Kick-starting your career (engineer to pilot)
Hi everyone I hope you're all having a good Easter break! I just wanted to bring a few questions to the table to see if any of you guys who have knowledge/experience could give me your opinion on the route that I am thinking of taking to become a commercial airline pilot in the future.
I am currently taking a year out from my studies and have received an offer to study Aerospace Engineering (degree & masters) at 'The University of Sheffield' for September. Before anybody judges - I have not chosen this route just because I think it will tie in with becoming a pilot, but because of my genuine interest for the design and mathematics behind getting an object to leave the ground.
My plan is to have as many flying lessons as possible over the up and coming summer, as it works out cheaper to save and pay for your lessons in blocks. Then go to uni, join the uni air squadron, complete my degree and enjoy working as an engineer, putting money to one side to pay for the numerous licences and ratings I will need to become an airline pilot, taking the modular route over a number over years. I have been told by many that now is not the right time to become a pilot with the economic climate and the amount of jobs available. But, 6-7 years down the line, working as an engineer to fund my training etc, would I be in a better position to do this, as more jobs will be available?
Would this be the most sensible and wisest route to take in this day in age to become a pilot?
Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong, as I am just trying to gather as much information as I can.