Aviation Outlook Day

Published by Shelbi Tierney on Mon, Apr 06, 2015

Aviation Outlook Day
Rob Kirchmer
Aviation Flight Science

Aviation is all about getting your training done so you can jump into the right seat of a jet as soon as possible. However, a major key is networking. The more people you know the better your chances of earning a spot as a first officer somewhere. This is where Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation comes into play. While the College is a premier flight school, the people that the school is in contact with are just as good. Today, for example, the College invited all the major US regional carriers to come meet with students and instructors. As well, there were corporate flight departments in attendance and cargo carriers to participate in a school wide networking even called Aviation Outlook Day.  Envoy, Republic, Expressjet, Endeavour, and Steelcase were just a couple of companies that were in attendance, and they all brought recruiters. One of my good friends that’s a CFI was offered an interview by Republic on the spot, which took place in the back of the ERJ-175 they flew to Battle Creek. Needless to say, it’s not a bad place to come hang out. Our dean has a line he always says to prospective students and that is, “You come to school to get job.” College should be the most fun you have in your life but at the same time it’s a place to meet future employers who could give you a start on your career. The College of Aviation will do everything it can to help you get in contact with employers and Aviation Outlook Day is just one of the opportunities you’ll be able to experience as a student at WMU. As well as Outlook day there are many other opportunities the college puts on for you to meet professionals in the aviation industry. About a month ago Republic Airways made a visit to Henry Hall, which is the Aviation dorm on main campus, to give a presentation to students on their company. Even though many of us are still hundreds of hours away from landing a flying job for an airline, being around people who will someday hire you can’t hurt. Today I was talking to a pilot from Republic and he gave me his personal info and said if I’m ever in Cincinnati to give him a call and he’ll take me in through their training facilities and let me fly their simulators. That’s pretty cool, there are always possibilities when talking to people, you just have to make contact with them. So when your admitted to WMU or if your already here, make sure to take advantage of the career fairs and event s that the college hosts to get you exposure. You never know, you might just end up with a job at the end of the day.