Have you ever dreamt of having a profession that allows you to reach the skies? A career in the aviation sector undoubtedly provides you with that opportunity and more.
Although the aviation industry was deeply affected by the pandemic, the sector is slowly making a comeback and will soon recover from a deep slumber this year. Apart from navigating the atmosphere, there are other ways to secure a position in the sector that doesn’t require you to disregard your fear of heights. And the good thing is that there are numerous positions waiting to be filled.
Are you eyeing to pursue a career in the aviation sector? Here’s how you can fulfill your dream of flying high in the sky or staying firmly on the ground while keeping flights and landings safe.
- Enroll in Aviation Courses
A career in aviation starts with an aspiring aviation industry worker getting the right course in a reputable school. There are quite a few jobs in the aviation sector, and not all tasks involve flying a plane.
That being said, here are a few undergraduate programs you can enroll in after getting your high school diploma. Most of the bachelor’s degree courses are from 3 to 4 years.
- Bachelor of Aviation
- Bachelor of Aviation Management
- Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (BSA)
- Bachelor of Engineering Science in Aviation Transport
- Bachelor’s in Civil Aviation Management
- Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics
- Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Engineering
- Bachelor in Airport Management
- Diploma in Aviation (6 months)
- Private Pilot License (1 year)
- Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Depending on the type of job you wish to have, you may choose from any of the courses mentioned above. Take note that the list is not exhaustive, so check out the aviation schools nearest you for more information on aviation-related courses that interest you.
- Develop Skills Needed to Succeed
Besides getting good at technical skills (i.e., flying a plane), there are soft skills that need to be developed when working in the aviation industry. Whether working on the ground or up in the air, an aviation industry worker should have the following traits:
- Strong leadership skills
- Decisiveness
- Great teamwork skills
- Reliability
- Presence of mind
- High motivation
- Great communication skills
- Patient
- Service-oriented
- Consider the Following Job Profiles
There are a few sectors in the aviation sector where job opportunities abound. Hence, if you’re afraid of heights, you can still enjoy working as a ground-based crew.
Check out these job profiles and decide whether the type of work interests you.
- Aerospace Engineers
These aviation professionals are essential in the advancement of space exploration. Their main task is to design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and even missiles. Aside from being employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the big commercial aircraft manufacturers, aerospace engineers may be hired by the makers of aerospace parts and products, as well as in projects and researches in the development of various physical and engineering
sciences.
As expected, these skilled aviation professionals earn a hefty paycheck.
- Aircraft Pilots
This type of work needs no introduction. Aircraft pilots are responsible for navigating commercial or government airplanes, helicopters, and other types of aircraft. If you’ve dreamt of being a pilot since childhood, make your dream come true by enrolling in a reputable aviation school. By flying high in the sky, you can engage in sight-seeing, transporting VIPs and patients with medical emergencies, even across international borders.
If you don’t want to fly airplanes, consider becoming a helicopter pilot. There are both government and private employment opportunities for this type of aircraft pilot. You may be asked to provide offshore support and emergency medical services, too.
A pilot can take flight training scholarship programs to hone their skills.
- Air Traffic Controllers
Similar to traffic enforcers seen directing the flow of traffic in the city’s major thoroughfares, these aviation workers coordinate aircraft traffic in various settings. These individuals may be found working in control towers and approach control facilities in an airport. It’s a fast-paced job that may require frequent work overtime.
- Aircraft Maintenance Worker
They’re responsible for keeping the aircraft in tiptop shape. Aircraft maintenance workers cover a wide range of tasks which include identifying and fixing mechanical and electrical issues in an airplane. These aviation professionals may likewise repair airline wings, brakes, as well as repair or replace defective aircrafts parts among a host of tasks.
- Aviation Managers
If you’re planning to know everything there is to know about the aviation sector, then you may be a good fit as an aviation manager. While studying to become one, you’ll be exposed to theories about airline and airport operations, the aircraft manufacturing sector, and the business of running the aerospace industry.
Being a good manager requires a good balance of technical and management skills.
- Aviation Safety Personnel
Frequent air travelers who’ve never been in an accident partly owe their safe travels to aviation safety technicians and safety inspectors. These safety specialists in the aviation industry need to be familiar with the technologies that make aircrafts safe.
An aviation safety officer, for instance, must know the updates on materials, methods, and procedures in the aviation sector and incorporate this information in enhancing aviation safety.
- Cabin crew
This is perhaps one of the most sought-after positions in the aviation sector. If you want to travel the world for free, becoming a cabin crew is your ticket. Also known as a flight attendant, cabin crew members enjoy free travel and accommodation perks everywhere they go.
When on duty, though, their main task is to provide services to make passengers comfortable in every flight. In ensuring comfort, they’re expected to serve food and drinks, as well as offer blankets, earphones, and other devices to those aboard the plane.
They’re likewise expected to respond to emergencies as necessary. Flight attendants are mandated to show and demonstrate the airline’s safety guidelines and equipment.
- Flight Instructors
These professionals are responsible for ensuring that pilots are properly trained and capable of actually flying an aircraft. Using a combination of in-school theories, flight simulators, and actual flight instructions, a flight teacher is able to groom pilots into becoming reliable navigators.
If you have a passion for training aspiring pilots, this is the job for you.
- Aviation Transport Staff
These professionals are also called aviation logistics staff, and they’re responsible for keeping supply chains efficient. Apart from being key players in the logistics industry, aviation transport personnel, such as air travel ticketing staff, also assist the tourism sector in making air travels smoother and more coherent.
Final Thoughts
As an industry that directly contributes to economic growth, a career in the aviation sector deserves consideration. To become an aviation professional, one must maintain a high level of technical knowledge combined with the appropriate skills. And being successful in this craft requires one to prioritize passenger safety and comfort, above all.
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