Uni or not to be? University Degree + ATPL vs ATPL
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LHR ( EGLL )
Age: 57
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nathan,
Congratulations on your qualification, as you rightly point out a degree is just that, a degree and demonstrates to employers that you have sucessfully worked, studied and attained the required level in higher education to be awarded the piece of paper.
Aussie John & preduk - I refer once again to my earlier post, this is a forum for pilots or those interested enough in making their living as one, I regret I cannot provide you a link to the education forum where the content on NVQ's, BTEC or Mickey Mouse degrees could be debated as I do not frequent such sites and have little experience in such subjects.
However I am aware of the advantages of an applicant having a degree, any degree when you read their application. It means that the individual has dedication and a capacity for learning at a higher level whilst being able to maintain the required grade over several years. Passing the ATPL's is not the hardest thing in the world, look at the number who have sucessfully done it, it does however take dedication, application and effort.
Once awarded you then have to find a job and demonstrate that you will be able to continue to learn as you move forward into the world of TR's and sim sessions on any number of aircraft through your career. I was a conventional aircraft person moving from DC9's to 737's and then onto the bus. Each one different, challenging and requiring different skills to fly.
rriisshhii,
SilveR5 makes a good point and one that you should take due consideration of.
preduk - Yes I will be at EGLL on the 12th, three times in fact, however I will not be frequenting the Western side of the airport unless we are using 09 Right for departures as BA ( not the degree of course, I hope we have put that one to bed permanantly ) choose not to have to share a terminal with us anymore.
Before you latch onto BA bashing or visions of my jealousy, Mrs Jox is a SFO for them, she chose her company, I was chosen by mine, neither of us would change volountarily, she is as happy with her lot as I am with mine even though she flies much heavier metal a lot further than me these days.
Must go, gotta get ready for work.
Congratulations on your qualification, as you rightly point out a degree is just that, a degree and demonstrates to employers that you have sucessfully worked, studied and attained the required level in higher education to be awarded the piece of paper.
Aussie John & preduk - I refer once again to my earlier post, this is a forum for pilots or those interested enough in making their living as one, I regret I cannot provide you a link to the education forum where the content on NVQ's, BTEC or Mickey Mouse degrees could be debated as I do not frequent such sites and have little experience in such subjects.
However I am aware of the advantages of an applicant having a degree, any degree when you read their application. It means that the individual has dedication and a capacity for learning at a higher level whilst being able to maintain the required grade over several years. Passing the ATPL's is not the hardest thing in the world, look at the number who have sucessfully done it, it does however take dedication, application and effort.
Once awarded you then have to find a job and demonstrate that you will be able to continue to learn as you move forward into the world of TR's and sim sessions on any number of aircraft through your career. I was a conventional aircraft person moving from DC9's to 737's and then onto the bus. Each one different, challenging and requiring different skills to fly.
rriisshhii,
SilveR5 makes a good point and one that you should take due consideration of.
preduk - Yes I will be at EGLL on the 12th, three times in fact, however I will not be frequenting the Western side of the airport unless we are using 09 Right for departures as BA ( not the degree of course, I hope we have put that one to bed permanantly ) choose not to have to share a terminal with us anymore.
Before you latch onto BA bashing or visions of my jealousy, Mrs Jox is a SFO for them, she chose her company, I was chosen by mine, neither of us would change volountarily, she is as happy with her lot as I am with mine even though she flies much heavier metal a lot further than me these days.
Must go, gotta get ready for work.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peterborough
Age: 39
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah dont listen to Preduk, he seems to thing all degress are useless unless it is a BA Hons, oh by the Pred you can actually get a BA Hons in Air Transport Management so put that in your pipe and smoke it 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK.
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kestral757
Did you even read this post or did you just open your mouth and let your belly rumble? I haven't once on this forum said anything bad about the BSc, BA or BEng. I made a comment regarding these useless courses that are no way near in par with the older, proper management courses.
Nathan made a comment to suggest he had something against BAs which I asked about because each and every degree has so many subjects under it.
If I find all degrees useless, why am I doing a science degree at the moment?
I really don't care if these aviation degrees are BA, BSc, BEng, MSc, MA, MEd, LLM or MBA... they are useless in the real world.
Did you even read this post or did you just open your mouth and let your belly rumble? I haven't once on this forum said anything bad about the BSc, BA or BEng. I made a comment regarding these useless courses that are no way near in par with the older, proper management courses.
Nathan made a comment to suggest he had something against BAs which I asked about because each and every degree has so many subjects under it.
