Aviation Degree vs. Non-Aviation Degree

[jspilot]

I just want to know what other pilots did out there. Did you get an aviation degree or a general degree(as in a business degree) and did your flying on the side? Can ya'll give me some insite. Throughout my 3 years of flying so far and asking other pilots which is better, I get an equal amount of each. I am currently going to La Tech for a Professional Aviation degree. I have heard that getting a non-aviation field degree is better, incase I cannot fly one day. Thanks

 

[flybub]

What does your degree involve (what field)? I know quite a few guys that have aviation business degrees so it can be useful in both aviation and other areas. I personally recommend a degree non-aviation related. Take todays economic situation for example. Some furloughs I know fell back on their degrees and are doing that temporarily until recall and most of them are non-aviation related degrees. Those that have aviation degrees are instructing until they get the call.
It is totally your call. Do what you want to do, the airlines do not care what your degree is in, as long as you have one under your belt. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[jspilot]

My degree has nothing to fall back on. All I do is go to ground school and take the general courses for college, and of course fly. You have to graduate with all your ratings up to CFI. I would have nothing to fall back own except instructing like the other pilots.

 

[banned username 2]

My degree has nothing to fall back on. All I do is go to ground school and take the general courses for college, and of course fly. You have to graduate with all your ratings up to CFI. I would have nothing to fall back own except instructing like the other pilots.

You'll notice many postings on here of guys who have other (non-aviation degrees) who when they tried to "fall back" on them found them to not be much help because they had 0 experience in their degree field...

I think the important thing is that you have a degree... a company will train you in the job they want you to do... Would a business degree that you got 10-15 years earlier (but did absolutely nothing with) really help you down the road???

 

[jspilot]

Thanks Falcon Capt. That is a very good point that you make. That is what ya'll experience guys/gals are on here far. Thanks very much for your insight.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

You'll notice many postings on here of guys who have other (non-aviation degrees) who when they tried to "fall back" on them found them to not be much help because they had 0 experience in their degree field...

I think the important thing is that you have a degree... a company will train you in the job they want you to do... Would a business degree that you got 10-15 years earlier (but did absolutely nothing with) really help you down the road???

Very true, just the fact that you have a degree shows that you're able to accomplish something. My brother has a degree in psychology from Texas A&M University. He's now a GM for a high class restaurant in Houston making well over 100k his 3rd year out.

I say get a degree in something you enjoy studying. I'm getting mine in Aviation Science, I love learning about aviation.

 

[Zulu]

I've got one of each: a BS in engineering and an MS in Aeronautical Science, and I can tell you that the BS is my "real" degree -- the MS is barely worth the paper it's printed on.

FWIW, even though I've never used either of my degrees professionally and have been out of school for a LONG time, I did get a (non aviation) job offer based on my engineering degree. There were some other factors involved, but the degree was a requirement. I didn't take it, but having the option was (and is) nice.
Just some thoughts. Good luck in your hunt.

Z

 

[Flic1]

Get a degree in what interests you. I got mine in Aviation since I had so much interest in it. I know several people that made it through college getting a Business degree that never went to class and really have no business knowledge. At the same time, I 've had to temporarily take a job outside Aviation in the Finance field and my Aviation degree did not in any way hinder me getting that job. In fact, interviewers are intrigued by it from what I've seen. If you want to diversify yourself, get a degree in something else. Most people do not work in the same field their degree is in. I think saying you can't get another job with an Aviation degree is like saying you can't get a job in Aviation with an English degree. It's just a $30,000+ piece of paper, might as well be interested in what you're studying for the 4+ years!

 

[Goffer]

I agree that the 4 year degree is just a $30,000 piece of paper. Most all the degree does for you is to show that you can set a goal and achieve it, no matter what the degree is in.

Looking at my current credits it would be a lot easier to get a degree in aviation, but now I am aiming for a degree in business. It may be a false safety net, but I'd like to think that getting a degree outside of aviation may help me sometime I find it hard to get a job within the industry (and someday I know I will).

