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Open House Showcases Aviation Program at Cypress College
From pilots to flight attendants to security personnel, the Aviation and Travel Careers program at Cypress College prepares students for a variety of career pathways.
Those programs and pathways were highlighted at an open house for prospective students and families on August 25. Department Chair Ed Valdez said the event drew about 40 people ranging from high school students to working adults who are looking to make a career change.
Cypress offers certificates in the following aviation-related areas:
- Aviation Management
- Airline Customer Services
- Flight Attendant
- Travel Tourism
- Pilot
- UAV (drone)
- Cruise and Tourism Conference Management
- Homeland Security Certificate
- Airport Operations
The open house included presentations from faculty across those programs, many of whom work for major airlines and airports in the region and take time out of their schedules to teach as adjuncts.
Faculty also provide students with valuable connections to the industry and ensure high job placement rates for the program’s students. Valdez said United Airlines visits Cypress specifically to recruit its students, and he receives calls from third-party companies that work with LAX, John Wayne Airport, and Ontario Airport on security, baggage, and customer service.
“If you can name an airline we have students working there,” Valdez said. “Local connections are a big part of it, but we also feed worldwide.”
Valdez himself has more than 30 years of flying experience. Kathleen Reiland, the College’s CTE Dean, has decades of experience as a flight attendant.
“We have the depth and knowledge to run the programs,” Valdez said. “People coming in are really surprised to see we can provide such quality instructors.”
The August open house was just one of many recruiting events the program holds throughout the year. Valdez said staff collected contact information from students who attended and will send follow-up communications to encourage applications and maintain student interest moving forward.
For more information about the program, visit airlinetravelcareers.com.
