It has had its ups and downs - so to speak.
Just finished flying after 45 years since my first solo. Probably should have chosen fixed wing as a career that has some progression, because choppers certainly had no progression for the first 35 years I was in it. At least these days, the companies are big enough to offer some chance to improve your lot, but in the past there was nothing left in the piggy bank at the end of the pay cycle, and nothing went into superannuation.
My son at age 17 said he would like to follow me into aviation (as I had followed my father, uncle, brother and brother-in-law) but I told him to get a real job. Luckily he listened and is now wildly successful, so maybe he can support me in my old age.