Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
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DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SCIENCE
Explore the Aviation and Aerospace Management Major
The Aviation and Aerospace Management (AAM) program prepares students for management and operational roles within the aviation and aerospace sectors, with a curriculum focused on airport operations, safety management, logistics, and commercial aerospace management. Graduates are ready for positions in aviation management, airport administration, and logistical coordination within many areas of the global aviation and aerospace industries.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in Aviation and Aerospace Management include:
- Global Skills
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Leadership
Click here to learn more about each essential skill.
Students graduating from the Aviation and Aerospace Management program find success in employment fields such as Airport Authority management or Aerospace operations and related business management.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Graduates are typically successful in finding employment in representative large and small entities, such as Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Denver International Airport, Centennial Airport, Cheyenne Regional Airport, US Coast Guard (including all branches of the military services), major and small commuter airlines, plus many more!
Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Click on your year in school from the list below.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Attend orientation and register for classes.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor.
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Review the current AVS Department and Degree Guide each term
- Attend the AVS New Student Orientation (NSO). NSO is held a week prior to the official fall term.
- YOU MUST meet with a faculty department academic advisor (each semester) – call our central office for appointment or email a full-time faculty member directly for online or on campus advising – request advice on early career planning, degree selection, and first term class selection.
- Declare your major and any relevant minor or certificate programs (see advisor for details).
- Speak to an advisor or the front office staff about joining AVS student organizations – review the AVS Department and Degree Guide for extensive detail regarding AVS student organizations and contact information.
- Consider joining university-wide student organizations throughout your tenure at MSU Denver. Contact MSU Denver student organization outreach, more info here
- Investigate on-campus and career-aligned jobs on Career Link as routinely featured on the MSU Denver Web site.
- Begin to develop and explore career pathways in both aviation and aerospace related industries. Seek related advice from your professors.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Review the current AVS Department and Degree Guide each term.
- Consider seeking a potential future internship for academic credit.
- Check your Degree Progress Report (DPR) in the Student Hub and meet with your department advisor (at the beginning of every academic term).
- Speak with professors and students that belong to professional organizations about special initiatives in which you could engage outside of classes and network with established professionals in your chosen field(s) of study.
- Attend speaker and dedicated events hosted by the department and professional organizations (e.g., AAAE, ISS Symposium, CO Space Coalition – see Department and Degree Guide for further information and monitor your email for special announcements).
- Connect with the C2 Hub featured on the MSU-Denver Web site for professional mentoring and networking opportunities.
- Investigate pathways and opportunities in graduate school programming that will build on your professional development after graduation from MSU-D or later in your career.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- REVIEW the current AVS Department and Degree Guide each term.
- Develop poster / project presentations and paper / research presentations or publications for delivery to peers, the public, and professional organizations
- Take advantage of opportunities to practice your leadership skills by serving as an intern in aviation and/or aerospace professional settings, and as an officer of a student organization.
- Continue to attend unique events hosted by the department, university, and professional organizations for networking and developing strategic relationships with key members in industry.
- Prepare to engage and expend considerable effort in your senior capstone classes. These classes will leverage your gained knowledge and skills into highly specific strategies for gaining employment post-graduation.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub and utilize their resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine your need for a Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Contact the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-5287
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Seventh Street Classroom
1250 7th Street