Life can be unpredictable, but those challenges can be blessings in disguise.

Beyond the ATP rule allowing for flight time waivers, there is a little incentive at a commercial level to solely specialize in an accredited aviation degree. However, for some who go on to teach at a professor level, or do research these degrees provide obvious benefit.

Interestingly for pilots there are more flying jobs that require “other” degrees, than aviation degrees. For example Flight Test, Instrument Check, and technical pilot positions usually require an Engineering Degree.

Management pilots surely benefit from legal or business degrees. Strong pilot unions benefit from an assortment of “other” backgrounds brought by their pilots, ranging from public relations to analysis, and computer programing.

Many corporate flight departments can vouch for the benefit of pilots who can do more than fly, as important a skill that is.

From outside the industry people with pilot licenses or aviation degrees can bring great value to diverse positions. The point is the diversity in education can be a great benefit, no matter if you are starting from the aviation side or another professional sector.