Which Aviation College?

[buxflyr]

while I don't think the quality of education or training really differs much from place to place....

I can tell you that the networking/contacts you make at any of the bigger aviation schools can certainly make a difference later.

I got all my flying jobs (and hopefully my last!) based on contacts from college.

and as far as harping on the non-aviation degree...in reality ANY degree you got 10yrs ago is not going to get you a job, its going to be your experience. I definitly see some value in non-aviation degrees, just not nearly the amount many here think..

just get a degree in something, anything.

Nobody cares, so long as you can show completion and check that box.

I agree completely. Find a school that gives you not only a great education, but also gives you the best opportunity to make contacts within the aviation world. Many of the big/state schools attract profressors that have a thorough aviation background...many times with multiple excellent companies. Get to know them..you never know when they can help you after graduation. Secondly, an internship is one of the best ways to get "your foot in the door". At Ohio State, there were several companies that hired Av students for internships. (Netjets especially). It will serve you well in the long run...especially with the amount of exposure you can get over 2-3 yrs. with the company, if you can stay on...say part-time. You learn more about their company (whoever it is) and the operations of an aviation business by being there then you ever will sitting in a lecture. Someone once told me that it is always more who you know then what you know. As much as I dont want to believe it, its true.

Those who question whether or not you should go for an aviation related degree can have their opinions...and, to some extent, they would not be wrong, but if your love is for aviation, and this is what you want your career to be, then by all means go for it. There is nothing wrong with a degree in aviation. Plenty of aviation related jobs are out there, even if it is not as a pilot. Working in the office is probably not the first choice of almost anyone here at FI.com, but if it came down to it someday for whatever reason, you can bet that the internships and contacts I had through college, the experience of being at a few Aviation companies and hopefully my experience to come in the airlines will make having to get that captains job on the mahogany flyer a heck of a lot easier. Your attitude from the first day of your flying will carry with you and will shape the image of what others see of you forever.



Dedication to aviation is not a job...its more of an addiction. Its the commitment you are willing to put into it that will dictate what you get out of it.

 

[siucavflight]

Get a degree in anything and get your ratings at an FBO near the school.

 

[TheGreatChecko]

Go to a big state school with an aviation program. You can get your ratings through them but actually major in something else than their "aviation management" or "aviation science" degrees. Once you get your CFI, you can instruct for them while finishing up the degree.

That is the best option for a couple reasons:

1 - You will make good contacts in the aviation world.
2 - You can major in anything you would like that a big school has to offer.
3 - The opportunity to party like a real college kid is there.

Some schools to look at where you can do this would be: OSU, SIU, U of I, Purdue, UND, WMU, SLU (Parks), Auburn, Kent State, OK State, and a few more...

I think that is the best bang for the buck....

I agree, but I'd go with a double major with aviation managment simply because it'll be easier to qualify for internships, such as with finance or marketing.

In avaition its who you know, not what you know. Everyone has the same licenses, but if through your school you are given the opportunity to meet people that turn into great contacts, it will make all the difference.

However, YOU have to make the effort to make this possible, all the school will do is make it available to you.

 

[BoilerUP]

Like flyer172r, I went to Purdue. Being out of state made it quite expensive, but thanks to Uncle Sam, my parents, and working 3 jobs while in school I "only" have 45k in student loans. Still way too much if you ask me, but a heck of alot less than many others I know and while painful I can still save a fair amount on first year FO pay. If you have a state school where you are from that will be your cheapest route to a bachelors degree and your ratings.

Whatever you do, get your ratings as quickly as possible and get your CFI-IA!!! Thats the bad thing about some colleges in my eyes - it takes far too long to train. If you have your CFI-IA after your sophomore year you have two summers and two full academic years to build time. That equals money in your pocket and time in your logbook, and hopefully a much shorter (if not nonexistant) timebuilding period post-graduation. If you can get it earlier than that, the better! I know people that got themselves in THOUSANDS of credit card debt trying to build total time for a 22k/year job, and IMO that is totally *stupid*, especially once you have a CFI ticket.

One thing I would advise is to bite the bullet and get your MEI after obtaining your other CFI ratings. It is expensive, but you can split time with friends to ease the cost of building your 15 PIC and many times its the only way to get your multi time up enough to get hired for regional or 135 positions. Its entirely possible networking will allow you to bypass paying for ME time all together - another benefit of getting out there and hustling!

In my time at Purdue I did one internship and one co-op, got formal training on a jet, did Flight Team and got alot of free flying on the university while seeing parts of the country I had never visited, met lifelong friends I see in cities all over the country and most importantly met my fiance there. I had a blast and wouldn't change hardly anything about my experience. My advice to you would be go somewhere you will be happy and that you can afford. The harder you work in college the easier life is afterwards, but don't forget to enjoy yourself along the way.

 

[Alex429595]

Get a degree in anything and get your ratings at an FBO near the school.

Why can't that anything be aviation? If you major in something you enjoy, your grades will reflect it.

 

[siucavflight]

Why can't that anything be aviation? If you major in something you enjoy, your grades will reflect it.

I understand it, but it is always good to have something to fall back on if you were to lose your medical, or get a DUI. Enjoy school, major in business or real estate, get your ratings get out get a job.

 

[Alex429595]

I understand it, but it is always good to have something to fall back on if you were to lose your medical, or get a DUI. Enjoy school, major in business or real estate, get your ratings get out get a job.

I understand what you are saying, but most employers do not really care what your major is. Its not just the airlines that want the "college" box checked. And do you really think that what you studied in school, as far as business is going to help you out 10, 15 years later? As far as real estate goes, you don't need any special degree to be good at that. You don't need any degree for that matter.

 

[LavMan]

Get an education, get drunk, get laid it will all fall into place. Remember flying is fun, but is just a job after a while too. Make college one of the most enjoyable 4-6 years of your life.

 

[siucavflight]

After doing a lot of flying, I agree with lavman, getting laid is the most important thing you can do.

 

[Metro752]

After doing a lot of flying, I agree with lavman, getting laid is the most important thing you can do.

getting laid, what an exciting concept!

flying or getting laid

can i do both!

skool is kool