Choosing a career track can take years and years of preparation, and can start as early as high school for some students. While there are a lot of different reasons that can motivate someone to decide on a career, one of the top motivators is the future prospects of the industry you’re choosing to go into. High school and college students should look into fields that are exhibiting consistent growth and expansion, which can ensure job security and longevity.

The aviation industry is one such field. The mid-20th century saw the emergence of aviation as a career that exemplified glamor and prestige, an image that persists in some ways into the present. Aviation’s strengths look to be continuing far into the future, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicting a doubling of passenger numbers by the year 2037 to 8.2 billion. More passengers means more jobs, and more growth. Here are a few of the other reasons why aiming for a career in aviation might be beneficial for students.

Aviation Supports More Jobs

According to Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders, the aviation industry is responsible for 10.2 million direct jobs and 10.8 million indirect jobs. Direct jobs are jobs that are directly connected with the aviation industry, such as airport operators, airline employees, and air traffic controllers, among others. Indirect jobs are jobs related to the industry, such as airplane suppliers, airport goods manufacturers, construction companies, and the like. By working in aviation, you can also do your part to support a thriving ecosystem of work, which in turn will help the global economy.

Travel Opportunities

Nothing sounds more glamorous than being paid to travel all over the world. While the reality is a little more complicated than that, airline employees do get to pull in a few travel benefits. TripSavvy writes that airline employees don’t have to cover airfare, and only need to pay for the taxes and other fees on their tickets. Some airlines even offer their employees extra benefits, like allowing friends and family to fly for free. Although this policy is dependent on the airline you work for, it is a pretty attractive benefit.

Wide Variety of Work

When you think about the aviation industry, it’s likely you’re thinking about the two most visible jobs: pilot and flight attendant. However, the industry itself is actually extremely diverse, with a variety of jobs that cater to different backgrounds and interests. Aviation JobNet has put together a list of some of the hottest jobs in aviation for 2020, including being a commercial airline pilot, a certified flight instructor, and an equipment mechanic and technician. Each of these jobs requires different skills and strengths, which can be exciting for people just starting out their careers.

Other Benefits

Getting a job with an airline is actually one of the most sought-after opportunities in the U.S. employment field. Airlines offer some of the best compensation and benefits packages, with fierce competition for positions like flight attendant. Investopedia has written about the top four airlines to work for and why, including factors like employee benefits like work flexibility, travel perks, a generous retirement plan, insurance, and profit-sharing benefits.