Top 10 Expectations vs Reality for AMT New Grads
Finally, my diploma! Now what?
No doubt, it’s a challenging chapter in your life. Yesterday, your world was only inside the four corners of your campus. Then suddenly, you realized, it’s an open field now. School is over. Now what?
The good news is, you are in charge now. The bad news is, YOU are in charge NOW. Yes, reality starts to bite and you feel that unshakeable urge to act immediately.
And just like that, you’re ready to start your next adventure – only to find out that all your expectations are different from the harsh reality. But hey, don’t worry. We’ve been there.
After walking the long road that led us from being clueless college graduates to battle-ready Aircraft Mechanics, we have found out the root of all the early career-ending mistakes: the lack of awareness.
It’s time to debunk the most common misconceptions of Filipino AMTs and AVTs about the aviation industry. Let’s face some real hard facts and be aware early on.
We survived the traps and marked the spots. Now, follow the map.
Top 10 Expectations -vs- Reality
1.) I Am Ready -vs- Am I Ready?
2.) License Now! -vs- License How?
3.) Study is Over -vs- Study Forever
4.) Try in Manila -vs- Cry in Manila
5.) Long OJT is Okay -vs- Long OJT is Delay
6.) Time for Vacation -vs- Time or Vacation
7.) Job in 6 Months -vs- Jobless in 6 Months
8.) Best Friends Forever -vs- Bye Friends Forever
9.) Training Certificate -vs- Training Syndicate
10.) Still Waiting -vs- Still Wanting
#1: I Am Ready -vs- Am I Ready?
Expectation:
“I’m an AMT college graduate now so I think I’m ready to apply for a job…"
Reality:
Unfortunately, not quite yet. Being a college graduate with an associate or bachelor’s degree doesn’t exactly qualify you as entirely ready.
Indeed, it’s the perfect place to start, but definitely far from the finish line. Because a diploma is only 1 out of 10 other things an employer might require from you. So in reality, they will be expecting more than that.
Now What?
There are still a lot of things to do but you might want to take a step back and focus on the basics first:
- Creating a resume. This should be everyone’s top priority after graduation. See it this way: Your resume is like a career master checklist. By writing everything you have accomplished so far, you’ll have a clearer idea of all the other things you need to acquire next.
- Practice your interview skills. It may sound early at this stage but believe us, it takes a lot of preparation. Getting everything ready for an interview is a time-consuming task.
- Learn how to find jobs online. You can’t apply for it if you don’t even know where to find it. You need to learn where to find those job offers first.
TIP: If you’re searching for quick ways to learn the basics, you can find helpful articles in our Career Starters section. Check it out.
#2: License Now! -vs- License How?
Expectation:
“CAAP License is a must so I should get one right away…”
Reality:
A lot of new graduates actually follow this path. But getting a license right away without the proper review and planning has been proven time and again to be a very costly experience.
Many have already tried this approach – all of them spent more money and time than they should have. The worst part is most of them ran out of funds or the interest to push through. In the end, they gave up and never got a license at all.
Now What?
Pause for a while and consider the following:
- Find an accurate reviewer. Instead of dashing blindly into the CAAP licensure exam, use your time to get hold of the best reviewer available today. This will save you a lot of money and time in the long run.
- Necessity. Most local companies nowadays require your CAAP license as one of their minimum requirements (unlike before). So make sure to review way ahead of your planned exam date. Try to avoid failing and repeating the exams since this will cause you a lot of delay in your progression.
- Advantage. It may be possible to get a job without a license (i.e. other positions), but having a license before applying for work will definitely give you an edge compared to other candidates. For us, the best time to plan for your license acquisition should be before graduation. (FYI, this is how we did it too)
#3: Study is Over -vs- Study Forever
Expectation:
“After college, I don’t need to study anymore…”
Reality:
You can ask a thousand Aircraft Mechanics and you’ll get a thousand same answers: In aviation industry, training and studying are like food and water. You simply can’t survive without them.
It’s an endless cycle that you have to get used to. And just like other things in life, the earlier you start accepting it, the faster you’ll learn to adapt.
Now What?
Practice makes perfect, right? That’s why we recommend that you start with these:
- Enroll in a training program. This one is optional, but the benefits of getting into an outstanding and reliable training program are enormous, especially for new grads.
