Professional Organizations

It is extremely important to network with other professionals in your industry. One way to network in your profession is to join a professional organization. Joining professional organizations you will not only help you network with professionals in your industry, but it will also make your resume stand out from others. Two professional aviation organizations that I would suggested would be Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and Airline Pilots Association (ALPA).

I am currently a member of AOPA, it provides me with great knowledge of what is currently going on in the Aviation Industry, more specifically the GA part of aviation. AOPA mission is as follows: "We protect your freedom to fly by…advocating on behalf of our members, educating pilots, non-pilots, and policy makers alike, supporting activities that ensure the long-term health of General Aviation, fighting to keep General Aviation accessible to all, and securing sufficient resources to ensure our success."

As I progress in my aviation career I would like to join ALPA. ALPA provides their members with important news about Airline Safety and Security. ALPA mission statement is "...to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation; to assist in collective bargaining activities on behalf of all pilots represented by the Association; to promote the health and welfare of the members of the Association before all governmental agencies; to be a strong, forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession, through all forms of media, and with the public at large; and to be the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the Association."

Belonging to these and other professional organizations will be assets in finding that life long career.