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Aviation degree

Old 18th Jan 2011, 14:06
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Aviation degree

Hello all

I'm currently an first officer for the big orange company and I'm seriously considering an aviation related degree, most likely Air Transport Operations and Managment BSc.

As I don't know a lot of people who have gone down this path I would like to ask my fellow ppruners if any of you have had experience with this an aviation degree...
Which degree did you do and where?
What are you doing now?
If you are an airline pilot, how are/were you able to study and put in the required work around your roster?
Do you feel getting an aviation degree is more benifical than getting a standard business degree?

I would really appreciate some advice guys.
RoyBoy20 is offline  
Old 18th Jan 2011, 16:22
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Glad to hear your already planning ahead for 2011!

Whilst I have no flying experience / work behind me I am currently studying my final year for a BSc in Air Transport Management. I chose to do such a course so that I could maintain my interests as well as getting a bit of management / business studies behind me.

The course I am on covers quite a variety of topics (not all of which are aviation specific) but after 4 years, everything appears to piece together. When I first looked at universities I found some that offered the same course offered a more engineering style course as opposed to management; but I believe now there are several universities to choose from.

I hope that having this aviation degree will give me an edge against other applicants when it comes to applying for jobs within the aviation sector. I have learnt the basic theory, I have had a year in industry and have been able to enjoy a degree rather than just work through it for the sake of having a degree.

I've always said that choosing to do the course I am on has been the best decision I have made so far and I am very glad that I had not chosen a standard academic subject.
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 16:35
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it would certainly help.

I am a FO/JR Captain. I do not fly the big jets however smaller turbo props in the STOL operations of NEPAL. Though its a demanding job it does provide a lot of free time.

Regarding the aviation degree or any other degree it would be beneficial for sure. However, getting a degree in business administration or other fields would be a better idea. This would increase ones scope and also increase the value of the person I guess. An aviation degree would be only important in aviation sector. However, a business degree would be important in any industry including aviation.

Going to regular college would be impossible for sure. So I took an open university that is accredited by the government and the course is laid out well. The books are they to assist you plus the online material. And also if needed you can attend the classes but that is not mandatory. However, the exams has to be given at a center so not sure if that would be possible. But the yearly plan is given out so its easy to plan ahead.

Have to do proper time management and give enough time to your studies. Just couple of hours every week is good.

I am sure the degree would help and its always good to have more knowledge. Would help. That is my advise.
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 22:09
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Thanks for your replies guys!

@ top vapour: Glad to hear that you are enjoying your degree, hopefully I'll be able to commence a degree part time as I will be unable to reduce my time at work. May I ask in what sector of aviation will you be hoping to get involved with? Have you been given feedback on the type of jobs you can apply for with the aviation degree with i.e. operations, flight planning, managment e.t.c...

@jackcarls0n: I understand your point in that getting a standard business degree would widen my scope if i ever decided to leave aviation. However considering your location do you feel that maybe getting an aviation degree would not be as useful compared to Europe or the US? What do you plan to achieve once you have completed your studies?

As I mentioned I am currently an airline pilot and I do not ever plan to quit flying as a profession. However in the future I would like to get involved with other sectors in aviation i.e. managment, consulting, recruitment, training all along side my primary career as a pilot.

Thanks for your feedback guys, I need all the advice I can get!
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 23:10
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If you can be guaranteed that you will always be able to get a job in the aviation field, then go for the aviation degree. If you are getting the degree to broaden your education or open your employment options, then go for something else. However, many companies don't look all that closely at the degree itself, but just require that you have SOME degree...

Accreditation is another thing to look for. Many on-line or other private schools that cater to specialty training are not accredited, or are accredited by organizations that are not really regarded as "proper" accreditation. Research the generally accepted accreditation organizations for the type of school you choose.
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Old 19th Jan 2011, 06:10
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Your welcome RoyBoy

If your 100% sure of being in aviation through out your life then I guess the Aviation Degree would be certainly beneficial. However, my reason for taking the generic business degree is that if I have to apply elsewhere other then Nepal would be much beneficial. I plan to getting a masters from a proper University and might take a break from flying for couple of years. Even in your same company, I guess you will find people with a generic business degree at management level then the ones who have a aviaition management degree.

But either ways, a degree is really beneficial I would suggest. In any context it would help you. If your looking for a job in management, I would look up the job criteria which are posted online for those position, this should give you a basic idea about the requirements. Then you could plan accordingly.

Either ways pilot around the world are least educated and highly skilled workers. So good to be highly educated and highly skilled.
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Old 19th Jan 2011, 06:44
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I don't believe I've ever seen a requirement or even a preference for an aviation degree, anywhere (save for an engineering degree for an engineer, perhaps).

In most cases, a degree in underwater basket weaving will be as useful as an aviation degree.
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