- Study for the entrance exam. Most new grads are not aware of this. Big aviation companies in the Philippines always use entrance exams to filter candidates for employment. So it’s very important to get yourself familiarized with the items included in these exams.
- Learn to read more. Do you know what’s the very first thing every aircraft mechanic does on a normal working shift? Prepare the tools? Repair the aircraft? Assemble the engine? You might be surprised but the correct answer is reading (yes, you heard it right). Reading is a very essential part of an aircraft mechanic’s job. So from now on, do it more often and be good at it.
#4: Try in Manila -vs- Cry in Manila
Expectation:
“If I go to Manila, I will get a job in an aviation company for sure…”
Reality:
This is a caution to all the probinsyanos like us out there. Going to Manila doesn’t guarantee you any jobs so please think twice.
Choosing to go without any training, experience, or a guaranteed job offer is almost certainly an “epic fail” in the making. We saw thousands of cases just like this in the past and sadly, it rarely works.
Now What?
You may want to take time to examine these facts and suggestions:
- It’s expensive. Metro Manila is the most expensive place to be here in the Philippines. According to expatistan.com, the cost of living in Manila is more expensive than in 63% of cities in whole Asia. So before deciding to go, you should have a concrete plan or a sure thing going on.
- Need to multitask. If you have already decided to travel, just make sure you’ll make the most out of it. For instance, if you’re going there for your CAAP license, use your extra time to find more career improving options like enrolling in a training program or even apply for entry-level jobs.
- Tough competition. Since most of the schools are located in or near the NCR area, you might want to consider your local options first. If you can find a nearer or cheaper place to get your career started temporarily, then we advise you to slowly build up from there.
#5: Long OJT is Okay -vs- Long OJT is Delay
Expectation:
“If I stay as an OJT in that company for long enough, I will be absorbed…”
Reality:
OJT or On-the-Job Training is one of the best ways to start your career. But it will only provide you with the most basic know-hows about your field. Though some of the companies choose their prospects from trainees, most of them usually don’t.
Staying as an OJT for a prolonged period of time (not including OJT for academic requirements) usually results in delays to your career progression.
Now What?
Be informed and make the right decision:
- Pros and cons. Please don’t be confused. On-the-Job Training is very helpful to your career. It gives you a taste of the actual job you’re going to do as an aircraft mechanic. But that’s the thing though. It’s only a taste and not the real deal.
- OJT is NOT working experience. No matter how long you spend your time on your OJT, hiring managers and recruiters will probably not count it as a working experience.
- The 3-month rule. If you think that you really need to extend your OJT for any good reasons, then we recommend that you stay for 3 months at most. If no job offers were made after that, then maybe it’s time to move on.
#6: Time for Vacation -vs- Time or Vacation
Expectation:
“It is totally okay to take a 2-month vacation after I graduate…”
Reality:
Yes, you are probably right, but it comes with a price. Taking a vacation might help refresh your mind which is nice and healthy. But you must also remember that every year, an average of 5,000 AMT students in the Philippines, just like you, have graduated as well and are already starting the next challenge.
Now What?
Stop packing your clothes and read these helpful tips first:
- Reschedule. You might want to consider moving your vacation to another date. It’s better not to lose the momentum while it’s there. Get simple tasks done like creating a resume, online application profile, getting a reviewer, and more.
- Workcation. It can be a work/vacation. One advantage of the internet is you can practically do anything with only your smartphone. That’s why at Skilltech.ph, we take all that important stuff online so you won’t get left behind while you enjoy that beer on the beach.
- Apply for a job before going. Companies usually take a lot of time before replying to your job application. So why not spend that vacation time as your waiting time then? Sounds like a win-win.
#7: Job in 6 Months -vs- Jobless in 6 Months
Expectation:
“Finding my first job will only take me 6 months maximum…”
Reality:
In the world of job applications, everything takes a lot of time and patience – from submission of resumes, endless waiting for interviews, to months and months of anticipating emails and calls from recruiters.
It is hard and frustrating. In our research, we found out that most aviation entry-level job applicants waited more than 6 months before they even got their first job offers after college graduation.
Now What?
Before you get more frustrated, you might find these solutions helpful:
- Invest in yourself. Six months is a long time to do nothing but wait. Why not do something that will level up your career then? Explore all your options. Maybe acquire your CAAP License first, then enroll in a technical training program – or just anything that can help keep your career moving forward.
