pilot career research paper

• How It Works
• Book Report
• Research Proposal
• Poster Service
• Book Review
• Capstone Project
• Discussion Post
• Article Review
• Blog Article
• Business Plan
• Business Report
• Interview Essay
• Literature Analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Prewritten Essay
• Questions Answers
• White Paper
• Dissertation
• Editing Service
• Formatting Service
• Revision Service
• Excel Homework
• Film Critique
• Synopsis Writing
• IB Extended Essay
• Letter Writing
• Movie Review
• Literature Review
• Poem Writing
• Article Critique
• Grant Proposal
• Scholarship Essay
• Speech Writing
• Questionnaire
• Thesis Proposal
• Essay Writing UK
• Cyber Bullying Essay

This website uses cookies in order to provide you the most relevant information. Please accept cookies for better performance Read more »

Commercial Airline Pilot Career Research Paper Sample

Commercial airline pilot as future profession.

Introduction

Nobody can deny the fact that a choice of future profession is an important decision, which affects entire life of an individual. There is a wide range of factors, which influence ones choice: personal interests, motivation, education, salary, employment opportunities, and etc. That is why all these comprising elements have to be reasonably considered. My personal choice of a future profession is a commercial airline pilot. This occupation is relatively explicit regarding social recognition, but it is important to note that little is known about professional insights regarding the occupation of a civil pilot. Taking all these points into account, it should be admitted that the following paper lingers upon the description of a profession of a commercial airline pilot from the perspective of the future career prospect.

The following paper describes daily responsibilities of a civil pilot. The paper also gives an account to the contribution of this profession to the society. In the same way, potential sources of interest in this profession are explained. Further, the study discusses the implications on the requirements to education and degree from the perspective of employment opportunities. As a consequence, requirements and outcomes of advancing in the profession are also described. It is quite evident that a civil pilot is required to get a related licensing, that is why the paper touches upon this aspect, as well. Eventually, personal legal requirements are also tackled. Having outlined the thesis and structure of the paper, it is necessary to move on to the next section.

Daily Responsibilities of The Commercial Airline Pilot

Daily responsibility of the commercial airline pilot is controlling the airplane. It includes boarding of passengers, taking off, landing, and factual steering. It is important to note that actual orientation of the plane is conducted from the earth via flight centers. As a consequence, a civil pilot is expected to communicate with earth agencies on a constant basis, as long as it is the most pivotal aspect of controlling the airplane. That is why, controlling and correction of the route is still the responsibility of a civil pilot. The plane should fly in accordance with initially planned route, which is commonly agreed with all countries, the plane will fly above. Otherwise, the plane may collide with the other plane, which was using the same air corridor or destroyed by earth anti-aircraft weapon of a country, which did not confirm the possibility of the plane to fly above their territory. In addition, negative weather conditions can become a threat to the safety, as well. Regarding the last point, it is pivotal to mention that weather is also a threatening factor, so that a civil pilot is required to make the best judgement of weather conditions and act accordingly. Besides these points, it is necessary to say that a commercial airline pilot is also obliged to fulfil certain duties before taking off and after landing. It includes exceptional cases with deported passengers or any other situations concerning international border and customs. An airline pilot should also report and receive the information about the flight and pass/receive a special document: load sheet, which contains information about passengers, route, fuel, and etc. (Swatton).

It is becoming apparent that this occupation implies a wide range of responsibilities. Even more, this occupation is associated with being responsible for the safety of all passengers, flight crew, and people on the earth, as long as in case of a pilot’s mistake, people on the earth may fall the prey to the accident, as well. The job position of a civil plane is always associated with a certain risk to health and life, as plane crashes and terroristic acts are unfortunately widespread phenomena in the contemporary world. Still, it is worth mentioning that this occupation is remarkable from the perspective of wages and early retirement.

Map Your Success Out! Attract high grades like a magnet! Time to get on the right side of your professor.

Contribution to the Society

It is quite an evident fact that the occupation of a commercial airline pilot contributes to the society considerably. First of all, civil aviation provides society with an ability to travel around the world with maximum safety and speed. As a result, this occupation participates in broadening the interests, culture, and morality of people travelling to the foreign countries. In the same way, civil pilots are actual executives of the international relationship, as long as with the availability of civil aviation, communication between countries’ leaders has become more proactive. Thus, it is to be admitted that civil aviation is focused on more than just transportation of passengers. Civil aviation is a powerful source of air freights for the international logistics, so that it is possible to say that global macroeconomics and businesses are heavily dependent on the excellent work of civil pilots. What is more important, the involvement of civil aviation in medicine and dealing with emergency situations should be also considered as there are a wide range of cases when people, who needed an urgent help of the medical specialists, were transported by means of civil aviation. All in all, it should be admitted that the role of a commercial airline pilot is quite important, as it makes a positive impact on numerous spheres of human activity.

Sources of Interest

Nobody would deny the fact that the main advantage in the occupation of a commercial airline pilot is an ability to travel around the world. As long as civil pilots usually work for two weeks and then, have an according rest, it is possible to admit that they are able to see the countries they fly to, in the full understanding of this advantage. Therefore, a personal intention to see the world is one of the most powerful motivators when choosing the occupation of a civil pilot. In addition, it is necessary to say that many people choose this profession because they are being particularly interested in technologies, especially mechanics. They are given an opportunity to deal with sophisticated mechanisms, so that controlling a civil airplane is a perfect embodiment of their desires. Needless to say, the profession of a commercial airline pilot is mainly a male profession, as long as dealing with mechanics and technologies is commonly associated with men. In such a way, the interest in mechanics and technologies can be also regarded as a reason to choose the profession of a commercial airline pilot.

Besides that, it is important to pay attention to the aspect, which seems to not be taken seriously. Many people associate this profession with certain romantic feelings. It can be explained by the fact that mass culture depicts civil pilots as handsome, brave, and clever people, who are the object of common admiration. In fact, it is the exceptional evidence, when certain image is depicted by mass culture without any exaggerations. It is certainly true that a civil pilot is expected to possess such traits of character as courage, resilience, and reliability. That is why many people would like to become commercial airline pilots because they are intending to become stronger, and be admired by other people. Eventually, it is still necessary to mention a simple pragmatic intention of people to earn more money that is why this occupation is suitable for them because civil pilots are known to receive high salaries.

Required Education and Degrees

There are no specific requirements to education and degree concerning obtaining the job position of a commercial airline pilot, as long as the law does not determine any certain levels of education, which are compulsory for this occupation. On the contrary, it is worth mentioning that the majority of airlines prefer to hire pilots with at least college level degree. It can be explained by the fact that a presence of a college education witnesses about one’s ability to be easily trained (Cohen). Still, a presence of any degree is also preferable because every single airline seeks for the professionals, so that a pilot with a degree is regarded as a well-educated professional. This point is also referred to the fact that pilots, who obtain certain degree or at least college education, are trainable, so that the airline can spend substantial costs on training these individuals.

Step 1. Order Placement

Step 2. Order Payment

Step 3. Paper Downloading

As a consequence, several universities and colleges offer the related courses. University courses usually provide standardized training with further certification. Surprisingly, colleges even suggest advanced courses with more flight practice, so this education occurs to be more useful from the perspective of practical experience, which will be addressed further within the paper. It is essential to note that the university entry for the related course requires two A-levels, five subjects (including English) at grade C, and Math is supposed to be at least B. Overall, it is expected to be a minimum of 200 points (Kahn).

By the same token, some technical schools offer the same courses but with less flight practice. It is also possible to purchase a private flight course on a commercial basis. Such sort of training usually implies less quality of knowledge than in university or college, but it guarantees the same certification, which is recognized by Civil Aviation Authority (Brown). All in all, it is necessary to admit that education and degree for obtaining the profession of a commercial airline pilot is not officially required, but it is a commonly accepted evidence that airlines prefer to hire people with some sort of education, as long as it is a proof of their ability to be rained and cope with challenging situations.

Continuing Education Requirements and Job Advancement

Except the requirements to the education and degree, which have been described in the previous section, it is necessary to outline the following additional obligations, which are primarily focused on empowering pilots to keep improving their skills, as their promotion heavily relies on meeting these requirements. In order to receive a flight engineer license, airline pilots are expected to pass written and flight FAA examination, which is available for applicants, who are at least 23 years old and have a flight experience of minimum 1,500 hours in total. In addition, it is necessary to give an account to such essential aspect as the ability to make rational decisions under the pressure. Many airline companies arrange psychological and aptitude testing, in order to hire only the most resilient pilots, who are able to cope with emergency situations (Labor Department). A nearly perfect health condition is also a comprising element of additional requirements, as long as human body is facing certain complications because of drastic changes in air pressure, temperature, and etc. Potential pilots are supposed to have 100% sight, as it is the main requirement regarding the health condition of any pilot.

Speaking about the professional advancement of a commercial airline pilot, it is necessary to admit that it is mainly limited to widening professional qualification and promotion in ranks. In other words, the majority of pilots start their career as flight instructors in order to gain more flying hours and earn some money by teaching (V.T.). Then, they become pilots for charter flights or small airlines. In regard to regular airlines, the first promotion can be expected within the period of 1 to 5 years of dedicated work for the company: flight engineers advance to the first officers in this time frame. Further, in the period between 5 to 15 years, it is possible to achieve a promotion to the rank of captain. Even more, non-airline flight engineers may obtain such spheres as plane maintenance, chief director of airport, scheduling centre executive, and any other high-ranked job positions, which do not belong to airlines, but still are connected with aviation. It is quite a wide spectrum of job opportunities, so that the main factor regarding a success in the aviation is based on the sufficient education, experience, and health of a civil pilot.

We help students to get better grades regardless of the complexity of the task. Make our talent and expertise work for you!

Required Licenses

As it has been already mentioned, the minimal licensing requirement to a commercial airline pilot is a civil aviation license of FAA standard. An applicant is supposed to be at least 18 years old and have an experience of 250 flight hours. It is pivotal to admit that licensing for flying by instruments at no or minimal vision is conducted independently. In order to apply for that license, a pilot is expected to have 40 hours of flights at minimal vision. Pilots are also required to pass a written examination, which is primarily focused on covering technical measures and FAA regulations, which demonstrate the level of the applicant’s knowledge (Transportation Department). There is a wide range of ways to get ready for the licensing test, but among available courses, it is recommended to take university course, as it includes more flying practice and provides more profound knowledge. Besides that, education and degree play an important role, as it has been already discussed before. There are some other requirements to the qualification of a commercial airline pilot though.

Some airlines require their pilots to pass testing for application to the commercial pilot licence. That is why, the majority of airlines seek for the pilots, who already have at least flight engineer license (Power-Waters). Regarding the subject of commercial pilot’s license, it is worth mentioning that it is not a commonly approved licensing from the legal perspective. In other words, this license is only applicable for the airline, which requires a pilot to pass the related testing. Namely, a pilot, who has such a license, will not be able to use it as a proof of his or her professionalism in the other airline. It can be explained by the fact that every airline determines its own requirements. Despite the fact that these requirements may be similar, their level of importance and difficulty still may vary. Generally speaking, every single commercial airline pilot is expected to apply for FAA flight engineer license, flight by instruments license, and commercial pilot license, in case it is required by the airline, which has suggested the employment (Morris).

Civil pilots are expected to meet numerous technical requirements, which are outlined by FAA and COA (Certification of Airworthiness). As long as civil pilots deal with sophisticated equipment, which implies substantial financing, they are required to be extremely careful with their daily operations form technical perspective. To be more specific, every single aircraft, which is heavier than 12,500 lb, is supposed to meet the legal requirement of FAA and COA certification. Actually, there are regulative objectives, which are mainly referred to safety, control, and handling qualities of the aircraft. They are not specific, however, technical capacities of every single aircraft vary (Civil Aviation Authority). That is why civil pilots should be aware of these characteristics in order not to overestimate the capacities of the plane. Otherwise, it may lead to disastrous consequences.

Special Offer!

Place your first order get a 15% DISCOUNT

with the code "premium15"

Personal Legal Requirements

Except the legal requirement, which can be referred to the professional duties of a commercial airline pilot, it is essential to give an account to personal legal requirements. The first arising question is based on the doubts regarding having a background of former committing a crime. In fact, the law does not limit such pilots. On the contrary, the international aviation security law suggests that a pilot or any other flight crew member can be dismissed from the flight in case it is suspected in rendering a certain threat to the safety of flight (Abeyrante). Regarding this point, a national law can have the jurisdiction over this case, so that a potentially threatening employee can be dismissed from a particular flight and even be made redundant. This person, however, cannot be arrested though, as a separate investigation, should be conducted in order to prove a malicious intention of this employee. Taking this point into consideration, commercial airline pilots are not restricted to fulfil their working duties because of their criminal background, except the cases of conveying a distinct threat to the aviation safety.

