Graduate Opportunities

[Landing_24R]

Hi,

I've applied to study History at University in 2004, although my real career ambitions lie in aviation. I'm already thinking about what to do next, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any graduate entry schemes into airports or airlines in the UK be it in airfield, management, anything. I have a suspicion that its a case of 'working your way up', but I thought it would be worth a try. I know BAA aren't offering any and BA's seemed to focus on engineering...

Also, whilst I'm studying I'm hoping to work part-time in the industry (maybe with an airline) perhaps as a way to get a foot in the door. I'd be really interested to hear opinions from anyone who has done this whilst studying; where and when you worked, opportunities afterwards etc...

Thanks to anyone who can help, I know its an unusual request.

Cheers,
Landing_24R

[Eddie_Crane]

HI Landing_24R,
I am not aware of grad opportunities within BAA.
I know BA do something in a number of fields, including Op Res and IT, have a look at
http://www.britishairwaysjobs.com/syc/grads/index.jsp
for their requirements etc..
I know NATS have a graduate scheme for Uni grads, I only know about the Engineering one though, which is callled DEGs (although I believe they have a graduate scheme for Op Res as well). Competition is very stiff and they only hire a few a year, my CV and letter did not get very far this year *sigh*. You will have to apply usually by the 20th of Sept or so.
Airbus also has graduate opportunities, not sure if it's through EADS, but on the main site (airbus.com) they asked for a Masters degree in addition to an Undergraduate. This scheme too is fiercely competed for, with 3000+ applications per year and a handful positions available.
Mind you, they normally require Engineering disciplines. It looked to me as though amongst all these BA was the only one not specifically asking for numerate degrees while Airbus and NATS asked for specific ones. Airbus and NATS also had graduate level positions in HR or other divisions but they normally asked for numerate degrees as well.
Do have a look at NATS, Airbus, EADS Astrium, QinetiQ, BA.. there are many more, but I think these will give you a good start.
Best of luck and tailwinds to you

[Genghis the Engineer]

In my opinion, the only place you'll go with a History degree is either a general role in the forces, or pilot. In both these cases, the degree is really only a demonstration of ability, for which reason a non-relevant degree like history is potentially as good as any other.

But for most other specialist jobs (Engineer, programme manager, planner) a specialist - or at-least heavily numerate degree will stand you in much better stead. This basically means...

(1) Engineering
(2) Maths / Physics (of limited use to become an Engineer but useful for most other roles)
(3) Transport or Business management.
(4) Travel and tourism.


(3) and (4) are clearly fairly specialised and will help get into particular roles within the industry - (1) is also specialised but opens up a lot of more general roles; (2) opens up many roles but probably not Engineering itself unless you do additional training - either licenses for the ground-engineering role, or an MSc for the more design / analysis Engineering roles. (Nobody goes straight into Engineering management, whether they've a degree or not.)


There are clearly a lot of very able pilots with humanities degrees - but the fact is until they've gained a lot of industry experience over many years, if they fail as pilot they have few options without substantial retraining. My advice would be that if you really only want to be a pilot the degree won't make any difference, do it if you love the subject, if you don't - why waste 3 years? If you want to work in the industry generally, are passionate about aeroplanes and want to work in them in some / any role - change course, maybe even do an Engineering foundation course if you haven't Maths and Physics A-Levels. It won't prevent you becoming a pilot, but will open up lots of other options too that a History degree, quite frankly, won't.

G

[Landing_24R]

Cesco;
Thanks for the links and advice, I'm looking at the BA site now and it looks promising, I'll check the others out later tonight.

Genghis;
I've applied to do History since it's a subject I really enjoy and think I'll do well in. Science was never my thing (my A Levels are French, English, Geography and History) and if I were to do a science degree I'd trawl through it for 3 years and achieve an average result at best, whereas I'd like to think I stand a good chance of doing really well at History and achieving a good degree. As for being a pilot, I'm waiting on some medical advice from the CAA, but am working on the presumption that I'll be classed as unfit. The way I see it, any other result will come as a pleasant surprise! I'd really like to work in the industry; ATC, Airfield Ops, Management etc all interest me, but I don't think the science route is really for me. The degree is also for backup, I know how vunerable the industry can be. Thanks for the advice though, I appreciate it.

Any more replies would be greatfully recieved....

[bladums]

I believe Mcdonalds at Gatwick airport offer a trainee management scheme!

You even get free meals whilst on duty.

[jumpseater]

Landing, with your A levels I can nearly see myself 20ish years ago! , I didn't go to Uni but can see your logic for choice of course. However, Genghis' advice in my opinion is very good, if one were to be harsh, ask yourself how history would work in the context of 'career' in aviation. Its easier to find a logical link between modern languages and geography for example, but not so easily for history per se.

You mention that due to medical 'issues' you may not be able to be a pilot, just as a heads up, that may preclude some elements of a career in ATC for example, particularly if aiming for a controllers position, so you may need to bear that in mind. So I'd steer more towards a degree with a potential 'link' to aviation rather than history, which whilst proving the ability to learn, may be limited in helping getting the foot in the door.

Check also some of the uni's for aviation related degrees, City University used to do a foundation degree in Aviation Management, try Cranfield Beds as well. I do suspect that as others have indicated there will be a bias towards numeracy as part of the core subject. If you're more biased towards the arts, perhaps a marketing/PR slant might work for you, its a realtively small field but would also be 'transferrable' to other industries. Transferrable degrees/talents will become even more usefull in the future, one downside of aviation is that sometimes you could end up too specialised!.

As for part time work, generally it won't pay particularly well, local flying clubs might need a 'hanger rat' in the summer, or some handling agents at big airports take ground handling/ops staff, for the airport jobs, you might be age restricted, and you'll need a clean 'crim' sheet to work airside. It would be good experience though, and might help formulate your career ideas further.

PS: also have a quick look at G's post on the interview thread on this forum!

[Landing_24R]

Thanks Jumpseater,

I appreciate your advice on choice of degree, but since I've already applied for History I'm stuck with it now! There was a cracking looking course at Leeds and Salford called Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies that would have suited me down to the ground, but sadly it wanted sciences to A2. The same goes for the Aviation Management degrees at most places I looked at. Whilst at Uni I'm hoping to join a UAS- once again medical permitting- and do everything I can geared towards the industry (part-time work etc) to prove my interest and commitment to potential employers. Postgraduate courses in management, marketing etc are all possibilities I might look into however when the time comes so thanks for the advice.


Landing_24R

[waco]

Good luck...

My advice would be to avoid any involvement in ground operations at all cost. Feel free to e-mail me for further info !