Aviation Career Day 2025

Aviation Career Day is open to middle and high school students in the DFW area. Teachers, counselors, and school administrators are encouraged to register their student groups. Individuals in grades 7-12 who are not part of an organized group can also sign up on the website but students who are less than 18 years of age at the time of the event must be accompanied by an adult.

Students will explore a wide range of aviation-related careers—from pilots, engineers, and aircraft mechanics to air traffic controllers, IT specialists, cargo experts, meteorologists, drone operators, as well as corporate roles. The event highlights both frontline and behind-the-scenes opportunities, spanning more than 25 unique career paths across the aviation industry.

No—The event is completely free! American Airlines sponsors the event to ensure all students have access to this incredible opportunity.

To ensure we can offer this incredible opportunity to as many students as possible, each group is asked to select only one of the two available sessions. Both sessions feature the same content and experiences.

Yes – you can sign up to be added to the waitlist is a session is full. Museum will contact you if spots open for your group.

Full Access tickets include participation in all scheduled activities during the session. However, due to limited seating in the theater, only the first 300 registered participants per session will be able to attend the Panel of Experts.

An additional 100 “Limited Access” tickets will be available for each session. These ticket holders will still enjoy access to all other activities in the program—just without the panel rotation. Please note that if your group arrives more than 30 minutes later than the beginning of your session, your tickets may be changed automatically to “No Panel” tickets to ensure all seats are occupied during the panel presentation.

Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your event start time (9:30-9:45 for the morning session, 12:00-12:15 for the afternoon session).

The event has 3 rotations (each 35 minutes) and 2 breaks. Rotations include the panel discussion, gallery activities and booths exploration. Wristband colors determine the order of the activities. Students will receive a copy of the map and of the schedule upon their arrival.

Yes. If you let us know ahead of time, we will do our best to modify your schedule so your students can get the best of the two rotations they will be able to attend before your scheduled departure time. Send us an email at education@crsmithmuseum.org and let us know your preferred departure time.

We suggest letting your students review the map once it becomes available and identify some of the experts and resources they are most interested in prior to the event so they can visit those first. Encouraging your students to collect passport stamps to win prizes will also ensure they engage with experts.

All attendees (including the adults) will be required to provide a signed model release form. Please note that the model release is mandatory to participate in the event. The form is available for download here [insert link].  We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and a pen or a pencil.  Comfortable shoes are recommended. Keep in mind many of our partners will have recruiters on site and some may also have scholarship opportunities.  Dressing for success may help make a good first impression. A professional attire closet will have limited clothing items for students who need them.

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of visitors during Aviation Career Day, the Museum will not be able to accommodate lunch rotations on premises. Alternative arrangements will have to be made if your students are not having lunch on the bus or at school. Please note that the event does not include lunch.

The Museum requires 1 chaperone for every 10 students during the event. We encourage parents who have an interest in participating in Aviation Career Day to connect with their child’s school.