Academic degree, is it ultimately important?
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Well said #15.
An employer would see a graduate as someone who has displayed responsibility, determination and "a stayer". The degrees I know are hard-earned and in aviation we all need other "hats" to wear, for health and employment are such variables.
From age 27 I did my flying career (fixed/rotary CPLs, Charter Operator) then at age 70 did a Bachelor of Aviation in 18mths (was a 15yr old high school drop-out). A week after graduating I was invited to be a Uni lecturer and taught 5 aviation subjects for BAv, to hundreds of students.
If you don't have "education" you wish you had it; my Uni years have been the most valuable period of my life. If you find the chance, take it.
An employer would see a graduate as someone who has already displayed responsibility, determination - "a stayer". The degrees I know are hard-earned and in aviation we all need other "hats" to wear, for health and employment are such variables.
Astronaut Andy Thomas is the perfect role model; determined from age 10 to reach his goal he read the CVs of successful astronauts and educated himself to match and even better them, and was finally accepted by NASA. I believe that is the way to go.
Good luck, from an "old and bold".
An employer would see a graduate as someone who has displayed responsibility, determination and "a stayer". The degrees I know are hard-earned and in aviation we all need other "hats" to wear, for health and employment are such variables.
From age 27 I did my flying career (fixed/rotary CPLs, Charter Operator) then at age 70 did a Bachelor of Aviation in 18mths (was a 15yr old high school drop-out). A week after graduating I was invited to be a Uni lecturer and taught 5 aviation subjects for BAv, to hundreds of students.
If you don't have "education" you wish you had it; my Uni years have been the most valuable period of my life. If you find the chance, take it.
An employer would see a graduate as someone who has already displayed responsibility, determination - "a stayer". The degrees I know are hard-earned and in aviation we all need other "hats" to wear, for health and employment are such variables.
Astronaut Andy Thomas is the perfect role model; determined from age 10 to reach his goal he read the CVs of successful astronauts and educated himself to match and even better them, and was finally accepted by NASA. I believe that is the way to go.
Good luck, from an "old and bold".
Firstly a degree is not really a backup. Somebody who did an engineering degree 4 years ago and hasn't worked in the field since is almost certainly unemployable in a pure engineering job (although they can, for example, build on it by getting an MSc -then they probably are employable).
On the other hand what it is is a career enhancer. A graduate + pilot combination opens numerous avenues into technical management, test flying, simulator work... Also, for all but the "bottom feeder" jobs it shows you as more generally capable and, as Shawn says, in some parts of the world you're unemployable in this industry without a degree (although probably not in most of Europe.)
Plus flying and aeronautical engineering complement each other well - I keep jumping between the two without great difficulty. And a degree is much easier to do when you are young (with recent study skills, and without many financial or family commitments). Not to mention that nobody's medical is safe!
So long as you enjoy the subject, I'd carry on and graduate.
G
On the other hand what it is is a career enhancer. A graduate + pilot combination opens numerous avenues into technical management, test flying, simulator work... Also, for all but the "bottom feeder" jobs it shows you as more generally capable and, as Shawn says, in some parts of the world you're unemployable in this industry without a degree (although probably not in most of Europe.)
Plus flying and aeronautical engineering complement each other well - I keep jumping between the two without great difficulty. And a degree is much easier to do when you are young (with recent study skills, and without many financial or family commitments). Not to mention that nobody's medical is safe!
So long as you enjoy the subject, I'd carry on and graduate.
G
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Lots of good points already covered. I'll add:
Getting visas / work permits can be a lot easier with a degree.
Aero eng (at my college) was a highly respected degree - you have to differentiate between subject/institution/grade. A highly mathematical degree like this will give you many other career opportunities.
There's a large amount of unemployment in the 16-24yr / low industrial experience at the moment - i don't see this going away quickly so do your research on the job market before making any no-turning-back decisions.
You may get asked in interviews why you did not finish your undergraduate degree (i.e. are you someone who does not finish things) - you'll need an answer for that if you leave.
