Career in Aviation
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Career in Aviation
I am considering a career in flying, and aside from scraping the required funds together, I have one major concern; my educational background.
I left am 25 and left school 8 years ago. Those of you au fait with the education system will spot that this means I left in the middle of my 'A' levels. Out of interest this was my own decision and was not based upon predicted results ie. not because I was going to flunk it.
What I'm most interested in finding out is whether or not in general the aviation industry (for pilots) is much of a meritocratic society, or if my lack of formal education will hold me back in a significant way?
I would have thought that an ATPL would be proof enough of one's ability, however I am not in a position to comment as (a) I am not involved in the industry and (b) I want to be a pilot!
Do any of you guys out on the front line fly with anyone (or know of any pilot) who decided to finish their schooling at GCSE/'O' level?
Any experiences/opinions you can share on this matter would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Skint.
I left am 25 and left school 8 years ago. Those of you au fait with the education system will spot that this means I left in the middle of my 'A' levels. Out of interest this was my own decision and was not based upon predicted results ie. not because I was going to flunk it.
What I'm most interested in finding out is whether or not in general the aviation industry (for pilots) is much of a meritocratic society, or if my lack of formal education will hold me back in a significant way?
I would have thought that an ATPL would be proof enough of one's ability, however I am not in a position to comment as (a) I am not involved in the industry and (b) I want to be a pilot!
Do any of you guys out on the front line fly with anyone (or know of any pilot) who decided to finish their schooling at GCSE/'O' level?
Any experiences/opinions you can share on this matter would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Skint.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Same boat different paddle.
Im 20 and have often looked at the Airline Pilot option for many years but have kind of decided to persue another career instead.
In todays society as im sure you are aware many people chase further education in order to gain better careers. The problem is that you can take courses in just about anything nowadays e.g. BA Hons in Surfing and Candlestick making to name a few. This means that when I go to apply for a job with my 'O level's' 'A level' and 'BTEC ND' qualifications, the other guy with the Degree in Bungee jumping is likely to win the bet. and this means that people like you and me have quite a bit of competition when looking at different careers.
Im not saying that further education is a bad thing and respect the people who persue it, however it seems that it is all too easy nowadays to go off to Uni for three years getting into debt, when you could be doing something more productive with your time like getting a job and progressing within that environment.
As I am sure you are aware in order to gain a training sponsorship from an airline you usually need a Degree or two and an academic aptitude to match. Otherwise self funding is the answer and even then it doesnt guarantee you the right hand seat at the end of it.
Maybe I should stop digging as I havent answered your question, but good luck anyway and remember if you want it hard enough you WILL eventually get it!
John
In todays society as im sure you are aware many people chase further education in order to gain better careers. The problem is that you can take courses in just about anything nowadays e.g. BA Hons in Surfing and Candlestick making to name a few. This means that when I go to apply for a job with my 'O level's' 'A level' and 'BTEC ND' qualifications, the other guy with the Degree in Bungee jumping is likely to win the bet. and this means that people like you and me have quite a bit of competition when looking at different careers.
Im not saying that further education is a bad thing and respect the people who persue it, however it seems that it is all too easy nowadays to go off to Uni for three years getting into debt, when you could be doing something more productive with your time like getting a job and progressing within that environment.
As I am sure you are aware in order to gain a training sponsorship from an airline you usually need a Degree or two and an academic aptitude to match. Otherwise self funding is the answer and even then it doesnt guarantee you the right hand seat at the end of it.
Maybe I should stop digging as I havent answered your question, but good luck anyway and remember if you want it hard enough you WILL eventually get it!
John
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I have to say that it doesn't really matter what your level of education is. Although I have A-levels and a degree, none are in a subject relevant to aviation, nor were any of them completed to a high standard. You will most likely have to demonstrate to a future employer something in place of that further education, such as solid work/career experience and a continuous interest in flying. Most employers today employ "the person" and not necessarily the exams you passed, although it does pay to do VERY well in the JAA exams and flight tests as that will improve your chances of a job above all the competition!!!
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
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Left school at 16 with a handful of 'O' levels and it didn't stop me so don't let it stop you. As it so happens, I also started flying when much older then you, so you're already ahead...
Someone much wiser then me once said "I look for the 3 holding abilities when recruiting flight crew - hold a heading, hold a conversation and hold a knife and fork"
Someone much wiser then me once said "I look for the 3 holding abilities when recruiting flight crew - hold a heading, hold a conversation and hold a knife and fork"
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A degree in anything won't necessarily land you the job at the end of the day BUT it may be the difference in getting you through the door. As an example, at a hiring about a year ago we had an enormous number of applications. All of the applicants met all of the criteria required in our minimum flight crew standards. Our HR people needed a means of getting the numbers down to managable levels. The method that was used was to stream out all those that did not have post secondary education. Whether it was a full degree or multiple degrees or a diploma it didn't matter. Then that list was shorted for interviews. The successful applicant had a 2 year diploma.
Is this fair to all applicants? No, but it is a reality that you just may run into.
Is this fair to all applicants? No, but it is a reality that you just may run into.
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604 - that certainly is reality!
Also, not having studied in a classroom/exam/homework setting for 7-odd years may provide you with a nasty shock during the exam phase of fulfilling the JAR licence requirement.
