The aviation industry is one that is quite literally taking off with growth and not just planes taking flight. From pilots to aircraft maintenance engineers, aviation careers offer a wide range of opportunities for people with different interests and skill sets within the airline industry.
In this blog, we will walk you through everything you need to know about starting a career or making a career change in the aviation industry from education and training required to the types of job opportunities there are to get you started.
Why Consider a Career in the Aviation Industry
A career in the aviation industry offers a blend of global travel and opportunities. Whether you are working as a pilot or behind the scenes on the ground, this industry provides a unique blend of world travel, innovation, and professional growth. Many aviation roles offer competitive salaries and fantastic benefit packages including health, retirement, and travel benefits. Additionally, the aviation industry is tied closely to global travel, and as global travel continues to grow, so does the need for qualified workers in all areas of the industry.
Popular Jobs in the Airline Industry
When most people think of the aviation industry, they picture pilots and flight attendants, other opportunities include careers paths such as:
- Air Traffic Controller – FAA training required, college degree preferred
- Cartographer – Cartographer degree required
- Technician – High school diploma required, special training
- Flight Instructor – High school diploma required
- Aeronautical Engineer – Engineering degree required
- Aerospace Engineer – Engineering degree required
- Electrical Engineer – Engineering degree required
- Lineperson – High school diploma required
- Sheet Metal Fabrication – High school diploma required
- Manufacturing Engineer – Bachelor of Science degree required
- Electrical Installers & Technician – High school diploma required
- Quality Technician – High school diploma and Associate’s degree required
Whether you are interested in flying a plane or behind the scenes maintaining the aircrafts, there is a role to match everyone’s skill set! Each role has different requirements, challenges, and rewards. As a pilot and flight attendant you have more travel opportunities than an in-house engineer stationed at an airport.
Explore the full list of aviation careers and education paths from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to see what types of occupations would be of interest:
Education & Training Requirements
Depending on your chosen career path in an aviation career position you may need a high school diploma, college degree, license, certificate, or a combination. Some entry level roles only require a high school diploma and on the job technical training. While other more advanced roles such as a pilot or engineering positions require a college degree, licensing, training, and required hands on experience. For the aviation industry, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handles most certifications for aviation roles.
Making a Career Change Within the Aviation Industry
Are you already working in the aviation industry but looking for something new? The industry is full of a wide range of opportunities to transform into a new role especially with additional training or certifications. Many soft skills are transferable into a new role such as communication, attention to detail and problem solving can help you successfully shift career paths. Working with a recruiter like us at CorpGuidance Recruiting can also help you identify which skills you have that would align with a new role. We can also access a database of job opportunities that may not be available to the public job search. You can submit your resume here and a member of our team will get back to you.
Gain Experience and Build Connections
When starting your career in the aviation industry, it often means beginning in an entry level role to gain experience and working your way up the career ladder to a higher position. Entry level positions provide valuable hands-on experience and help you to understand the aviation industry’s operations. You can also increase your opportunities by working with a recruiting company like CorpGuidance Recruiting that specializes in aviation careers, and has the partners to connect you with positions that may not be listed to the public. Recruiting companies, like ours, also offer resources for candidates to assist them in the job search process, including job interview preparation assistance and how to navigate your first 30 days in a new position.
Ready for take off?
Start your journey toward a rewarding career in the aviation industry. Contact us at CorpGuidance Recruiting and let us help match you with your perfect role!
The Aerospace and Aviation industries demand precision, leadership, and trust—especially when it comes to building great teams. At CorpGuidance Recruiting, we help companies meet that challenge head-on. Contact Us today to see how we can help.
