Advice for a Masters Degree
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Advice for a Masters Degree
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Hi there, im 25, currently living in New Zealand, and need some advice.
2 weeks ago I got my CPL, and now im doing my Multi Engine Instrument Rating. Should be all finished in about 3 months or so, with about 320TT and 20 multi
When I finish I plan on moving to the states, ive been there many many times before (as I used to work as a long haul flight attendant), and love the place. Ive been lucky and last year I won a greencard in the lottery.
Now I know that there arn't any jobs for an entry level pilot like me, so I was thinking of possibly doing a Masters in Aviation. Before flying I went to university and got a BSc (Biomedical).
Now, the way I see it ive got 2 options. While in the US, I can do a masters degree extramurally from Massey University in New Zealand. Itll cost around $10,000NZD (6000USD). The Embry Riddle website says course fees are 28,000USD per year. Thatd be 56,000 total. Surely this cant be right? And if it is right, is it worth the money? If I plan on making a career in the states then a masters from a university in the states might carry more weight than one from a NZ university?
I know degrees arn't necessary to become an airline pilot, but Im thinking I might like to get into Aviation management or something one day. At least it would give me something productive to do while this recession keeps up.
Any advice would be appreciated, many thanks in advance
Hi there, im 25, currently living in New Zealand, and need some advice.
2 weeks ago I got my CPL, and now im doing my Multi Engine Instrument Rating. Should be all finished in about 3 months or so, with about 320TT and 20 multi
When I finish I plan on moving to the states, ive been there many many times before (as I used to work as a long haul flight attendant), and love the place. Ive been lucky and last year I won a greencard in the lottery.
Now I know that there arn't any jobs for an entry level pilot like me, so I was thinking of possibly doing a Masters in Aviation. Before flying I went to university and got a BSc (Biomedical).
Now, the way I see it ive got 2 options. While in the US, I can do a masters degree extramurally from Massey University in New Zealand. Itll cost around $10,000NZD (6000USD). The Embry Riddle website says course fees are 28,000USD per year. Thatd be 56,000 total. Surely this cant be right? And if it is right, is it worth the money? If I plan on making a career in the states then a masters from a university in the states might carry more weight than one from a NZ university?
I know degrees arn't necessary to become an airline pilot, but Im thinking I might like to get into Aviation management or something one day. At least it would give me something productive to do while this recession keeps up.
Any advice would be appreciated, many thanks in advance
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
What exactly is the MD going to do for you.
What will the Masters in Aviation do for you, with out a bit of aviation experience behind it, especially, as you say, considering the current economics. I would consider spending the money elsewhere, but where, I do not know. You hit the ground hard enough, you might find a time building job that will help you towards your goal, whatever that goal might be. Perhaps save the money and use it later ,when you have a bit more experience, and can judge the aviation market more clearly.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 2
From: UTC +8
If you want to become a professional pilot you would be well to do to keep on flying.
Perhaps you can do both: Become a parttime flight instructor and earn some cash while attending parttime graduate school. Usually the place where you obtain your CFI will have a job offer.
Perhaps you can do both: Become a parttime flight instructor and earn some cash while attending parttime graduate school. Usually the place where you obtain your CFI will have a job offer.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Florida, USA
I have to agree with NZ x man. If flying is your goal, all you need for a major airline is a bachelors degree. They won't care about a masters as much as they care about quality flight time and networking. Concentrate on that now. You have very low time and soon enough the tables will turn and there will be a need for pilots. Get some flying experience and meet people in the industry.
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 1
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
In todays world of Aviation at 25 with 320 hours, a Pilots license may get you laid, but a Degree will feed you.
Take a good look at www.erau.edu and see what you can do..
Can I assume from that, your degree won't be in English. 
Take a good look at www.erau.edu and see what you can do..
I know degrees arn't necessary to become an airline pilot
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Florida, USA
A degree may feed you in the short term, but you want to be a pilot. Nobody knew what would happen after Sept 11, 2001, but after many furloughs and tough times, there was a hiring boom. You would want to be prepared for such a boom and be competitive. I still maintain that a bachelor degree is plenty for a major airline. Take a chance and get involved in the industry, talk to people in GA and airlines, make connections, get an instructor rating or fly freight. Flying is a confidence game, not a matter of who has a PhD or high school certificate.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 182
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From: Earth
Having been furloughed three times in a nine year career, and seeing how bad aviation is here in the USA, I would recommend staying away from an aviation related masters. By all means, get a masters, but get an MBA or something else not aviation related.
The reason is twofold, first airlines in the USA don't care what you degree is in, and they don't care about anything above a bachelors degree. Having a masters will not increase your pay as a pilot either. But having a masters in something else will help you tremendously when your first furlough comes. It will help you after ten years of living on poverty level wages and you decide that aviation in the USA stinks and want to do something else. It will even help you more if you decide to move into the management side of an airline at some point.
And ERAU is grossly expensive, there are far less expensive options in the USA as well.
Best of luck to you.
The reason is twofold, first airlines in the USA don't care what you degree is in, and they don't care about anything above a bachelors degree. Having a masters will not increase your pay as a pilot either. But having a masters in something else will help you tremendously when your first furlough comes. It will help you after ten years of living on poverty level wages and you decide that aviation in the USA stinks and want to do something else. It will even help you more if you decide to move into the management side of an airline at some point.
And ERAU is grossly expensive, there are far less expensive options in the USA as well.
Best of luck to you.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I second what others have said about Riddle, very expensive for what it is.
Get a degree in something other than aviation to fall back on, some of these aviation type degrees won't help you in the real world if you need a back up to aviation.
Good luck, keep flying.
Get a degree in something other than aviation to fall back on, some of these aviation type degrees won't help you in the real world if you need a back up to aviation.
Good luck, keep flying.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Thanks for all the advice everyone, its much appreciated. From what ive read on here, the best thing for me to do is to just keep flying and building time, perhaps ill leave the postgrad work for a bit later on, if at all.
Just gotta try get that first job now!!
Peace!!
Just gotta try get that first job now!!
Peace!!
