Aviation Career Days Springing Up Around the Country

Dec. 16, 2013

Regional business aviation groups around the country are increasingly holding career days, and other mentoring events, underscoring the importance of letting young people know about the opportunities in business aviation.

“From several recent highly successful events for students in California, to the long-standing expo at Westchester County Airport in New York, regional aviation groups are putting in the time, effort and funds to help educate our young people about careers in business aviation as well as the importance of aviation to our nation,” noted Kristi Ivey, NBAA’s regional representative for the Northwest.

The Utah Business Aviation Association (UBAA) is the latest regional business aviation group to host a career day. The UBAA function, set for Jan. 10 at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), will be the association’s first mentoring/career event. Founded in 2007, UBAA hosts safety days and also raises funds for scholarships for aviation students at universities in Utah.

“We need to make students aware that there are more options than just airlines long before they graduate,” said UBAA President Jeff Hansen. “The future of business aviation relies on getting quality individuals interested now.”

In addition to traditional career days, some events, such as Westchester County’s Aviation/Aerospace Education Expo, are also focused on promoting aviation and aerospace education, and utilizing aviation/aerospace as a means of getting middle and high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“NBAA’s regional representatives are pleased and honored to participate in and support many of these extremely worthwhile career and mentoring events,” said Steve Hadley, NBAA’s director, regional programs, and Southwest regional representative. “We commend the efforts of the many regional business aviation groups whose members devote so many volunteer hours to making these events happen.”

In addition to supporting regional career-day events, NBAA holds a career day each year at its annual Convention to promote the near-limitless career opportunities in the business aviation industry to students.