I know flying is for me and it’s in my blood. I just hope someday the body pumping that blood won't be sitting in a desk pushing papers.

 

[bobbysamd]

The degree debate

I will begin proactively. I expect that Pilotyip will put up his anti-degree post. I must disagree with Yip, who maintains that one does not need a degree to be successful in aviation. I don't feel that is good advice. The degree is not about you as a pilot, it is about you as a person. Everyone can benefit from education. A college education will stand you in good stead in terms of personal development, whether you are a pilot or a clerk at Lowe's.

Having gotten that out of the way, I like an Aeronautical Science degree. The education Riddle Aeronautical Science students received always impressed me. While I felt at times that some areas of their ground school were lacking, they had a great foundation of knowlege upon which to build. Along with ground school Riddlers took courses in technical writing, systems, and flight phys, among other things. There are plenty of positives in that kind of education.

People deride an Aeronautical Science degree, saying it might only help you get a job managing an FBO if you cannot fly. Looking at it from that perspective, I hear "aviation management." Nothing wrong with that. I would also say that you can market your degree to plenty of aviation-related entities, such as the government. Some of the coursework might help you get a job as a substitute teacher. I've read a number of stories on this from people who say how fascinated non-aviation employers are with applicants who have aviation degrees.

I already had a degree in Accounting when I started flying. I never used it, except to work up my own tax returns for several years and to balance my logbook. I used that training more in law, which came after aviation for me. Falcon Capt. makes a good point that although one might have a degree in a non-aviation field it won't help you all that much with any Plan "B" unless you have experience in that field.

The important thing is to get a degree in something primarily for the manifold benefits of being educated. And make sure your degree is from an accredited school.

 

[adam_jorgensen]

Go for what you really have the big interest in. For me, its going to be an aviation degree because I really have no other interest. I look at it as, if your true love is flying and that is what you want to do for a living for the rest of your life, why get a degree in something else not aviation related that you hope to never use? You can't be a doctor and a pilot at the same time. Flying is hard enough. The last thing I would need is to focus on something entirely different while I have to learn a bunch of flying related things. That would just screw me up. Focus all the way on one thing and you will succeed in that swiftly rather than spreading out everything and not being as good because you had to divert your attention from flying into something like a business degree. And a good point there Falcon Capt I actually never thought of that with my mind so much on pros and cons of degrees lately. If you say had a degree in something else not aviation related, you loose your aviation job, and try to go to the field of your degree, how will the degree help you if you have 0 experience? I sorta see that with flying too. A degree will do you little good if you have no flying experience. I am going to get a degree but I just worry that it will really interfere with my flying and I wont be able to fly as much because I'm too busy getting the degree. I want to be able to build as much time as possible so I can get a flying job sooner.

 

[jumppilot]

I am going to get a degree but I just worry that it will really interfere with my flying and I wont be able to fly as much because I'm too busy getting the degree. I want to be able to build as much time as possible so I can get a flying job sooner.

Adam,

Even if you do get an aviation degree you will graduate with only 300 hours, unless you can find a job instructing...And at an aviation schools, with 20,000 students who have a CFI, those are hard to come by. (I know its not 20,000, but seems that way when looking for a job).

Get a degree is something you enjoy...In the end, that is what matters. I got an aviation degree for the simple reason I would have failed out if I got something different. The difference in time you are refering to is 300 hours.

Hell, I just graduated this last december....I gradauted from a program with an airline bridge, meet 135 minimums and had a hard time getting a job...even instructing jobs....Moral of the story...You'll have to instruct after graduation anyways, so study something that will actually motivate you to go to class.

 

[jamhamms]

Registered Nursing degree

Well, I have to chime in here. I've been flying for 20 years, but only the last four have been professionally. I've towed banners, flown corporate charters, and flown freight in DC3s. I've been furloughed or laid off three times, and every time I have been able to fall back on my degree in Registered Nursing. Darn tough degree program, but it's portable. I can work in any town, large or small, and my specialty is ER/Trauma.