Does your course/institution permit a break in learning or part time study?
Getting visas / work permits can be a lot easier with a degree.
Aero eng (at my college) was a highly respected degree - you have to differentiate between subject/institution/grade. A highly mathematical degree like this will give you many other career opportunities.
There's a large amount of unemployment in the 16-24yr / low industrial experience at the moment - i don't see this going away quickly so do your research on the job market before making any no-turning-back decisions.
You may get asked in interviews why you did not finish your undergraduate degree (i.e. are you someone who does not finish things) - you'll need an answer for that if you leave.
Does your course/institution permit a break in learning or part time study?
Get a degree....an advanced degree...find a good ,steady, challenging, well paying job...and use the proceeds to buy your flying but let the flying be a hobby!
I base my advice upon forty years of flying....both military and commercial.
If you elect to go with commerical flying....get a degree...advanced degree, and try to find a good, steady, challenging, well paying job. The degrees cannot hurt you....and in time should lead to management positions.
I base my advice upon forty years of flying....both military and commercial.
If you elect to go with commerical flying....get a degree...advanced degree, and try to find a good, steady, challenging, well paying job. The degrees cannot hurt you....and in time should lead to management positions.
Hmmmm many nice feel good answers leaning to degreeeees of some sort. I am not against all that study. BUT if you just want to fly a Helicopter machine type rather than a desk or dabble in a board room then the real truth is a resounding - NO. The long story of helping gain a Pilots job with a degree is a simple - NO. Short answer for gaining a flying career through a degree - NO. So now get over it & hit the tit & fly. I flunked out before finishing 9th grade & am still flying with 21 years flying experience now having achieved an ATPL(H), IR(H), Instructor Grade 1 (H) & Examiner(H) with almost zero academics, its about flying skills which is all; practical, yes; ALL practical, not theoretical! Thank You have a happy day & safe landings 
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For what it's worth...
Finish your degree. This is not an easy industry in which to get ahead, and you need to give yourself every advantage. It may be that a degree doesn't give you a leg-up with an operator, but there may well be times when you're not flying and you still need to pay the bills.
I moved from a corporate career to flying. No regrets, not one. I had a few letters after my name on my business card in corporate life. It doesn't mean a great deal in aviation. But here's the thing... In between flying jobs, I needed an employment break, and my prior qualifications absolutely gave me an advantage I otherwise would not have had.
My past study and career provided me skills that have, of course, been recognised, and utilised, by employers in aviation. In return for doing a few things I have been given a few things... a kind of 'how much for how much' sort of thing.
Everybody I have met in this industry had their own way of getting ahead. It's different for everyone.
My two cents.
GP
Finish your degree. This is not an easy industry in which to get ahead, and you need to give yourself every advantage. It may be that a degree doesn't give you a leg-up with an operator, but there may well be times when you're not flying and you still need to pay the bills.
I moved from a corporate career to flying. No regrets, not one. I had a few letters after my name on my business card in corporate life. It doesn't mean a great deal in aviation. But here's the thing... In between flying jobs, I needed an employment break, and my prior qualifications absolutely gave me an advantage I otherwise would not have had.
My past study and career provided me skills that have, of course, been recognised, and utilised, by employers in aviation. In return for doing a few things I have been given a few things... a kind of 'how much for how much' sort of thing.
Everybody I have met in this industry had their own way of getting ahead. It's different for everyone.
My two cents.
GP
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Do the degree.
Agree with sasless on this one.
Do the degree finish your formal education and then if you still have the flying itch.....scratch it.
But only after you finish the degree as the flying game is a fickle one and the ability to be able to fall back onto/into another career will be a godsend.
Look at your studies in the long term.......really long term!
Good luck
Floats out
Do the degree finish your formal education and then if you still have the flying itch.....scratch it.
But only after you finish the degree as the flying game is a fickle one and the ability to be able to fall back onto/into another career will be a godsend.
