Aviation Degree or Something Else?
Posted by MasterChain9208@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Hello,
I am currently a freshman in a college aviation program, came in with my private, and am currently halfway through commercial. For a while now, it has been bugging me that this degree doesn't really give a huge backup if flying doesn't work out. The classes are fun but I feel they are not really challenging enough, especially at the high price they cost. If I continue with this degree, I can finish out in 3 years total (brought credits in from hs) and likely can easily start instructing for the same school, but if I switch to engineering, I could probably still finish in 4 years total and then start building time from there (maybe back home). I have typically done well in calc/physics classes, so that leads to me to believe I am capable of it, and it would give me a better alternative to flying than a bachelor's in aviation would. I feel the downside of not getting a R-ATP isn't a huge deal because no one is getting hired to a regional right at 1000 now anyway, and I would learn a new skillset that could be useful. The 1 extra year of college before graduation would also probably feel worth it if aviation were to not work out.
deer_god11@reddit
I'm currently thinking this exact thing, but I just can't imagine spending 4 years of my life studying a field I have zero interest in. Life is too short for that.
Harry73127@reddit
No offense but if you can’t find something interesting to study in college that’s on you
deer_god11@reddit
Fair. Tbh I haven't explored much outside of aviation.
MasterChain9208@reddit (OP)
True, and while I am interested in aerospace engineering, if the fact that cadet programs prefer 141 college programs, it might make them worth it, though I have a buddy not in a college program that got into d225.
Computerized-Cash@reddit
SkyWest has announced their preference for 141 collegiate grads for their cadet programs. Envoy, Aviate and Propel already have that requirement more or less. With the bottle neck in the industry and considering there’s a 90/10 split between cadets/off the street applicants getting hired, it’s the way the industry is heading. More that exceptions don’t disprove the rule.
Aromatic-Assist-7202@reddit
Could you please send me the source of SkyWest announcing its preference for 141 collegiate grads?
adii100@reddit
1 pick one of: trades, teaching, nursing, allied health, police, military, vehicle operator
2 use the above job to fund your pilot ratings (one at a time on the weekends)
3 once you get CPL, decide if you want to go down the charter or instructor path to build hours
Foxbat100@reddit
Engineering would be much more useful - good on you for considering that. However, Green's and Stokes' theorem is a much harder curriculum than a degree in using the E6B - food for thought.
MasterChain9208@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s what makes it tough. Finishing up a degree in something I already know a good amount about and have always wanted to do, to doing something completely new but more useful as a backup.
Rangeexpert3@reddit
Do something not aviation related. In case you can't find work right away or for whatever reason can't fly anymore, you can always fall back on the other degree.
EliteEthos@reddit
Something else.
Computers or STEM
Tman3355@reddit
As someone who roomed with aeronautical engineers and also had a brother in aerospace engineering i can tell you that at least in those two engineering fields you will have no time for flight training on the side. The course load in those degrees is no joke and I dont envy them in the slightest.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hello,
I am currently a freshman in a college aviation program, came in with my private, and am currently halfway through commercial. For a while now, it has been bugging me that this degree doesn't really give a huge backup if flying doesn't work out. The classes are fun but I feel they are not really challenging enough, especially at the high price they cost. If I continue with this degree, I can finish out in 3 years total (brought credits in from hs) and likely can easily start instructing for the same school, but if I switch to engineering, I could probably still finish in 4 years total and then start building time from there (maybe back home). I have typically done well in calc/physics classes, so that leads to me to believe I am capable of it, and it would give me a better alternative to flying than a bachelor's in aviation would. I feel the downside of not getting a R-ATP isn't a huge deal because no one is getting hired to a regional right at 1000 now anyway, and I would learn a new skillset that could be useful. The 1 extra year of college before graduation would also probably feel worth it if aviation were to not work out.
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