All in all, it is necessary to admit that this paper has lingered upon the description of occupation of a commercial airline pilot, as a potential career prospect after the college. To be more exact, the paper has described the main responsibilities and implications of the job position of a civil pilot. The paper has given an account to the contribution, which this profession makes to the society. In the same way, the most widespread sources of interest in this occupation have been described. The paper has also discussed the implications on education and degree from the perspective of getting an employment opportunity. As a consequence, required licensing has been issued, as well. The study has touched upon the necessity of advancement and improving professional skills in terms of career growth. Besides that, the legal requirements regarding the personality of a commercial airline pilot have been discussed.

To conclude, it is to be said that a profession of a commercial airline pilot is quite prestigious regarding the ability to travel around the world and receive relatively high wages. In addition, the image of airline pilots is implying strongly positive connotation, as they are depicted as clever, brave, and responsible people. It is certainly true because the responsibilities of civil pilots include not only controlling an aircraft but possessing a good health condition and ability to think rationally in stressful situations. The legal requirements are quite complicated, as a commercial airline pilot is expected to pass numerous licensing testing in order to have an official right to control aircraft and get employed at the according job position. Still, a civil pilot is not limited by personal restrictions regarding criminal background or lack of education from the legal perspective, while the majority of airlines prefer to hire professionals with at least two years of college, which witness about an applicant’s ability to be easily trained.

Don't spend another minute

worrying about deadlines or grades. Have a question? Chat with us!

New customer 15% off

Sample categories

• Consideration
• Observation
• The biggest writers database
• Only certified BA, MA or PhD writers
• Only up-to-date sources
• 96% of returning clients
• 24/7 customer support
• Free revision within 48 hours
• Free plagiarism report (upon request)
• 300 words per page
• Any formatting style
• Additional editing and proofreading service

Everyone Benefits from our Affiliate Program!

Flexible and Easy Way to Earn! It Is Your Chance To Earn 10% From All Orders That Your Referees Place With Our Company.

New offer: Become our VIP client

Because VIP clients enjoy these exclusive benefits:

• Extended revision period
• Paper delivery before the deadline
• Free 1-page draft to each order
• Free plagiarism check
• TOP editors and TOP writers
• VIP support service
• SMS notification of the order status

* You deserve a special treatment because you are special! *

ADVANCING AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY SINCE 1931

• Our Pilot Groups
• Our History
• Our Leadership
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Pilot Supply
• Future of the Profession
• 5G Interference
• Two Pilots on the Flight Deck
• Global Competition
• Flight Deck Barriers
• Fly America Act
• Cargo Fatigue
• Also on Our Radar
• Air Line Pilot Magazine
• Meetings and Training
• Aeromedical
• Family Assistance
• Member Insurance
• Membership Resources
• Pilots for Pilots
• Pilot Peer Support
• Scholarships
• Cleared to Dream
• ALPA Mobile Apps
• FAA Airspace Restrictions
• DataComm Guidance
• Known Crewmember
• Ice Crystal Icing Reporting

Take a Look Inside the Airline Pilot Career

As the world’s largest pilots union and nongovernmental aviation safety organization, it makes perfect sense that ALPA would be the top source to provide a fresh and honest look at today’s airline industry from the pilot careers perspective. That’s why we’ve launched Air Line Pilot Careers .

The information in this new magazine will help current and aspiring airline pilots make informed decisions about your future:

• Charts comparing pay, retirement, work-life balance, and career progression at several ALPA carriers
• Tips on securing your dream job
• Interview success stories from real pilots
• At-a-glance looks at ALPA’s fee-for-departure carriers
• Industry updates for the United States and Canada, and more!

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Aviation

Example Of Research Paper On The Piloting Career

Type of paper: Research Paper

Topic: Aviation , Airline , Students , Pilot , Flight , Medicine , School , Training

Words: 2750

Published: 10/21/2021

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

Becoming a pilot is a dream for many young people. Piloting is one of the fascinating careers to pursue in the entire planet. Its lucrativeness is founded on its incomes, benefits, and privileges that accompany it. In the society, being a pilot earns a person a significant level of respect and several accolades. It’s a society’s high-class job irrespective of the country in which someone lives. The experience of flying is a thrilling thing that captivates the youth, both males and females. However, it is imperative to appreciate that, just like every other real thing in life; there is a price to pay for becoming a pilot. A piloting career demands high levels of academic qualifications. Investment in hard work and patience are necessary if one has to earn that lucrative salary. Furthermore, it is one of those careers that a person’s medical health plays the important role. With superior academic credentials coupled with sound health, flying plans can just be a dream away. It is common knowledge that operating an aircraft demands that an individual undergoes some unique but rigorous training. One important aspect is that the training has to be done by an institution that is registered and recognized by relevant flight bodies and governments. Schools that are not recognized end up wasting the times and finances of students because when they finally graduate, there cannot be accredited by way of a piloting license. Once a person leaves the flying school, he or she must acquire proper certification from concerned authorities. The obligation of doing these two necessities lies on the interested students. In fact, for students who possess the burning passion for flying private or commercial flights, they deliberately search for valid courses and aviation schools. It is important to examine the Saudi Airlines because that will be where the piloting career will be based. Afterward, with their needs in mind, we can look at the academic and professional qualifications (Flavell, 2006). Saudi Airlines is a commercial flight company. It was established in 1945, and is the flag carrier for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airline’s call name is Saudia and is a revered member of the Sky Team. It is based in Jeddah at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport. Other home airports include King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Prince Mohammed Airport in Medina. The corporation controls a fleet size of over 160 planes that fly to over 125 destinations worldwide under their business banner ‘Welcome to your world.’ It is a company with a high international reputation. The fleet types include over 40 Boeing Airliners, over 60 Airbus Airliners, and 15 Embraer jets. The airline is known to conduct domestic flights within Saudi Arabia. They also do regional flights to the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, international flights together with Hajj flights are parts of the services the airline offers. What it means is that to be able to fly their planes, one has to attain high standards of qualifications. Attaining a commercial license is essential in getting a job with Saudi Airlines. The academic qualifications that one must have to become a pilot are quite high. The aviation career requires individuals of high intellectual capacity and healthy minds. It is because; a lot of concentration is a necessity in the career. It is only with this level of concentration that a pilot can fly a plane for tens of hours without committing mistakes. It is worth noting that accidents are rare in the aviation industry yet when they happen they cause massive deaths. It is for this purpose that aviators must be individuals who know that they are carrying the lives of hundreds of passengers by their piloting prowess. To avoid such accidents, airlines like Saudi Arabia set extremely high standards so that they can protect their reputation. Another important aspect is in the communications area. In high school, one has to demonstrate a good command of the English language. One of the factors why this is critical is because most of the courses in aviation schools are offered in the English language. English language is the language used mostly by the Saudi Arabian airlines. The pilot will have to be capable of communicating to the passengers in the plane during flights. It is important to note that Saudi Arabia Airlines carries passengers of various nationalities and therefore communication in Arabic would be a commercial blunder. English is thus universally accepted to be used. It is significant for communication that in turn is part of the job requirements of a good pilot. The most crucial academic qualification is in the area of natural sciences. A candidate for a piloting course must have exemplary passes in science subjects. These include chemistry and physics because piloting is a field in the science domain. Without science, piloting as a career would be non-existent. Mathematics is also extremely crucial and has to be passed. Piloting involves math areas such as matrices, navigation, trigonometry and lots of calculations. To fly a plane, a person has to possess good knowledge of math. At this juncture, it is worth noting that most students do not like math and sciences. For those aspiring pilots, they have no choice but to develop interest and passion for the sciences. Without these mentioned passes, a person should forget getting into an aviation school, leaving alone flying a plane (Porter, 2009). With these high school qualifications, one can proceed to the next level of education which is getting a degree in Aviation. A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in aviation studies is an added advantage before going to a flight school. The degree typically proceeds for four years to completion but the degree does not have to be associated with aviation. Possession of that degree is essential because it will help in proving to a flight school or an airline that one is capable of succeeding in the training they will offer. Having a degree is a significant requirement for flying commercial flights like the Saudi Airlines. Another path does not necessarily require one to study for a college degree. Straight from A levels of education, an individual can go straight to flight practice. The peril with this way is that the person may never be capable to fly the planes for major airlines. In addition, in case one loses their jobs, getting another can become extremely difficult because most employers nowadays prefer degree holders. Therefore, a college degree puts an individual at a better position of not just becoming a pilot, but also flying major global airlines. In becoming a professional pilot in an institution such as Middle Tennessee State University, one will be required to major in aerospace but have a concentration in professional piloting. The course offers necessary guidelines for students who possess an immense interest in careers as commercial pilots. In this institution, a student will be required to complete 52 hours per semester in various courses in professional piloting. Other courses to be taken include Instrument Rating-Airplane, the Commercial Single-Engine Certificate of Pilots. Ina addition, one will successfully undertake a course in Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot Certificate coupled with Rating of Instruments. All these courses will be done at the MTSU Flight School. They only happen to those students who enroll in the flight labs. As can be seen, these courses increase a pilot level of competence. Furthermore, the marketability of such training is essential to attaining a job at Saudi Airlines because such professional programs are internationally recognized (Landman, 2012). Generally, after attaining a degree, a student enrolls for a good flight school with qualified instructors. In choosing a flight school, a student needs to attend a FAA evaluated school. It is more advisable especially if a student desires a vastly regimented preparation program. After this particular training, a student is capable of attaining a private pilot certificate. Also important is the acquisition of a First Class Medical certificate. It is obtained from a recognized medical professional. Without this certificate, the journey towards becoming a commercial pilot may just be a pipe dream. Also, it helps a student realize his or her prospects early enough before investing too much money unnecessarily. Armed with the private pilot certificate and the medical certification, a student can then proceed to the next stage of becoming a Saudi Airline pilot. A person is required to start practicing to become competent in instrument rating. Also, the process of acquiring a commercial certificate can begin in earnest. To complete an instrument rating practice, an individual requires over 50 hours of pilot-in-command cross country. In addition, a requirement of over 40 hours of real or computer-generated instrument situations is a necessity. Over 250 hours is required for becoming a commercial pilot, and this training takes place in a complex aircraft. A person is then required to finish a certified flight instructor rating. Once this is done, he or she can begin working in a flight school or any other available institution that can offer him or her reliable experience. It will be necessary for multi-engine rating that is a core component of commercial flights practice. It is adequate flight experience, in recognized conditions that guarantees one a license. Even after attaining the license, pilots are required to have continuous training and simulator checks once or twice annually. These will take place throughout their careers as pilots. With over 1600 hours credible flight times and instrument rating, an individual can then become a pilot with any regional airline. However, to qualify to work for a major airline, over 3000 hours of total flight time experience will be a chief necessity. It is worth noting that to undertake a pilot training program is extremely expensive in terms of the finances to be invested. It is important to have enough financial capital because attaining a commercial pilot’s license takes too much training and involves going to expensive schools. In case fees become a problem, a student will delay getting the required licenses because they also time bound. The flight experiences must also be continuous and without disruptions. Another thing that is required of pilots is the ability to be patient because climbing the ladder is not merely a one-off thing. The work of piloting is labor intensive and involves injecting of extraordinary hours. Overworking is reduced significantly by way of working in shifts. By doing this, pilots get the time to rest and rejuvenate their bodies so that they can fight fatigue. Being weary is a risk that can lead to accidents that can claim several lives (Landman, 2012). In Saudi Arabia, the Department in charge of Labor issues controls the working periods of all the industries. These strategies prevent the pilots from working too much for their employers at the expense of their health that can in turn endanger the lives of passengers. Pilots are entitled to leaves so that they can enjoy their social lives with their families and friends. Psychologically, this is an essential component of a successful pilot’s life. One thing that is mostly outstanding with the airline industry as regards the pilots is the high levels of their remunerations. A pilot in Saudi Arabia earns about or over 44,250 AR. These high salaries, as with every other industry, is associated with the levels of risks linked to a pilot’s job. Of course, the payment scheme varies with experience. Therefore, immediately from school, a fresh graduate should not expect to earn as much as the experienced pilots. There is rising in ranks and building of trust, competence, and experience. Advancement in the job levels happens with an increase in experience and accomplishment of specified tasks in the airline industry (Flavell, 2006). High salaries are necessary motivators and driving forces in the retaining of employees because airlines fight for pilots. Other than attractive salaries, pilots in Saudi Arabia are equally entitled to medical allowances, pension, cars, and interesting housing plans. These are the driving forces that make most people want to join the airline industry as pilots. Medical certification, as earlier noted is a crucial aspect of having piloting as a career. In fact, irrespective of the academic qualifications that a person may possess, he or she has to be medically certified by a recognized medical practitioner. Sound health helps in preventing airline accidents and protects the lives of passengers and the image of the Saudi Arabian Airline. There are areas that are of concern in the medical arena of piloting. These include the eye, ear, nose, throat, and equilibrium. Also of importance are the mental capacity, neurologic conditions, cardiovascular state, and the general medical situation of an individual. Firstly, a person’s eyesight must be in good condition. All the two eyes must function as required by a medical practitioner. The vision of a pilot’s eye must be crystal clear to avoid seeing blurred images. Objects that have the potential of causing accidents must be seen so that accidents can be avoided. With a clear image, a pilot can see where he is going and determine the safety of that place. It is the reason old pilots are not allowed to fly planes because they no longer see clearly. The ear must also have the capability of functioning well. Flying requires that a person is alert at all times, even in the ears. A sound can be a cause or an indication of a danger coming ahead. Also, for communication purposes, since they mainly use headphones, is significant. When a pilot is airborne, there is the communication that happens with the people on the ground. Sometimes, very intricate information is passed. Without proper hearing, he may not hear the warnings of an impending danger. Another medical factor that matters is the cardiovascular conditions of individuals. Normal blood pressure as a result of the high-flying altitudes is important. People who have low or high blood pressure at high altitudes are therefore not qualified to become pilots. Flying aircrafts is a complex endeavor, and it is in need of normal blood sugar levels that can withstand the various altitudes and climates. One must also be of sound mind with no neurological or psychological situations. The level of concentration required in the piloting career demands one to be free of mental difficulties and stresses (Landman, 2012). These medical conditions are however handled among the pilots who have worked for the airlines. Saudi Arabian Airlines are paying medical bills for its pilots and offers other moral and emotional support to its pilots. After the oral interview test, the aptitude test becomes the subsequent stage. The Saudi Arabian Airline evaluates the application of core subjects learned in schools. It is this stage that a person’s knowledge of Physics, chemistry, and mathematics is most tested. The knowledge should be used in solving existing problems, and the interviewee must demonstrate his or her prowess. Finally, stage four is all about flight simulation. It involves the real nature of piloting experience. If one is successful in all the above stages mentioned above, he secures a job as a commercial pilot for the Saudi Arabian Airways. A lot of insurance packages are provided to the pilots so that their families are well taken care of in terms of their high-risk careers (Porter, 2009). The piloting career is the fascinating experience that many students would wish to have. The course requires extreme levels of discipline, hard work, and patience. Knowledge in the fields of chemistry, mathematics and physics forms the basic entry requirements. One must also ascertain their medical status before paying any money in the starting of this career. As has been noted, the financial needs to successfully finish the training are prohibitive of the poor students. A plan should be mooted to incorporate poor students into this career. The salaries are attractive and are essential driving forces for the job. It is significant for them to be remunerated well so that the can reduce the risks of their passengers by concentrating on their jobs.

