to Tallbloke...
I did rather get the impression that you thought you knew what discipline you wanted to spend 4 years to become degreed in,,, IF the renumeration met your expectations. I would suggest that there are numerous folks already working in your targeted job, and that their salaries, or "standards of living" are not hard to discover. Some of them might tell you quite frankly what the pros & cons of the position are, if you were to ask them. Allow me to strengthen the reply by several of your mates there, NOBODY wants a 100% academically experienced manager in the hangar, or on the flight line! I retired after 25 years with TWA and have done more than I imagined in the 8 years since, but ALSO in agreement with your mates, experienced spanner swingers can see thru a "yuppie" in no time flat.
My suggestion: Decide upon a field of work that you know something about, and that you truly believe you'll love doing. Then, if you can live comfortably on what it pays, you'll have it made!!
Cheers.
Joe