Due to the size and nature of this Industry being a graduate does not really greatly help you much in the areas of work you are looking at. Graduate opporrtunities are very few. It is probably better on the Engineering side than Operations. Every airline is set up differently. They each have different management styles, structures and areas of operation.
In the large airline you'll either be far removed for any real aspect of the operation or find yourself in working in one specialist area missing out on the larger picture. In the Big Airline you'll be very lucky to get anywhere near anything for which you studied for, but you may find a great career in company pensions!
A small airline offers a jack of all trades perspective and a good grounding, but with limited prospects.
Many senior people in the industry have worked their way up though the ranks and it is a very small place where all the managers know each other (so make no enemies!). The high powers that be in the larger airlines usually hark from other industries, so if this is where you want to be start cleaining cars at Hertz!
At present the job situation is very poor and there are many good experienced people out there without work.
The things I would suggest you keep in mind is that a degree course is a very general grounding, it does not in this industry, really give you any instant stepping stone, it is experience in this industry that really counts. To get this experience you may have to go for anything to get a foot in the door. Please remember, however, just because you have a degree you do not know everything, listen and learn. You'll never be fully enlightened anyway, it's that sort of industry changing all the time.
I know this isn't very good news but I hope it helps with you up coming decisions. I hope you get to where you want to go and good luck with your finals!
[ 29 October 2001: Message edited by: Pan ]