College

[doc5]

Hi. I'm in leaving cert in Ireland and so its decision time for me.
Obviously I would just prefer to start pilot training straight away but I don't have the money so I can't.
Some people in past posts I've read here have said that college is just adding an extra expense to your costs. But if you don't do a degree how could one possibly raise the 60k+ for pilot training. Would it not be very hard to get a job which can get you that amount as opposed to getting a job out of college with a better salary and so making it easier to raise the money?

Also,here in Ireland college only costs 3k a year here. So the question for me really is if that 12 k investment in college would boost my earning potential enough to make it more benificual to just going straight to work?

Thanks for any help in advance.

[parkfell]

Whilst it is possible to start your training straight from school, it is a question of maturity, and how much more mature you will be in three years or so from now having attended higher education.

AerLingus have a sponsorship scheme which might be an option?

There is probably no right answer, and comes down your circumstances and what you think is the best option for you.

[wonder88]

Maybe conceder a modern apprenticeship it could give you the life experience and money you need right now and a set of skills you could fall back on in the future.

Degrees are great if you study something you're going to actually use, too often people complete degrees in a chosen subject then go into a completely unrelated field of work (entry level with poor pay).

Just my 2 cents.

[Whiskey Hotel]

I think the air corps are taking applications at the moment, have a look, a great career, free flying and you'll come out the other end with great experience. Aer Lingus cadetship should be opening around August or September too.

Failing that, if you can't afford to begin your flight training, either get an apprenticeship you're interested in or else go on to third level education, again I'd advise to choose a course that interests you.

And failing that, start working and save save save.

[ShamrockF]

The Air Corp is a good idea if you can get flying with them. They'll train you well and you'll get your hours up. Also, employers like the discipline and high quality of training the ex-air corp staff bring with them.

I went to college and became a chartered accountant, now I'm going back to study for my PPL and ATPL (hopefully). The benefit of the route I took is that I have a fairly decent job which allows me to pay my way through the flight training. It's also a great fall back position if the flying doesn't work out.

Education is always a good thing to have, do your best in the Leaving Cert so at least you have options.