While aerospace and aviation are different industries, they have similarities and overlaps. The Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU) online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Aerospace Logistics prepares graduates with general and industry-specific business skills to apply to both the aerospace and aviation sectors.
This article explores the differences between aviation and aerospace, requirements and expectations for leaders within the shared space and how the program prepares graduates with the skills employers demand from the next generation of leaders.
Differences Between Aviation and Aerospace Industries
Aerospace refers to aeronautics and space flight and the scientific and engineering knowledge required for flying in the earth’s atmosphere and space. It comprises five sectors: military aircraft, commercial airliners, missiles, space and general aviation. In comparison to aerospace, aviation is a much narrower industry. All things related to aircraft within the earth’s atmosphere are in the aviation industry, including the engineering and manufacturing of airlines, helicopters and small private airplanes. As the aerospace industry also designs, manufactures and maintains aircraft and spacecraft, its design, manufacturing and service operations extend far beyond the earth’s atmosphere and include everything from jet airliners to space shuttles.
Leadership Within the Shared Spaces
Leaders within these fields may focus on industrial production management, logistics and supply chain and customer-facing service. Major employers seek leaders with broad skill sets that include technical and soft leadership skills, such as communication, team-building and collaboration. There are broad opportunities for leadership in both sectors, in public and private industry, as well as academia:
U.S. Government: Federal aerospace positions are with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Defense (DoD).
Private Industry: The general aviation, military aircraft and communication satellite industries need leaders who can ensure aircraft worthiness, aviation safety, customer satisfaction and marketing and sales success.
Academia: For those who love training professionals in the industry, academia offers an opportunity to train upcoming aerospace engineers and other professionals involved with design, operations, computational techniques and business processes.
According to the American Astronautical Society, aerospace leadership in the 21st century will require five tactical approaches to developing leadership skills within the industry. The accelerated MBA online program fosters each of these skill sets:
- Understand the organizational culture: Continuous analysis and research assessments using specific methodologies provide the basis for this step.
- Welcome change: Change is inevitable, and the rate of change is accelerating. Next-generation leaders must be able to think conventionally and non-conventionally about capabilities, resources, visions and goals.
- Expect multi-disciplinary subjects: Successful leaders import knowledge from a wide variety of subject areas to aerospace leadership, including natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and public policy.
- Craft your expertise: A breadth of knowledge across subjects combines with deep expertise in at least one subject area for leaders in this field. In a recent study of the world’s largest 100 airlines, researchers found that finance, operations and sales and marketing were the top areas of expertise for airline CEOs. Airlines value expertise within the industry, especially among top leaders.
- Embrace diversity and teamwork: Diversity is an asset in collaboration. Successful leaders recognize its benefits and foster a culture of mutual understanding, respect and cooperation.
How a Business Degree Benefits Overall Skill Set
Leaders in the aerospace and aviation industries, from C-suite executives down to middle management, have a variety of functional backgrounds. They may come from engineering and design or be outside the industry with business, operations or finance backgrounds. Often, poor business performance in these industries leads organizations to select replacement leaders with business backgrounds.
The SOSU online MBA with a Concentration in Aerospace Logistics provides one of the most comprehensive training programs in the world for aspiring leaders in these fields. Students gain fundamental skills and vital experience in aerospace logistics, program management and practical applications of systems acquisitions strategy. MBA core courses include behavioral management, management economics, research methods, marketing management, data analysis, financial management and strategic management. Aerospace logistics courses include management of aerospace contracts, logistical strategies in aerospace administration and acquisition and program management.
If you are considering moving up into the leadership ranks of the aerospace or aviation industry or moving across sectors, this program can be your career launching pad.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Aerospace Logistics program.