Aircrafts Owners and Pilots Association. (2014, June 17). Pilot's Guide to Medical Certification. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from Flight training: http://flighttraining.aopa.org/students/presolo/special/medical.html Flavell, G. (2006). Adventure of becoming an airline pilot: My story as a high scholl dropout who succeeded by doing what I dreamed. West Conshohocken, Pa: Infinity Pub.com. FlightDeckFriend. (2015, April). Academic qualifications requirements for pilots. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from Flightdeckfriend: http://www.flightdeckfriend.com/#!pilot-academic-qualifications/c19j9 Landman, N. (2012). My sky pilot career: A rabbi in the united states air force. S.l.: Xlibris. Middle Tennessee State University. (2015, April 8). Professional Pilot. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from mtsu.edu: http://www.mtsu.edu/aerospace/propilot.php Porter, L. (2009). Reflections of a pilot: Part 1. Pittsburgh, Penn: RoseDog Books.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 1823

This paper is created by writer with

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Airport hotels article review example, civil rights essay sample, example of history document analysis essay, free research paper on the importance of the act of reading, critical thinking on rising health insurance premiums, research questions research paper, free literature review on life cycle analysis of plastic and paper, movie review on acting, complex relations in the capitalist society delegitimation and reenchantment creative writing, example of company description report, gluten free diet research paper, national sport essays examples, example of essay on how a dbms will enhance an organization, example of taking a participatory path in research essay, a brief look in mao zedong essay example, example of cover page image 2010 photodisc getty images research paper, organizational structure of the hospital essay, good the trial of lizzie borden an analysis essay example, good leadership in business research paper example, free essay about the servant, social cognitive theory literature review examples, free heterosexual relationships versus homosexual relationships research paper example, free prayer and service term paper sample, example of essay on steven pinker human nature and the blank slate, sample essay on the last place on earth, free shane the lone ethnographers basic guide to qualitative data analysis a book essay sample, other public administration research papers example, example of egl 1010 composite 1 research proposal, literature review on the cost of college education, self identification essays, subcategory essays, samaj essays, amaya essays, allentown pa essays, anwr essays, abbo essays, anti man essays, adarsh essays, abmb essays, skepticism case studies, abolitionism case studies, ancient civilizations case studies.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Career Progression and Advancement Opportunities in Aviation

The aviation industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that offers diverse and rewarding career paths. From flying as a pilot to working in aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, or aviation management, there are countless opportunities for individuals to grow and advance in this industry. In this article, we will explore the various career progression and advancement opportunities in aviation, highlighting the key steps and considerations for those seeking to excel in their aviation careers.

Pilot Career Progression

Private pilot's license (ppl).

The journey towards becoming a pilot often begins with obtaining a Private Pilot's License (PPL). With this license, you can fly as a hobbyist or for personal transportation.

Commercial Pilot's License (CPL)

To turn your passion for flying into a career, the next step is acquiring a Commercial Pilot's License (CPL). This license allows you to be compensated for your services as a pilot, opening the door to various job opportunities, such as banner towing, aerial photography, or regional airline positions.

Airline Transport Pilot's License (ATPL)

The pinnacle of a pilot's career is the Airline Transport Pilot's License (ATPL). This license is required to serve as the captain of a commercial airline. To obtain an ATPL, you need to accumulate a significant number of flight hours and pass rigorous exams and assessments.

First Officer (Co-Pilot)

After obtaining the CPL, aspiring airline pilots typically start as first officers (co-pilots). This role involves working alongside experienced captains and accumulating valuable experience in commercial airline operations.

Upgrade to Captain

With sufficient experience, co-pilots can upgrade to the position of captain. This advancement comes with increased responsibilities, including decision-making authority and leadership on the flight deck.

Aviation Maintenance Career Progression

Aircraft maintenance technician (amt).

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft. To become an AMT, individuals must complete a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved training program and pass written, oral, and practical exams.

Avionics Technician

For those interested in the electrical and electronic systems of aircraft, specializing as an avionics technician is a promising career path. Avionics technicians focus on the installation, maintenance, and repair of aircraft electronics.

Inspector Roles

With experience, AMTs can progress to roles as quality control inspectors or lead mechanics, where they oversee maintenance operations and ensure compliance with aviation regulations.

Maintenance Manager or Director

For career advancement, experienced technicians can pursue positions as maintenance managers or directors, overseeing entire maintenance departments within airlines or maintenance repair organizations (MROs).

Air Traffic Control Career Progression

Air traffic controller trainee.

Aspiring air traffic controllers start as trainees, undergoing rigorous training programs at FAA-approved facilities. Training includes classroom instruction, simulations, and on-the-job training.

Certified Professional Controller (CPC)

After completing training and passing required exams, trainees become Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs). They work in various control positions, including tower, approach, or en-route facilities.

Supervisory Roles

Experienced air traffic controllers can advance to supervisory roles, such as operations manager or front-line manager, where they oversee the work of other controllers and ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Management and Leadership

With further experience and education, air traffic controllers can pursue management and leadership positions within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other aviation organizations.

Opportunities in Aviation Management

Airport manager.

Airport managers oversee the daily operations of airports, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. They are responsible for everything from security and passenger services to facility maintenance and financial management.

Airline Operations Manager

Airline operations managers are responsible for the smooth functioning of airline operations, including scheduling, crew management, and ensuring flights are on time and profitable.

Aviation Safety Inspector

Aviation safety inspectors work for aviation regulatory agencies and ensure that airlines and aviation organizations comply with safety regulations. They conduct inspections, audits, and investigations to enhance aviation safety.

Career Advancement Considerations

Continuous learning and education.

Staying updated with industry advancements, regulations, and technologies is crucial for career progression in aviation. Consider pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training to enhance your skills and qualifications.

Building a strong professional network within the aviation industry can open doors to advancement opportunities. Attend industry conferences, join aviation associations, and connect with peers and mentors.

Flexibility and Adaptability

The aviation industry is subject to external factors like economic changes, technological innovations, and regulatory shifts. Being adaptable and willing to embrace change can be a valuable asset for career advancement.

Safety and Compliance

Prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance is essential for career progression in aviation. Professionals who consistently demonstrate a commitment to safety are often considered for leadership roles.

International Opportunities

Global demand for aviation professionals.

The demand for aviation professionals is not limited to one country. Opportunities exist worldwide, and international experience can be highly beneficial for career growth.

Working Abroad

Consider exploring job opportunities with international airlines, airports, or organizations. Gaining experience in different aviation environments can broaden your skill set and enhance your qualifications.

How to become a pilot!

Get your free e-book with your email.

Enter your email address to get your E-Book.

Aviation offers diverse and rewarding career paths with ample opportunities for progression and advancement. Whether you aspire to become a seasoned airline captain, a skilled aircraft maintenance technician, a trusted air traffic controller, or an aviation manager, careful planning, continuous learning, and dedication to safety and excellence will pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in aviation. Embrace the journey, adapt to industry changes, and seize the opportunities that the aviation world has to offer.

Soar Beyond Limits with AV8 Prep Online Ground School Pilot Education Program! 

Unveiling a Flight Plan to Success for Future Aviators! Aviators-to-be, are you ready to take your dreams to new altitudes? Introducing AV8 Prep's revolutionary Online Ground School Pilot Education Program, where the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning! Ready for Takeoff? Enroll Today! 

Join AV8 Prep's Online Ground School Pilot Education Program and witness your aspirations transform into reality. Are you prepared to carve your path among the clouds? The cockpit awaits—let's embark on this extraordinary journey together!

Visit https://www.av8prep.com/   to Learn More and Secure Your Seat in the Captain's Chair! 

Testimonials

I can't thank AV8Prep enough for their exceptional Private Pilot Ground School program. With their comprehensive curriculum and knowledgeable instructors, I was able to achieve a remarkable score of 93 on my written exam. The engaging content, interactive lessons, and in-depth explanations truly prepared me for success. AV8Prep's dedication to ensuring their students' understanding and mastery of the material is unmatched. I highly recommend AV8Prep to anyone pursuing their private pilot license. Trust me, it's the best investment you can make in your aviation journey.

I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional quality of the Private Pilot Course! Within a brief timeframe, I acquired all the essential knowledge and skills required to obtain my private pilot certification. The instructors demonstrated extensive expertise, the course material covered everything comprehensively, and the support offered throughout was truly remarkable. Without hesitation, I enthusiastically endorse this course to anyone seeking to embark on a professional drone piloting journey. It's a worthwhile investment that yields significant returns!

I owe my success in passing the written FAA exam with a remarkable 97% to AV8Prep's exceptional online ground school. Their comprehensive resources and effective teaching approach made the learning process engaging and ensured I was well-prepared for the exam. I highly recommend AV8Prep to anyone seeking a reliable and effective way to ace their pilot exam.

Career Path: Becoming a Research Pilot in Aviation

Sam Gentel is the Vice President of Total Aviation Staffing. He has extensive knowledge of the aviation recruitment industry...

Delve into the exciting journey of forging a career as a Research Pilot in the dynamic realm of aviation. From cutting-edge research missions to navigating vast horizons, discover the exhilarating path that awaits those aspiring to soar high in the world of atmospheric exploration.

In this blog, we’ll unravel the key steps, qualifications, and insights needed to carve your trajectory in the captivating field of aviation as a Research Pilot. Buckle up for an adventure where the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning!

The Role of a Research Pilot: Flying Beyond Conventional Skies

Research pilots in aviation are pivotal for advancing atmospheric science through airborne investigations and transportation missions. Their role is crucial in both scientific exploration and practical transportation applications.

Here are some of the key responsibilities associated with this role that you should be aware of:

• Operate King Air aircraft for atmospheric research and transportation.
• Navigate through diverse conditions, including single-pilot IMC and VMC, day or night.
• Ensure safety culture, efficient procedures, and effective crew resource management.
• Collaborate on scheduling, budgeting, and planning activities for research projects worldwide.
• Demonstrate adaptability to various climates, terrains, and international flight requirements.
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and communicate effectively with diverse passengers.
• Utilize expertise in weather conditions, flight procedures, and aircraft technical equipment.

Become the pilot of progress, navigating the skies for science and innovation. Elevate your career – where every flight is a journey into discovery.

