Aviation
Organizations
Finding a good job in the aviation industry is difficult.
Yes, jobs may be on the rise, but it might not be based on what you know. More
and more jobs are becoming available to people who have an “in”. Whether that
“in” is an employee working for the company already, or possibly someone they
met while they were involved in aviation related association. All through my
collegiate career, we have been told to join associations and be involved in
the industry. The reason behind this idea is to get your name out there so
people know who you are. “If you are interested in furthering your career,
joining a professional association is a good start” (Cherwin, 2015). If people
you meet in an association think highly of you, they will likely give you a
good recommendation or even help you find a job. “Joining a professional
organization is a great way to learn about different aviation careers from
people who actually work in aviation” (Professional Organizations, 2015).
With my major in Aviation Management, there are two
associations that really stick out, and likely will join if I am employed in
the aviation industry. The first one I would look into would be the American
Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). According to the AAAE, if you are a
member you can become certified in specific categories inside an airport, they
offer job opportunities, and they provide training and professional development
for members. The second association that I would consider joining would be, the
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) or possibly a state specific
organization like Michigan Aviation Association (MAA).
The main mission or function for AAAE is to train and
certify employees or future aviation employees. According to Kenneth Szymanski,
becoming a member of AAAE is one of the smartest decisions you can make, if you
want to have a career in aviation. Being trained and certified is very
important, especially for future employees. Most new management personal will
come out of college with a bachelor’s degree, but that does not mean that they
are certified or ready for the responsibilities of that position. However, if
you have your bachelor’s and become properly certified, not only will you be
more desirable when applying for a position, but you will also know what it
rakes to meet those job requirements. The reason I would consider becoming a
member of a state specific association like MAA, is because; you will stay
current on the different regulations and news that is happening in the aviation
industry in that state. NBAA would be an association I would consider joining
if I were to receive a position in business aviation. NBAA offers a Certified
Airport Manager (CAM) program (Certified Aviation Manager Program, 2015), and
if you are a member you receive a number of benefits, such as: Representation,
Networking, Education and development, along with Access to Industry Experts
(Member Benefits, 2015).
As I mentioned before, finding a job in aviation is not
necessarily based on what you know, but whom you know. Belonging to an
association will allow you to network, and create friends, who are already in
the aviation industry. Being able to network yourself will increase your
probability of finding a job. Not only will finding jobs become easier, but also
have the opportunity to become certified. In my opinion, I find this extremely
important. It should make you more desirable and it will also increase your
knowledge about the industry.
References
"American Association of Airport
Executives." American Association of Airport Executives. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <https://www.aaae.org/>.
"Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
Program." Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program. National
Business Aviation Association, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.nbaa.org/prodev/cam/>.
Cherwin, Kelly. "Why Join a Professional
Association?" Why Join a Professional Association? HigherEdJobs,
n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.
<https://www.higheredjobs.com/articles/articledisplay.cfm?ID=157>.
"Member Benefits." NBAA.org.
National Business Aviation Association, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbaa.org%2Fmembership%2Fbenefits%2F>.
"Professional Organizations." Professional
Organizations. North Central Texas Council of Governments, n.d. Web. 12
Apr. 2015.
<http://www.nctaviationcareers.com/content/professional-organizations-0>.
Szymanski, Kenneth. 2014 Non-formal interview
