Greetings to all. I'm a pilot in the Air Force with experience in the KC-135 (1,500hrs) and MQ-1 (800hrs) platforms. I also have a commercial license (ATP soon) and am about to graduate Webster University with an MBA emphasis in finance. I am investigating possibilities on the outside for when my commitment is up within the aerospace industry beyond the typical 'go to the airlines' route. My interests are in aviation and corporate finance and I'd love to be involved with a company researching UAV systems in either a military or civilian capacity both on the business and operational sides (if this is possible). I believe I can bring a lot to the table with 7 years of military aviation experience and an advanced degree. I'd love to chat with somebody in this industry to discuss things further and to see how best to set myself up for the time when the Air Force actually lets me leave. As always, comments and advice from anybody are also welcome.
Answers
Hi Stephen,
UAV's are taking off in agriculture and the film industry with recent FAA passage of restricted commercial guidelines in those areas. Good luck and know that VEVRAA (dol.gov) gives you a leg up at federal contractors: they report to the DOL every year the number of vets hired and employed.
Chuck
Hi Stephen,
I can particularly advise your regarding a career as pilot across most of the facets of the industry. There is a lot under way particularly in the pilot profession after many years of stagnation post 9/11.
However it seems you would like to leverage your MBA operations knowledge and your UAV experience. Obviously contacting the major players in the defense UAV industry and searching for inroads there would be a logical place to start and that goes without saying. Another area you may consider is the rapidly rising applications of UAV's in the civilian/ industrial application which is in it's infancy in much the same way privately run commercial space flight companies like Virigin Galactic and SpaceX were some years ago. At that time few could envision how successful they would be today! Perhaps you can get in on the ground floor of the civilian UAV industry wether that be for commercial or law enforcement purposes. This would be both an application of your MBA and UAV experience. However if you want to talk about flying jets outside the USAF, that's right up my alley. Cheers. Justin
Hi Stephen,
I have a few talent acquisition connections in the aviation industry and also don't mind making calls into other organizations for you. As Bill mentioned, your background is impressive. Feel free to connect with me and we can speak further about a game plan. Thank you for your service and I look forward to hearing from you.
Jake Ebenhoch
Hi Stephen - I might recommend that you also look at companies like Bell Helicopter, Bombardier, and commercial airlines like Delta, Virgin, American, and Southwest.
Mary Kennedy
Hi Stephen, your skills and experience are outstanding. I would recommend checking out Boeing as they cover all areas of aviation as well as civilian and military aircraft. They are a large employer in my area and have sites nationwide. I know they value military experience. Best of luck to you and thanks for your service. Let me know if I can be of any additional support. Bill
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