College Approaching High School Students About Aviation Careers

Every pilot, aviation company, and flying organization knows there is a compelling need to reach out to young people to interest them in aviation. Parkland College Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois is actively working with a high school in California in an effort to do just that.

Parkland's Institute is lead by Sybil Phillips, Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation Instruction. Recently she traveled to the west coast to meet a group of motivated young students who are engaged in an innovative program run by Steve Smith at Canyon High School in Anaheim Hills, CA.

"We want to collaborate with high schools that offer aviation programs to broaden the opportunities available to those students who want to study aviation in college. Our Parkland College student body includes students from all over the United States and from other countries as well," said Phillips. Sybil knew she had a receptive audience at Canyon HS, but still needed to present the value Parkland's Institute offers.

"As part of my presentation to the Canyon High students, I highlighted three alumni from the Institute of Aviation who were originally from California. I wanted to inform these students that they have an excellent option for a flight school in Illinois" said Phillips. "Learning to fly in the Midwest offers California students exposure to all types of weather they don't normally get to deal with from snow to high humidity to strong crosswinds. Proximity to the University of Illinois offers the opportunity to transfer into highly-ranked programs, for example in engineering and business."

Canyon High School benefits from strong leadership. "Educator Steve Smith has started a great program with students who are eager learners and engaged in aviation," said Phillips. "The students asked great questions that showed they are building mental models of the possibilities that a career in aviation offers. The purpose for my visit was to talk about a career as a pilot and how the Institute of Aviation at Parkland College can play a role in the journey toward that career."

Parkland College Institute of Aviation enrollees can earn an Associate's Degree in Aviation, choosing a program leading to an Associate in Science (Aviation) with an option to transfer to a four-year school. Students can acquire a Private Pilot Certificate while completing Parkland AVI 101 and 120 courses. Students will earn the private pilot certification, an instrument rating, and the commercial pilot certificate in a sequential manner during Parkland's program.

Parkland College Institute of Aviation curriculum is designed to provide students with a pathway through a four-year institution and a bachelor's degree while earning the certifications necessary to enter the commercial aviation job market.

(Soure: Parkland College news release. Image from Parkland College YouTube video)

FMI: www.parkland.edu/aviation