For the last blog post I want to talk about my experience as a student so far.  Specifically, the difference between my student experience and the transition into the real aviation world.  The problem I have found is that even though organizations like the AAAE, AOPA, EAA, etc., have there own separate student level memberships, there still feels like there is a large gap between the students and the industry for aviation management majors.  The dissemination of information and the exposure student management majors get has been lack luster in my time in the program.  In this regard, the best thing that has happened to me here was discovering the AAAE, which I found by chance while doing a job search assignment. I wish there was something more.  A bridge to cross this divide for us who really haven't been there or done that yet. 

This year I have done more things to advance my career than I have in all four previous years combined.  I joined the AAAE, joined their certified member program, job shadowed at DTW, applied for an internship, produced my first career-level resume, and I networked more than I ever have before.  I don't know of a one-stop source for internships, entry level jobs, articles, support, discussion boards or anything of the sort geared to young aviation professionals.  I wish there was a place to go to get help that goes beyond your local airport or college professors.  They are undoubtedly great resources, but I would never have found the internship I am trying for if not for the job search engine on AAAE.org. They have nation-wide resources. If there was something that could pool that together with the articles AOPA has for students and other student resources and just bring the whole package together, it would be amazing for students like us who are trying to step into this new world.

Since that doesn't exist, I have a lot of legwork to do. I already mentioned some of what I have done, but as it goes, I still have to take a dispatch practical, make it through one more semester of school, continue to network, and find that first real job.  Its tough with all the information scattered. Except for two job websites that I know of, which only ever has a few entry level jobs at one time, you have to go to each airport website or municipality individually and sort through jobs until you find ones that are relevant.  With hard work, however, I know I will be fine in the end.