Preparing for a career in engineering and technology, management or aviation goes well beyond the classroom. Networking, job experience and job search techniques all play critical roles to opening the doors of opportunity. At Vaughn College, our career services department is dedicated to preparing its students for success in their fields by helping them to explore various jobs in their fields. From orientation through graduation, we are ready to guide students every step of the way so they can find their dream job as soon as possible after graduation. We are so confident that our students will be employed or continue their education within one year of graduation that we even guarantee it.
Are you an engineering, technology, management or aviation student approaching graduation? Or maybe you’re a student considering any number of aeronautics, engineering or technology careers? Vaughn’s career services department is offering some valuable graduation―and ongoing―tips to prepare you for a career. Explore the many jobs in your field of interest with our career services team.
Tip 1: Complete the Career Development Course
Vaughn’s Career Development Course lays the foundation for landing jobs as it prepares students for the many career opportunities available to them as students and graduates. You will learn vital skills which include résumé and cover letter preparation, interviewing techniques, networking and various job search strategies. Every Vaughn student must take and pass the course in addition to participating in a mock interview.
Tip 2: Secure an Internship/Job
Internships are an asset to learning and gaining hands-on experience in your field. Securing an internship or part-time position may be the key to landing a job after graduation. Vaughn has secured relationships with a broad scope of industry partners and employers that include airports, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, major airline carriers and manufacturing companies with government military contracts, just to name a few. This unique partnership is just another way Vaughn prepares you for a “futureproof” career.
Tip 3: Build a Network of Contacts
It’s not always about what you know, but who you know. Building a network of contacts early on is one of the best ways you can prepare for any career. The career services department at Vaughn is at the top of its game when it comes to spreading the word about networking events, partnerships and other network-building opportunities. Vaughn encourages its students to join on-campus clubs that tie in with their field of study. This is a great way to meet fellow students who share the same passions and career goals.
Tip 4: Attend Vaughn’s Career Fair
Get your networking game on by attending the upcoming Vaughn College Fall Career Fair. It’s an exciting and valuable time where we bring today’s leading engineering, technology, management and aviation employers to you—all gathered under one roof so you can learn more about the jobs in your field. Some of the employers who will be attending include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFK International Air Terminal, the New York State Police Department, Atlas Air and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), among others. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity:
Vaughn College Fall Career Fair
Date: Thursday, September 26
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Hangar
Be prepared. Bring your résumé. Professional dress is required.
A hurricane is part of Mother Nature’s fury which can endanger thousands of people in its path. Aviation weather forecasting plays a tremendous role in the determination of flight safety. But did you ever wonder how meteorologists obtain the data they need to monitor the intensity and track of this kind of storm to keep us out of harm’s way? If you answered, “hurricane hunters,” then you’re right on track. There’s no denying that hurricane hunters are well-trained pilots. As an institution of learning that offers a wide range of aviation and flight degrees, Vaughn College sets the pace for this adventurous career path. This month, Vaughn highlights a unique area of the aviation industry by discussing the vital role hurricane hunters play in saving lives.
Who are hurricane hunters?
Hurricane hunters are aircrews that are part of the United States Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aligned under the 403rd Wing and located at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Today’s basic five-member aircrew includes a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight meteorologist and weather reconnaissance loadmaster. They are called upon by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida to collect and retrieve necessary storm data. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is a one-of-a-kind organization as it is the only operational military weather reconnaissance unit in the world.
Hurricane hunters are not new to the aviation industry. In fact, the first manned flight occurred in 1943―on a dare―after two military pilots challenged each other to fly into the eye of a hurricane. Little did they know then how that bet would pave the way to today’s aviation weather forecasting of tropical cyclones. Seventy-six years later, a special all-female aircrew made history as it flew into Hurricane Dorian.
Hurricane Dorian: All-female hurricane hunter flight crew makes history
Last month, the first-ever all-female hurricane hunter flight crew made history when it gathered storm data on Hurricane Dorian. Amidst the danger of a major hurricane, the three-pilot flight crew flew a mission into the dangerous storm, marking the first time in 76 years that an all-female hurricane hunter flight crew stormed an Atlantic Ocean hurricane. More women in aviation are being recognized for their impact in the field. Way to go, ladies!
So, why are hurricane hunters critical to keeping the public safe? Read on to learn about their daring missions. (Are you interested in a career as a pilot? Check out the top 10 reasons for becoming a pilot.)
What do hurricane hunters do?
The mission of the aircrews is to fly directly into a tropical cyclone to gather the necessary data required to accurately assess the intensity and track of the storm. Specially modified U.S. Air Force planes typically used to drop off troops and supplies in war zones are flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to maneuver through the storm. If you’ve ever tracked one of these storms―or worse―lived in the potential path of one, then you know how the track and intensity of the storm can change like the wind (pun intended). So, how do these crews gather the data?
Eye in the sky
At about 10,000 feet, the crew drops Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors while flying directly through the eye to the hurricane’s edge and repeats this pattern as often as four times. This allows the crew to gather information about the storm’s speed, direction and winds. Each mission takes eight hours and alternating crews fly continuously through the course of the storm. The data from each mission is transmitted back to the National Hurricane Center where it is compiled, analyzed and released to news and weather outlets who then relay the information to the public.