Qualifications and Skills: Navigating the Path to Success

Achieving success as a research pilot requires a mix of qualifications and crucial skills. Navigating this path demands a strategic blend of expertise and essential capabilities.

Below are some of the qualifications and skills required for this role:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent aviation experience.
• Hold an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a multi-engine land rating.
• Possess a minimum of 3,000 logged pilot hours and 2,000 hours as pilot-in-command.
• Maintain a valid first-class FAA medical certificate and a clean motor vehicle record.
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating fixed-wing turbine aircraft, specifically the King Air.
• Exhibit knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, and flight procedures for diverse mission requirements.
• Showcase adaptability to fly in varied atmospheric conditions, including low altitudes and low airspeed.
• Display effective communication, interpersonal, and crew resource management skills.
• Acquire experience in air freight, charter, medivac, SAR, or other relevant missions for added expertise.

If you’ve got the skills to soar and the passion for exploration, join on this thrilling journey above and beyond the clouds. Elevate your aspirations—apply now and let your career take flight!

Career Advancement Opportunities: Soaring to New Heights

The role of a research pilot promises diverse avenues for career progression and advancement. Embark on a journey where professional growth takes flight in every direction.

Here are some of the potential advancements you may experience in this role:

• Progress to Chief Pilot overseeing flight operations or climb the ranks in aviation management.
• Specialize in advanced aircraft technologies, contributing to research and development projects.
• Transition to aviation education, training the next generation of skilled pilots.
• Pursue roles in regulatory affairs, shaping aviation policies and procedures at higher levels.
• Explore opportunities with international research institutions, expanding global contributions in atmospheric science.

Unleash your potential as a research pilot, where the sky is not a limit but a springboard for a thrilling and rewarding career trajectory. Let your aspirations take flight in a role that transcends boundaries and propels you toward unparalleled professional heights.

Networking and Professional Development: Building a Solid Flight Plan

To excel as a candidate for a research pilot position, engage in strategic networking and commit to ongoing professional development. Elevate your profile by cultivating connections and staying dedicated to continuous growth in the dynamic field of aviation.

Below are some networking and professional development opportunities you may want to consider:

• Attend aviation conferences to connect with industry experts and potential employers.
• Join relevant online forums and communities to stay informed about industry trends and opportunities.
• Seek mentorship from experienced research pilots for guidance and insights into the field.
• Enroll in advanced training programs to enhance skills and stay competitive in the aviation landscape.
• Collaborate with academic institutions and research organizations for exposure to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.

Forge a sky-high career path by nurturing a robust network and investing in perpetual growth. As an aspiring research pilot, let your ambitions take flight, propelling you to celestial success in the ever-evolving realm of aviation.

Application Process and Tips: Navigating the Skies of Job Opportunities

Successfully navigating the application process for a research pilot position demands strategic planning and meticulous preparation. A methodical approach and careful readiness are key to steering through this critical stage in your aviation career.

Consider the following tips:

• Complete the online application thoroughly, showcasing relevant qualifications and experiences.
• Upload a compelling cover letter highlighting passion, skills, and alignment with the role.
• Craft a professional resume detailing aviation achievements and experiences.
• Include contact information for four work-related references and the required qualifications questionnaire.
• Prepare for an onsite interview and check ride by reviewing aircraft operations and demonstrating proficiency.

Sail through these steps, and watch your aspirations as a research pilot take flight. Position yourself as a candidate soaring toward aviation excellence—because in the sky your career knows no limits!

In Conclusion

On this thrilling journey to become a Research Pilot, remember: the cockpit is your canvas, and the skies are your playground. Navigate with passion, fly with purpose, and always keep your career altitude higher than your aspirations. Whether you’re chasing storms or transporting VIPs, embrace the turbulence, savour the smooth flights, and let your career take off like a perfectly executed takeoff.

The aviation world awaits your unique flight path—where every cloud has a silver lining and every landing is a new opportunity to touch the sky. Fly on, future Research Pilots , and may your careers be as smooth as a well-executed landing on a clear runway!

Tailored Job Searches, Tailored Careers

Ready to embark on your aviation adventure? Total Aviation Staffing is your gateway to exciting opportunities in the aerospace industry. Take control of your future, explore top MROs, OEMs, airlines, and more. Find your dream job.

Let us not only extend your job search but also enhance your career journey. Build your resume, apply to job openings and land that dream full-time position. Don’t just dream of soaring high; let Total Aviation Staffing be your wings. Your next career destination is just a click away!

• Privacy Policy

RELATED SITES

• Aviation Structure Repairs, LLC
• +1 (210) 702-2478
• [email protected]
• 11210 Disco, San Antonio, TX 78216

© 2023 Total Aviation Staffing. All Rights Reserved.

Pilot Career Research

General pilot training / flight school information for usa.

Have a look through our popular A Pilot’s Life section to learn first hand from actual pilots in our industry about their lives and careers. Find out what the job is really like, what the living conditions are, where these people often fly, what the equipment is like, what their flying schedule entails, what it is like to fly overseas, and much more. Simply click on the yellow link above for further information, but remember to return to the Training Section to find out how you can become a Pilot yourself!

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THIS COMPANY …unless you meet their:

• Nationality / Citizenship Requirements
• Qualifications / Experience Needs

International Students : Please do not contact this school regarding Free Pilot Training, Sponsorship, Financial Assistance, or Guaranteed Job Placements.

Financial aid is only available in your own country.

Career Research

IResearchNet

Custom Writing Services

Military pilot career.

Those who choose to join the armed forces dedicate their lives to protecting their fellow Americans. More than 2.6 million people served in the Armed Forces in 2005, and 1.4 million of these were on active duty. There are approximately 16,000 airplane pilots and 6,500 heli­copter pilots in the military.

Military Pilot Career History

The air service grew from somewhat unusual beginnings. The Civil War marked the first use of aircraft in the U.S. military, when a balloon corps was attached to the Army of the Potomac. In 1892, a formal Balloon Corps was created as part of the army’s Signal Corps. By 1907, a separate Aeronautical Division was created within the army. Air power proved invaluable a few years later dur­ing World War I, bringing about major changes in mili­tary strategy. As a result, the United States began to assert itself as an international military power, and accordingly, the Army Air Service was created as an independent unit in 1918, although it remained under army direction for a time.

Since then, military pilots have played an integral role during the Cold War, Korean War, the Vietnam Way, the Persian Gulf War, and countless smaller skirmishes and engagements, as well as in noncombat and peacekeeping situations.

Reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, suddenly changed the role of the military from a peace­keeping force to an aggressor in the attempt to destroy the strongholds and training camps of terrorists around the world. President Bush said the war against terrorism would likely be a sustained effort over a long period of time. U.S. troops, warships, and dozens of fighter planes were deployed to south-central Asia and the Middle East and air and ground strikes began. In addition to military action, the administration planned to use diplomatic, law enforcement, and financial strategies against those believed responsible for the attacks.

Military Pilot Job Description

Military aviation specialties include flight navigators or radar technicians, who use radio, radar, and other equip­ment to help military pilots determine aircraft position and determine its route of travel, and flight instructors, who teach flight students how to fly via classroom train­ing and inflight instruction.

Opportunities as a military pilot are available in all five branches of the U.S. Armed Ser­vices. The following paragraphs detail these opportunities by military branch.

Although the army is best known for its land-based occu­pations, it also employs military pilots to serve in combat, rescue, and reconnaissance settings. Army pilots are classified under the warrant officer designation along with other skilled experts in nonaviation fields.

The air force has the largest number of military pilots. These pilots work in a variety of spe­cialty areas including bombers, airlifts, special operations, sur­veillance, and navigation. Spe­cific job titles in this branch of the military include air battle managers, airlift pilots and navi­gators, bomber pilots and naviga­tors, fighter pilots and navigators, reconnaissance/surveillance/elec­tronic warfare pilots and naviga­tors, special operations pilots and navigators, and tanker pilots and navigators.

Marine aviation officers pro­vide air support for ground troops during battle. They also transport equipment and per­sonnel to various destinations.

Pilots in the navy are called naval flight officers. Unlike other military pilots, they take off and land their airplanes on both land bases and aircraft carriers. Depending on their specialty, they receive advanced training in air-to-air combat, bombing, search and rescue, aircraft car­rier qualifications, over-water navigation, and low-level flying. Naval flight officer specialties include turboprop maritime propeller pilots, who track submarines, conduct surveillance, and gather photographic intelligence, and navy helicopter pilots, who search for underwater sup­plies, deliver supplies and personnel, and participate in emergency search and rescue missions.

The U.S. Coast Guard is the only armed force in the United States with domestic law enforcement authority. Nearly 800 aviators at 28 air stations enforce federal laws and treaties and conduct military operations to safeguard the American homeland.

Military Pilot Career Requirements

High school.

Postsecondary Training

A four-year college degree is usually required to become a military pilot. Courses in engineering, meteorology, computer science , aviation law, business management, and military science are especially helpful. Physical edu­cation courses will also be important, as your physical health and endurance levels will constantly be challenged in the military.

There are several paths that you can choose from to get your postsecondary education. You may want to attend one of the four service academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy (for the air force), the U.S. Military Acad­emy (for the army), the U.S. Naval Academy (for the navy and the marines), or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (for the coast guard). Competition to enter these institutions is intense. You will need to have a very strong academic background, involvement in community activities, and leadership experiences. Most applicants also need a nomination from an authorized source, which is usually a member of the U.S. Congress. If you choose one of these four academies, you will graduate with a bachelor’s degree. You are then required to spend a minimum of five years on active duty, beginning as a junior officer.

Another option is to attend a four-year school that has a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program. Most state-supported colleges and universities have avia­tion programs, as do many private schools. Some schools focus solely on aviation education, such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and The University of North Dakota’s Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Each branch of the Armed Services has specific train­ing requirements for its military pilots. Training in all branches will include flight simulation, classroom train­ing, and basic flight instruction. For more information on specific requirements, contact a recruiter for the branch in which you are interested in entering.

Certification or Licensing

The military does not offer certification or licensing for military pilots. During the advanced portion of your civilian flight training, though, you must pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) guidelines and regula­tions. If you hope to someday transfer your military skills to a similar job in the civilian sector (for example, with a commercial airline), you may need additional training and/or certification or licensing.

Other Requirements

Stable physical and emotional health is essential for the aspiring pilot. Military pilots are expected to remain calm and levelheaded, no matter how stressful the situ­ation. The physical requirements of this profession are very strict—you must have 20/20 vision with or with­out glasses, good hearing, normal heart rate and blood pressure, and no physical handicaps that could hinder performance.

You should have quick decision-making skills and reflexes to be a successful pilot. Decisiveness, self-con­fidence, good communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure are also important personality traits. You should maintain an adaptable and flexible lifestyle, as your orders, missions, and station may change at any time.

Although military pilot careers are available to both men and women, some combat positions are only open to men.

Exploring Military Pilot Career

To get a real feel for what it’s like to be a military pilot, check out one of several air combat schools that exist throughout the country. Through such programs, you can experience the cockpit of a fighter plane alongside an instructor, and even experience “dogfighting” in the sky. Air Combat USA, which is one such program, operates out of 32 airports nationwide.

Military pilots are employed by the U.S. government. More than 2.6 million people served in the Armed Forces in 2005. There are approximately 16,000 airplane pilots and 6,500 helicopter pilots in the military.

Starting Out

Once you’ve decided to become a military pilot, you should contact a military recruiter. The recruiter will help answer questions and suggest different options. To start out in any branch of the military, you must pass medical and physical tests, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam, and basic training. You must also sign an enlistment contract. This is a legal agreement that will bind you to a certain amount of military service, usually eight years. Active duty comprises two to six years of this agreement, and the remainder is normally spent in the reserves.

Advancement

Each military branch has 10 officers’ grades (O-1 through O-10). The higher the number is, the more advanced a person’s rank is. The various branches of the military have somewhat different criteria for promoting individuals; in general, however, promotions depend on factors such as length of time served, demonstrated abilities, recommen­dations, and scores on written exams. Promotions become more and more competitive as people advance in rank.

Military pilots may train for different aircraft and missions. Eventually, they may advance to senior offi­cer or command positions. Military pilots with superior skills and training may advance to the position of astro­naut. Astronauts pilot the space shuttle on scientific and defense-related missions.

Congress sets the pay scales for the military after hear­ing recommendations from the president. The pay for equivalent grades is the same in all services (that is, any­one with a grade of 0-4, for example, will have the same basic pay whether in the army, navy, marines, air force, or coast guard). In addition to basic pay, personnel who frequently and regularly participate in combat may earn hazardous duty pay. Other special allowances include special duty pay and foreign duty pay. Earnings start relatively low but increase on a fairly regular basis as indi­viduals advance in rank. When reviewing earnings, it is important to keep in mind that members of the military receive free housing, food, and health care—items that civilians typically pay for themselves.

