Students: Final Year Tips for College Seniors

The last year of college is an exciting time for students, as they prepare to leave campus life behind and enter the workforce.

But that transition can also be an extremely daunting prospect, noted Scott Vlasek, director of the Aviation Institute at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, even if aviation students tend to be better prepared than those in some other career fields.

“Students on the flight side can utilize pipeline-type programs with defined pathways to their chosen careers,” he said. “The path may be somewhat less-defined for admin students, but they still have a variety of options through graduation, including internships.”

Wendy Beckman, professor in the Aerospace Department at Middle Tennessee State University, noted that potential employers particularly value candidates with varied experience away from the classroom, including participation in student groups and aviation associations.

“We strongly encourage students to get some work experience before they graduate,” she emphasized. “It’s a tough sell to an employer when you don’t have any work history, be that in fast food or a grocery store, or line service at an FBO. Seek out opportunities to develop your leadership skills.”

To prepare themselves for real-world challenges beyond college, students nearing graduation should also hone their “soft skills” by taking advantage of resume preparation, mock interview and financial management classes that are available on most campuses.

“These aren’t issues to [ignore] through April and then go, ‘Wait, what am I going to do now?’” Beckman said. “Aviation students do tend to be more career-oriented, in my experience, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice other essential life skills at every opportunity.

If interested in working for a specific company, “do your homework,” said Vlasek. “Research the company and its culture. If they’re publicly traded, pull up their annual reports. Find people who work there and ask questions. You can get a lot of information with just a little bit of work.

“I would also caution students about social media, especially during their last year in college,” Vlasek added. “Make sure you’re portrayed positively in posts by you and your friends, because employers will check that out.”

Even if a student may feel they haven’t done enough to get ready for post-collegiate life, Beckman said they shouldn’t be discouraged. “It’s never too early, or too late, to start preparing,” she said. “Given the aviation employment market at this moment, a late start isn’t much of a strike against you.”

Review NBAA’s Job Board resources at jobs.nbaa.org.