Is aviation management a good career?

Is aviation management a good career?

Rather than selecting a generic business management degree, I knew I wanted to study something that aligned with my passion for aviation. I came across the Aviation Management BSc (Hons) degree at Coventry, and after attending the open day and applicant day, I knew it was the perfect course for me.

The teaching team are all industry and academic professionals with a broad range of experience in aviation, and there are very successful alumni working for aviation organisations across the globe. I could see that Coventry would help put me on the right path towards a successful career within the aviation industry.

What have you enjoyed most about the course?

What I enjoy the most about the course is the international experience opportunities, including field trips to Switzerland and Dublin. I completed a year’s business placement at British Airways, based at their head office near Heathrow. I worked as a Global Ground Experience Executive, taking on significant responsibility for improving and enhancing the customer experience proposition at our flagship and global airports. It was a great development opportunity and I learnt so much thanks to my very supportive managers. I also got to fly business class to New York on a work trip!

In my second year, I had a very rewarding week in Switzerland, where we got to learn from and network with senior managers in the local aviation industry infrastructure. Our hosts included Zurich Airport, Skyguide, Swiss International Air Lines, REGA Swiss Air-Rescue, Basel Airport, Bern Airport, Geneva Airport, International Air Transport Association, LunaJets, RUAG, and Lucerne University of Applied Arts and Sciences. I especially enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour airside at Zurich Airport! At the end of the week, we delivered a presentation on the key developments and challenges within the Swiss Aviation Market.

The course has developed you as a person. In particular, the group activities and collaborative projects allowed me to develop lots of important skills including teamwork and leadership, which I will be able to apply in the years to come. My confidence versus day one has increased significantly.

The facilities at Coventry University are good, with lots of space for independent and group study. There’s even an ex-military Harrier fighter jet in the basement of our lecture building! We got to work on that once in our second year when learning the principles of aircraft maintenance management.

How has aviation management prepared you for the world of work?

Aviation management is all about developing future commercial aviation leaders. I would recommend this degree to anyone with an enthusiasm for commercial aviation, as it’s given me all the knowledge of aviation, skills and capabilities I need for a successful career in this field. I have made some great friends with people on the course – we all share a passion for aviation and travel!

The course has prepared me for the world of work, as the foundations of aviation business and the skills I learned at Coventry, such as teamwork, leadership, and presenting put me in a great place going into the start of my placement. I’m looking forward to returning to British Airways as a Future Leaders Graduate.