Education Fatigue?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Education Fatigue?
Hi all, Happy new year.
I'm 20 years old, male, and in the final year of my Computing Bsc degree.
After i got my A level results i rang BA the same day and got the bundle of application forms for their cadet scheme through a few days later. A couple more days later i had them signed, sealed and ready to go but against my better judgement(and with some external influence!) i decided to go to university and get a degree first. Here i am in my final year, and im utterly and completely bored of my course, considering leaving at this late stage, and ive missed the chance for BA (for some time i expect) but have kept on applying to any scheme going, anywhere, ever. During the summer i was lucky enough to have the cash to go to the US to get my PPL and i am well and truly hooked. Skint now, but hooked and would leave uni at the drop of a hat should any flying oppurtunity present itself.
Just wondering if there is anyone who is/has been in the same situation with any advice for me because i really am at the end of my tether!
Thanks all.
I'm 20 years old, male, and in the final year of my Computing Bsc degree.
After i got my A level results i rang BA the same day and got the bundle of application forms for their cadet scheme through a few days later. A couple more days later i had them signed, sealed and ready to go but against my better judgement(and with some external influence!) i decided to go to university and get a degree first. Here i am in my final year, and im utterly and completely bored of my course, considering leaving at this late stage, and ive missed the chance for BA (for some time i expect) but have kept on applying to any scheme going, anywhere, ever. During the summer i was lucky enough to have the cash to go to the US to get my PPL and i am well and truly hooked. Skint now, but hooked and would leave uni at the drop of a hat should any flying oppurtunity present itself.
Just wondering if there is anyone who is/has been in the same situation with any advice for me because i really am at the end of my tether!
Thanks all.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
P-P-please don't take this in a wrong way, but if you're in the last year of your degree with only a PPL (and no, i'm not being condesending) with the state of the market at the moment for low hour pilots, I think you'd be a fool to drop out of uni. TRUST ME! If you're skint, the degree may aid you in order to get a temp job or something hence, you'll be able to make a little cash to fund the flying (or at this stage your atpl written exams). DO NOT LEAVE UNI IN YOUR LAST YEAR BUDDY!!! Show some persistence, you're employer may look favourable towards it. If all else goes wrong, you'll be able to do some IT work or something (rather than flip burgers) if you know what I mean. I think dropping out at this stage for 'the love of flying' (if I were an employer-but I'm not) would show a bit of a cop-out in attitude, for when the going got tough, you couldn't take the heat at Uni....so why should I employ you?? Know what I mean?? I was in exactly the same situation as you when I was at uni....I completed my degree. And to tell you the truth, I don't think my flying 'career' (if you wanna call it that!) would be any further if I had dropped out. And right now, I'd say, don't be in a MAD rush to get on with things....as things in this industry won't be going 100mph for a little while yet. Use the time advantage to your side. Think about it buddy....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheers BritishGuy, what you say makes perfect sense in the long term "scheme of things" i suppose im just realising how little i want to use my degree now im in the third year and its all piling up! i know i had a bit of a rant, and it was probably the wrong forum for it, but sh*t happens ;-)
by the way, how did you get into flying after uni? self funded or lucky sponsored route? what are you up to now?
cheers.
by the way, how did you get into flying after uni? self funded or lucky sponsored route? what are you up to now?
cheers.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Up North
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also wanted to cop out of uni although in my second year, very glad I stuck with it. After 10 years in industry started Modular route last year, too old for any schemes.
I would suggest you use the search facility on this site, there is a wealth of info. It will take a few hours.
Oh when you start back at uni don't spend all your time on PPRUNE -Tee Hee
I would suggest you use the search facility on this site, there is a wealth of info. It will take a few hours.
Oh when you start back at uni don't spend all your time on PPRUNE -Tee Hee
FREDA -
I completely understand that a computer science degree can be so un-inspiring at this point. I was in a similar situation many years ago .. over halfway through my degree in Computer Science (go figure ) I absolutely KNEW that I only wanted to fly, and that I had NO desire to pursue any career field relating to computers.
However, I continued and finished the degree (for a lot of the reasons stated above, as well as some other reasons), and I'm glad I did.
Even though I have been employed as a pilot continuously since Uni, my degree has benefited me in many intangible ways. And, it is always something I can build upon if for some reason (medical, etc.) I lose my ability to fly in the future.
Try thinking of it as a "character building exercise", to help motivate you to finish. Do your best to re-develop an interest in the subject matter, as if it were a final hurdle you must cross before you become a pilot. Keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel (don't focus on it; just know its there) and stay with it - you'll be glad you did in the long run.
Good luck!
