How necessary is a college degree?

silentben · April 30th, 2008, 22:02

Hi,

I am 28 and doing a career change from being a UNIX systems administrator. My story is that I started working in the IT sector at 17 as a tech support phone monkey and worked my way up from there over the next 10 years. During this time I went to community college and got enough credits for an AS degree in computer science but never officially got the degree.

So my question is how likely would I be able to land a job at a regional or flying freight or even doing traffic or pipeline patrol without the degree? In my last line of work it's widely accepted that work history is acceptable in lieu of a degree and I have lots of good work history (non aviation of course). If the bachelors degree is really necessary I would probably look more into doing the Embry-Riddle Oakland campus.

Thanks in advance!

t-cart · April 30th, 2008, 23:01

None of the jobs that you listed require a degree. Having said that, If you even remotely think that you would like to fly for a major airline, you will need the four year degree. Now, You certainly dont have to have it to have a good (earnings and quality of life) career in aviation. Wont be long for other opinions to come along. Good luck to you.

Tld · April 30th, 2008, 23:33

First off, Welcome! I agree that while it's not necessary for the jobs you mentioned, it makes you that much more competitive in aviation's cyclical hiring market. Seeing as you have made a sucessful career in IT (an industry i know nothing about) it seems that you wouldn't have a hard time finding a job if you were furloughed. But earning your college degree now, while you are working on your ratings, will be a lot easier than if you are several years into working at a regional, and wanting to move up to the majors. My advice would be to get your degree. Good luck.

TexasFlyer · May 2nd, 2008, 02:14

Ditto everyone else.

For what you listed, no degree required.

How necessary is a college degree in my opinion though? Essential

If you want to fly, go fly first. Once flying, then work on the college degree (Bachelor Degree that is since an Associates will not add the long term value you may need). This is just a way to always keep options open since you never know when you may loose a medical, get furloughed for years, or just end up no longer having the passion if flying for a career is not quite what you hoped for.

Best of success to you!