All military pilots serve as officers in their respective branches. According to the Defense Finance and Account­ing Service, officers starting out at a grade of O-1 received basic monthly pay of $2,343 in 2004. This would make for an annual salary of approximately $28,123. An officer with the grade O-5 and more than four years of experi­ence earned $5,021 per month, or approximately $60,256 per year. An officer with the top grade of O-10 and more than 20 years of experience had monthly basic earnings of $12,963, or approximately $155,556 annually.

Additional benefits for military workers include uni­form allowances, 30 days of paid vacation time per year, and the opportunity to retire after 20 years of service. Generally, those retiring will receive 40 percent of the average of the highest three years of their base pay. This amount rises incrementally, reaching 75 percent of the average of the highest three years of base pay after 30 years of service. All retirement provisions are subject to change, however, and you should verify them as well as current salary information before you enlist. Military pilots who retire after 20 years of service are usually in their 40s and thus have plenty of time, as well as an accu­mulation of skills, with which to start a second career as a civilian pilot or in a related field.

Work Environment

The work environment for military pilots is rewarding, varied, and sometimes stressful. Pilots may be assigned to one or more air bases around the world. They may take off and land on aircraft carriers, at conventional airports, in desert conditions under fierce fire from the enemy, or in countless other settings. They may fly the same routes for extended periods of time, but no two flights are ever the same. Military pilots can expect excitement and the chance to see the world, but they are responsible for the safety and protection of others.

Military Pilot Career Outlook

For more information:

• Air Combat USA
• Military City
• Today’s Military
• United States Air Force

First, you have to sign up, and then follow a simple 10-minute order process. In case you have any trouble signing up or completing the order, reach out to our 24/7 support team and they will resolve your concerns effectively.

Customer Reviews

Support team is ready to answer any questions at any time of day and night

Finished Papers

Advocate Educational Integrity

Our service exists to help you grow as a student, and not to cheat your academic institution. We suggest you use our work as a study aid and not as finalized material. Order a personalized assignment to study from.

Customer Reviews

Benefits You Get from Our Essay Writer Service.

Typically, our authors write essays, but they can do much more than essays. We also offer admissions help. If you are preparing to apply for college, you can get an admission essay, application letter, cover letter, CV, resume, or personal statement from us. Since we know what the admissions committee wants to see in all these papers, we are able to provide you with a flawless paper for your admission.

You can also get help with business writing from our essay writer online. Turn to us if you need a business plan, business proposal, presentation, press release, sales letter, or any other kind of writing piece for your business, and we will tailor such a paper to your requirements.

If you say, "Do not write an essay for me, just proofread and edit it," we can help, as well. Just provide us with your piece of writing and indicate what exactly you need. We will check your paper and bring it to perfection.

• Math Problem
• Movie Review
• Personal Statement
• PowerPoint Presentation plain
• PowerPoint Presentation with Speaker Notes
• Proofreading

Research papers can be complex, so best to give our essay writing service a bit more time on this one. Luckily, a longer paper means you get a bigger discount!

Megan Sharp

Tinggalkan Balasan Batalkan balasan

Alamat email Anda tidak akan dipublikasikan. Ruas yang wajib ditandai *

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• BMC Med Res Methodol

A tutorial on pilot studies: the what, why and how

Lehana thabane.

1 Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada

2 Biostatistics Unit, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton ON, Canada

Afisi Ismaila

3 Department of Medical Affairs, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Mississauga ON, Canada

Lorena P Rios

Reid robson, marroon thabane.

4 Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada

Lora Giangregorio

5 Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo ON, Canada

Charles H Goldsmith

Pilot studies for phase III trials - which are comparative randomized trials designed to provide preliminary evidence on the clinical efficacy of a drug or intervention - are routinely performed in many clinical areas. Also commonly know as "feasibility" or "vanguard" studies, they are designed to assess the safety of treatment or interventions; to assess recruitment potential; to assess the feasibility of international collaboration or coordination for multicentre trials; to increase clinical experience with the study medication or intervention for the phase III trials. They are the best way to assess feasibility of a large, expensive full-scale study, and in fact are an almost essential pre-requisite. Conducting a pilot prior to the main study can enhance the likelihood of success of the main study and potentially help to avoid doomed main studies. The objective of this paper is to provide a detailed examination of the key aspects of pilot studies for phase III trials including: 1) the general reasons for conducting a pilot study; 2) the relationships between pilot studies, proof-of-concept studies, and adaptive designs; 3) the challenges of and misconceptions about pilot studies; 4) the criteria for evaluating the success of a pilot study; 5) frequently asked questions about pilot studies; 7) some ethical aspects related to pilot studies; and 8) some suggestions on how to report the results of pilot investigations using the CONSORT format.

1. Introduction

The Concise Oxford Thesaurus [ 1 ] defines a pilot project or study as an experimental, exploratory, test, preliminary, trial or try out investigation. Epidemiology and statistics dictionaries provide similar definitions of a pilot study as a small scale

• " ... test of the methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that the methods and procedures can work" [ 2 ];

• "...investigation designed to test the feasibility of methods and procedures for later use on a large scale or to search for possible effects and associations that may be worth following up in a subsequent larger study" [ 3 ].

Table ​ Table1 1 provides a summary of definitions found on the Internet. A closer look at these definitions reveals that they are similar to the ones above in that a pilot study is synonymous with a feasibility study intended to guide the planning of a large-scale investigation. Pilot studies are sometimes referred to as "vanguard trials" (i.e. pre-studies) intended to assess the safety of treatment or interventions; to assess recruitment potential; to assess the feasibility of international collaboration or coordination for multicentre trials; to evaluate surrogate marker data in diverse patient cohorts; to increase clinical experience with the study medication or intervention, and identify the optimal dose of treatments for the phase III trials [ 4 ]. As suggested by an African proverb from the Ashanti people in Ghana " You never test the depth of a river with both feet ", the main goal of pilot studies is to assess feasibility so as to avoid potentially disastrous consequences of embarking on a large study - which could potentially "drown" the whole research effort.

Some Adapted Definitions of Pilot Studies on the Web (Date of last access: December 22, 2009)

*Emphasis is ours

Feasibility studies are routinely performed in many clinical areas. It is fair to say that every major clinical trial had to start with some piloting or a small scale investigation to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger scale study: critical care [ 5 ], diabetes management intervention trials [ 6 ], cardiovascular trials [ 7 ], primary healthcare [ 8 ], to mention a few.

Despite their noted importance, the reality is that pilot studies receive little or no attention in scientific research training. Few epidemiology or research textbooks cover the topic with the necessary detail. In fact, we are not aware of any textbook that dedicates a chapter on this issue - many just mention it in passing or provide a cursory coverage of the topic. The objective of this paper is to provide a detailed examination of the key aspects of pilot studies. In the next section, we narrow the focus of our definition of a pilot to phase III trials. Section 3 covers the general reasons for conducting a pilot study. Section 4 deals with the relationships between pilot studies, proof-of-concept studies, and adaptive designs, while section 5 addresses the challenges of pilot studies. Evaluation of a pilot study (i.e. how to determine if a pilot study was successful) is covered in Section 6. We deal with several frequently asked questions about pilot studies in Section 7 using a "question-and-answer" approach. Section 8 covers some ethical aspects related to pilot studies; and in Section 9, we follow the CONSORT format [ 9 ] to offer some suggestions on how to report the results of pilot investigations.

2. Narrowing the focus: Pilot studies for randomized studies

Pilot studies can be conducted in both quantitative and qualitative studies. Adopting a similar approach to Lancaster et al . [ 10 ], we focus on quantitative pilot studies - particularly those done prior to full-scale phase III trials. Phase I trials are non-randomized studies designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of a drug (i.e. how a drug is distributed and metabolized in the body) including finding a dose that can be tolerated with minimal toxicity. Phase II trials provide preliminary evidence on the clinical efficacy of a drug or intervention. They may or may not be randomized. Phase III trials are randomized studies comparing two or more drugs or intervention strategies to assess efficacy and safety. Phase IV trials, usually done after registration or marketing of a drug, are non-randomized surveillance studies to document experiences (e.g. side-effects, interactions with other drugs, etc) with using the drug in practice.

For the purposes of this paper, our approach to utilizing pilot studies relies on the model for complex interventions advocated by the British Medical Research Council - which explicitly recommends the use of feasibility studies prior to Phase III clinical trials, but stresses the iterative nature of the processes of development, feasibility and piloting, evaluation and implementation [ 11 ].

3. Reasons for Conducting Pilot Studies

Van Teijlingen et al . [ 12 ] and van Teijlingen and Hundley [ 13 ] provide a summary of the reasons for performing a pilot study. In general, the rationale for a pilot study can be grouped under several broad classifications - process, resources, management and scientific (see also http://www.childrens-mercy.org/stats/plan/pilot.asp for a different classification):

• Process: This assesses the feasibility of the steps that need to take place as part of the main study. Examples include determining recruitment rates, retention rates, etc.

• Resources: This deals with assessing time and budget problems that can occur during the main study. The idea is to collect some pilot data on such things as the length of time to mail or fill out all the survey forms.

• Management: This covers potential human and data optimization problems such as personnel and data management issues at participating centres.

• Scientific: This deals with the assessment of treatment safety, determination of dose levels and response, and estimation of treatment effect and its variance.

Table ​ Table2 2 summarizes this classification with specific examples.

Reasons for conducting pilot studies

4. Relationships between Pilot Studies, Proof-of-Concept Studies, and Adaptive Designs

A proof-of-concept (PoC) study is defined as a clinical trial carried out to determine if a treatment (drug) is biologically active or inactive [ 14 ]. PoC studies usually use surrogate markers as endpoints. In general, they are phase I/II studies - which, as noted above, investigate the safety profile, dose level and response to new drugs [ 15 ]. Thus, although designed to inform the planning of phase III trials for registration or licensing of new drugs, PoC studies may not necessarily fit our restricted definition of pilot studies aimed at assessing feasibility of phase III trials as outlined in Section 2.

An adaptive trial design refers to a design that allows modifications to be made to a trial's design or statistical procedures during its conduct, with the purpose of efficiently identifying clinical benefits/risks of new drugs or to increase the probability of success of clinical development [ 16 ]. The adaptations can be prospective (e.g. stopping a trial early due to safety or futility or efficacy at interim analysis); concurrent (e.g. changes in eligibility criteria, hypotheses or study endpoints) or retrospective (e.g. changes to statistical analysis plan prior to locking database or revealing treatment codes to trial investigators or patients). Piloting is normally built into adaptive trial designs by determining a priori decision rules to guide the adaptations based on cumulative data. For example, data from interim analyses could be used to refine sample size calculations [ 17 , 18 ]. This approach is routinely used in internal pilot studies - which are primarily designed to inform sample size calculation for the main study, with recalculation of the sample size as the key adaptation. Unlike other phase III pilots, an internal pilot investigation does not usually address any other feasibility aspects - because it is essentially part of the main study [ 10 , 19 , 20 ]..

Nonetheless, we need to emphasize that whether or not a study is a pilot, depends on its objectives. An adaptive method is used as a strategy to reach that objective. Both a pilot and a non-pilot could be adaptive.

5. Challenges of and Common Misconceptions about Pilot Studies

Pilot studies can be very informative, not only to the researchers conducting them but also to others doing similar work. However, many of them never get published, often because of the way the results are presented [ 13 ]. Quite often the emphasis is wrongly placed on statistical significance, not on feasibility - which is the main focus of the pilot study. Our experience in reviewing submissions to a research ethics board also shows that most of the pilot projects are not well designed: i.e. there are no clear feasibility objectives; no clear analytic plans; and certainly no clear criteria for success of feasibility.

In many cases, pilot studies are conducted to generate data for sample size calculations. This seems especially sensible in situations where there are no data from previous studies to inform this process. However, it can be dangerous to use pilot studies to estimate treatment effects, as such estimates may be unrealistic/biased because of the limited sample sizes. Therefore if not used cautiously, results of pilot studies can potentially mislead sample size or power calculations [ 21 ] -- particularly if the pilot study was done to see if there is likely to be a treatment effect in the main study. In section 6, we provide guidance on how to proceed with caution in this regard.

There are also several misconceptions about pilot studies. Below are some of the common reasons that researchers have put forth for calling their study a pilot.

The first common reason is that a pilot study is a small single-centre study. For example, researchers often state lack of resources for a large multi-centre study as a reason for doing a pilot. The second common reason is that a pilot investigation is a small study that is similar in size to someone else's published study. In reviewing submissions to a research ethics board, we have come across sentiments such as

• So-and-so did a similar study with 6 patients and got statistical significance - ours uses 12 patients (double the size)!

• We did a similar pilot before (and it was published!)

The third most common reason is that a pilot is a small study done by a student or an intern - which can be completed quickly and does not require funding. Specific arguments include

• I have funding for 10 patients only;

• I have limited seed (start-up) funding;

• This is just a student project!

