Airline industry, Which degree to take???

[yzfx]

Hi all,

I am interested in working with the airlines next time(especially as a station manager). Can someone please advise me on which Degree should i study for? As in which is the related field? Is it Tourism? And also, I am currently holding a diploma in Infomation Technology (computer studies) so it will be a totally different field. So, Are there any schools that are recommanded? That are highly recognised in Both Locally and Overseas?

Also, what are the job scopes of a station manager? What is the expected starting pay?

Please provide me with as many info as possible.

Thanks in advance.

[Plavt]

Hi yzfx and welcome to the board;
I don't think it matters too much which degree you take but the most relevant are; Business & Finance, Economics, Management, Tourism & Hospitality or simply Transportation. Since you already have a diploma you are off to a good start.

Plavt.

[toygirl]

Station Manager? - Honours graduate. Seriously. Good Honours from a credible university - so those distance learning MDIS type of qualification I doubt will suffice entry.

This is a leadership role so you better start working on leadership areas in your CCAs.

Preferred would be Business Admin, Finance, Law but all degree types are welcome - as long as it is a good honours - 2nd Uppers or 1st Class.

There is no direct entry on this scheme, you will go through a training program on airport ops - you basically need to know everything from cargo, catering, safety regulations CAAS and others, contingency plans, customer service, ticketing, etc. One you pass and are qualified, you will be posted to an overseas station as a Station Manager.

Pay - You are paid in Singapore dollars with additional allowances when you're based overseas such as living allowance, child, school, accomodation, etc.

I think you're putting all your eggs in this basket. These positions are not like cabin crew jobs where you just need O levels, or some 1 year degree and automatically get in. It's always good to have a backup plan.

Never specialise too early - I know some people who took Aviation Management overseas as undergraduate studies and couldn't find jobs - Duh! - Some fresh 21 year old with a pass degree wanting a management job....... (Puiiiii)

[missphish]

Hello there,

Got a couple of questions...

1) What is the longest life span as an air stewardess and what is the average?

2) What happens when and air stewardess gets pregnant? (--this is allowed right?) Do they get transfered to another department? Ground job? What about the salary?

3)Would it be possible for an air-stewardess to actually stay on in SIA and take on a management role e.g. switch to a station trainee/ cabin crew exec? after she stops flying?

missphish

[Plavt]

Hello there,

Got a couple of questions...

1) What is the longest life span as an air stewardess and what is the average?
This depends on where you are in the world and the culture of the airline for example; British Airways have no upper age limit for their cabin crew and some have been there through their working lives!


2) What happens when and air stewardess gets pregnant? (--this is allowed right?) Do they get transfered to another department? Ground job? What about the salary?


There is a very good chance you will lose your job and your money.


3)Would it be possible for an air-stewardess to actually stay on in SIA and take on a management role e.g. switch to a station trainee/ cabin crew exec? after she stops flying?

Yes, if of course they have vacancies and you match the relevant criteria.

[yzfx]

Station Manager? - Honours graduate. Seriously. Good Honours from a credible university - so those distance learning MDIS type of qualification I doubt will suffice entry.

This is a leadership role so you better start working on leadership areas in your CCAs.

Preferred would be Business Admin, Finance, Law but all degree types are welcome - as long as it is a good honours - 2nd Uppers or 1st Class.

There is no direct entry on this scheme, you will go through a training program on airport ops - you basically need to know everything from cargo, catering, safety regulations CAAS and others, contingency plans, customer service, ticketing, etc. One you pass and are qualified, you will be posted to an overseas station as a Station Manager.

Pay - You are paid in Singapore dollars with additional allowances when you're based overseas such as living allowance, child, school, accomodation, etc.

I think you're putting all your eggs in this basket. These positions are not like cabin crew jobs where you just need O levels, or some 1 year degree and automatically get in. It's always good to have a backup plan.

Never specialise too early - I know some people who took Aviation Management overseas as undergraduate studies and couldn't find jobs - Duh! - Some fresh 21 year old with a pass degree wanting a management job....... (Puiiiii)

Hi there, thanks for your valuable info... really appreciate it alot... You seems very familiar with how it works, are you in this industry? So if i go for a degree in aviation management, what are the possible jobs that i will be looking at?

[toygirl]

I really don't advise specialising in aviation management way too early. I know managers who have good first degrees in a real discipline and then work in aviation before going a Masters in Aviation Management.

Some people do Aviation Management coupled with their PPL license to be a pilot. Some are doing it with aviation engineering background - i.e. aircraft engineers, etc. If you're just aiming for a station manager job - Aim for a solid academic background and leadership CCAs in University - Full time accredited reputable university. Good to have a dream - but equally important to be grounded to the reality of competition!

Good luck.

