Aviation Management?

I am in my last year at high school here in Toronto and I am about to apply for post secondary education. I am really considering a program we have here called aviation mangegement where you learn all there is to know about the aviation industry and after you complete you have the oppurtunity to complete a degree for it. I have always been intrested in aviation and this program might be the right choice for me since I am realizing right now that that science and math are not my strong subjects , so that eliminates the oppurtunity for me to try pilot, or enginerring. So do you think I should go for this program? careers like airport mangement, airline management, flight dispatchers etc can come out of it. Are these careers considered "high careers"? and do you think I would be able to excel in it? and in terms of salary, how would that look like? Thank you.

Public Comments

1. I have a BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. The careers that come from such a degree are extremely limited, as there are only 1 or 2 airport managers for each airport, and the turn-over rate for airport managers is fairly low. That means there just aren't that many jobs out there. You pretty much have to wait until someone dies or retires before a job opening is available. I would seriously look at another career path.
2. Why would becoming a commercial pilot be out? I am a pilot and I have friends, who although not strong in math and science, are pilots. Also, look at www.navcanada.ca. You can investigate a career as a Flight Service Specialist.
3. I have a BS in Aerospace with a concentration in Administration. It can be a great option. I love my job and work for the airport managing the ground handling department. The most important thing I can tell you is that the degree is important, but don't think just because you get a degree it will get you a job. You have to have experience. Find a job as a ramp rat, ticket counter agent, or a fueler to work while you are in school. Then you will have both the education and experience you need to get a good job. Do an internship. This will help with networking and give you an advantage. I did walk out of college with my dream job, but my fellow students who didn't work in college are doing the $9.00/hour jobs now still trying to get the experience they need to have a career.
4. Don't have to be a math whiz to fly an airplane. I would pursue a flying career if that's your passion. The classes you take to complete an Aviation Management degree should open up opportunities in airport planning, design, noise mitigation etc... I have handfuls of friends who chose not to fly, and instead work for the airport commission under the airport manager, and made decent money right out of school (better than an entry level flying job for sure). Also, many airport planning firms pay very well, and the job can be rewarding if they let you travel to different airports for meetings and survey work. In this field you can plan airport expansion, noise abatement departure/arrival procedures, new approaches, general airside and even terminal improvements.