Look at your studies in the long term.......really long term!
Good luck
Floats out
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Msc or MBA –for nil aviation experience
Would like to know what is the difference between Msc in Air Transport management and MBA in aviation management?
I have got a offer letter from Griffith university in Australia for MBA in aviation management( Griffith University | Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management - Nathan )
and Buckinghamshire new university in UK for Msc in air transport management for this January batch?(Air Transport Management )
I have done my bachelors degree in electrical and electronics and have worked in dell computers for 2 years as a senior hardware technical support executive. 60 percent of the people have told me that doing these masters degree in a waste of time and the rest 40 % told me that I is a very good way to enter the industry, especially for a person with no aviation experience like me .
From what I come to know, nothing in aviation is 100 % sure. So I am willing to take the chance. Flight operation is what I am mainly interested in! But yes if I don’t get through that I can work in other field also .I take these master degrees as an entry ticket to the aviation industry.
So guys I would like your views on both of the MBA and MSc . If anybody body has finished the above programs from these colleges let me know your feedbacks regarding the university also .It will really help me make a good decision. Thanks a million for your time
I have got a offer letter from Griffith university in Australia for MBA in aviation management( Griffith University | Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management - Nathan )
and Buckinghamshire new university in UK for Msc in air transport management for this January batch?(Air Transport Management )
I have done my bachelors degree in electrical and electronics and have worked in dell computers for 2 years as a senior hardware technical support executive. 60 percent of the people have told me that doing these masters degree in a waste of time and the rest 40 % told me that I is a very good way to enter the industry, especially for a person with no aviation experience like me .
From what I come to know, nothing in aviation is 100 % sure. So I am willing to take the chance. Flight operation is what I am mainly interested in! But yes if I don’t get through that I can work in other field also .I take these master degrees as an entry ticket to the aviation industry.
So guys I would like your views on both of the MBA and MSc . If anybody body has finished the above programs from these colleges let me know your feedbacks regarding the university also .It will really help me make a good decision. Thanks a million for your time
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Hello all,
So... Four years have passed. Some time ago I've got a message from a fellow Ppruner asking me what I have decided and my current situation.
About four years ago I finished my CPL course with IR, rated R22 and R44. In the first year I've flown sight seeing with a R-44 in the south coast of Portugal to build up some hours. Amazing experience.
After that first year I was contacted and went to an executive airliner flying AS365 N1. After two year of intense work, both on ground as well as up in the air, I got another type rating, this time AS350 B3. I've been flying humbly both the Dauphin and the Squirrel and have now around 400 hours, a mix of ME IR SIC/PIC with SE PIC.
At the first year I just made two disciplines of my engineer degree, both Calculus I and II with rated average 18 (0-20 rate).
Today, after those four years, I am still studying aeronautical engineering degree (3 year, 2 years to go for Master's degree), this year I am doing a full year, meaning two semesters of the course. I am type rated AS 365 N1, AS 350 B3, IR, ME, SE.
At the end of this year, if all goes well, I'm going to be the new ground ops manager. Since I was deputy for about 3 years now.
I've learned a lot since I was responsible for the writing of ground ops manual plus revision of the flight operations manuals, both OPS 1 and JAR OPS 3 as well as other material; MEL, MNPS, RVSM, and so on.
Lesson to be learned from all of this:
1. Take your degree first, on what you like, as a backup.
2. After that done, take your flight licence if you want.
3. Search for work in both areas, if you went to take the CPL. Best to be both in the area. For example aeronautical, mechanical, management, economics, public relations, etc.
There is a reason for the PPL to exist, meaning that not always the professional world of aviation is what you think it is.
People tend to romanticize the world of aviation.
Although it is a great world and you get the opportunity to do a lot of different stuff, depending on the type of professional aviation you do, there is a percentage where you probably get bored doing it. Yes it can happen as some said earlier.
