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Aviation

The aviation industry plays a vital role in global transport, logistics and tourism, employing professionals in a range of functions from engineering and flight operations to airport management, air traffic control and customer service. Roles can be found within airlines, airports, regulatory bodies, aircraft manufacturers and support services. Graduates may enter the industry in roles such as aerospace engineers, operations officers or logistics coordinators, among others. 

The sector is undergoing rapid transformation with a focus on sustainability, automation and digitalisation. Key developments include the move towards net-zero emissions and innovations in electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. Professional bodies such as the Royal Aeronautical Society and Civil Aviation Authority provide updates, training and accreditation. 

Explore further roles in the sector by visiting the websites below. Each profile covers typical duties and responsibilities, entry requirements and the key skills required for the position. 

For some examples of main work areas in the aviation sector visit the sites below: 

For further information about the industry explore  FlightGlobal and Aviation Week. 

Skills employers look for

There is strong demand for skilled professionals across the aviation industry, from Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Pilots to Cabin Crew, Ground Staff and Air Traffic Controllers. Given the diverse nature of the sector, employers look for a wide range of skills depending on the role. 

Many roles are rooted in STEM, so candidates with backgrounds in science, engineering, IT, maths, and even geography or geology may find greater opportunities. However, skills like communication, teamwork and customer service are also crucial, especially in passenger-facing roles. 

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring the role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

Skills in demand include: 

  • Engineering and Technical Skills – essential for roles in aircraft design, maintenance and operations.
  • Navigation and Weather Interpretation – vital for pilots and other flight operations staff.
  • IT and Data Skills – increasingly important across aviation for managing systems, logistics and safety tech.
  • Languages – useful in global roles, particularly for pilots, cabin crew and ground services.
  • Business Skills – HR, marketing, finance and logistics roles support the industry’s growth and innovation. 

To develop these skills, the Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:

Societies at University   

The Students’ Guild’s societies based on Streatham campus could be an excellent way to demonstrate an interest in this work area.    

There are many broadly relevant societies in Penryn too and remember, you can start one if you don’t feel there is one which meets your needs!   

Volunteering 

  • Royal Aeronautical Society – voluntary roles in the aerospace, aviation and space industries.
  • The Air League – a leading UK aviation and aerospace charity.
  • Navy Wings – various voluntary roles from assisting at airshows and events to providing technical engineering expertise.
  • Elevate (her) Warbird Volunteering – an organisation aiming to raise the percentage of women in all aviation careers globally.
  • Flight Crowd – a not-for-profit, bringing flight enthusiasts together to grow the interest in the Electric Aviation industry.
  • Royal Air Force Air Cadets – supporting the squadrons with admin, training and wellbeing amongst other things.
  • Devon Air Ambulance – a charity raising funds to keep the Devon air ambulances flying and the critical-care carers responding.   

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below, you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page 

Finding part-time work 

You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students.  You might also find it helpful to approach some specialist recruitment agencies (see below) in addition to making speculative applications) and approaching employers directly.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

Places where you can find job vacancies:  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.   

Graduate schemes and internships 

  • Airbus – a global leader in the aerospace industry. Here, you can navigate to ‘commercial aircraft’ and ‘helicopters’ for further information. Various career opportunities including internships for current students.
  • Aer Lingus – graduate careers in various areas in the aviation industry, e.g., Aircraft Engineers and Operations Graduates.
  • British Airways – here you can find roles for graduates, business placements and internships.
  • easyJet – various graduate roles available in areas and roles such as, pilot, cabin crew, engineering and maintenance, IT and data, Head Office and easyJet holidays.
  • Emirates – further down their page, you can ‘explore available roles’ in areas such as Airline & Airport Operations, Customer Services and Corporate. Each page from here is then separated out further into more specific roles. Emirates also offer internships and details can be found here.
  • Ryanair – offering graduate programmes in Corporate, Operations and IT.
  • Virgin Atlantic – their graduate programme allows you to get involved in multiple teams across Engineering Services and Production.
  • Specific airports are also likely to have Graduate Schemes and internships, such as Heathrow and Manchester Airport.  

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

  • EDT Placements – offers paid placements for up to a year in (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) STEM subject areas.
  • Airbus - a global leader in the aerospace industry. Offering UK industry placements.
  • Gradcracker advertises placements and internships in STEM.   

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal. 

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

  • Find a Masters – Aviation focussed Masters courses.  It may be helpful to do a search on more specific courses here, such as ‘Aviation Operations’ depending on your interests.  

There are likely going to be specialised training courses for some roles within Aviation, for example:  

To become a Pilot, you will need to get your ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), and you would need to train with an aviation academy or flight school.

 Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

Professional Institutions:  

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.