How to get a job in the aviation industry?

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Cathy1

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Cathy1
Hi everyone, I’m Catherine.
I just graduated collage with a degree in ATC. I’m having difficulty landing a job. I’ve applied to multiple FBOs in my area and major airlines too. But I got rejected multiple times. I don’t have any hands on experience in aviation but I learned a lot in school, so I do have some knowledge on aviation. I’ve applied for customer service positions. I’m not very physically fit to do ramp/line service jobs and these are the positions my local FBO is hiring and need the most people. I’ve also applied to be a flight attendant but so far no one has gotten back to me with any updates. I have passed the dispatchers exam but I’m only 21. There are rumors that the FAA may not be hiring ATC this year and I don’t want to sit and wait for something I don’t know if it’s gonna happen, I want to get my foot into the door and start working, gain experience. I’m new to this place and I hope I’m doing this right. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Any job positions that I’m not aware of (that I can do)? Any general suggestions for me? I’m located in AZ and I’m seriously thinking about moving to somewhere else where there might be more aviation opportunities?

Thank you.
 
Stick with it, the right opportunity will develop!

ATC is at reduced staff levels, especially given traffic is down. This will change as the world goes back to flying a year or less from now.

The age cut-off for ATC is like 29 or 30? Keep networking to the FBO's for the right interim job, the airlines for Ground control openings, also the contract tower companies.

You didn't share your city or general geo location, so it's more difficult to be more specific.
 
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I’ve been in the business for many years.

There are times when the industry was in a down cycle.

I don’t believe any were as bad as the current situation.

However; as in the past, there will be a recovery,
 
Have you considered applying at OEM’s in the aviation field? Not sure whether your degree is marketable in such a field but you could peruse the employment websites of Boeing, Bendix, Cessna, Garmin etc. Usually there’re hunting for engineers but you never know.

Cherrs
 
NordicDave said:
Stick with it, the right opportunity will develop!

ATC is at reduced staff levels, especially given traffic is down. This will change as the world goes back to flying a year or less from now.

The age cut-off for ATC is like 29 or 30? Keep networking to the FBO's for the right interim job, the airlines for Ground control openings, also the contract tower companies.

You didn't share your city or general geo location, so it's more difficult to be more specific.
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Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll look them up. I’m just a little bit frustrated but I will not give up! I live in the greater Phoenix area. I’ve been looking for jobs at PHX and gateway airport, Scottsdale airport.....
 
Magman said:
I’ve been in the business for many years.

There are times when the industry was in a down cycle.

I don’t believe any were as bad as the current situation.

However; as in the past, there will be a recovery,
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Yes, I also believe there will be a huge increase in aviation once this COVID is over... but who knows when will that be
 
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X3 Skier said:
Have you considered applying at OEM’s in the aviation field? Not sure whether your degree is marketable in such a field but you could peruse the employment websites of Boeing, Bendix, Cessna, Garmin etc. Usually there’re hunting for engineers but you never know.

Cherrs
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Even though I have a bachelors degree of science, my major had little engineering classes, but I’ll look into it!
 
Hello Catherine -
Congrats on finishing college! Sorry it's such a tough economy now, especially with the airline industry. A few thoughts:

1) Think about the areas of the country that would be acceptable, and apply - FL, TX, GA, CO, etc.? Where can you afford to live with a modest apartment, etc. Look beyond AZ.

2) What is your ultimate goal? ATC? Dispatching? Make multiple versions of your resume to tailor each to specific jobs you are applying for. Employers don't really want "I'll do anything, I don't know what I want" but "I want to be XYZ, and here are my qualifications".

3) Widen your search - you are more talented than you think you are. Project management in aviation for Lycoming, general management for Boeing, advertising firms that have aviation accounts, etc. X3 Skier nailed it.

4) The web site Indeed is your friend - daily search that website for anything that might interest you. It's a numbers gain. Apply to everything that might be a remote fit. Call and network with people. "Can you assist a recent college graduate with some help/advice? I know you don't have a job opening, but can you give me advice on who to contact next"? Most people want to help others.
 