So, if you like to fly but don't want or can't handle the professional stress/pressure then don't go for the CPL/ATPL. Take your degree, go for a good paid job, and then take the PPL, preferably PPL (A) since you can fly a lot more machines without specific Type Rating.
Professional aviation can be marvelous, scary, wonderful, stressful, exciting and boring all at the same time.
This is my little experience so far in this world. Some may say I was lucky because I didn't have to search far, as there are many fellow pilots that as much hard they try to find a job they can't find anything and some invest a lot of money to take rates and licences for nothing.
That said and in regard to helicopter professional aviation world; it's not an easy task, it's not well paid in the begging; you don't have a stable life; it can be stressful as hell but if it is what you like to do then you will and can do it even studying for a degree.
But as I said; take the degree first then do whatever you like.
Why taking a degree first?
Because it is a backup if all else fails. Because if you want to take another role in aviation world you must have a degree or else a lot of experience (and you don't have a lot of experience in the civil world licences). Because it's good for your personal development. Because it adds to your CV. Because you understand more deeply how to manage things (as some said there are a lot of pilots with experience managing, but don't know a thing about it, and they tend to manage resources, people and aircraft really bad.)
I have had talks with pilots who defend that generally pilots should have a degree and pilots that don't give a
for it. Probably the first one is a good manager and the second one is a good operational... So you also have to choose what you want to do with your carrier, but you have to remind yourself that you will not always have 20 or 30 years. 
That said I hope that pilots who take the civil licence seriously think that they should get a degree first, specially if associated with areas in the aviation world.
Regards.
May I quote a fellow intelligent pilot, goes like this:
So... Four years have passed. Some time ago I've got a message from a fellow Ppruner asking me what I have decided and my current situation.
About four years ago I finished my CPL course with IR, rated R22 and R44. In the first year I've flown sight seeing with a R-44 in the south coast of Portugal to build up some hours. Amazing experience.
After that first year I was contacted and went to an executive airliner flying AS365 N1. After two year of intense work, both on ground as well as up in the air, I got another type rating, this time AS350 B3. I've been flying humbly both the Dauphin and the Squirrel and have now around 400 hours, a mix of ME IR SIC/PIC with SE PIC.
At the first year I just made two disciplines of my engineer degree, both Calculus I and II with rated average 18 (0-20 rate).
Today, after those four years, I am still studying aeronautical engineering degree (3 year, 2 years to go for Master's degree), this year I am doing a full year, meaning two semesters of the course. I am type rated AS 365 N1, AS 350 B3, IR, ME, SE.
At the end of this year, if all goes well, I'm going to be the new ground ops manager. Since I was deputy for about 3 years now.
I've learned a lot since I was responsible for the writing of ground ops manual plus revision of the flight operations manuals, both OPS 1 and JAR OPS 3 as well as other material; MEL, MNPS, RVSM, and so on.
Lesson to be learned from all of this:
1. Take your degree first, on what you like, as a backup.
2. After that done, take your flight licence if you want.
3. Search for work in both areas, if you went to take the CPL. Best to be both in the area. For example aeronautical, mechanical, management, economics, public relations, etc.
There is a reason for the PPL to exist, meaning that not always the professional world of aviation is what you think it is.
People tend to romanticize the world of aviation.
Although it is a great world and you get the opportunity to do a lot of different stuff, depending on the type of professional aviation you do, there is a percentage where you probably get bored doing it. Yes it can happen as some said earlier.
So, if you like to fly but don't want or can't handle the professional stress/pressure then don't go for the CPL/ATPL. Take your degree, go for a good paid job, and then take the PPL, preferably PPL (A) since you can fly a lot more machines without specific Type Rating.
Professional aviation can be marvelous, scary, wonderful, stressful, exciting and boring all at the same time.
This is my little experience so far in this world. Some may say I was lucky because I didn't have to search far, as there are many fellow pilots that as much hard they try to find a job they can't find anything and some invest a lot of money to take rates and licences for nothing.