[missphish]

Hello there,

Got a couple of questions...

1) What is the longest life span as an air stewardess and what is the average?
This depends on where you are in the world and the culture of the airline for example; British Airways have no upper age limit for their cabin crew and some have been there through their working lives!

2) What happens when and air stewardess gets pregnant? (--this is allowed right?) Do they get transfered to another department? Ground job? What about the salary?


There is a very good chance you will lose your job and your money.


3)Would it be possible for an air-stewardess to actually stay on in SIA and take on a management role e.g. switch to a station trainee/ cabin crew exec? after she stops flying?

Yes, if of course they have vacancies and you match the relevant criteria.

What about life span of an air stewardess for SIA? I noticed that there are different coloured kebayas. That is for seniority right? Is there any difference in their job scopes? (Sorry if i'm so ignorant about certain stuff!!)

So it is still possible to retain your job even when pregnant but chances are not high? If yes, it would be pending on performance and attitude during the job issit? Or is it based on other criterias?

I understand that one of the criteria for any management level positions is a second upper honours (min) I do have a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing but it is not honours so would working exp. as a air stewardess be able to make it up for the lack in degree qualifications? Or would I have to further my studies before I will be considered?

Thanks!!
missphish

[Plavt]

What about life span of an air stewardess for SIA? I noticed that there are different coloured kebayas. That is for seniority right? Is there any difference in their job scopes? (Sorry if i'm so ignorant about certain stuff!!)

So it is still possible to retain your job even when pregnant but chances are not high? If yes, it would be pending on performance and attitude during the job issit? Or is it based on other criterias?

I understand that one of the criteria for any management level positions is a second upper honours (min) I do have a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing but it is not honours so would working exp. as a air stewardess be able to make it up for the lack in degree qualifications? Or would I have to further my studies before I will be considered?

Thanks!!
missphish

The majority as far as I can ascertain last between three and five years. Those in the green, red and purple kebayas are senior ranks who remain with the airline much longer than the majority.

Your contract will state you must not become pregnant within a specified period so weigh up the possibilities of remaining with the airline should that happen - they may not be willing to employ you elsewhere.

Regarding your third question, I am unable to answer but you can be sure there will be severe competition for management positions for people better qualified than yourself. Although SIA does have marketing positions around the world but I do not know what the criteria is.



Plavt.

[merliongal26]

Hello there,




I understand that one of the criteria for any management level positions is a second upper honours (min) I do have a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing but it is not honours so would working exp. as a air stewardess be able to make it up for the lack in degree qualifications? Or would I have to further my studies before I will be considered?

Thanks!!
missphish

I think you MUST have honours to get to the operation side of SIA... even if its not management level. I have flying experience, and just a basic degree. I applied for executive level, and also got no reply from them. They only invite honour holders back for interviews.

[toygirl]

You need good honours to actually get in. Period. There is even written GP style exam questions during the interview. If you don't have Honours - you may be selected they are desperate (i.e. = Low application numbers) - But you can dream if you think that happens for Cabin Crew Execs and Station Manager positions - They get hundreds - Plus the recruitment team travels to do on campus recruitment. I don't want to burst your bubble - 1st class or 2:1 full time accredited reputable degree. One of my friends niece was shortlisted last year for the Cabin Crew Exec post - She was an Ivy league from the States magna cum laude = 1st Class in Biology.

The salary isn't that fantastic - It's between S$2500 to S$2800 - You earn double as a flight stewardess. Plus it's a 5 day or 6 days and you need to burn weekends for those freak up recruitment days on Sundays to interview candidates if you're posted as a Exec in Recruitment Team.

In the old times - Crew Execs/Check Execs were the really old chief stewardesses/stewards who became executives after 20 years of service. Nowadays, it's plain qualifications.

Qualifications are used as a judge of your aptitude. To get Dean's List or 1st Class shows you have intellectual ability to lead a team in a competitive industry. Someone who barely passed through university isn't that candidate. Period. Distance learning like MDIS in my personal opinion, seem very dubious and not credible to be frank.

I think you can concentrate on working as a flight stewardess. Don't aim too high if you know you can't reach it - Better to aim something achievable and financially secure.

[missphish]

A BIG thank-you to merliongal26, toygirl and Plavt. for replying to my queries.. Really appreciate it!

missphish

[yzfx]

Besides Singapore Aviation Academy offering a degree in Aviation Management, Which other university offers the same degree?

[toygirl]

That is the only one locally under a D/L mode through Massey- The rest you will need to fly overseas and take it there.

[yzfx]

That is the only one locally under a D/L mode through Massey- The rest you will need to fly overseas and take it there.

So is there anyone here who had got a degree from Massey? Care to share about it? Like Easy to find job? Is Massey very recognise internationally? Is it good?