Recent graduate that has a degree in business adminstration but offered an interview in avionics? What to do?

Question

Ok here's the story. i just graduated from college in May and went to a career fair in my hometown. I gave my resume' to several different aircraft companies at the career fair and applied for entry level management posistions. One job was for an entry level supply chain posistion at Hawker Beech and I talked to the representative and he said he'd give it to someone in management. I was excited when they called but the guy said he would like to interview me for an avionics job. The problem is my degree is in Business Adminstration with an emphasis on organizational management and I have no clue how that ties in with avionics. All i know about avionics is that it means aircraft electronics. I want to do well in the interview but i'm clueless on avionics, and want to know if the job is close to my major. How hard is avionics for someone with no previous training or schooling? What would someone in my shoes do?

Answer 1

Does the job involve the manufacture of the avionics or is it related to the orginisational side , distribution etc. You can always anonymously ring the secretary and ask what the desciption of the job on offer is?

Answer 2

They must have gone through your resume and would be aware of your entry level request. They would also be aware that you are not technically qualified for avionics, but for management. I am sure they will give you a job which suits your qualifications, perhaps in the administrative set up.

Answer 3

I've been an avionics technician both in the civilian and military worlds for about 15 years.  My initial training in the military was 28 weeks.  That was just to get the basics down before I even got onto type specific stuff.  I'm amazed everyday when I go to work how much I learned and still need to learn.  I don't say this to scare or discourage you in any way.  But its not something you're going to learn by going to Radio Shack or the library and picking up a book the night before.  Your perspective employer knows this.  A lot of avionics shops I worked in have managers that don't have a background in avionics.  More often than not their background is usually in business or management.  Maybe you should focus on that in your interview.  Tell them what you can bring to them and how you can make them a better company.  If you get the job you can always go back and take a couple of classes here and there on basic electricity and electronics and maybe an introductory course in aviation electronics.  Either way, it can't hurt you to go on the interview.  At the very least it'll be good practice for the next opportunity if this one doesn't work out.

Answer 4

I assume they are looking for someone to manage their operations involving aviation electronics.  That would be you.  It doesn't sound like they are going to sit you down and ask you to build a transponder, flight control computer, or a radar transceiver.  They need someone who can lead and manage if they're talking to you.

Hey, the more interview practice the better.  Yet, just like with any interview prep, it might behoove you to at least do some research on the subject and the company, even if it is just a wiki page or something.  Even if you meet a situation that doesn't remotely apply to you, you're still getting yourself out there, meeting people, and building contacts.  If you hit it off with someone there, they might direct you to another contact or another position within the company.  The interview is a chance not only for the company to meet you, but for you to see if they might be a good fit for you -- allow that fact to empower you and every interview will be in your control.