If I find all degrees useless, why am I doing a science degree at the moment?
I really don't care if these aviation degrees are BA, BSc, BEng, MSc, MA, MEd, LLM or MBA... they are useless in the real world.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Peterborough
Age: 39
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No Preduk Ive just encountered your thoughts on previous debates about degrees and I just dont agree with how you can say to people that Aviation degrees are useless..
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Suffolk
Age: 36
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think there are plenty of uses for Aviation based degrees!
I wasnt having a dig at BA's ...... well i was but meh! lol.
Anyhu, the orignal question was whens the best time to come out and look for a pilots job i belive.
I think doing a degree n graduating after 2012 is the smarter option. I myself have very little flying experience and have decided to have a career in engineering whilst i slowly training towards all the licences i need. main reasons for that is little or no debt, and gives me a good few years to decide if its what i really want to do ...... or if i prefere engineering.
Probs doesnt help anyone, but my advice would be uni degree all the way! :-)
I wasnt having a dig at BA's ...... well i was but meh! lol.
Anyhu, the orignal question was whens the best time to come out and look for a pilots job i belive.
I think doing a degree n graduating after 2012 is the smarter option. I myself have very little flying experience and have decided to have a career in engineering whilst i slowly training towards all the licences i need. main reasons for that is little or no debt, and gives me a good few years to decide if its what i really want to do ...... or if i prefere engineering.
Probs doesnt help anyone, but my advice would be uni degree all the way! :-)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK/ Oz
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually a mate of mine did a "degree" in Surfing Technology, not as mickey mouse as it might sound as it turns out. Was all about the technology of building surfboards, he now has his own business back at home making custom boards (have one myself) and is making a nice crust.
That aside, I would like to know what kind of job people think this guy will get with his "degree" in aviation management? Yes, the likes of BA, Quntas etc do employ graduate management trainees, but those with academic degrees from decent "red brick" universities. This mickey mouse qualification will not be fit for that purpose He will also be completely unqualified to work in any other industry. Far better would be a degree in general business management, or another academic discipline.
Jox, why do you think I am not a pilot? Because I have knowledge and opinion about things other than aviation? Does 3500 hours on a 747 make me a pilot? You have no idea as to the personal reasons why I am converting my licence to a JAA one, so do not make assumptions.
That aside, I would like to know what kind of job people think this guy will get with his "degree" in aviation management? Yes, the likes of BA, Quntas etc do employ graduate management trainees, but those with academic degrees from decent "red brick" universities. This mickey mouse qualification will not be fit for that purpose He will also be completely unqualified to work in any other industry. Far better would be a degree in general business management, or another academic discipline.
Jox, why do you think I am not a pilot? Because I have knowledge and opinion about things other than aviation? Does 3500 hours on a 747 make me a pilot? You have no idea as to the personal reasons why I am converting my licence to a JAA one, so do not make assumptions.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Trinity Collage,Baile Atha Cliath
Age: 40
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Degree id say
Ah yes arts degree bashing favourite past time of many of the ill educated, it seems. Personally i think a degree is a prerequisite but that s just my 2 cents worth. Ask any gradute you ll find the majority will tell you its a life changing experience and you ll be a well rounded individual by the time time you have completed your course of study(drinking). Funnily enough Trinity offer their physicists and mathematician s BA s
. Funnily enough Trinity offer their physicists and mathematician s BA s
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Surrey UK/Quebec CA
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Captain Random, you forgot to mention that an fATPL can also get you any job in the fast food industry, and im not talking about having a sandwich on a Gulfstream 5 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi rriisshhii
I have been in your situation ie ... the dilemma of choosing how to go about fulfilling your dream of becoming a pilot. I / nor anyone here can actually tell you which is the best route to take, but we can advise you based on our experience. People like Jox who have been in the industry for many moons have knowledge and experience in the industry. They have seen first hand how it has changed. I based my decision on the advice from people like that and have never looked back.. In those days the industry was a hell of a lot better than now, but I was also well aware of the fact that you are always a failed medical away from being out of a job. I have fulfilled my dream and it took many years, but I know that I made the right decision to work my way up from CC to the Cockpit. Whilst pushing that trolley I gained so much valuable experience and also an insight into the industry. Now, I am not suggesting that you go the CC route, but my advice is to get something else to fall back on. I was grounded due to ill health, but fortunately I was still able to work in the industry until I got my class 1 back.
I wish you all the best.
I wish you all the best.