Who needs GA
I wish that were true but going by the Wannabe forums unfortunately it isn't. I'd be intrigued to know if it helped you? Having a helping hand on the inside sometimes helps, as does at least 1000 hours of relevant (ie non-GA) hours.
Also, not having studied in a classroom/exam/homework setting for 7-odd years may provide you with a nasty shock during the exam phase of fulfilling the JAR licence requirement.
Who needs GA
although it does pay to do VERY well in the JAA exams and flight tests as that will improve your chances of a job above all the competition
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All i was referring to was that it is better to have first time passes throughout rather than having to explain away failures or difficulties at interview. Also when you have a perceived disadvantage like not having gone to Uni or done A-levels then shining when doing your ATPL can only do good? Getting a job, is very much a case of right place, right time and luck. Who you know, is also an advantage, but as I don't know anyone of importance in the industry it didn't really help me!
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The education most european airlines demand from a succesful candidate is the one they receive during their PILOT training, and they ´ll make sure candidates have that education through tests and sim rides, I wouldn´t worry about further education JUST TO enhance chances of getting a job. All the best.
Sudden Winds
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Sudden Winds
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I think the UK and North America probably differ on this subject. It is a fact that many pilots in the UK did not get degrees or A levels and have gone on to have successful flying careers. They are more interested in your background as a whole, as sudden winds has pointed out, they will test you for aptitude if required and a degree is no guarantee of aptitude these days (stands back and dons hard hat!)
I think what is important is to show what you did instead of further education and how your character developed and was enhanced by this decision. I personally came the same route as you.....one year of A levels then dropped out due personal circumstances. Before flying I had a ten year IT career and parallel with that a 10 year career in the reserve forces. I therefore had a lot of 'life' experience to draw on when it came to interview (first flying job at 32.) I regretted not finishing my A levels and going on to university for many years as I knew I had the ability to have done so, but looking back now I think on balance I am 'ahead' due to the choices I made all those years ago.
I do agree with 604guy that some airlines may use this method of 'selection', or rather 'rejection', but in the UK I think that is more true when they are selecting cadets or low hours pilots. It is enlightening to see that aviation has become one of the few professions which will not discard candidates just because of a lack of formal education - if you have the ability to pass the ATPL exams and any aptitude testing then I have to say that I think these abilities demonstrate the required level of academia (or is it academea?
The profession is predominantly a practical one and this is reflected in the selection tests that many airlines run.
Hope that is of some help to you.
PP
I think what is important is to show what you did instead of further education and how your character developed and was enhanced by this decision. I personally came the same route as you.....one year of A levels then dropped out due personal circumstances. Before flying I had a ten year IT career and parallel with that a 10 year career in the reserve forces. I therefore had a lot of 'life' experience to draw on when it came to interview (first flying job at 32.) I regretted not finishing my A levels and going on to university for many years as I knew I had the ability to have done so, but looking back now I think on balance I am 'ahead' due to the choices I made all those years ago.
I do agree with 604guy that some airlines may use this method of 'selection', or rather 'rejection', but in the UK I think that is more true when they are selecting cadets or low hours pilots. It is enlightening to see that aviation has become one of the few professions which will not discard candidates just because of a lack of formal education - if you have the ability to pass the ATPL exams and any aptitude testing then I have to say that I think these abilities demonstrate the required level of academia (or is it academea?
The profession is predominantly a practical one and this is reflected in the selection tests that many airlines run.Hope that is of some help to you.
PP
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Skint,
I'm 29 and the best qualification I ahve to my name is my A' level woodwork.
It didn't stop me becoming an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm where most of my colleagues had degrees.
It didn't stop me getting into the police when I left.
It didn't stop me attaining the rank of Sergeant (although it was hard graft!)
It hasn't stopped me from starting along the route of modular flying training.
Unless the job application states you need a degree (which as far as I know none of the airlines demand) then you are as good as the next person. What is important is that a lot of graduates will have some experience of interviews, CVs and how to "sell themselves" as candidates. This you can gain from reputable organisations set up to train for this situation.
What you may find more demanding is getting your maths and physics up to scratch before starting study for the ATPL exams. Some find these easier than others but if you jump through all of the hoops in terms of exams and flight tests, they are your qualifications for the job. All you need to do then is stand out from the crowd, easier said than done.
Good luck
Obs cop
I'm 29 and the best qualification I ahve to my name is my A' level woodwork.
It didn't stop me becoming an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm where most of my colleagues had degrees.
It didn't stop me getting into the police when I left.
It didn't stop me attaining the rank of Sergeant (although it was hard graft!)
It hasn't stopped me from starting along the route of modular flying training.
Unless the job application states you need a degree (which as far as I know none of the airlines demand) then you are as good as the next person. What is important is that a lot of graduates will have some experience of interviews, CVs and how to "sell themselves" as candidates. This you can gain from reputable organisations set up to train for this situation.
What you may find more demanding is getting your maths and physics up to scratch before starting study for the ATPL exams. Some find these easier than others but if you jump through all of the hoops in terms of exams and flight tests, they are your qualifications for the job. All you need to do then is stand out from the crowd, easier said than done.
Good luck
Obs cop