I guess I'm hard-headed, but every time I get a $20K/year flying gig, I give up a $45K-$50K nursing gig and go fly awhile. I get furloughed and go back to an ER, and I work a few shifts in an ER wherever I'm based, so I don't lose my skills. However, if I ever land a career flying gig, I'll give up the ER in a heartbeat.

Besides, my favorite parts about being a male RN is that 95% of my coworkers are female, it never rains, and the nurses have their own degrees, make good money and like to go on flying dates. Not a bad gig.

James

 

[Ponypilot]

Bobbysamd

What are your thoughts on ERAU's DL Management of Technical Operations degree?

I'm considering that degree for a few reasons.....

I can get the degree online
I can get some credit for the ratings I have (will get the CFI next)
I have an interest in aviation management

I'm a late in life career changer and may never get that dream job flying for a small charter or corporate company. (would really love to move to Belize and fly for Tropic Air, or something down in the FL keys). But I'm also interested in the admisitrative side of the aviation world.

Any and all thoughts greatly appreciated, Thank you.

 

[Unchilled]

I just want to know what other pilots did out there. Did you get an aviation degree or a general degree(as in a business degree) and did your flying on the side? Can ya'll give me some insite. Throughout my 3 years of flying so far and asking other pilots which is better, I get an equal amount of each. I am currently going to La Tech for a Professional Aviation degree. I have heard that getting a non-aviation field degree is better, incase I cannot fly one day. Thanks

I'd go into web design if I were you. That's what I'm doing. Building up my portfolio as we speak. The internet is not going anywhere.

I definitely plan on getting a degree outside of Aviation. But don't take advice from me, I'm just a dumb student pilot.

-Unchilled

 

[skydiverdriver]

It's true that having a degree outside aviation, with no experience in that field may make it more difficult to get a job in that field. But, having a degree in aviation, and experience, won't help you to get a job in another field either. I say go with another field, and if you need to use it, you will be in the same boat as a new college grad. At least you will have some life and work experience that he or she doesn't have. And if your degree seems out of date? Go back to school and get a masters or something. There is a solution to every problem.

 

[CatYaaak]

I have heard that getting a non-aviation field degree is better, incase I cannot fly one day. Thanks

Consider getting a law degree. If you can't fly, as long as there is at least one other lawyer on the face of the planet, you have plenty of potential work and income. Furthermore, you will make enough money to buy beer for all your pilot friends when they are furloughed, working for regionals, etc.

 

[Flyguy5432H]

i've been on several other message boards dealing with other professions and i see this same question. in most cases the person asking is told that it's a good idea to get a degree in other fields. i believe that to most companies a degree is still a degree and will help you get your foot in the door.

i come from a Riddle background and an aeronautical science major. but now with the aviation studies program you can earn your bachelors degree in aeronautical science and also get a minor in another field, i picked up a minor in applied psychology. but with an aeronautical science degree you will be taught indepth many things that just a flight program misses. and as bobbysamd said it will give you an excellent foundation on which to build.

i think the biggest thing though is to get a degree in something you enjoy, if it's aviation go for it. if there is something else out there that you also enjoy then thats a possibility too. but if you truely enjoy what your studying you'll get alot more out of the program.

 

[bobbysamd]

Riddle DL Management of Tech Ops

What are your thoughts on ERAU's DL Management of Technical Operations degree?

I'm considering that degree for a few reasons.....

I can get the degree online
I can get some credit for the ratings I have (will get the CFI next)
I have an interest in aviation management

I'm a late in life career changer and may never get that dream job flying for a small charter or corporate company. (would really love to move to Belize and fly for Tropic Air, or something down in the FL keys). But I'm also interested in the admisitrative side of the aviation world.

Any and all thoughts greatly appreciated, Thank you.

Sorry, I don't know the specifics of the program. I agree with your thought processes about getting the degree and perspective about changing careers to aviation late in life.

Good luck with your plans