What it's like to spend £65,000 and not get a job

[Hernando]

How does it feel to spend £60K, and not have a job?

Well, I'll tell you in the hope that others reading this dont fall into the same trap.

So, about me. Late twenties, masters degree in business, 3 years as business professional, fATPL, now with instructor rating.

I am now a proud van driver.

The job hunt has been unfruitful for the last six months, so I bit the bullet, borrowed some more money and did an instructors rating. Looking for work as an instructor is even harder, as I fear I have missed the boat for an instructing job, as they all seem to be filled, with flying schools and clubs going down the pan regulalry.

It feels terrible, it honestly was the worst thing I ever did. I left a well paying job with great benefits and travel, for the lights and the glamour etc . I had savings before, and was comfortable, now I am constantly stressed, more than ive ever been. I borrowed money from family freinds and the bank.

My friends seem to slowly dissapear as I no longer socialise due working all hours of the day. If manage to go out, Im depressed, grumpy and wont get into a round, because I cant afford to buy a round.

As driving work gets quiet (self employed) I sit here look for jobs, try to keep busy with (parents) housework, exercise and stuff, but it dosent take away the depression at the back of my mind.

Why dont I go back to my old career? I hear you say. Well simply because the whole of my old department was made redundant recently after I left. Everywhere else I go they arent interested because they think I'll leg it when times get good, or I find an instructor postition.

So the big 3 0 is looming as is the ir renewal, the sep renewal, oh and add in a medical renewal. How about the currency! Whats and NDB again??

One month hard full time work, just covers a loan installment, I earn one quarter of what I used to.

I know many of the people I studied with are in the same boat as I. Would I do it again? Well, no. Not without a job that paid well. I know money isnt everything, but as I approach thirty I've nothing to show for it.
Nothing as I forsee will materialise for the next five years.

In five years time im going to be an old rusty peice of wood, with lets say 1000 more per year people more recently qualified than i am. What chance do I stand? People paying for type and line training. Finished.

So champion ppruners, I think a lot of people are scared or in denial about being in the same situation as I am in. One or two hours instructing will come up soon, but it is no means for an income, but will help me remember what a horizon is.

That is my story, and I continue to work untill my joints ache, I've a night shift tonight. It may not be flying, but its money, and is stopping my familles roof being taken away. This my friends is the price to pay for dream.

I somtimes google search somthing on pprune, and a post comes of from 2001, or another time of greif/recession etc. I hope with the graciousness of God that I will oneday look back on this and smile contently to know I did the best I could and worked as hard as I could to keep going, for that dream job.

From Kung fu Panda:
'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that's why we call it the present.'