One of the fastest growing industries world wide is the drone industry.  Between commercial, military, and hobbyist drones, the need for drone engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs are endless.  It is estimated that because of the demands on the drone industry, nearly 400,000 new drone based employment opportunities will need to be filled in the next few years.  But just like any career path, getting into the field of drones beyond a hobby requires some specific training.

If your goal is simply to learn how to fly or perhaps build a drone for personal use then some basic information will suffice.  This kind of training can be easily found on internet forums, from hobby stores, or just through trial and error.  If you wish to profit from the drone industry a license to operate commercially is mandatory.  The license needed to commercially operate a drone is called a Part 107 which is issued by the FAA and insures that someone professionally using a drone is doing so within the rules and regulations to keep people safe.  To do this is fairly simple and involves 3 steps: learn the rules, pass the test, and register your drone with the FAA.  There are relatively inexpensive training courses online and the exam runs around $150.

Once you have a Part 107 and registered drone, there are many ways to monetize with it.  Drones can be used to take incredible photos and videos.  Whether for film and TV, fashion or art photography, real estate photography, or even YouTube, it’s a pretty good idea to have a background in filming and photography.  If you plan to use a drone to aid in search and rescue or emergency fields, having a professional background in these areas will be necessary as well.  Drones are also being used in fields of agriculture, infrastructure maintenance and inspection, conservation, and military operations.  These are just a few of the fields that are utilizing drone technologies.  Each field requires their own specific training, some of which may include a college degree.

It is because of this, that many universities are now offering a wide range of drone based training programs.  Schools like the University of Delaware, Kent State University, and Purdue University are just 3 major US universities that have recognized the demand for an education in the world of drones.  You can now achieve a bachelor’s, master’s, or even a Phd in drone related fields from many institutions.  The courses range from how to pilot a drone and use one commercially, to airborne filming and photography.  There are courses on engineering design and aeronautics.  There are courses that cover the rules, regulations, and logistics that govern drone use.  There are business classes that prepare you to plan for drones in the workforce or even start and maintain your own drone company.

With the seemingly endless ways that drones are being used in society today, it makes sense that there are more and more opportunities to educate yourself.  What may have once been deemed as something just for military or hobby use is now reshaping our global economy.  The best way to take advantage of this and make a living is to be prepared.  Being prepared could be something as simple as getting a Part 107, or as committed as a university degree.