The drone industry is at a crucial turning point and the need for a robust workforce is a result of its rapid innovation. At a time where regulations are buoying the expansion of drone operations, technology is advancing daily, and people are beginning to experience the tangible value of drones for everyday tasks, the industry will need a workforce to support this growing industry. With all the different avenues you could take to becoming a part of the industry, where do you start?

The roundtable discussion, Next Generation, at Commercial UAV Expo, will dive into these questions. Through peer–to–peer conversations and with the guidance of experienced drone educators, this session will cover these critical questions to help you plan for the drone career of your future:

  1. What does an ideal career path in the drone industry look like in 5–10 years?
  2. What specific technical and soft skills are employers in the drone industry saying are missing from recent graduates or people entering the industry?
  3. How can we ensure workforce development keeps pace with evolving tech, like BVLOS, AI, and autonomy? 
  4. How do you get training hours for BVLOS operations?

Whether you are a recent graduate looking to get into the field, or have experience but are wondering what the next five years can look like, this session will offer attendees a prospective look on what their career path in the drone industry can be. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights into the skills and training paths most in demand, a clearer picture of how to align their goals with industry needs, and new connections across academia and enterprise.

This interactive roundtable discussion brings together university contacts and enterprise leaders to collaboratively explore the evolving needs of the drone industry and strategize on developing the next generation of drone professionals. This is a unique opportunity to get career advice from those who train and hire within the field.

Our discussion leaders are Dewey Compton, CTE drone and video production instructor at West High School; Dave McCreary, founder of New Age Aerial; Nikolas Macchiarella, professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Jay Seidel, professor and director at Fullerton College; and Paul Rossi, president of Nine Ten Drones.

Each table in the room will be dedicated to a specific discussion topic. Attendees will share their insights for 20 minutes, then will have the opportunity to move to another table to talk about a different topic and meet new faces. After about three rotations, the moderators will gather everyone for a larger group discussion to share high-level takeaways from all the discussions.

If you have a specific topic you would like to see discussed in this session, please submit it to be considered here.