Recruiters from more than a dozen airlines and the Massachusetts National Guard will be on hand to meet current and future Bridgewater State University students to discuss careers in aviation during BSU Aviation’s annual Open House.
Scheduled for Saturday, Oct 14, at BSU Aviation at the New Bedford Municipal Airport (1852 Shawmut Ave.), the event will also feature tours of the facility, including a look at the university’s 11 aircraft and hands-on flight simulators. The open house runs from 8 a.m. to noon.
Domenic Lafauci, staff assistant for records and compliance at BSU Aviation, said 14 airlines with pilot recruiters will be in attendance, in addition to a recruiter from the state’s National Guard and personnel from the regional airport.
Representatives from the Jet Blue University Gateway Program, Expressjet AP3 Program, the Endeavor STEP-to-Delta Program, and the exclusive Cape Air Co-Op Program – all of which partner with BSU Aviation to offer students a direct pathway into pilot positions at the major airlines – will discuss their programs.
In these programs, student pilots begin their careers working as certified flight instructors for BSU Aviation before moving into positions with CapeAir, ExpressJet or Endeavor Airlines. The employment pathway could lead to positions at JetBlue or Delta.
“Demand for pilots is overwhelming, and we need to help meet the national need,” said Mr. Lafauci.
In addition to the flight track, BSU Aviation also offers a track in management, where graduates qualify for positions in airport management at sites both large and small, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Every aspect of our industry is always hiring,” said Mr. Lafauci. “Unemployment shortages have been effectively closing down companies because they are unable to keep up with demand.”
BSU Aviation owns and flies 11 planes out of New Bedford – eight Cessna Skyhawks, two Piper Arrows and a Piper Seneca. The university’s CFIs and staff at the facility will be on hand to answer questions. The Precision Bears Flight Team comprised of BSU Aviation majors and Alpha Eta Rho, an aviation fraternity, will be attending.
Both the flight and management tracks in the bachelor’s degree program are designed to be completed in four years. BSU Aviation is a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Program, which means that graduates can get into an airline position six to nine months faster than through other programs.
Presentations from BSU Aviation and the airlines will be ongoing throughout the morning. Two door prizes for those attending the event include one-hour flights aboard the BSU fleet.
The event is not only for first-time students who plan to enter Bridgewater State University in fall 2018, but for transfer students and current aviation students, Mr. Lafauci said.
For more information visit Facebook.com/BSUAviation or email Lisa Shaw at L1Shaw.bridgew.edu. BSU Aviation is AABI (Aviation Accreditation Board International) accredited. (Story by Eva T. Gaffney, G '01, for University News & Media)