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Slow down in flying? We’ve been busy as all git out in Texas. GA, rusty pilots, tons of new student pilots, military training. DFW has long wait times for the regional jets to get in due to volume. I flew 700 hrs the last 7 months with students. We are blowin and goin.
 
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WDD said:
Hello Catherine -
Congrats on finishing college! Sorry it's such a tough economy now, especially with the airline industry. A few thoughts:

1) Think about the areas of the country that would be acceptable, and apply - FL, TX, GA, CO, etc.? Where can you afford to live with a modest apartment, etc. It probably won't be in AZ.

2) What is your ultimate goal? ATC? Dispatching? Make multiple versions of your resume to tailor each to specific jobs you are applying for. Employers don't really want "I'll do anything, I don't know what I want" but "I want to be XYZ, and here are my qualifications".

3) The web site Indeed is your friend - daily search that website for anything that might interest you. It's a numbers gain. Apply to everything that might be a remote fit. Call and network with people. "Can you assist a recent college graduate with some help/advice? I know you don't have a job opening, but can you give me advice on who to contact next"? Most people want to help others.
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Thank you for the detailed reply. I really appreciate it. I think you have given me great suggestions. I’ve been using the same resume to apply.... I should tailor it to the specific job I’m looking to get. My ultimate goal is to be an air traffic controller but I need a job in between. I’m passionate about aviation and so I would want one in aviation during this time. It can be a very long and bureaucratic process to get into the FAA. I took the practical to be a dispatcher was because I wanted another plan to be in place in case I don’t get in with the FAA on my first try.
Yes I should start talking to people and start networking, I’m a little bit shy and this could be extremely difficult for me but I’m practicing to talk to strangers everyday and smooth out my nerves lol I hope this is not weird.
 
texasclouds said:
Slow down in flying? We’ve been busy as all git out in Texas. GA, rusty pilots, tons of new student pilots, military training. DFW has long wait times for the regional jets to get in due to volume. I flew 700 hrs the last 7 months with students. We are blowin and goin.
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I would LOVE to do this. It’s been on my list for so long, but my financial situations is holding me back right now...... I’ll learn how to fly when I save up $$$
 
A few things you can look at:
  • SAIC / Leidos for a position at the Academy or a facility as an RPO.
  • Aviation consultant groups that do noise abatement and environmental studies - I know lots of people with CTI degrees at places like Booz Allen Hamilton and the like. Bonus here is they have offices all over so you may not need to go far or could work from home.
  • SAAB / Frequentis USA / Raytheon / Leidos for a spot as an SME supporting some of their operational systems.
  • Software providers that do simulation or other ATC work.
  • Some of the startup drone companies would also likely higher you but cant speak to this or the stability of the industry.
  • Places like NetJets need dispatchers too - I think AZ is a hub for them and certainly SoCal is.
Head up and keep trucking. Its the long game in this industry that matters and any job in the industry will add to your resume.
 
Congratulations on graduating. Lots of great thoughts already listed. I think the best long term strategy is to always remember that like most industry's, aviation is a community. I've seen lots of folks find jobs while others have been loosing theirs. When talking with them on how they got the position, they always say that someone knew someone who knew them and they got the job because they were known as someone who had a personality that lent itself toward risk management and team work. So I would just say, try to get involved in as many things as you can.
 
My first real job was pairing a company that needed an airplane and an owner who wanted usage out of his. I even had to hire a pilot because I wasn't qualified..............but got so quickly.
 