I completely understand that a computer science degree can be so un-inspiring at this point. I was in a similar situation many years ago .. over halfway through my degree in Computer Science (go figure
) I absolutely KNEW that I only wanted to fly, and that I had NO desire to pursue any career field relating to computers. However, I continued and finished the degree (for a lot of the reasons stated above, as well as some other reasons), and I'm glad I did.
Even though I have been employed as a pilot continuously since Uni, my degree has benefited me in many intangible ways. And, it is always something I can build upon if for some reason (medical, etc.) I lose my ability to fly in the future.
Try thinking of it as a "character building exercise", to help motivate you to finish. Do your best to re-develop an interest in the subject matter, as if it were a final hurdle you must cross before you become a pilot. Keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel (don't focus on it; just know its there) and stay with it - you'll be glad you did in the long run.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TheDream and McD,
thanks for your replies, it seems that gritting my teeth and learning to love DFD's ELH's ERD's and other rreeaaallyyy fun computing related gubbins for another semester is the way to go.
I would love to hear about everyones respective route into commercial flying, apart from TheDream from who id like to find out which organisation(s) you will be training with! As its not really for this thread, via private messages would be ideal. sorry to be a pain!
thanks again.
thanks for your replies, it seems that gritting my teeth and learning to love DFD's ELH's ERD's and other rreeaaallyyy fun computing related gubbins for another semester is the way to go.
I would love to hear about everyones respective route into commercial flying, apart from TheDream from who id like to find out which organisation(s) you will be training with! As its not really for this thread, via private messages would be ideal. sorry to be a pain!
thanks again.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Freda,
Just a thought to keep you motivated on your final year of your degree.
Assuming that you have a project to undertake, why not make it aviation related? say looking at future developments in the glass cockpit or something similar, or electronic flight bags etc, or software in ATC. Plenty of scope as more technology appears in aviation.
This might help with you motivation levels, and perhaps more beneficially put you in touch with companies that are involved in aviation technology, at least till the pilot recruitment situation (hopefully) starts to straighten out.
Best of luck
Just a thought to keep you motivated on your final year of your degree.
Assuming that you have a project to undertake, why not make it aviation related? say looking at future developments in the glass cockpit or something similar, or electronic flight bags etc, or software in ATC. Plenty of scope as more technology appears in aviation.
This might help with you motivation levels, and perhaps more beneficially put you in touch with companies that are involved in aviation technology, at least till the pilot recruitment situation (hopefully) starts to straighten out.
Best of luck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
colossus,
fair assumption mate, but i chose to do extra units instead of a final year project. So ive saddled myself with extra exams and coursework, hence 4 deadlines in the first 4 days back this term
:-/
20/20 hindsight!
fair assumption mate, but i chose to do extra units instead of a final year project. So ive saddled myself with extra exams and coursework, hence 4 deadlines in the first 4 days back this term
:-/
20/20 hindsight!
Guest
Posts: n/a
FREDA,
I have only just graduated from Uni this June. I was in exactly the same boat as you: UTTERLY BORED with my course and at my wits end. I was at Southampton doing Aerospace Engineering. It was tough going to say the least. There was a number of times when I would sit down and think 'what exactly am I doing? I hate this course, I don't even want to be an engineer, I just want to fly planes.'
I stuck it out though and lived to tell the tale. Now with letters after my name and my graduation photo taking pride of place in the sitting room I am glad I stuck with it. I feel so much more confident sending off application forms with a professional qualification and especially in the subject I chose (i.e something rooted in maths/physics).
I know that there's not much that can boost confidence when you're in a situation such as yours, as you are the one with the problem and no matter what anyone says you are still faced with the task of completing your degree. All I can say is that it will be over sooner that you think. Stick with it in the frame of mind 'This will look excellent on my application forms to airlines'.
Picture my situation: My mate, also on my course, was in our house (of 4) and we were in our second year. He decides to apply to BA. Spends his time doing the application form and gets through the selection process and offered a place in Jerez. Not sure whether it was the right choice he ******s off. I am now left on a course that I don't really like, my mate's disappeared and worst of all disappeared to be a pilot. 9/11 happens. BA stop recruiting, but he's in Jerez doing the training. I complete my degree, he completes his training. Who's worse off? I don't know. Things are starting to pick up again now. I completed my PPL this summer which has really boosted my enthusiasm and commitment. It's a little ironic because for me to get sponsored in this current climate I probably need a good degree. So in a way, presuming I get hired soonish, I've just gone a longer way round things. If I lost a leg tommorow in a car accident I could got and get a good job with Airbus or BAE Systems. Could my friend? Who's to say. I just feeler more confident of overall success with a degree tucked under my belt.
Thanks for reading,
PT
I have only just graduated from Uni this June. I was in exactly the same boat as you: UTTERLY BORED with my course and at my wits end. I was at Southampton doing Aerospace Engineering. It was tough going to say the least. There was a number of times when I would sit down and think 'what exactly am I doing? I hate this course, I don't even want to be an engineer, I just want to fly planes.'