- Keep trying. Job application is like trying to win a raffle –The more entries you send, the more chances of winning. So don’t be afraid and send your resumes everyday, literally. Who knows? In less than 6 months, you might even hit the jackpot.
- Don’t be too choosy. Don’t expect to get your dream job right away. That’s a typical rookie mistake. Be open to other opportunities, no matter how small, as long as it helps you transition to a better one. If you already gathered enough experience and credentials, that’s the time you can be picky.
#8: Best Friends Forever -vs- Bye Friends Forever
Expectation:
“My friends and I will stick together on this new adventure…”
Reality:
Many have tried and many have failed. The idea of sticking with friends in its very essence is of course good – even noble.
But in this decision, you should all be open to this painful reality: Companies won’t hire your friends just because they hire you or vice-versa. You can only put one person in your resume, and that person is you.
Now What?
Time to get tough and face these harsh realities head-on:
- It’s nothing personal. The problem with staying in a group is the pressure you’ll get from an “all for one and one for all” mentality. It becomes even harder when you owe them a favor from the past. But don’t let this discourage you. Instead, make them understand that it’s just how these things work.
- Don’t feel bad. Sometimes, it could be you who will be left behind. So instead of feeling negative, show your support to your friends just as how you want them to show theirs when you’re the one who’s getting the job.
- The more the merrier. Please don’t misunderstand our intentions. We highly support the idea of facing this new chapter of your life with your friends. As long as you all keep an open mind and support each other in every possible way.
#9: Training Certificate -vs- Training Syndicate
Expectation:
“Enrolling in an Aviation Training Center will guarantee me a job…”
Reality:
Be very careful on this one. Acquiring your technical training early on is one of the best ways to boost your qualifications. But choosing the right training center and program is very crucial.
We have seen a lot of new graduates, even students, being promised jobs and fake working experience certificates in exchange for ridiculously expensive training programs that are both unnecessary and utterly useless in terms of self-improvement and skill enhancement.
Now What?
Avoid being taken advantage of and be aware of the following:
- A promise of a “sure employment.” A training program is meant to improve your skills and NOT to give you sure employment. For some, the training could serve as a qualifying stage, but it should be totally separate from the training offer. If they really insist on a “sure job”, then ask them for an employment contract for you to sign on before you pay for anything.
- Ask previous trainees. Try to do some background research to determine how satisfied previous trainees were with their experience. The fresher the info, the better.
- Understand what is being offered. Don’t get too overwhelmed with training titles like “A320 General Familiarization” and “Composite Repair Overview.” They only want you to focus on fancy-sounding words like A320 and Composite Repair and distract you from what it really is – that it’s only a General Familiarization and an Overview. They’re all good options though. But for new grads? We don’t think so.
#10: Still Waiting -vs- Still Wanting
Expectation:
“I’ll find jobs unrelated to AMT while I’m still waiting for an opportunity…”
Reality:
Financially, yes. This is definitely a wise decision. But remember, the majority of those who took this approach have eventually lost their eagerness to pursue their aviation careers because they got too invested in their current jobs.
Sometimes, the things that you do while waiting can directly affect your goals towards wanting to become an aircraft mechanic.
Now What?
If you have already decided to take that path, then stay on track with these career-saving tips:
- Stay near the source. Airports, aviation schools, or any other places where you can get the latest job hiring news and events are great spots for you to choose from while waiting. Your first job may not be related to aircraft maintenance but still, you keep the advantage of staying in the loop.
- Be updated. Don’t let your temporary job lure you into being passive. Allocate some time to review your past lessons, improve your resumé, and more. Always leave your door open for opportunities.
- Develop some skills. You can choose to master some very useful skills while on your temporary job. Traits like leadership, communication, and teamwork are just some of the skills that can help solidify your career especially in an aviation maintenance environment.
Feeling overwhelmed by these realities? Don’t be.
Life as a new grad is indeed challenging. The scariest part of going forward is not knowing what to expect – but you do now. So instead of feeling the pressure, use these realities as a map when you encounter the sudden unexpected turns of life.
In fact, you’re probably luckier than us. Think of it this way: In the past, we discovered these realities by actually going through them. We made these mistakes all because we lacked the proper guidance and awareness.
In a sense, this is a cure without the side effects. So shake off your worries and move forward with a wider perspective. Avoid the obvious traps with our properly placed caution signs and reach your destinations without a scratch.
For sharing our wisdom to you, we only want one thing in return:
Be better than us.
