Goldman Sachs vs Legacy carrier

[Kinetic II]

So I used the search function. Couldn't find a thread quite like this so here goes:

I'm from the Middle East. I've been fortunate enough to secure an offer from a big bank as well as a legacy carrier for their fully sponsored scheme. Both jobs would allow me to stay in the region. As you can probably imagine, I'm in a huge dilemma right now as to which one to go for.

Flying would be a no brainer, but looking at how the "race to the bottom" has started in some parts of aviation, I dread to think what the working conditions would be like 40 years down the line. On the other hand, it's a fully sponsored scheme at a reputable airline which gives me some hope for the future.

Investment Banking offers a great career progression and pays well, but I'm pretty sure I'll find the grass greener at some point in the future. Plus in the part of the world I reside, there is no LCC hiring pilots straight out of flying schools like crazy which seems to be the case in the EU. Not having access to such LCCs means a lack of entry-level flying gigs. This makes me think it's the only real opportunity where I can break into airline flying.

What do you think? Is the flying career that worth it?

[SeventhHeaven]

If I could go back, I'd focus 110% on a real career and just fly for fun. I'd get my own little airplane, and fly it everywhere around Europe. And I'd still have money to spare.

just my 0.02€

[Basil Fawlty1]

Interesting question. Firstly I'd advise trying to work out your own motivation/career aspirations. If you're looking to just make a shed load of cash then take the Goldman offer - it's a no brainer. However, if the desire to fly overrides the cash element then you may want to consider the cadetship.

I've built a career in IT, primarily in banking both IB and retail. I can assure you that if you join Goldman you will be working crazy long hours under extreme pressure. I'm not for one minute suggesting the conditions will be worse than aviation, but IBs certainly want their pound of flesh.

From reading a number of posts on this forum, there seems to be a growing number of older guys (myself included) who've built a first career and are considering switching to aviation. The advantage of this is firstly you have the cash to fund your training and secondly have something to fall back on if flying doesn't work out. If you're early 20s why not take the banking offer and fly at weekends. Once you've established yourself in finance then you can consider pursuing aviation as a plan B with some money in the bank and a career to fall back on.

Good luck...

[RexBanner]

John Smith is the ultimate archetypal poster boy for the term "troll". Deems himself above aviation, it was boring and unchallenging for him, yet now he has "happily" left the industry he continually visits this website to post his venom. It's quite laughable.

[maxed-out]

Spot on RexBanner.

[B2N2]

No reason you can't do both.
You didn't post your age but no reason you couldn't work for GS for a number of years then enter the aviation market.
Globally the market is pulling itself out of a recession (they say) so it should only get better.
Be smart though and safe you money so you don't need a loan when you make the jump.

[no sponsor]

Take the job with GS.

You can become a pilot later in life, as I did, but it's unlikely that you'll get a job in GS later in life after leaving flying if it doesn't work out. The aviation industry is cyclical and we've had the high. My company, plus many others, are starting to baton down the hatches already. The next downturn is on the horizon.

You can still short in the years ahead and come out on top!

[mrsurrey]

You should follow your energy not your interests (interests are often just transitory thoughts, very different from doing a specific activity repetitively for 8 hours a day every day for the rest of your working life). What did you do during your spare time in your adolescence? That's probably your 'thing'.