Switching College Degree

[RWH1986]

I am considering switching from the Professional Pilot Degree to the Transportation Management Degree at ASU. I dont think the CRJ training will do me any good and can save money on doing my multi and instructor ratings elsewhere. Is this a good idea or should I stick with the flight program?:dunno:

 

[twotwowoo]

It's good to save money, and that might be a good reason to switch. If you're switching majors for a more marketable degree - look elsewhere. I graduated with an Aviation Management degree and I can't even get a job flipping burgers. Get a degree in business or engineering or something along those lines, or just stick with your flight major - it's about as useful as an aviation management degree. Most aviation managers didn't major in "Transportation Management" anyway - they came from other forms of business.

 

[jskibo]

If you're switching majors for a more marketable degree - look elsewhere. I graduated with an Aviation Management degree and I can't even get a job flipping burgers.

Interesting. I have a BS In Aviation Management and have been with Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas originally) for the past 14 years, more than half of that in management. Its all in how you market yourself and what you know beyond the degree.....

 

[nyalex]

You are correct, having CRJ training on your resume won't do too much for you right now. I know nothing about the ASU program, but as a recent aviation degree graduate I wish I had something unrelated. Like the other poster said, you may want to get a general degree but getting your ratings elsewhere will likely save you a fair chunk of change if you do your homework.

 

[RWH1986]

Thanks for the input so far. I did some look into a regular business degree but it would require me to stay in school longer which means more tuition costs as compared to the transportation management degree which only has 10 classes different than the flight degree. I was thinking doing my Multi with a friend in a twinstar for 250 an hour and then CFI/CFII/MEI at ATP.

 

[VATechPilot]

Interesting. I have a BS In Aviation Management and have been with Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas originally) for the past 14 years, more than half of that in management. Its all in how you market yourself and what you know beyond the degree.....

That is all fine an dandy that you were able to land that job 14 years ago. But today is different times my friend.


I would look for another major that you both can actually use and requires you the least amount of time in school. Look at a bunch of them over, like hotel management.

 

[jskibo]

That is all fine an dandy that you were able to land that job 14 years ago. But today is different times my friend.


I would look for another major that you both can actually use and requires you the least amount of time in school. Look at a bunch of them over, like hotel management.

Let me add to this then.....

As a hiring manager (yes we are still hiring in this economy, I'm currently down 2 heads), the degree gets you the interview. My requisitions require a Bachelors, that's it. For all the positions I hire for, I could care less if its Hotel Management, Pottery, Aviation Maintenance or Logistics. (For the engineering types an ABET accredited degree is required.)

Its what you do in the interview that gets you the job. All the interviews are "Structured Interviews". The questions are mundane, but situational. You need to be able to stand out from the crowd on how you cover the three requirements of each question. 1. What was the situation? 2. What Actions did you take? 3. What was the outcome or result?

I can't tell you how many times I get folks with 5, 10 or 20 years experience that can't answer all three parts of the question. Or those that focus on what the group they were in did "WE" and never the what they did as part of it "I". I get answers to the obvious Diversity question like "I really respect other cultures and love when we have an ethnic food day". Come on people!

Research the company and the specific products you'll be interviewing for. I like getting follow-up questions from interviewees about where we are going, what we are thinking about as to support it, or showing me how they have some ideas. Heck at least it shows you had enough interest to figure out what it is you applied to do. I had one guy tell me he "loved all the cool planes he would be working with", problem was, the job was in future combat systems, a family of ground vehicles, sensors and and a network. FFS he didn't even read the job req.

I've really seen the quality of interviewees decline over the past 7 years. Its not that hard to shine or stand out above the crowd with just a little effort. Yes the economy sucks, but so does your competition. They are putting minimal effort into getting a job. One up them and you'll do well.......Regardless of what that degree is in.

Oh, and I've never asked or cared what GPA anyone had. Can't think of a time anyone ever asked me either.