• My supervisor (boss) told me to do it as a pilot .

None of the above arguments qualifies as sound reasons for calling a study a pilot. A study should only be conducted if the results will be informative; studies conducted for the reasons above may result in findings of limited utility, which would be a waste of the researchers' and participants' efforts. The focus of a pilot study should be on assessment of feasibility, unless it was powered appropriately to assess statistical significance. Further, there is a vast number of poorly designed and reported studies. Assessment of the quality of a published report may be helpful to guide decisions of whether the report should be used to guide planning or designing of new studies. Finally, if a trainee or researcher is assigned a project as a pilot it is important to discuss how the results will inform the planning of the main study. In addition, clearly defined feasibility objectives and rationale to justify piloting should be provided.

Sample Size for Pilot Studies

In general, sample size calculations may not be required for some pilot studies. It is important that the sample for a pilot be representative of the target study population. It should also be based on the same inclusion/exclusion criteria as the main study. As a rule of thumb, a pilot study should be large enough to provide useful information about the aspects that are being assessed for feasibility. Note that PoC studies require sample size estimation based on surrogate markers [ 22 ], but they are usually not powered to detect meaningful differences in clinically important endpoints. The sample used in the pilot may be included in the main study, but caution is needed to ensure the key features of the main study are preserved in the pilot (e.g. blinding in randomized controlled trials). We recommend if any pooling of pilot and main study data is considered, this should be planned beforehand, described clearly in the protocol with clear discussion of the statistical consequences and methods. The goal is to avoid or minimize the potential bias that may occur due to multiple testing issues or any other opportunistic actions by investigators. In general, pooling when done appropriately can increase the efficiency of the main study [ 23 ].

As noted earlier, a carefully designed pilot study may be used to generate information for sample size calculations. Two approaches may be helpful to optimize information from a pilot study in this context: First, consider eliciting qualitative data to supplement the quantitative information obtained in the pilot. For example, consider having some discussions with clinicians using the approach suggested by Lenth [ 24 ] to illicit additional information on possible effect size and variance estimates. Second, consider creating a sample size table for various values of the effect or variance estimates to acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the pilot estimates.

In some cases, one could use a confidence interval [CI] approach to estimate the sample size required to establish feasibility. For example, suppose we had a pilot trial designed primarily to determine adherence rates to the standardized risk assessment form to enhance venous thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients. Suppose it was also decided a priori that the criterion for success would be: the main trial would be ' feasibl e' if the risk assessment form is completed for ≥ 70% of eligible hospitalized patients.

6. How to Interpret the Results of a Pilot Study: Criteria for Success

It is always important to state the criteria for success of a pilot study. The criteria should be based on the primary feasibility objectives. These provide the basis for interpreting the results of the pilot study and determining whether it is feasible to proceed to the main study. In general, the outcome of a pilot study can be one of the following: (i) Stop - main study not feasible; (ii) Continue, but modify protocol - feasible with modifications; (iii) Continue without modifications, but monitor closely - feasible with close monitoring and (iv) Continue without modifications - feasible as is.

For example, the Prophylaxis of Thromboembolism in Critical Care Trial (PROTECT) was designed to assess the feasibility of a large-scale trial with the following criteria for determining success [ 25 ]:

• 98.5% of patients had to receive study drug within 12 hours of randomization;

• 91.7% of patients had to receive every scheduled dose of the study drug in a blinded manner;

• 90% or more of patients had to have lower limb compression ultrasounds performed at the specified times; and

• > 90% of necessary dose adjustments had to have been made appropriately in response to pre-defined laboratory criteria .

In a second example, the PeriOperative Epidural Trial (POET) Pilot Study was designed to assess the feasibility of a large, multicentre trial with the following criteria for determining success [ 26 ]:

• one subject per centre per week (i.e., 200 subjects from four centres over 50 weeks) can be recruited ;

• at least 70% of all eligible patients can be recruited ;

• no more than 5% of all recruited subjects crossed over from one modality to the other; and

• complete follow-up in at least 95% of all recruited subjects .

7. Frequently asked questions about pilot studies

In this Section, we offer our thoughts on some of the frequently asked questions about pilot studies. These could be helpful to not only clinicians and trainees, but to anyone who is interested in health research.

• Can I publish the results of a pilot study?

- Yes, every attempt should be made to publish.

• Why is it important to publish the results of pilot studies?

- To provide information about feasibility to the research community to save resources being unnecessarily spent on studies that may not be feasible. Further, having such information can help researchers to avoid duplication of efforts in assessing feasibility.

- Finally, researchers have an ethical and scientific obligation to attempt publishing the results of every research endeavor. However, our focus should be on feasibility goals. Emphasis should not be placed on statistical significance when pilot studies are not powered to detect minimal clinically important differences. Such studies typically do not show statistically significant results - remember that underpowered studies (with no statistically significant results) are inconclusive, not negative since "no evidence of effect" is not "evidence of no effect" [ 27 ].

• Can I combine data from a pilot with data from the main study?

- Yes, provided the sampling frame and methodologies are the same. This can increase the efficiency of the main study - see Section 5.

• Can I combine the results of a pilot with the results of another study or in a meta-analysis?

- Yes, provided the sampling frame and methodologies are the same.

- No, if the main study is reported and it includes the pilot study.

• Can the results of the pilot study be valid on their own, without existence of the main study

- Yes, if the results show that it is not feasible to proceed to the main study or there is insufficient funding.

• Can I apply for funding for a pilot study?

- Yes. Like any grant, it is important to justify the need for piloting.

- The pilot has to be placed in the context of the main study.

• Can I randomize patients in a pilot study?

- Yes. For a phase III pilot study, one of the goals could be to assess how a randomization procedure might work in the main study or whether the idea of randomization might be acceptable to patients [ 10 ]. In general, it is always best for a pilot to maintain the same design as the main study.

• How can I use the information from a pilot to estimate the sample size?

- Use with caution, as results from pilot studies can potentially mislead sample size calculations.

- Consider supplementing the information with qualitative discussions with clinicians - see section 5; and

- Create a sample size table to acknowledge the uncertainty of the pilot information - see section 5.

• Can I use the results of a pilot study to treat my patients?

- Not a good idea!

- Pilot studies are primarily for assessing feasibility.

• What can I do with a failed or bad pilot study?

- No study is a complete failure; it can always be used as bad example! However, it is worth making clear that a pilot study that shows the main study is not likely to be feasible is not a failed (pilot) study. In fact, it is a success - because you avoided wasting scarce resources on a study destined for failure!

8. Ethical Aspects of Pilot Studies

Halpern et al . [ 28 ] stated that conducting underpowered trials is unethical. However, they proposed that underpowered trials are ethical in two situations: (i) small trials of interventions for rare diseases -- which require documenting explicit plans for including results with those of similar trials in a prospective meta-analysis; (ii) early-phase trials in the development of drugs or devices - provided they are adequately powered for defined purposes other than randomized treatment comparisons. Pilot studies of phase III trials (dealing with common diseases) are not addressed in their proposal. It is therefore prudent to ask: Is it ethical to conduct a study whose feasibility can not be guaranteed (i.e. with a high probability of success)?

It seems unethical to consider running a phase III study without having sufficient data or information about the feasibility. In fact, most granting agencies often require data on feasibility as part of their assessment of the scientific validity for funding decisions.

There is however one important ethical aspect about pilot studies that has received little or no attention from researchers, research ethics boards and ethicists alike. This pertains to the issue of the obligation that researchers have to patients or participants in a trial to disclose the feasibility nature of pilot studies. This is essential given that some pilot studies may not lead to further studies. A review of the commonly cited research ethics guidelines - the Nuremburg Code [ 29 ], Helsinki Declaration [ 30 ], the Belmont Report [ 31 ], ICH Good Clinical Practice [ 32 ], and the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects [ 33 ] - shows that pilot studies are not addressed in any of these guidelines. Canadian researchers are also encouraged to follow the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) [ 34 ] - it too does not address how pilot studies need to be approached. It seems to us that given the special nature of feasibility or pilot studies, the disclosure of their purpose to study participants requires special wording - that informs them of the definition of a pilot study, the feasibility objectives of the study, and also clearly defines the criteria for success of feasibility. To fully inform participants, we suggest using the following wording in the consent form:

" The overall purpose of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a large study to [state primary objective of the main study]. A feasibility or pilot study is a study that... [state a general definition of a feasibility study]. The specific feasibility objectives of this study are ... [state the specific feasibility objectives of the pilot study]. We will determine that it is feasible to carry on the main study if ... [state the criteria for success of feasibility] ."

9. Recommendation for Reporting the Results of Pilot Studies

Adopted from the CONSORT Statement [ 9 ], Table ​ Table3 3 provides a checklist of items to consider including in a report of a pilot study.

Pilot Study - Checklist: Items to include when reporting a pilot study

Title and abstract

Item #1: the title or abstract should indicate that the study is a "pilot" or "feasibility".

As a number one summary of the contents of any report, it is important for the title to clearly indicate that the report is for a pilot or feasibility study. This would also be helpful to other researchers during electronic information search about feasibility issues. Our quick search of PUBMED [on July 13, 2009], using the terms "pilot" OR "feasibility" OR "proof-of-concept" for revealed 24423 (16%) hits of studies that had these terms in the title or abstract compared with 149365 hits that had these terms anywhere in the text.

Item #2: Scientific background for the main study and explanation of rationale for assessing feasibility through piloting

The rationale for initiating a pilot should be based on the need to assess feasibility for the main study. Thus, the background of the main study should clearly describe what is known or not known about important feasibility aspects to provide context for piloting.

Item #3: Participants and setting of the study

The description of the inclusion-exclusion or eligibility criteria for participants should be the same as in the main study. The settings and locations where the data were collected should also be clearly described.

Item #4: Interventions

Precise details of the interventions intended for each group and how and when they were actually administered (if applicable) - state clearly if any aspects of the intervention are assessed for feasibility.

Item #5: Objectives

State the specific scientific primary and secondary objectives and hypotheses for the main study and the specific feasibility objectives. It is important to clearly indicate the feasibility objectives as the primary focus for the pilot.

Item #6: Outcomes

Clearly define primary and secondary outcome measures for the main study. Then, clearly define the feasibility outcomes and how they were operationalized - these should include key elements such as recruitment rates, consent rates, completion rates, variance estimates, etc. In some cases, a pilot study may be conducted with the aim to determine a suitable (clinical or surrogate) endpoint for the main study. In such a case, one may not be able to define the primary outcome of the main study until the pilot is finished. However, it is important that determining the primary outcome of the main study be clearly stated as part of feasibility outcomes.

Item #7: Sample Size

Describe how sample size was determined. If the pilot is a proof-of-concept study, is the sample size calculated based on primary/key surrogate marker(s)? In general if the pilot is for a phase III study, there may be no need for a formal sample size calculation. However, the confidence interval approach may be used to calculate and justify the sample size based on key feasibility objective(s).

Item #8: Feasibility criteria

Clearly describe the criteria for assessing success of feasibility - these should be based on the feasibility objectives.

Item #9: Statistical Analysis

Describe the statistical methods for the analysis of primary and secondary feasibility outcomes.

Item #10: Ethical Aspects

State whether the study received research ethics approval. Describe how informed consent was handled - given the feasibility nature of the study.

Item #11: Participant Flow

Describe the flow of participants through each stage of the study (use of a flow-diagram is strongly recommended -- see CONSORT [ 9 ] for a template). Describe protocol deviations from pilot study as planned with reasons for deviations. State the number of exclusions at each stage and corresponding reasons for exclusions.

Item #12: Recruitment

Report the dates defining the periods of recruitment and follow-up.

Item #13: Baseline Data

Report the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants.

Item #14: Outcomes and Estimation

For each primary and secondary feasibility outcomes, report the point estimate of effect and its precision ( e.g ., 95% CI) - if applicable.

Item # 15: Interpretation

Interpretation of the results should focus on feasibility, taking into account the stated criteria for success of feasibility, study hypotheses, sources of potential bias or imprecision (given the feasibility nature of the study) and the dangers associated with multiplicity - repeated testing on multiple outcomes.

Item #16: Generalizability

Discuss the generalizability (external validity) of the feasibility aspects observed in the study. State clearly what modifications in the design of the main study (if any) would be necessary to make it feasible.

Item #17: Overall evidence of feasibility

Discuss the general results in the context of overall evidence of feasibility. It is important that the focus be on feasibility.

