Hartsfield-Jackson Kids

Do you ever think about the future and the career you might have when you are an adult? Or do you think you're too young to be so serious? Well, even if you're in elementary or middle school, it's not too early to start thinking about what you'd like to do when you grow up.

If you are a high school student, you may have more firm ideas about the future, but you should still be open to exploring possibilities and learning about careers you hadn't previously thought about. And guess what, just about every subject you're studying in school - that you're good at, of course - could be the foundation for a career. Your hobbies, extracurricular activities and what turns you on about life, generally, are the things you should also pay attention to in terms of choosing a career that is right for you.

What are your dreams? Have you thought about exploring the many careers that will be available to you at the airport? Even if you want to be a doctor, business owner, lawyer or a fire chief, there can be an interesting job for you in the world of aviation, where you can be around or fly airplanes and practice your professional skills.

The airport is definitely one of the coolest places to work, and there are many ways in which you can prepare yourself to be employed there. For instance, some two-year colleges are working with high schools to help students get the right skills and training for technical jobs in the aviation or aerospace industry. Most four-year colleges have programs, too, that are geared to preparing students for careers at the airport and related fields. And, if your grades are good, you can win scholarships and grants for college, especially if you are interested in becoming an engineer.

There are also many opportunities to work in airport management with the various responsibilities having to do with making sure the airport functions as it should. At Hartsfield-Jackson , the Department of Aviation (DOA), under the leadership of the general manager, manages the airport and coordinates among all of the service entities (the FAA; airlines; vendors who sell souvenirs, food, magazines, etc.; police and fire departments, and all others) so that everything is in working order.

What kind of person are you? Just for fun, figure out the kind of person you are from the list below and match it with the list of airport jobs that seem to fit. Some people may be a mix of two types, or even three types and may be a match for more than one job.

I AM THIS TYPE OF PERSON
(Source: Dr. John Holland & Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.)

Mechanical, athletic and like to work outdoors and with tools, machines, plants or animals
Like to observe, learn, investigate, or solve problems
Artistic, like to use imagination and creativity in a more free environment
Like to work with people, helping to teach, train or cure them
Like to work with people by influencing them, being a leader or manager
Like to work with information, details and numbers in an office setting, follows through on instructions of others

AIRPORT CAREERS THAT FIT MY PERSONALITY
(Source: ALLSTAR Network FIU / NASA)

Pilots maneuver aircrafts from take off to landing. They must have mechanical aptitude, be able to solve navigational problems and give directions to crew members.
Operations managers supervise reservation agents, ticket agents, passenger service agents, sales representatives, sales managers and others in the office areas.
Marketing/public relations managers work in an office environment with all of the airport's departments. They create opportunities to promote the airport and get the message out about its services and keep the public informed.
Information systems specialists work with computers. They are very knowledgeable in the field of computer science and able to meet the program needs of the organization.
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. They organize the flow of traffic in and out of the airport and also keep pilots informed about the weather. They must make quick decisions and be familiar with lots of equipment.
Flight attendants assist passengers with their needs during flights and make sure safety rules are followed. They serve meals and beverages and give attention to passengers who are experiencing illness, handicaps, age-related problems or have challenges with their children.
Accountants work with the financial aspect of the airport and must handle information generated by various departments regarding income, expenditures, taxes, etc.
Passenger service agents help passengers who require special attention, such as those needing a wheelchair or traveling with children. Agents sometimes assist with making reservations and writing tickets.
Line service workers work outside and are responsible for parking, securing, fueling and service needs of aircraft at the airports.
Ramp agents supervise the servicing, loading and unloading of aircraft.
Office workers perform duties common to most businesses, including using the computer, handling documents, answering phone calls and sometimes working with the public.
Flight dispatchers use computers, calculators and other tools and work in cooperation with the pilot. They furnish a flight plan that enables the aircraft to arrive at its destination on schedule with the maximum payload and least operating cost. They occasionally ride in the cockpit to observe flight routes and conditions.
Airport sales agents perform all functions at the ticket counter and boarding gate related to ticketing, boarding and deplaning passengers, checking baggage, making or changing reservations and providing information to the public.

Imagine this: It takes more than 100,000 people doing their jobs at and around the airport to make sure that passengers on each airline flight have a safe, uneventful and pleasant trip. Think it would be fun to have a career at the airport and be a part of that team? If you think so, start now improving your grades, talking to your teachers and counselors and reading about the airport, aviation and aerospace.