I am close to getting a bachelor's degree in music performance, but really want to go into air traffic control, through the training school in Oklahoma. Would my chances of getting into the school be better with the bachelor's in music? I do not want to pursue music as a career, but would having this degree help my chances of getting into the Oklahoma school, or should I just make the career switch now and apply without completing my bachelor's? I've also considered the military, but would prefer just the school.
Higher Education (University +) - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
yes. you don't actually have to have a degree to get into ATC school in oklahoma anymore. You have to apply when there is an open listing to the public using the FAA ASAP system ( https://jobs.faa.gov/asap/ ) they will then schedule you to take their test the AT-SAT. It is my understanding that if you pass it with a 90 or above they will call you for an interview. That is just the start of the process but that is how you get into the school. I've just passed the test and am waiting for the interview but my father is a controller who majored in something unrelated and went on to the school in oklahoma.
2 :
Crissy speaks the truth: a college degree is unnecessary. I'll go a step further and say it's not worth it: the FAA is hiring people off the street with no experience or education. Why put yourself in debt? However, i know that people who've been hired on in the past two years have been very unhappy with pay and work environment. The FAA under Bush and NATCA got into a dispute, and in 2006 the federal government forced on contract on controller nationwide, resulting in lower starting pay for developmentals. Do your research, and pay attention to the numbers; is it worth it to you? If you are at all interested in the military, i can say that being a controller is one of the best enlisted jobs on the planet. The working conditions are better than the average military AND the average civilian controller. I know that sounds like a bold statement, but it is worth checking out. If interested, the Navy and Air Force have the best ATC programs. After your enlistment is up, you can choose to reenlist (with a nice bonus waiting for you) or jump to the civilian side if they've managed to right the ship. Hope this helps.
