In the 5 short years I’ve been involved in aviation it seems that many members of the GA population are Chief Information Officers (CIO) Management Information System (MIS) or Computer Science Guys. I was wondering how many people on these forums do CS or a related field for their occupation?
I inquire because I recently met another CS guy who is in the GA community when interviewing for an IT internship this summer, (which adds to the already disproportionate amount of CS pilots I know.) I am curious if this is personal coincidence, or if there really are a bunch of computer guys out here, granted everyone on this forum has at the least some computer literacy.
When I worked for the feds, I was responsible for 24 offices statewide, that I would fly to the offices, do my jig and come home the same day. Gubment paid $1.04 a mile which turned out cheaper then per diem and hotel, and car mileage expense. I had to do a cost comparison to justify a POA (privately owned aircraft) expenses.
I was responsible for the maintenance of local area networks, workstations and software issues.
Retired from that job, now work for the state part time as a contract worker, and still get to use my plane for “commuting purposes” though I do a different job, but still in the IT world.
Poor assumption on my part, CS is Computer Scientist – but you’re right, it does cover a wide array of fields.
I find the network stuff really appealing, (as you were saying you did LAN maintenence.) Did you have to get any certifications for that job? I got my CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) cert about 2 years ago before studying CS at a liberal arts school currently. I thought the CCNA would be a good optional “pre-requirement” to an MIS career.
This summer I am hopeing to get a certain computer job working with VoIP (voice over IP for telephones) support, but it’s still “up in the air”
In my case, no, in fact, I don’t even have a degree in anything. Worked my way into the position through the trenches, and of course, being mobile only increased my chances (moved from Ohio to Mississippi). OJT was my form of receiving training.
Gubment just waking up to the benefits of VOIP… Needless to say, telephone infrastructure was archaic at best where I used to work, and they finally abandon the "federal telephone system (FTS). VOIP I have a feeling (nothing to base this on) will be something transitory especially with the wireless industry coming out (Cellular, Nextel and so on).
So, I figured by the time VOIP caught up with the agency I used to work for, it would be only equivelent to the FTS of the past
Given the major role that computers play in our economy and our lives today, I would find it surprising if there were not a significant number of IT folks in aviation.
I have been flying for the better part of 15 years & working with computers
a lot longer. I find it funny that a lot of programmer & telephone people are getting involved in flying. I have been in the phone industry 24 years and now I own a telephone, internet & CATV company.
One thing I have observed from pilots is, the are afraid to STOP learning. Once you have stopped you are screwed. I feel that translates to your job. Keep current, keep sharp & stay active you get ahead.
The day a pilot stops learning is the day complacency sets in is the day they are screwed.
And it’s not like they have to keep learning for more ratings, as just the act of flying warrants learning new conditions for every flight. Yeah, it may be small, but it is learning Otherwise our landings would be greasers everytime, our ETAs would be ON time everytime, and every pilot knows that just not happening. Wishfull yes, realistically no.