9. Conclusions

Pilot or vanguard studies provide a good opportunity to assess feasibility of large full-scale studies. Pilot studies are the best way to assess feasibility of a large expensive full-scale study, and in fact are an almost essential pre-requisite. Conducting a pilot prior to the main study can enhance the likelihood of success of the main study and potentially help to avoid doomed main studies. Pilot studies should be well designed with clear feasibility objectives, clear analytic plans, and explicit criteria for determining success of feasibility. They should be used cautiously for determining treatment effects and variance estimates for power or sample size calculations. Finally, they should be scrutinized the same way as full scale studies, and every attempt should be taken to publish the results in peer-reviewed journals.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

LT drafted the manuscript. All authors reviewed several versions of the manuscript, read and approved the final version.

Pre-publication history

The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/10/1/prepub

Acknowledgements

Dr Lehana Thabane is clinical trials mentor for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. We thank the reviewers for insightful comments and suggestions which led to improvements in the manuscript.

• Waite M. Concise Oxford Thesaurus. 2. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press; 2002. [ Google Scholar ]
• Last JM, editor. A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 4. Oxford University Press; 2001. [ Google Scholar ]
• Everitt B. Medical Statistics from A to Z: A Guide for Clinicians and Medical Students. 2. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge; 2006. [ Google Scholar ]
• Tavel JA, Fosdick L. ESPRIT Vanguard Group. ESPRIT Executive Committee. Closeout of four phase II Vanguard trials and patient rollover into a large international phase III HIV clinical endpoint trial. Control Clin Trials. 2001; 22 :42–48. doi: 10.1016/S0197-2456(00)00114-8. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Arnold DM, Burns KE, Adhikari NK, Kho ME, Meade MO, Cook DJ. The design and interpretation of pilot trials in clinical research in critical care. Crit Care Med. 2009; 37 (Suppl 1):69–74. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181920e33. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Computerization of Medical Practice for the Enhancement of Therapeutic Effectiveness. http://www.compete-study.com/index.htm Last accessed August 8, 2009.
• Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation Study. http://www.ccc.mcmaster.ca/hope.htm Last accessed August 8, 2009.
• Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program. http://www.chapprogram.ca/resources.html Last accessed August 8, 2009.
• Moher D, Schulz KF, Altman DG. CONSORT Group (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel-group randomized trials. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2001; 91 :437–442. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Lancaster GA, Dodd S, Williamson PR. Design and analysis of pilot studies: recommendations for good practice. J Eval Clin Pract. 2004; 10 :307–12. doi: 10.1111/j..2002.384.doc.x. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Craig N, Dieppe P, Macintyre S, Michie S, Nazareth I, Petticrew M. Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ. 2008; 337 :a1655. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1655. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Van Teijlingen ER, Rennie AM, Hundley V, Graham W. The importance of conducting and reporting pilot studies: the example of the Scottish Births Survey. J Adv Nurs. 2001; 34 :289–295. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01757.x. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Van Teijlingen ER, Hundley V. The Importance of Pilot Studies. Social Research Update. 2001. p. 35. http://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU35.html
• Lawrence Gould A. Timing of futility analyses for 'proof of concept' trials. Stat Med. 2005; 24 :1815–1835. doi: 10.1002/sim.2087. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Fardon T, Haggart K, Lee DK, Lipworth BJ. A proof of concept study to evaluate stepping down the dose of fluticasone in combination with salmeterol and tiotropium in severe persistent asthma. Respir Med. 2007; 101 :1218–1228. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2006.11.001. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Chow SC, Chang M. Adaptive design methods in clinical trials - a review. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008; 3 :11. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-3-11. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Gould AL. Planning and revising the sample size for a trial. Stat Med. 1995; 14 :1039–1051. doi: 10.1002/sim.4780140922. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Coffey CS, Muller KE. Properties of internal pilots with the univariate approach to repeated measures. Stat Med. 2003; 22 :2469–2485. doi: 10.1002/sim.1466. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Zucker DM, Wittes JT, Schabenberger O, Brittain E. Internal pilot studies II: comparison of various procedures. Statistics in Medicine. 1999; 18 :3493–3509. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0258(19991230)18:24<3493::AID-SIM302>3.0.CO;2-2. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kieser M, Friede T. Re-calculating the sample size in internal pilot designs with control of the type I error rate. Statistics in Medicine. 2000; 19 :901–911. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0258(20000415)19:7<901::AID-SIM405>3.0.CO;2-L. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kraemer HC, Mintz J, Noda A, Tinklenberg J, Yesavage JA. Caution regarding the use of pilot studies to guide power calculations for study proposals. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006; 63 :484–489. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.63.5.484. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Yin Y. Sample size calculation for a proof of concept study. J Biopharm Stat. 2002; 12 :267–276. doi: 10.1081/BIP-120015748. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Wittes J, Brittain E. The role of internal pilot studies in increasing the efficiency of clinical trials. Stat Med. 1990; 9 :65–71. doi: 10.1002/sim.4780090113. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Lenth R. Some Practical Guidelines for Effective Sample Size Determination. The American Statistician. 2001; 55 :187–193. doi: 10.1198/000313001317098149. [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Cook DJ, Rocker G, Meade M, Guyatt G, Geerts W, Anderson D, Skrobik Y, Hebert P, Albert M, Cooper J, Bates S, Caco C, Finfer S, Fowler R, Freitag A, Granton J, Jones G, Langevin S, Mehta S, Pagliarello G, Poirier G, Rabbat C, Schiff D, Griffith L, Crowther M. PROTECT Investigators. Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. Prophylaxis of Thromboembolism in Critical Care (PROTECT) Trial: a pilot study. J Crit Care. 2005; 20 :364–372. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2005.09.010. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Choi PT, Beattie WS, Bryson GL, Paul JE, Yang H. Effects of neuraxial blockade may be difficult to study using large randomized controlled trials: the PeriOperative Epidural Trial (POET) Pilot Study. PLoS One. 2009; 4 (2):e4644. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004644. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Altman DG, Bland JM. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. BMJ. 1995; 311 :485. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Halpern SD, Karlawish JH, Berlin JA. The continuing unethical conduct of underpowered clinical trials. JAMA. 2002; 288 :358–362. doi: 10.1001/jama.288.3.358. [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• The Nuremberg Code, Research ethics guideline 2005. http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/references/nurcode.htm Last accessed August 8, 2009.
• The Declaration of Helsinki, Research ethics guideline. http://www.wma.net/en/30publications/10policies/b3/index.html Last accessed December 22, 2009.
• The Belmont Report, Research ethics guideline. http://ohsr.od.nih.gov/guidelines/belmont.html Last accessed August 8, 2009.
• The ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guideline-Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. http://www.gcppl.org.pl/ma_struktura/docs/ich_gcp.pdf Last accessed August 8, 2009. [ PubMed ]
• The International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects. http://www.fhi.org/training/fr/Retc/pdf_files/cioms.pdf Last accessed August 8, 2009. [ PubMed ]
• Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, Government of Canada. http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/english/policystatement/policystatement.cfm Last accessed August 8, 2009.

• Career Center Team
• Meet the Career Coaches
• Career Ambassadors
• Locations and Parking Information
• High School Career Connect
• College Career Communities
• Affinity Communities
• Job Families
• Graduate Students
• On-Campus Interviews
• On-Campus Jobs
• UCAR Career Readiness
• Internship Program
• Avoiding Job Scams
• Recruit at UNT/Build a Presence
• Employer Recruiting Policies and Procedures
• Career Center Employer Advisory Board
• Employer Partnership Program
• Supervisors for On Campus Jobs
• Posting an On Campus Job
• Career Presentations for Classes and Other Groups
• Mock Interviews
• Faculty Toolkit
• Identify Your Skills and Interests
• Graduate School Planning
• Career Fair Prep
• Internships
• Cover Letters

Agricen Sciences - Pilot Point, TX

Agricen sciences – temporary summer 2024 research positions.

• Share This: Share Agricen Sciences – temporary summer 2024 research positions on Facebook Share Agricen Sciences – temporary summer 2024 research positions on LinkedIn Share Agricen Sciences – temporary summer 2024 research positions on X

Agricen Sciences – temporary summer research positions available

Microbial Bioprocess Innovation Research Technician (temporary)

• Assist with microbial and molecular biology assays to characterize lab-scale reactor lines and products
• Assist with DNA extractions, DNA quantification and real-time PCR of specific microbial communities
• Prepare different media for shake flask experiments and help with timely sampling of the different output solutions
• Assist preparing dilution tubes and functional plates for microbial characterization
• Measure and adequately record physical and chemical properties of different output solutions from our lab-scale reactor lines with different instrumentation and chemical assays
• Maintain a clean and safe environment in our laboratory and pilot scale units

Plant BioAssay Research Technician (temporary)

• Prepare media and seeds for Arabidopsis assays
• Assist in setting up assays directed towards growth and abiotic stress tolerance
• Daily maintenance of experiments
• Phenotype plants using plant imaging methods of plant shoot and root structures
• Assist in transcriptional analysis studies

Agricultural Sustainability Research Technician (temporary)

• Grinding plant tissue samples, sieving through 40 mesh sieves, oven drying, weighing in capsules (4-6 mg accurately) and note down
• Vial flushing with acetylene with necessary safety precautions
• Pot preparation for greenhouse plant studies (requires lifting, bending, standing),fertilization, watering, imaging, harvesting and root washing
• Gas and leachate sampling from soil in greenhouse experiments
• Soil weighing, chloroform fumigation, extraction for different purposes
• Shipping of samples for analysis
• Measurement of various plant metrices such as fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, stem diameter, SPAD etc.
• Washing and drying of glass and plastic wares.
• May be involved in the handling of GC/MS and CN analyzer

About Agricen Sciences

Agricen Sciences is an applied sciences research company leading the development of novel microbial and biochemical solutions for plant nutrition and health. We are located at 801 S. Hwy 377, Pilot Point Texas, 76258.  Compensation for these temporary positions will range from $25-$30/hr.

If interested in applying, please send an email indicating your interest, and a resume including your educational and research experience, Re to Dr. Maud Hinchee, CSO, Agricen Sciences, [email protected]

Disclaimer | AA/EOE/ADA | Privacy | Electronic Accessibility | Required Links | UNT Home

Welcome to the MIT CISR website!

This site uses cookies. Review our Privacy Statement.

Resolving Workforce Skills Gaps with AI-Powered Insights

Ongoing digital transformation requires a workforce that is proficient in a wide variety of new skills. This briefing explores the use of AI in quantifying such proficiency, through a process known as skills inference. We introduce this concept by means of a case study of Johnson & Johnson, showing how skills inference can provide detailed insight into workforce skills gaps and thereby guide employees’ career development and leaders’ strategic workforce planning.

Access More Research!

Any visitor to the website can read many MIT CISR Research Briefings in the webpage. But site users who have signed up on the site and are logged in can download all available briefings, plus get access to additional content. Even more content is available to members of MIT CISR member organizations .

Author Nick van der Meulen reads this research briefing as part of our audio edition of the series. Follow the series on SoundCloud.

DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT

Digital transformation is a continuous journey, with new technologies emerging on an ongoing basis. Yet for organizations to harness these technologies, their workforce needs to develop an increasingly expanding variety of skills. Many organizations struggle here: leaders responding to a 2022 MIT CISR survey[foot]MIT CISR 2022 Decision Rights for the Digital Era Survey (N=342).[/foot] estimated that on average 38 percent of their organization’s workforce required fundamental retraining or replacement within three years to address workforce skills gaps.[foot]Workforce skills gaps are the discrepancy between the collective skills proficiency that an organization requires to achieve its strategic objectives and the current skills proficiency of its workforce.[/foot]

To make evidence-based decisions on how to best resolve such skills gaps, however, organizations first need to move beyond estimates. What’s required is precise insight into their workforce’s current skills and how proficiency in these skills differs from that needed for future success. Functional competency models often fall short in this regard, as they need to be validated for each job and thus can’t keep pace with rapid technological change. Relying on employee or manager feedback from interviews and surveys may lead to inaccuracies because of inherent biases. And active assessment of an entire workforce across a wide range of skills is both impractical and costly.

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a new and scalable alternative to such approaches by enabling skills inference , which we define as the process of analyzing employee data to quantify skills proficiency. This allows for detailed insight into workforce skills gaps, which can, for instance, be broken down by line of business and geography. In this briefing we explore the AI-powered skills inference process, and illustrate how resulting insights can help resolve workforce skills gaps by drawing on lessons learned from a case study of global healthcare company Johnson & Johnson (J&J).

Digital Talent Transformation at J&J

J&J’s mission is to profoundly impact health for humanity. As the trajectory of health and wellbeing is increasingly determined by emerging technology and a growth in data and computing power, J&J’s Technology group has become a cornerstone for the organization’s future success. It drives technological innovation at J&J and modernizes the organization’s tech ecosystem. More importantly, however, the Technology group is enabling J&J to evolve as a digital organization by helping to develop the digital acumen of its global workforce of over 130,000 employees.[foot]This case study of J&J draws from N. van der Meulen, O. Tona, I. A. Someh, B. H. Wixom, and D. E. Leidner, “Developing a Digital-First Workforce: AI-Driven Skills Enablement at Johnson & Johnson,” MIT CISR Working Paper No. 461, November 2023, https://cisr.mit.edu/publication/MIT_CISRwp461_JohnsonandJohnsonAIDrivenSkills_VanderMeulenTonaSomehWixomLeidner .[/foot]

To build a digital organization, you’ve got to take people’s amazing talents and create an “ and ” strategy for technology. To be relevant and future ready, you for instance need to have your commercial expertise and digital expertise. Scientific expertise and digital. You can have the best technology, but without that integrated way of thinking, it won’t transform anything.

