What was your career before ATC?
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
-
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:09 am
What was your career before ATC?
I'm a geologist considering making a career change. I've been invited to the FEAST with NAV Canada and I'm just curious.
-
- Rank 4
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2007 2:48 pm
- Location: pointy end
Re: What was your career before ATC?
We get all types going through the selection process. Pilots, engineers, programmers, waiters, stay at home parents, the whole gamut.
The last group I saw in the selection process were mostly people who had finished University but had no idea what to do next. We also had a couple inexperienced pilots, an IT guy, a teacher or two, a few who just worked odd jobs here and there, ex military, and some entrepreneurs.
Also, we get all ages, straight out of high school to career changers, to people who did a full career somewhere and want to start again in ATC or FSS.
The last group I saw in the selection process were mostly people who had finished University but had no idea what to do next. We also had a couple inexperienced pilots, an IT guy, a teacher or two, a few who just worked odd jobs here and there, ex military, and some entrepreneurs.
Also, we get all ages, straight out of high school to career changers, to people who did a full career somewhere and want to start again in ATC or FSS.
Re: What was your career before ATC?
I sold running shoes. Was 18 when I applied, got in at 19 and have been at Nav for 17 years.
-
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:09 am
Re: What was your career before ATC?
Interesting, I figured there would be a wide net of experiences. Would you say certain career pathways (for example STEM, arts, military) have a better chance of "making it"? It's a big life decision to move careers considering the high failure rate during training. I understand it's likely up to the individual and effort put in, but does training seem to favour those with math and sciences? Or is it more of a wide range of skill sets?wordstwice wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:51 pm We get all types going through the selection process. Pilots, engineers, programmers, waiters, stay at home parents, the whole gamut.
The last group I saw in the selection process were mostly people who had finished University but had no idea what to do next. We also had a couple inexperienced pilots, an IT guy, a teacher or two, a few who just worked odd jobs here and there, ex military, and some entrepreneurs.
Also, we get all ages, straight out of high school to career changers, to people who did a full career somewhere and want to start again in ATC or FSS.
Thanks for your replies. I know these types of questions can be redundant so I appreciate you taking the time!
-
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:09 am
Re: What was your career before ATC?
Wow, that's incredible! How has your experience been? After 17 years I figure you've seen it all.
-
- Rank 2
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:09 pm
Re: What was your career before ATC?
I got in with a social science degree. Most math you need you would've learned by grade 5.
Wilsonwilson wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 7:50 am I understand it's likely up to the individual and effort put in, but does training seem to favour those with math and sciences? Or is it more of a wide range of skill sets?
Re: What was your career before ATC?
It's been mostly awesome, except for a few periods like COVID, 2008 recession etc..Wilsonwilson wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 7:51 amWow, that's incredible! How has your experience been? After 17 years I figure you've seen it all.
I've been able to progress a bit in the job as well, change units, become supervisor etc... I have found it to be a great career choice and I have no regrets.
I don't think any specific previous training would help all the much overall. I've trained a lot of people and at first people with aviation experience have a bit of the upperhand but it disappears quickly and evens out. It's more of a personality/cognitve ability type thing. You sort of have it or you don't.
I've seen people much smarter than fail. Some with impressive academic records, pilots etc...
If it's something that interests you, apply first, write the tests and go from there
-
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:09 am
Re: What was your career before ATC?
Thanks for the information. Would you say a lot of the training is memorization ? I keep seeing the, "something you just have to have" requirement which is fair. I'm sure it's difficult to describe.stabilizedapproach wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:23 am I got in with a social science degree. Most math you need you would've learned by grade 5.
Have you enjoyed your time as an ATC?
-
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:09 am
Re: What was your career before ATC?
Thanks for all the information - greatly appreciated. I'll see how the FEAST goesBraun wrote: ↑Sat Nov 11, 2023 4:20 am It's been mostly awesome, except for a few periods like COVID, 2008 recession etc..
I've been able to progress a bit in the job as well, change units, become supervisor etc... I have found it to be a great career choice and I have no regrets.
I don't think any specific previous training would help all the much overall. I've trained a lot of people and at first people with aviation experience have a bit of the upperhand but it disappears quickly and evens out. It's more of a personality/cognitve ability type thing. You sort of have it or you don't.
I've seen people much smarter than fail. Some with impressive academic records, pilots etc...
If it's something that interests you, apply first, write the tests and go from there

-
- Rank 1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:09 am
Re: What was your career before ATC?
Update: Passed FEAST for both FSS and ATC. Interview and group activities next!
Re: What was your career before ATC?
I worked in retail stocking shelves at a drug store.
I was 45 at the start of training and now I've been a flight service specialist at a FIC for almost 5 years....wouldn't change it for anything! Good luck to you!