Seanaldinho said:
A few things you can look at:
  • SAIC / Leidos for a position at the Academy or a facility as an RPO.
  • Aviation consultant groups that do noise abatement and environmental studies - I know lots of people with CTI degrees at places like Booz Allen Hamilton and the like. Bonus here is they have offices all over so you may not need to go far or could work from home.
  • SAAB / Frequentis USA / Raytheon / Leidos for a spot as an SME supporting some of their operational systems.
  • Software providers that do simulation or other ATC work.
  • Some of the startup drone companies would also likely higher you but cant speak to this or the stability of the industry.
  • Places like NetJets need dispatchers too - I think AZ is a hub for them and certainly SoCal is.
Head up and keep trucking. Its the long game in this industry that matters and any job in the industry will add to your resume.
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Thank you. This is very helpful!!
 
Bob Roberts said:
Congratulations on graduating. Lots of great thoughts already listed. I think the best long term strategy is to always remember that like most industry's, aviation is a community. I've seen lots of folks find jobs while others have been loosing theirs. When talking with them on how they got the position, they always say that someone knew someone who knew them and they got the job because they were known as someone who had a personality that lent itself toward risk management and team work. So I would just say, try to get involved in as many things as you can.
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Networking..... I’ll work on it!
 
I have a couple of ideas for you. Boeing at Falcon Field might have something for you. Good Luck.
 
I looked up JSFirm and they have a few jobs in the PHX/ Tucson area. I hope this helps.
 
Bell206 said:
Was your college part of the FAA AT-CTI network? Have you contacted the FAA directly or looked on USAJOBS for ATC positions?
https://www.faa.gov/jobs/students/schools/
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Yes I am a CTI graduate. The FAA had informed my school that they might not be hiring this year because they still have people hired last year that haven’t gone to the academy because of COVID :(
 
If you’re on Facebook, there’s a few mentor pages you can find. You might also want to go to your local airport and pass out resumes.
 
Have you looked into Air Force reserve to see if you qualify for ATC with them?
 
Check usajobs dot gov and apply everywhere for FAA jobs.
 
Cathy1 said:
I should tailor it to the specific job I’m looking to get. My ultimate goal is to be an air traffic controller but I need a job in between.
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Get a third party to sit down with you and look at the resume - it likely can be improved. I've seen some pretty bad ones. And, yes, you have to tailor it for every job.
Have someone sit down and do a mock interview with you- Likely that can be improved. Got a favorite professor?
I assume you are not telling people that you are looking for a temp job when they want someone permanent.
Consider an employment agency that can find you a temp position - I've had that work for many of my students even in the current economy. Any semi-related experience is better than none. Gets your foot in the door.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Get a third party to sit down with you and look at the resume - it likely can be improved. I've seen some pretty bad ones. And, yes, you have to tailor it for every job.
Have someone sit down and do a mock interview with you- Likely that can be improved. Got a favorite professor?
I assume you are not telling people that you are looking for a temp job when they want someone permanent.
Consider an employment agency that can find you a temp position - I've had that work for many of my students even in the current economy. Any semi-related experience is better than none. Gets your foot in the door.
Click to expand...
I had send my resume to two of my professors, they given me some feedback but we haven’t done mock interviews, that’s a good idea...
 
Cathy1 said:
I can’t get one until I’m 23. That will happen in 2022 :(
Click to expand...

You could prepare for that position by working for an air freight company in some capacity. Add them to your search feelers.
 
For basics on job hunting, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Color_Is_Your_Parachute?

As Capt. Thorpe said, every company is different in some way. Do homework on each one. When you get an interview, ask what they need, ask what success in that or those particular job(s) would be, and be friendly doing it. You might even find an old copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People Paperback by Dale Carnegie used on Amazon for $5. That's worth reading. You would be surprised how many employers look for those who can get along well with others.

Good luck!
 
Piperonca said:
For basics on job hunting, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Color_Is_Your_Parachute?

As Capt. Thorpe said, every company is different in some way. Do homework on each one. When you get an interview, ask what they need, ask what success in that or those particular job(s) would be, and be friendly doing it. You might even find an old copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People Paperback by Dale Carnegie used on Amazon for $5. That's worth reading. You would be surprised how many employers look for those who can get along well with others.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks! I’ll check out those books. :)
 
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