For Students

The Path to a Business Aviation Career

Business aviation needs talented young professionals like you. That’s why NBAA is giving you the tools to go farther, faster.

As an undergraduate or high school student interested in aviation, you have plenty of options for your career path. For those seeking careers in business aviation, this industry provides outstanding diversity in aircraft, missions, schedules and clients, and there are great prospects for jobs and career advancement at locations nationwide.

Business aviation provides a wide variety of job roles, including flight department managers and pilots, maintenance managers and technicians, safety and security specialists, schedulers and dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians, ground support specialists, aircraft manufacturing and design specialists, specialists in aviation law, specialists in aviation finance and charter sales professionals. NBAA provides resources for pursuing all of these career paths.

Join NBAA as a student member for access to member benefits including the Business Aviation Jobs board, discounts for NBAA events and access to members-only website content. Join NBAA as a student today!

Explore the business aviation community firsthand at the 2023 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the biggest event in business aviation. Students can attend free on Thursday, Oct. 19 for Collegiate Connect and all week for only $100. Register now!

Student Success Flight Bag

Explore the resources listed below that were curated to equip and empower students to get engaged in the business aviation industry.

Business Aviation Insider Student Edition

The 2022-2023 edition of Business Aviation Insider contains articles about getting started on the business aviation career path, a day in the life of an aircraft scheduler, how to become a certified pilot of unmanned aircraft, and more. Download the student magazine (PDF)

Scholarships

NBAA offers a growing number of scholarships to support students in various segments of business aviation. Scholarships are available both to those seeking to enter the industry and those looking to advance their careers.

Workforce Development Powerpoint Presentation: Careers in Business Aviation

This presentation serves as a tool for educating and inspiring the next generation of aviators about what business aviation has to offer. It is a resource, not only for members seeking to captivate students during their presentations, but also as a wellspring of knowledge for students eager to delve into the realms of business aviation. Download the Careers in Business Aviation Presentation (PPTX)

NBAA Mentoring Network

NBAA’s Mentoring Network fosters a collaborative environment for professional growth. Participants are matched based on location, industry objectives and other factors to provide an engaging and fulfilling experience.

Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPro)

NBAA’s YoPro group is dedicated to fostering community in business aviation. If you are young and building a career in business aviation this is a group of passionate, fun and inspiring professionals wanting to connect and build a network.

Networking Opportunities

NBAA provides a comprehensive program of industry events each year, which serve as effective career-networking venues. Student discounts are often available.

Jobs Board

For those nearing entry into the professional world, the NBAA Jobs Board allows you to post your resume and access business aviation employment listings (must be 18 or older).

Careers in Business Aviation

NBAA has developed several resources outlining exciting opportunities within business aviation. Find information on salaries, training requirements and more, along with testimonials from young people thriving in the industry. Learn more about business aviation career paths.

Business Aviation Career Posters

Perfect for classrooms and events, these posters provide a eye-catching overview of the industry and its many opportunities for successful careers.

Download Industry Overview Poster (1 MB)

Download Career Overview Poster (354 KB)

Regional Business Aviation Groups

Use the Regional Business Aviation Groups Directory to find a regional business aviation group in your area, attend their events, and build your network close to home.

News

NBAA-BACE Collegiate Connect Showcases Variety, Excitement of Business Aviation Careers Sept. 11, 2023: As the industry faces the challenges of ensuring enough workers for the future, the Collegiate Connect program at this year’s NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas will immerse university and technical school students in the world of business aviation and introduce them to the variety of career opportunities available.
Colleges Put More Emphasis on Bizav Aug. 22, 2023: With specific courses, scholarship programs, partnerships and networking opportunities, university aviation programs are shining a spotlight on the business aviation sector.
Aerobatic Pioneer Patty Wagstaff: Inspiring the Next Generation of Pilots Aug. 7, 2023: When pioneering aerobatic champ Patty Wagstaff isn’t wowing audiences in the air, she’s helping to build a strong safety culture among the next generation of pilots.
NBAA YoPros Inspire Students at Oshkosh July 31, 2023: NBAA’s Young Professionals in Aviation hosted a networking and information-sharing event at EAA AirVenture to help students learn more about opportunities in business aviation.
Podcast: What's the Business Aviation Hiring Outlook at Midyear? July 10, 2023: The need for qualified workers across business aviation is as strong as ever. While pay remains a top consideration, there still are really good people out there who are looking for compensation and culture, notes Jennifer Pickerel of Aviation Personnel International.
NBAA Reaches Out to College Students About Business Aviation Careers May 8, 2023: At a time when the aviation industry is facing a shortage of pilots and other employees, NBAA is making a concerted effort to recruit students into a business aviation career path.
Podcast: Supporting YoPros in Aviation Maintenance March 27, 2023: Young professionals (YoPros) working in business aviation continue to shape our industry in many exciting ways. The upcoming 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference will feature a new session dedicated to supporting and encouraging these young professionals as they advance in their careers.
Young Professionals: Nailing the Job Interview March 23, 2023: Learning a few key interviewing skills can make all the difference for young professionals fresh out of school and ready to enter the business aviation job market.
Maintenance Careers Highlighted at LATC Business Aviation Day Dec. 5, 2022: NBAA staff took part in the annual Lake Area Technical College Business Aviation Day in South Dakota, which is designed to promote to students the exciting and rewarding maintenance career opportunities available in the industry.
NBAA TV: Interview With Shane Combs, NEXTGEN Aviators Oct. 18, 2022: NEXTGEN Aviators offers a unique approach to getting parents and children interested in the career potential of technical roles in the aviation sector.
Collegiate Connect Reimagined for 2022 NBAA-BACE Sept. 28, 2022: To give student attendees more opportunities to network at the world’s largest and most significant business aviation event of the year, the Collegiate Connect program at the 2022 NBAA-BACE will for the first time be hosted on the exhibit floor.
Steps to Success for Students Pursuing Aviation Internships Aug. 12, 2019: Three NBAA interns provide tips to students on how to increase their chances for success in obtaining a business aviation internship.

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