Vaughn cares
Hurricane Dorian made landfall as a “category five” hurricane earlier this month, having caused catastrophic damage to several Bahamian islands. The Vaughn community’s thoughts are with those affected by Dorian, including our students, their friends and families.
Both men and women in the field play a crucial role in the safety of flight, management of airlines and engineering of flight technology. And reports like this reinforce the contributions of women in aviation. Are you inspired to take your career to new heights? Check out all that’s possible with an aviation degree from Vaughn, where the programs offered are suited to many diverse interests in the field.
Engineering is all around us. But did you ever stop to think about the extent to which engineering plays a role in our daily lives, and how important engineering jobs are? If there were no engineers, we wouldn’t have working navigation systems, electric generators, motors, elevators or air conditioning systems. You’d be amazed at how almost everything around us is designed, built and maintained by engineers.
Vaughn College remains a leading institution for students who choose to pursue careers in engineering and technology. Did you know today’s engineering and technology jobs are so much more than designing things to sustain us? It’s true. Today’s engineers are creating and inventing innovative designs to help advance society and solve some of humanity’s greatest problems to keep us on the planet longer. Your college major can play a crucial role in how much money you earn after graduation. With technology advancing and engineering demands increasing, there’s never been a better time to pursue a career in these fields. With an impressive curriculum that encompasses all aspects of engineering, it’s no wonder Vaughn engineering graduates are succeeding in their fields. Want proof? Check out the recent success stories of Thomas Dekenipp ’18, Emily German ’18 and Jefferson Maldonado ’16.
We have narrowed down the top five most valuable engineering degrees and matched them with engineering jobs that have the highest salaries in the industry today. Discover all the opportunities available to you with an engineering degree from Vaughn College.
Aerospace Engineer
Annual Salary: $115,220*
Education: Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineers top our list as the highest paid professionals with engineering degrees. Without sounding cliché, working as an aerospace engineer is literally “rocket science.” Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing aircrafts, spacecrafts, satellites and missiles. They also work with new inventions and technologies, creating and testing prototypes to ensure they function according to their design. Although many of these professionals choose to pursue a career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), most work primarily for large aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing, for example. They specialize in areas that include manufacturing, analysis and design, and research and development, and are frequently employed by the federal government. (Aerospace engineers who work on projects related to national defense may need a security clearance.)
Computer Hardware Engineer
Annual Salary: $114,600*
Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
The job of a computer hardware engineer comes in at a close second as one of today’s top engineering jobs. Not to be confused with software engineers, hardware engineers build components that are used in computers, network systems and other commercial products. Computer hardware engineering combines electrical engineering and computer science, which goes hand in hand with the task of planning the manufacture of computer chips, circuit boards, printers, PCs and modems. These professionals typically work in research laboratories that build and test various types of computer models.
Electrical Engineer
Annual Salary: $96,640*
Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
Electrical engineers design, install, test and maintain large-scale electrical equipment such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communication systems and power generation equipment. Basically, if a device has an alternating current (AC), an electrical engineer is most likely involved in creating it. Nearly every industry needs electrical engineers, which makes this an appealing profession. Electrical engineers work in a variety of industries that include research and development, engineering services, manufacturing and telecommunications. These professionals are frequently employed by the federal government. While they mostly work indoors in offices, some jobs may require them to visit sites to address a problem or observe equipment.
Mechanical Engineer
Annual Salary: $87,370*
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is the most common area of engineering and the broadest discipline in the industry―and for good reason. Basically, mechanical engineers are experts when it comes to designing and maintaining anything that is composed of moving parts. Wow! That includes so many things! These professionals require a strong understanding and comprehension of many areas such as dynamics and thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis and electricity. Generally, they work in offices primarily for engineering services, research and development and manufacturing. Occasionally, their jobs may take them off-site to assess problems or equipment which may need attention. Since mechanical engineering is applicable across all industries and fields, these professionals are highly employable.
Mechatronic Engineer
Annual Salary: $96,980**
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechatronic engineering
Mechatronic engineers have a competitive edge in the industry. That’s because these professionals have a multidisciplinary knowledge of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. Their knowledge of robotics, electronics, computers, telecommunications, aerospace, systems control, and product engineering make them standout candidates in high-tech industries. A broad knowledge in engineering will position mechatronic engineers to work in all aspects of product development―from design and testing to manufacturing. With technology advancing at lightning speed, mechatronic engineers are a valuable asset and will be in high demand for many years to come.
Are you interested in pursuing an engineering job with a bright future? Vaughn’s career services department is there to offer engineering enthusiasts a wide range of options where they can find the perfect engineering job with a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree. Our engineering degrees prepare students to succeed in their career of choice.
*Salaries reported by The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics and based on 2018 median pay.
**Salary for mechatronic engineers is reported by The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) which is developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) through a grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The salary is based on 2018 median pay.