That said and in regard to helicopter professional aviation world; it's not an easy task, it's not well paid in the begging; you don't have a stable life; it can be stressful as hell but if it is what you like to do then you will and can do it even studying for a degree.
But as I said; take the degree first then do whatever you like.
Why taking a degree first?
Because it is a backup if all else fails. Because if you want to take another role in aviation world you must have a degree or else a lot of experience (and you don't have a lot of experience in the civil world licences). Because it's good for your personal development. Because it adds to your CV. Because you understand more deeply how to manage things (as some said there are a lot of pilots with experience managing, but don't know a thing about it, and they tend to manage resources, people and aircraft really bad.)
I have had talks with pilots who defend that generally pilots should have a degree and pilots that don't give a
for it. Probably the first one is a good manager and the second one is a good operational... So you also have to choose what you want to do with your carrier, but you have to remind yourself that you will not always have 20 or 30 years. That said I hope that pilots who take the civil licence seriously think that they should get a degree first, specially if associated with areas in the aviation world.
Regards.
May I quote a fellow intelligent pilot, goes like this:
Get a degree....an advanced degree...find a good ,steady, challenging, well paying job...and use the proceeds to buy your flying but let the flying be a hobby!
I base my advice upon forty years of flying....both military and commercial.
If you elect to go with commerical flying....get a degree...advanced degree, and try to find a good, steady, challenging, well paying job. The degrees cannot hurt you....and in time should lead to management positions.
I base my advice upon forty years of flying....both military and commercial.
If you elect to go with commerical flying....get a degree...advanced degree, and try to find a good, steady, challenging, well paying job. The degrees cannot hurt you....and in time should lead to management positions.
Last edited by Focha; 18th Feb 2014 at 14:09.
Predominantly good advice above: get the degree. I have a son @ uni - mech engineering, also uni air squadron in uk ( great system btw) . I stress continually that the degree comes first and flying is the reward later. Good luck anyway.
Hi Focha,
Good to hear from you again. Seems like you're doing well flying both the N1 and B3 while doing your Aeronautical Degree. Your flying experience and Engineering Degree will serve you well in life I'm sure, (Genghis the Engineer) for example!
As with all Degrees it costs money to get it. I'm planning on going to Canada for two years now soon to work and save some money up in the Construction / Oil & Gas. Maybe do some flying down in Florida at some stage in the year as I have my PPL(H). The main reason for Canada is to get some money to do the Engineering Degree when I get back home. I shall be studying in the South of Ireland as it will only cost me around 14K compared to 35K roughly in the UK for a BEng. On top of that I will be 30 when I start my Degree.
As one poster said in this thread, "Get the Degree, earn loads of money and buy your own machine or have a share in one". Seems like a good plan to me!
Good to hear from you again. Seems like you're doing well flying both the N1 and B3 while doing your Aeronautical Degree. Your flying experience and Engineering Degree will serve you well in life I'm sure, (Genghis the Engineer) for example!
As with all Degrees it costs money to get it. I'm planning on going to Canada for two years now soon to work and save some money up in the Construction / Oil & Gas. Maybe do some flying down in Florida at some stage in the year as I have my PPL(H). The main reason for Canada is to get some money to do the Engineering Degree when I get back home. I shall be studying in the South of Ireland as it will only cost me around 14K compared to 35K roughly in the UK for a BEng. On top of that I will be 30 when I start my Degree.
As one poster said in this thread, "Get the Degree, earn loads of money and buy your own machine or have a share in one". Seems like a good plan to me!
