I’m a Sophomore in Highschool and I want to go into some field in aviation, and I was just wondering what some good majors or colleges for aviation were. I’m not looking to be a pilot but something technical. Also, any programs that I can do in high school related to aviation would be nice to know and is there anything I can do with my FAA Drone license.
Many non-pilot jobs relating to aviation do not require a bachelor’s degree, such as flight attendant, aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller, various other jobs with airlines and airports, etc..
Designing aircraft (parts) and airports could require a bachelor’s degree. For example, design of aircraft and parts relies on mechanical, electrical, materials, computer, and other engineers. Design of airports relies on civil, industrial, computer, and other engineers.
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So the more stem jobs require a bachelor while the system at the airport dont. Are there any jobs for UAV pilots, or any programs.
Flying UAVs is something that varied organizations (often not airlines or airports) do for the purposes of looking at or inspecting things that are difficult or dangerous to access by sending actual people to look at them. Examples could include utilities, building maintenance and repair, police departments, fire departments, search and rescue, video content creators, military, etc..
Have you considered going into the Air Force? My friend’s son, who was also interested in an aviation career, enlisted after high school and is now a specialist who works on intricate technical systems on a specific aircraft. Wherever that aircraft goes, he is on it.
He was a high stat student at a private HS and would have had a great selection of college options (or could have pursued the academy) but he wanted the fastest track to an aviation career and enlisting in the AF gave him that option.
He plans to eventually use his military benefits to get his 4-year degree, but he enjoys his service so much that he recently re-enlisted.
Purdue polytechnic offers degrees in Aviation Tech and Aviation Management.
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Many real estate agents and digital media creators are using drone footage and that’s something you can get started with right away. If you are interested, you can start putting together footage for a digital portfolio and send it out to people in your community.
Would this be of interest? Unmanned Aerial Systems Major | Purdue University
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The following colleges have programs in this field. Look at their websites to see possible majors.
- New England Institute of Technology
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute
- Kent State
- Cypress College
- Indiana State
- Kansas State
- Green River College
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Middle Tennessee State
- University of North Dakota
- University of Maine*
*Maine has a “flagship match” program, meaning that they will charge you the same tuition as you would pay at your home state university instead of out of state costs - BUT only if you live in one of their designated partner states. Check their website for the list of states - if you get interested in their program.
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Also consider, SLU’s Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science
Another school you should check out is Metropolitan State University of Denver, which does not often come up on College Confidential but has a well-regarded Aviation program. Full disclosure: I teach at MSU Denver (not in the aviation program). But I do know they’ve invested a lot in that program, and its profile has risen over the last several years. And the aviation/space industries are are a significant part of the Colorado economy, so there are lots of opportunities for internships and other applied learning.
Another advantage: we’re pretty low-cost even for OOS students.
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OP: This may help:
Sorry I’m replying to this late but I had a teacher recommended the Airforce academy, but do you mean enlisting in the military and if so how does the service work and what are the benefits to doing that over college.
sorry wrong reply
Sorry I’m replying to this late but I had a teacher recommended the Airforce academy, but do you mean enlisting in the military and if so how does the service work and what are the benefits to doing that over college.
Im so sorry for all the replies Im new to this website
Yes, the Air Force Academy is the university/training ground for the US Air Force and requires a significant military commitment after graduation. It is a superb option for someone who wants to serve in the military and loves aviation; it is a terrible option for someone who wants “some field” in aviation. It is not a regular university experience at all. You will be training for an elite career in the military where you could be deployed anywhere in the world.
I know two recent grads. One moved around a few times but spent the bulk of the deployments underground in an air conditioned office in the US as a flight and data analyst. The other was in dangerous spots in the Middle East, was not able to be in touch with family for weeks at a time while doing dangerous work and flying in arduous conditions.
Does the military care that you are missing grandma’s 90th birthday because you are on an aircraft carrier near Yemen? No, it does not.
Thank you for your response I just have one more question I heard something about needing a congressional recommendation how does that work.
Your questions answered-
Yes, my friend’s son enlisted. For him, it was the fastest path to his desired career in aviation. He wasn’t interested in having to go through a 4-year college or academy model. Not for everyone, but it suited him well. Like I mentioned, he was a high stat high school student and would have had a great stack of college admissions if that’s what he wanted.
He was tested to see where his skill set fit best. He went through basic training and training for his specialty in aviation technology simultaneously and upon graduation, was assigned to a specific aircraft at an Airforce base in the US. He has been deployed twice to the Middle East but is now back in the U.S., where he has re-enlisted.
My younger daughter has a high school classmate who just graduated as an officer from the Naval Academy and will be a Navy pilot, so that’s another way to go.
So I can monetize my drone license by making a portfolio of Real estate Pictures? Would you need an editing background to make the pictures look good or not?