelor's degree (through online classes or whatever) while you're working at your first dispatch job. Many majors (although not all of them) won't hire someone without a bachelor's degree, if that is your long-term goal.
I would say that only having an Associate's Degree shouldn't prevent you from getting a job with a regional, but a bachelor's always looks better on your resume. If you're itching to get going, that's fine - but keep working on your bachelor's degree (through online classes or whatever) while you're working at your first dispatch job. Many majors (although not all of them) won't hire someone without a bachelor's degree, if that is your long-term goal.
izanti
Well-Known Member
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degre
I didnt even know there was such a thing as a degree in flight dispatching. Regardless, I got both of my dispatching jobs while my bachelors in Aviation Business was in progress and I finished it online so not having my bachelors did not hurt me, but I was also finishing it soooo.
I would say that associates in dispatching will definitly help you but get your bachelors in something other than dispatching. I am a dispatcher and a pilot and my school kept trying to sell me a degree in Aeronautical Science, basically a degree in flying, I laughed and told them no way because if one day I dont want to dispatch or lose my medical I can take my business degree and do other things. Dont limit your education to your current career, exapnd your horizons if you do not have to.
To answer your questions though no you will not need your bachelors to get an intital job, although a major airline like Delta or FedEx may prefer it.
In terms of pay in the long run I think it depends on what kind of operation you are with. When I was with a 121 domestic regional my bachelors made no difference in pay at all. I got the same pay after spending 60 grand for a bachelors as the guy next to me who dropped out of high school. But with my current op, a 121 supplemental I was able to negotiate a significantly higher salary because I was working on my bachelors and after I finished it I got more.
I didnt even know there was such a thing as a degree in flight dispatching. Regardless, I got both of my dispatching jobs while my bachelors in Aviation Business was in progress and I finished it online so not having my bachelors did not hurt me, but I was also finishing it soooo.
I would say that associates in dispatching will definitly help you but get your bachelors in something other than dispatching. I am a dispatcher and a pilot and my school kept trying to sell me a degree in Aeronautical Science, basically a degree in flying, I laughed and told them no way because if one day I dont want to dispatch or lose my medical I can take my business degree and do other things. Dont limit your education to your current career, exapnd your horizons if you do not have to.
To answer your questions though no you will not need your bachelors to get an intital job, although a major airline like Delta or FedEx may prefer it.
In terms of pay in the long run I think it depends on what kind of operation you are with. When I was with a 121 domestic regional my bachelors made no difference in pay at all. I got the same pay after spending 60 grand for a bachelors as the guy next to me who dropped out of high school. But with my current op, a 121 supplemental I was able to negotiate a significantly higher salary because I was working on my bachelors and after I finished it I got more.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degre
That's right, I forgot to address the pay issue. At my current employer (a major) I work with people who have anywhere from high school diplomas to master's degrees and the pay scale is the same for all...that is, starting out, it doesn't matter whether you have a degree or not, and pay raises are the same for all. However, I have noticed that having a bachelor's or master's degree seems to help people when they apply for supervisory roles within the department...so take that for what it's worth. And I agree, having a degree in something besides aviation might be a good idea. If I ever do go back and work on my master's, I am sure it won't be an aviation-related degreee...already got two of those, (associate and bachelors) thanks.
That's right, I forgot to address the pay issue. At my current employer (a major) I work with people who have anywhere from high school diplomas to master's degrees and the pay scale is the same for all...that is, starting out, it doesn't matter whether you have a degree or not, and pay raises are the same for all. However, I have noticed that having a bachelor's or master's degree seems to help people when they apply for supervisory roles within the department...so take that for what it's worth. And I agree, having a degree in something besides aviation might be a good idea. If I ever do go back and work on my master's, I am sure it won't be an aviation-related degreee...already got two of those, (associate and bachelors) thanks.
Renish Mathew
New Member
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degre
hello 2 all......
i have a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and rite nw i am pursuin my masters degree in aeronautical engineering.... i am lookin forward 2 a job in d aviation industry whch is tough.... so i am thinkin of joinin in 4 a flight dispatcher course.... can any1 advice me wht 2 do.....
hello 2 all......
i have a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and rite nw i am pursuin my masters degree in aeronautical engineering.... i am lookin forward 2 a job in d aviation industry whch is tough.... so i am thinkin of joinin in 4 a flight dispatcher course.... can any1 advice me wht 2 do.....
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degre
I know high school drop-outs who are working as dispatchers. Granted they have some military experience and a GED, but the point is you don't need a degree to get a dispatcher job. The main advantage to getting a degree is that your resume will get pulled out of the pile before someone who doesn't. Your degree will mean absolutely nothing when it comes to salary. Dispatchers are typically paid on a scale. First year dispatchers get paid X, 2nd year dispatchers get paid Y, and so on. If you had experience as a NASA mission controller, it wouldn't mean boo in terms of your salary.
That said, the way to increase your salary over the course of your career is either to A) move up in the organization; i.e dispatcher, dispatch supervisor, dispatch manager, SOC director, etc, or B) move from a regional carrier to a major carrier. And having a degree WILL help in that regard.
I know high school drop-outs who are working as dispatchers. Granted they have some military experience and a GED, but the point is you don't need a degree to get a dispatcher job. The main advantage to getting a degree is that your resume will get pulled out of the pile before someone who doesn't. Your degree will mean absolutely nothing when it comes to salary. Dispatchers are typically paid on a scale. First year dispatchers get paid X, 2nd year dispatchers get paid Y, and so on. If you had experience as a NASA mission controller, it wouldn't mean boo in terms of your salary.
That said, the way to increase your salary over the course of your career is either to A) move up in the organization; i.e dispatcher, dispatch supervisor, dispatch manager, SOC director, etc, or B) move from a regional carrier to a major carrier. And having a degree WILL help in that regard.
Re: Flight Dispatcher Career - Associates or Bachelors Degre
First things first, drop the text speak and write using proper grammar. If you want to be treated like a professional you need to act like one.
First things first, drop the text speak and write using proper grammar. If you want to be treated like a professional you need to act like one.