rich49
I am not training to be an airline pilot, as you gathered I fly as my hobby at the moment and have done over the last 5 - 6 years since I began my PPL, which I completed in 1998. However I think I would get a lot of pleasure from giving instruction both for the satisfaction of teaching others and also being more involved with aviation. At my current age (35) I do not think I would be able to be successful in the airlines (I'd be 38ish by the time I had the fATPL).
As you ask, my profession is in Electronic design engineering (originally power supplies but more towards embedded firmware now).
I really don't think you should worry too much about an employer knowing about your flight training - they're unlikely to realise its more than a hobby thing if you plan it reasonably carefully,
Cheers
Fuji