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Hi Focha
I have to disagree. Firstly, getting a degree does not guarantee employment as a backup. A lot of graduates are finding it really tough to find jobs these days unless they take a highly sought after course (engineering, med ect). I know i wouldn't be able to get into any of those courses and they would be too hard basket anyway. It also means more money now course prices are so high, i don't know where you got your money from, but not everyone can afford to go to uni then get their cpl. Where i come from i got my first job without showing a Cv, its just who you no and working hard in this industry. Also i don't understand your point on personal development, i hear it come up a lot but in what ways does drinking and messing about at uni (as most of my friends do) develop you more than working full time and living away from home?
winglikehercules
I have to disagree. Firstly, getting a degree does not guarantee employment as a backup. A lot of graduates are finding it really tough to find jobs these days unless they take a highly sought after course (engineering, med ect). I know i wouldn't be able to get into any of those courses and they would be too hard basket anyway. It also means more money now course prices are so high, i don't know where you got your money from, but not everyone can afford to go to uni then get their cpl. Where i come from i got my first job without showing a Cv, its just who you no and working hard in this industry. Also i don't understand your point on personal development, i hear it come up a lot but in what ways does drinking and messing about at uni (as most of my friends do) develop you more than working full time and living away from home?
winglikehercules
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its is really just this..
Its called a discriminator. a characteristic that enables things, people, or classes to be distinguished from one another.
Imagine you are looking for a person to make widgets. You expect 100 applications. You don't want to look at 100, so you set up discriminators. One that is very easy is education. Of the 100, anyone who doesn't meet the education requirement you have nonsensically determined to be needed for the job, circular file. Now you have made your selection process so much easier. Only 30 left. Question on application: How much do you expect to make? (I love this one) Oh Oh, 8 folks expect to make more than we pay..Circular file! Now you sift through them and of course use other published and non -published discriminators such as, "does anyone here know a bloke name of Joe Blow? Yes, he's your nephew and needs a job?" Decision made!
Seriously, in the aviation world, education is, other than your actual certification, the biggest discriminator to getting an interview. Right or wrong, it is a fact and so yes, get the degree or be culled from the herd very quickly.
Do you have to have a degree to fly an aircraft? Hell no, a 12 year old can do it safely. But we aren't talking about that, we are talking about something else.
cheers
Imagine you are looking for a person to make widgets. You expect 100 applications. You don't want to look at 100, so you set up discriminators. One that is very easy is education. Of the 100, anyone who doesn't meet the education requirement you have nonsensically determined to be needed for the job, circular file. Now you have made your selection process so much easier. Only 30 left. Question on application: How much do you expect to make? (I love this one) Oh Oh, 8 folks expect to make more than we pay..Circular file! Now you sift through them and of course use other published and non -published discriminators such as, "does anyone here know a bloke name of Joe Blow? Yes, he's your nephew and needs a job?" Decision made!
Seriously, in the aviation world, education is, other than your actual certification, the biggest discriminator to getting an interview. Right or wrong, it is a fact and so yes, get the degree or be culled from the herd very quickly.
Do you have to have a degree to fly an aircraft? Hell no, a 12 year old can do it safely. But we aren't talking about that, we are talking about something else.
cheers
Hi Focha,
Good to hear from you again. Seems like you're doing well flying both the N1 and B3 while doing your Aeronautical Degree. Your flying experience and Engineering Degree will serve you well in life I'm sure, (Genghis the Engineer) for example!
As with all Degrees it costs money to get it. I'm planning on going to Canada for two years now soon to work and save some money up in the Construction / Oil & Gas. Maybe do some flying down in Florida at some stage in the year as I have my PPL(H). The main reason for Canada is to get some money to do the Engineering Degree when I get back home. I shall be studying in the South of Ireland as it will only cost me around 14K compared to 35K roughly in the UK for a BEng. On top of that I will be 30 when I start my Degree.
As one poster said in this thread, "Get the Degree, earn loads of money and buy your own machine or have a share in one". Seems like a good plan to me!
Good to hear from you again. Seems like you're doing well flying both the N1 and B3 while doing your Aeronautical Degree. Your flying experience and Engineering Degree will serve you well in life I'm sure, (Genghis the Engineer) for example!