I stuck it out though and lived to tell the tale. Now with letters after my name and my graduation photo taking pride of place in the sitting room I am glad I stuck with it. I feel so much more confident sending off application forms with a professional qualification and especially in the subject I chose (i.e something rooted in maths/physics).
I know that there's not much that can boost confidence when you're in a situation such as yours, as you are the one with the problem and no matter what anyone says you are still faced with the task of completing your degree. All I can say is that it will be over sooner that you think. Stick with it in the frame of mind 'This will look excellent on my application forms to airlines'.
Picture my situation: My mate, also on my course, was in our house (of 4) and we were in our second year. He decides to apply to BA. Spends his time doing the application form and gets through the selection process and offered a place in Jerez. Not sure whether it was the right choice he ******s off. I am now left on a course that I don't really like, my mate's disappeared and worst of all disappeared to be a pilot. 9/11 happens. BA stop recruiting, but he's in Jerez doing the training. I complete my degree, he completes his training. Who's worse off? I don't know. Things are starting to pick up again now. I completed my PPL this summer which has really boosted my enthusiasm and commitment. It's a little ironic because for me to get sponsored in this current climate I probably need a good degree. So in a way, presuming I get hired soonish, I've just gone a longer way round things. If I lost a leg tommorow in a car accident I could got and get a good job with Airbus or BAE Systems. Could my friend? Who's to say. I just feeler more confident of overall success with a degree tucked under my belt.
Thanks for reading,
PT
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
P T Flea,
you scummer(!) final year at pompey for me.
Very useful post, its much appreciated although im still not decided whether i can manage trawling through the rest of this course!
whats your next step now youve graduated? im assuming youve applied to any sponsorship scheme you can find, namely CTCMcalpine/Easyjet/JMC. Other than that, will you be working to pay for your training as you go, or the big loan-pay it back when flying route?
as a sideline, where do you/did you fly out of? ive got a fresh student loan arriving tomorrow that i could squeeze the odd C150 hour out of
you scummer(!) final year at pompey for me.
Very useful post, its much appreciated although im still not decided whether i can manage trawling through the rest of this course!
whats your next step now youve graduated? im assuming youve applied to any sponsorship scheme you can find, namely CTCMcalpine/Easyjet/JMC. Other than that, will you be working to pay for your training as you go, or the big loan-pay it back when flying route?
as a sideline, where do you/did you fly out of? ive got a fresh student loan arriving tomorrow that i could squeeze the odd C150 hour out of
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eu
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
freda,
this is what I did:
I am 34 now, atp.studied until 24yo, flew gliders when studing, worked in the industry field, did privat, then recolted money from parents, mine, and government help ,went to the US. did cpl,ifr,multi then i did cfi,mei. worked several years on the black market as a cfi in the US. logged around 2000h. now back in europe where I am doing my JAR.(took me 12 years in fact since I ve start to fly)
it s a long shoot. stay in your UNI, do some jobs during holyday in a flying club like washing planes and be paid in flight hours.
you will succed if you do things with your brain.
this is what I did:
I am 34 now, atp.studied until 24yo, flew gliders when studing, worked in the industry field, did privat, then recolted money from parents, mine, and government help ,went to the US. did cpl,ifr,multi then i did cfi,mei. worked several years on the black market as a cfi in the US. logged around 2000h. now back in europe where I am doing my JAR.(took me 12 years in fact since I ve start to fly)
it s a long shoot. stay in your UNI, do some jobs during holyday in a flying club like washing planes and be paid in flight hours.
you will succed if you do things with your brain.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: portsmouth,england
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
education fattigue
FREDA
Im am in the same position as you! literaly. Im am also in pompey studying Internet technology and am currently in my third and final year.
I have done a few hours in the UAS with the RAF and now hope to fly commercial.
I dont think it would be wise to quit your degree as it would of been a complete waste of time and effort getting this far. I also have the same problems as you, i sit on the computers for hours thinking that most of these people will graduate and then be stuck behind a pc from 9-5 5 days a week. Just work hard in the forthcoming couple of weeks and then it will be over.
Goodluck with your degree and applications to cadetships
Im am in the same position as you! literaly. Im am also in pompey studying Internet technology and am currently in my third and final year.
I have done a few hours in the UAS with the RAF and now hope to fly commercial.
I dont think it would be wise to quit your degree as it would of been a complete waste of time and effort getting this far. I also have the same problems as you, i sit on the computers for hours thinking that most of these people will graduate and then be stuck behind a pc from 9-5 5 days a week. Just work hard in the forthcoming couple of weeks and then it will be over.
Goodluck with your degree and applications to cadetships
