I went from Engineer to Pilot, u will have no problem getting that first job at all.I know all the Tuna fleets in the pacific have Pilot/mechanics on board. My first few years in flying i was always fixing the planes after work, and between the flying jobs, alaways back to the hangar, its money for old rope.Now I fly MD11's for a cargo, and have alot of respect for the guys that keep us flying.