What are non-aviation career opportunities for Airframe & Power-plant certificate or degree holders? ?

Question

How can I make myself marketable for the best job opportunities if I don't finish from a top rank school like Embry-Riddle? What fields pay well for this body of knowledge?

Answer 1

First off don't believe the hype about Riddle.  Those guys think way too much about them selves.  I went to Auburn and got a degree in Aviation Management and did just fine.    

I work in aviation insurance as an underwriter.  With the knowledge you have and the degree you may want to look into insurance claims.  There are only a few companies that write aviation, but they are always happy to find people with mechanical knowledge for there claims department.  And believe me it is nothing like car insurance claims.  I like my job and I use my aviation knowledge everyday.  A lot more than you would think.  If you are interested in this career field go online and look up Aviation Insurance Companies.      

Answer 2

There will always be a market for well-trained A&P mechanics. However, if you do not wish to work in an aviation-related field, your training will not easily transfer to anything other than some other mechanic type of field, such as working on cars, air conditioning, etc.

You actually do not need to go to a top aviation school to get a job as an A&P mechanic. I got my A&P training at a small college in NC (less than 250 total students) that had an aviation program. I didn't graduate from that college, but I was able to take my A&P certificate and with no experience got a job doing heavy maintenance on 737-300/-500 and DC-8-70/-71 aircraft. Of course the aviation industry is typically quite volatile and I was laid off twice in a year and a half, so I left to do other things, but the pay was good while I had it.