Jim Swanson, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Johnson & Johnson

In early 2020, J&J’s Technology group began its journey of building the organization’s digital acumen with the help of AI-powered skills inference, starting with its own workforce of 4,000 technologists. By the time the group introduced skills inference to other parts of J&J in 2021, it had successfully put in place a three-step process, as illustrated in figure 1. First, it created a skills taxonomy , defining what skills would be required across the organization to reimagine business processes and develop future digital offerings. Second, the group gathered skills evidence by selecting and preparing employee data sources to analyze. And third, it conducted a passive skills assessment , for which it trained a machine learning model to measure the skills proficiencies of each employee. The result was workforce insights that guided employees’ personal development and enhanced leaders’ strategic workforce planning, both of which reduced skills gaps at J&J.[foot]J&J used skills insights only as a guide for employees’ own development; the insights did not factor into employees’ performance reviews. The organization used deidentified insights at an aggregate level to support strategic workforce planning.[/foot]

Figure 1: The Three Steps of the Skills Inference Process

Skills inference involves (1) defining a taxonomy of skills required to realize your organization’s purpose and strategic objectives, (2) gathering employee data as evidence of these skills, and (3) conducting an assessment of this evidence to quantify employees’ skill proficiency.

Defining a Skills Taxonomy

The journey of J&J’s Technology group began with figuring out what future skills J&J would need. Guided by industry benchmarks, its Digital Talent team—a team dedicated to driving the organization’s transformation with the best and most diverse talent—examined strategic plans throughout the organization to create a J&J-specific skills taxonomy. This taxonomy comprised a list of forty-one skills the team referred to as “future ready” (e.g., master data management, robotic process automation) grouped into eleven capabilities (e.g., “Scientific & Digital Health Technology”) that would be required to realize the organization’s purpose and strategic objectives.

To ensure the taxonomy’s accuracy and gain broad support for it, the Digital Talent team asked over one hundred senior leaders from across the company to validate the list. Each indicated whether the taxonomy reflected the needs of their area of business—both at that moment and in the long term—and offered their perception of the current and required state of the listed skills. Given the diversity of J&J’s operations, required proficiency levels naturally varied by functional area. For instance, employees in Innovative Medicine might need stronger capabilities in data engineering and analytics, whereas those in MedTech might need to be especially skilled in software engineering.

Additional tailoring of the taxonomy’s skill and proficiency definitions to J&J’s unique context and terminology fell to subject matter experts (SMEs), employees known for their expertise and thought leadership in a particular future-ready skill. These SMEs crafted current, precise, and yet broadly applicable definitions that novices and experts alike could understand. The result was a skills taxonomy that clearly communicated to every employee what future-ready skills were considered top priorities for J&J’s leadership. Moreover, the taxonomy specified how skills would manifest in employees’ data.

Gathering Skills Evidence

As a machine learning algorithm can only learn from provided data, the quality of chosen data sources is key to the overall skills inference process. As such, the Digital Talent team collaborated with HR data experts to identify data sources that were used across most of the organization yet also provided enough semantic data to calculate skill proficiency, ideally providing evidence for 60 to 70 percent of each employee’s skills. Four of J&J’s data sources fit these criteria: the organization’s HR information system, recruiting database, and learning management system, and one of its project management platforms.

To improve data quality, leaders encouraged employees to update the data fields in those systems that the algorithm would use to infer their skill proficiency. For instance, J&J’s HR information system allowed employees to showcase their experiences and accomplishments by sharing information about their job history, education, certifications, recognitions, goals, personal interests, and volunteering activities. If these fields were missing or incomplete, the algorithm could not infer from them. The Digital Talent team therefore also illustrated how employees could update their data most effectively by providing examples of rich statements that the algorithm could pick up on in gradations of good, better, and best quality.

For employees to be willing to provide additional data for the AI to infer from, however, they first had to trust the skills inference initiative and the intended purpose of the AI model. In accordance with J&J’s commitment to the transparent use of AI, the Digital Talent team and senior leaders communicated early and often with employees—both electronically and in person. They explained how the skills inference process could help employees identify their current skills proficiency and discover new development opportunities. They also gave them the option to opt out at any time. In addition, the Digital Talent team enhanced employee trust and engagement by establishing strict norms of acceptable data use with the help of HR data experts, multiple oversight functions at J&J, and external partners. These norms safeguarded compliance, but also respected employee privacy and reduced the risk of bias by maximizing accountability, explainability, fairness, privacy, and transparency regarding the skills inference process.

Conducting a Skills Assessment

To measure employees’ skills proficiency, the Digital Talent team relied on a proven machine learning model augmented by human input. An experienced solution provider supported the team and provided the model, which used natural language processing to generate proficiency scores for each of the forty-one future-ready skills in J&J’s taxonomy.[foot]Looking ahead, the Digital Talent team is now exploring whether generative AI can further enhance the skills inference process at J&J.[/foot] These scores ranged from zero (no skill detected) to five (thought leadership).

To improve the accuracy and reliability of the inferred scores, the Digital Talent team asked employees to self-assess their skills proficiency and managers to evaluate that of their direct reports. To avoid bias, the solution showed the proficiency scores inferred by the AI only after the participants submitted their perceptions of proficiency levels. With this input, the model generated an “agreement score” that quantified the consistency between the perceived levels and inferred scores. The goal was not to achieve perfect agreement, but rather directional accuracy: the Digital Talent team considered the inferred scores usable if they deviated by at most one point (out of five) from the perceived proficiency levels.

Limit Use Cases for Workforce Insights

Skill proficiency data has many potential uses. Yet, for employees to trust the skills inference process and not opt out of it or otherwise skew the data, it is important to limit what this data is used for. J&J therefore only used skills inference to provide more personalized career development journeys for employees, and (at an aggregate level) to support leaders’ strategic workforce planning efforts. Other use cases were not permitted by J&J’s Privacy function.

With a detailed understanding of their skills proficiency, employees could chart personalized career paths, supported by learning and development opportunities uniquely tailored to their skill proficiency levels. After the first round of skills inference, J&J saw a 20 percent uptick in participants’ voluntary learning activities. These activities not only enhanced practical expertise but also fostered habits of continuous learning and increased knowledge sharing within the organization. In subsequent years, these habits of continuous learning have only become more ingrained, as demonstrated by strong adoption of J&J Learn, the organization’s global, AI-powered learning and development ecosystem that offers training programs, growth assignments, and mentoring opportunities. By March 2024, over 90 percent of employees in J&J’s Technology group had accessed J&J Learn.

Leaders used an executive dashboard to gauge aggregated employee skills proficiency, with insights broken down by geographic region and line of business. This dashboard, displayed as a heat map, resulted in more informed hiring processes, enhanced retention efforts, and improved talent movement and advancement across J&J. The executive committee used a scorecard to track key performance indicators related to these outcomes, while each operating company and supporting function devised its own metrics based on its strategic plans and the capabilities it had to develop.

Skills Inference: People + Technology = Workforce Insights

Resolving skills gaps no longer falls to human resources or learning and development functions alone. Instead, it has become a strategic imperative, reshaping organizational capabilities based on workforce insights. AI emerged as a powerful tool in this endeavor, enabling skills inference at a scale previously unimaginable. However, the success of this process hinges on more than just advanced technologies. It continuously requires collective effort, trust, and support of stakeholders—including employees—across many organizational levels and functions. Just as digital transformation is an ongoing journey, so too is the need to regularly (re)define the skills taxonomy, gather new skills evidence, and conduct skills assessments as required skills evolve.

For those looking to embark on their own skills inference journey today, we suggest you first focus on these inherently human success factors. Begin by generating employee support with a bounded use case that embraces your workforce’s potential and signals a commitment to developing employee skills. Then gather broad input from experts to declare your desired workforce capabilities in the form of a skills taxonomy that is aligned with your purpose and strategic objectives. That way, your employees can focus their development efforts while simultaneously providing more informed input for an eventual AI to process. Start by laying this groundwork today, so that your organization may reap the rewards of AI-powered workforce insights in the future.

© 2024 MIT Center for Information Systems Research, van der Meulen, Tona, and Leidner. MIT CISR Research Briefings are published monthly to update the center’s member organizations on current research projects.

Related Publications

Talking Points

Ai-powered skills inference.

Working Paper: Case Study

Developing a digital-first workforce: ai-driven skills enablement at johnson & johnson.

About the Researchers

Nick van der Meulen, Research Scientist, MIT Center for Information Systems Research (CISR)

Olgerta Tona, Lecturer, University of Gothenburg and Academic Research Fellow, MIT CISR

Dorothy E. Leidner, Professor, University of Virginia and Academic Research Fellow, MIT CISR

Mit center for information systems research (cisr).

Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT's tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our consortium forms a global community that comprises more than seventy-five organizations.

MIT CISR Associate Members

MIT CISR wishes to thank all of our associate members for their support and contributions.

MIT CISR's Mission Expand

MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We provide insights on how organizations effectively realize value from approaches such as digital business transformation, data monetization, business ecosystems, and the digital workplace. Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT’s tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, we work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our consortium forms a global community that comprises more than seventy-five organizations.

"We've shifted the responsibility of extracting relevant context for software engineering tasks from developers to the AI agents": Microsoft's AI-based framework turns developers to overnight 'mere supervisors'

What you need to know.

• A research paper recently published by Microsoft details how its AI framework is turning software engineering into a fully automated task, rendering developers "mere supervisors."
• NVIDIA's CEO had previously warned that coding is not a viable career option for the future generation as AI will eventually take over the profession.
• Upskilling seems like a viable option, especially if you want to explore opportunities in coding.
• Recruiters are actively seeking professionals with AI skills.

While safety and privacy are among the significant concerns among users with the prevalence and fast adoption of AI, the loss of jobs to AI is quickly rising in the ranks, too. Microsoft’s Bill Gates recently expressed fear of losing his career to AI but indicated the technology presents a 3-day workweek opportunity as it can handle mundane and recurring tasks.

NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, shared the same sentiments and claimed that coding might be dead in the water as a career option for the next generation , given the rapid adoption of generative AI. As it turns out, Huang and Microsoft might be on the same train of thought regarding coding as a viable career option for the future generation. 

Microsoft recently published a research paper that painted a clearer picture, highlighting the future of coding and developers as artificial intelligence becomes more widespread. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of AutoDev — an AI-powered framework designed to ‘assist’ developers with software development, ultimately redefining coding and automation. 

The research paper further details instances where the framework was tested and performed well by providing repositories to tackle technical software engineering work. It’s worth noting that the technology also ships with AI-powered capabilities to validate its outcomes. AutoDev supports file editing, retrieval, build processes, execution, testing, and git operations. 

As highlighted by the researchers in the paper:

“The developer’s role within the AutoDev framework transforms from manual actions and validation of AI suggestions to a supervisor overseeing multi-agent collaboration on tasks, with the option to provide feedback. Developers can monitor AutoDev’s progress toward goals by observing the ongoing conversation used for communication among agents and the repository.”

The report further outlines:

“We’ve shifted the responsibility of extracting relevant context for software engineering tasks and validating AI-generated code from users (mainly developers) to the AI agents themselves.”

With this in mind, It’s only a matter of time before the AI-based framework becomes self-sufficient and can run operations without human supervision or intervention. This shift ultimately means coding might not be a viable career option in the foreseeable future. 

Upskilling seems like the only viable option to remain relevant

While commenting on the viability of coding as a career option for the next generation, NVIDIA's boss indicated that the youth are better off seeking opportunities in biology, education, manufacturing, or farming. He added that the only way around this challenge for people already invested in coding is to upskill (specifically in AI). This way, it'll be possible to maintain relevance and contribute to programming projects.

Coding isn't the only profession impacted by the fast adoption of AI. Architecture and graphic design jobs are also at risk , too. AI-powered tools like Image Creator from Designer (Bing Image Creator), ChatGPT, Midjourney, and more are already great at generating detailed and impressive structural designs within a moment's notice. 

However, they aren't perfect either. Did you know AI struggles to create a simple, plain white image ? This limitation is on top of the heightened censorship of the tools, which has seemingly lobotomized their capabilities . There's been an alarming increase in reports flagging deepfakes and explicit images surfacing online. A study also revealed recruiters are seeking professionals with AI skills , so it might not be a bad idea to upskill in the area.