Now that I've officially become a senior citizen it's probably long past time for me to decide what I want to do with my life. I could have used some help deciding when I was younger.
For 21 years, Columbia-Greene Community College has been helping students consider their options by hosting a "career day" for junior and senior high school students in the area. Professionals representing some 25 different career choices ranging from agriculture to science pre- sent panel discussions about their professions. The more than 1,500 students from 14 area high schools can select two career panels to attend as well as one general session. I volunteered to participate on the panel that addressed career choices available in "Air Transportation." Luckily I was joined on the panel by a full complement of experts: Dan Pemrick, supervisor of the FAA control tower at Albany International Airport; John Mahony, a flight instructor for BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) and Columbia-Greene's aviation department; and Lori Creeron, a flight attendant with Colgan Airways. The pilot representing the airlines wasn't able to attend, but between the four of us, we had most of the bases covered.
It didn't take us long to establish an order and routine. John went first, welcomed the kids, and then explained about the BOCES program, in which junior and senior students at area high schools can take flight training - at no cost to them. In their junior year the students typically get signed off to solo; in their senior year they're about ready to take their private flight practical and oral tests. If they go to two- or four-year schools with which the program has matriculation agreements, they're credited with four college credits from their high school work. A good deal. John also talked about the advantage and entrée a pilot's license can be when applying for a nonpilot position with an aviation company.
Dan, who trained in the Air Force, worked as a civilian at Manchester Tower and at Indianapolis Center before moving to the Albany tower. It was obvious Dan loves what he does and, although he admitted to occasional stress, he acknowledged it's nothing like that described by Lori.
Being a flight attendant, Lori said, is a rewarding job, but it's not glamorous. She detailed some of the changes that have been put in place as a result of increased security by the TSA and the responsibilities - primarily for the passengers' safety - that flight attendants deal with. Asked by a student if she'd ever been frightened, Lori admitted to having to appear calm for her passengers' benefit after an SF340 she was working on had an engine failure on approach to Boston's Logan International Airport. She remained cool, the passengers stayed calm and the pilots landed the airplane without incident.
In preparation for my presentation, I jotted down a quick list of career options, some of which could be categorized as "professional" pilot and others for which a pilot's license would be an advantage in obtaining a job in "air transportation." Those for which pilot credentials might be a plus for an applicant for a position include virtually every type of profession I could think of including doctor, lawyer and … well, maybe not Indian chief. On second thought, Chief James Billie of South Florida's Seminole tribe bought the rights to manufacture the Meyers Aircraft and, using a Seminole word for "leader," renamed the company Micco Aircraft.
Admittedly there aren't many other Indian chiefs in aviation but there are lots of doctors and lawyers. We all know about FAA medical examiners, but there are all kinds of medical research projects that address pilots' mental and physical stresses and capabilities. And lawyers, specializing in aviation, work both sides of the fence - some protecting pilots and manufacturers and some suing them.
Sales opportunities range from selling airplanes and avionics to selling insurance and space in aviation magazines. All kinds of executive positions are available managing airports and FBOs, and with manufacturing and service companies. And there are positions with aircraft and avionics manufacturers for electrical and aerodynamic engineers.
There's also a wide range of "creative" careers for which having a pilot's license can be a benefit. Public relations, publishing and advertising companies that specialize in aviation have positions in copywriting, graphic arts, typography and photography. There are also opportunities for filmmakers and videographers in aviation. For example, Sporty's Pilot Shop and King Schools have sophisticated film and video production facilities where they create their own professional training programs.
Computer expertise is providing pathways to a variety of occupations. Software programmers are finding their talents being used in developing flight simulators, interactive training programs and avionics systems.
And then there are always jobs with town, city, state and federal government aviation agencies. A good friend who worked with me at Aviation International News moved from a production editor's slot with an aviation publication to a successful and satisfying career as a public affairs specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Having a pilot's license isn't a requirement for becoming an air traffic controller, and in fact Dan Pemrick told the high school students he doesn't even like to fly. But a controller who's spent time in the cockpit is often better able to understand what it's like in the cockpit of a small airplane when thunderstorms are performing on center stage.