As with all Degrees it costs money to get it. I'm planning on going to Canada for two years now soon to work and save some money up in the Construction / Oil & Gas. Maybe do some flying down in Florida at some stage in the year as I have my PPL(H). The main reason for Canada is to get some money to do the Engineering Degree when I get back home. I shall be studying in the South of Ireland as it will only cost me around 14K compared to 35K roughly in the UK for a BEng. On top of that I will be 30 when I start my Degree.
As one poster said in this thread, "Get the Degree, earn loads of money and buy your own machine or have a share in one". Seems like a good plan to me!
I've generally offered the opinion, to those who care to listen, that doing a degree as a "backup" when you're not particularly passionate about the degree subject and only want to fly, is a poor life choice. For a "backup", I'd advocate something that allows you to get a job wherever and whenever you need one - such as a plumber, physiotherapist or short order chef.
My aeronautical engineering degrees and pilots licences work well together. I know a few people who have combined science degrees and pilots licences similarly - getting involved in research or surveying flying, and many senior management pilots have pilots licences and either management degrees, or a specialist qualification such an MSc in something related to aviation safety.
I continue to think that doing a degree for the sake of having a degree is a poor life choice. Doing a degree for a passion in the subject, or for a life plan that has more than *just* flying in it however can make perfectly good sense.
G
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"Get a degree....an advanced degree...find a good ,steady, challenging, well paying job...and use the proceeds to buy your flying but let the flying be a hobby!"
Sage advice! My uncorrected vision precluded a flying career with the military and airlines. Instead, I got a bunch of degrees, started some companies (related to the degrees) , and became a venture capitalist (investing in technologies related to the degrees). The end result has been pretty much that I can fly what I want when I want, and have many non-aviation options available as well. Not intending to brag, just to illustrate that there are more ways to skin the cat than may be apparent at age 23. Get the degree! Without the degree, you may still be able to fly someone else's S-76. With the degree, you may (for example) be able to become CEO of Sikorsky (not likely without the degree) and/or fly your own S-76.
Also worth keeping in mind that a high fraction of people make one or more career changes along the way. So, while flying may be your career of choice right now, for any number of reasons, you may elect to make a change later in life, and the degree will help enable alternatives. All said, the degree is just a piece of paper. Its what you do with it that really matters.
Sage advice! My uncorrected vision precluded a flying career with the military and airlines. Instead, I got a bunch of degrees, started some companies (related to the degrees) , and became a venture capitalist (investing in technologies related to the degrees). The end result has been pretty much that I can fly what I want when I want, and have many non-aviation options available as well. Not intending to brag, just to illustrate that there are more ways to skin the cat than may be apparent at age 23. Get the degree! Without the degree, you may still be able to fly someone else's S-76. With the degree, you may (for example) be able to become CEO of Sikorsky (not likely without the degree) and/or fly your own S-76.
Also worth keeping in mind that a high fraction of people make one or more career changes along the way. So, while flying may be your career of choice right now, for any number of reasons, you may elect to make a change later in life, and the degree will help enable alternatives. All said, the degree is just a piece of paper. Its what you do with it that really matters.
Last edited by EN48; 3rd Mar 2014 at 14:30.
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Focha, you're far too good to be a pilot. Finish that degree and get a job in industry on the technical design side. The degree will be a passport whenever you need to change jobs all the way through life. I can fully recommend aero engineering as a career, every year you get to work on something new, challenging and different.
Sage advice! My uncorrected vision precluded a flying career with the military and airlines in the mid sixties. Instead, I got a bunch of degrees, started some companies (related to the degrees) , and became a venture capitalist (investing in technologies related to the degrees). The end result has been pretty much that I can fly what I want when I want, and have many non-aviation options available as well. Not intending to brag, just to illustrate that there are more ways to skin the cat than may be apparent at age 23. Get the degree! Without the degree, you may still be able to fly someone else's S-76. With the degree, you may be able to become CEO of Sikorsky (not likely without the degree) and/or fly your own S-76.
You're not bragging one bit. If you hold more than one Degree then well done indeed. You have worked your rear off to get to where you are now, same as Genghis.
Out of interest, do you own an Enstrom?