Aviation Origin Stories: An Inquiry into Aviation Career Choice Influences College of Applied Science and Arts 2017 ASA Multidisciplinary Research Symposium Matt Romero and Steve Goetz

Do you remember how you were introduced to your career field?

Purpose of the Study Identify the variety of ways aviation students were introduced to aviation

Significance of the Study Aviation workforce demands Diversity of the aviation workforce

Significance of the Study Aviation Workforce Demand 1,900-4,500 pilots per year until 2024 Declining enrollment at pilot schools Regional airlines report difficulty finding pilots (GAO, 2014) 5,894 pilots per year until 2035 in North America (Boeing, 2016) (Boeing, 2016)

Significance of the Study Diversity of the Aviation Workforce U.S. Population Demographics (%) Women 50.0 Whites 62.8 Blacks 13.2 Asians 5.4 Hispanics 17.4 Native American 1.2 Demographics of Professional Aircraft Pilots (%) Women 4.3 Whites 90.8 Blacks 2.9 Asians 2.4 Hispanics 3.9 (Ison, et al., 2016) (Ison, et al., 2016) (BLS, 2016)

Significance of the Study Diversity in Collegiate Aviation (Ison, et al., 2016)

Research Design Qualitative inquiry Online survey Participants Five demographic questions One open-ended question – “How were you introduced to aviation” Participants Collegiate aviation student body Aviation Technologies Aviation Flight Aviation Management

Results Response Rate Approx. 230 Aviation Students 40 survey respondents = 17.4% Response rate

Results - Demographics

Results - Demographics Survey Respondent Demographics (%) White 90.24% Black or African American 2.44% Asian 4.88% Hispanic or Latino 12.20% American Indian or Alaska Native Demographics of Professional Aircraft Pilots (%) Women 4.3 Whites 90.8 Blacks 2.9 Asians 2.4 Hispanics 3.9

Results - Demographics Gender Female 21.95% Male 78.05% First Generation College Student 26.83% International Students 4.88%

Results - Demographics First Generation College Student 26.83% International Students 4.88%

Results – Paths to Aviation Member of the family involved in aviation Spoke to aircraft pilots Introduced at a young age WWII Literature Member of the family worked for an airline Military Service Video Games Member of the family served in the military Commercial Air Travel Experience in and around an airport Aviation Camps Youth Group Air Shows High School Advisor United Airlines Career Day/Campus Visit Watching aircraft fly General Aviation Family took them to work Introductory/Discovery Flight

Paths to Aviation

What’s Next Continue to collect data Analyze data for difference among Extend the study to other institutions Analyze data for difference among Gender Race/ethnicity Socioeconomic status

Questions?