Insight into career direction...

[NTXPilot]

Posted this on Flightinfo, and was wondering if yall had any insight.

Ok here's the situation. Graduating with a degree in Psychology next year. The BA in psych is practically worthless so for a "real" fall back option I've decided to do a MBA. I know all I want to do is fly (spare the debate about the necessity of an MBA--again just want the safety cushion to fall back on). So, should I A) start my flight training during this last year of college, do the CFI gig and go for that seniority number at the airline THEN pursue an online MBA with the spare time or B) Finish undergrad; MBA, get out while still 24-25 yrs old and done with school for good.

Basically, I guess, the question is: if I jump ship on college with the BA at 22 and hopefully get hired at an airline, how valuable would that 2+ years early date of hire be? (opposed to getting hired later on after the MBA)

So, if you were in my shoes, getting ready to graduate and pursue an MBA (so don't try to talk me out of it), but knew you wanted to fly for a living; which way would you go?

Thanks in advance.

[Timbuff10]

I graduated from CU-Boulder in 2002 as did my fiance'. She went and got her MBA and I went after a flying career as it is what I always wanted to do.

Fast forward to 2005... She has a really good job with tons of potential and makes a lot more money than I do. As for me, I am a new CFI at a great school here in Denver and I love what I do even though I don't make a whole lot of money.

I think your answer is that you just have to weigh out what you value most between family/QOL, flying, and money (and those are listed in a particular order for me).

[flyover]

[ QUOTE ]
I know all I want to do is fly ................

So, if you were in my shoes, getting ready to graduate and pursue an MBA (so don't try to talk me out of it), but knew you wanted to fly for a living; which way would you go?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd start flying.

[CollinsProLine]

Hey Tim, I'm glad you're following in my footsteps at McAir. Let me know when you reach SkyWest's minimums. Say hi to Nick and Ken! - RJE

[shackhack]

NTXPilot,

I'd start flying.

my $0.02

C

[KLB]

[ QUOTE ]


So, if you were in my shoes, getting ready to graduate and pursue an MBA (so don't try to talk me out of it), but knew you wanted to fly for a living; which way would you go?



[/ QUOTE ]
I am in the same boat with the exception that I already have all of my certificates and ratings (with the exception of ATP) and a bachelors degree. I am going to start my Masters online probably in the spring semester.
So I would say get your bachelors, do your flight training, and
do your Masters online.

To add to NTXpilot's question, what do you guys think about getting a Master's in Commercial Aviation? Thats probably what I will be getting my Masters in.

[DE727UPS]

Would you rather pursue your MBA part time or full time? If you get a full time flying job, it might not be as easy to do an MBA as you think. I'm no expert, but I could see an MBA taking a lot of time and effort. My gut feeling is you should just do the MBA now and don't worry about a flying job right away. You could even fly a little on the side while in school. It's true that seniority is everything in the airline biz but having a good solid backup is even more important, I think.

[skydog]

Go to school, get your MBA, and then your PhD. Get into a career that actually pays a decent salary (hint: not flying). After you have done all that, get your PPL and buy an airplane (or a share of one). Then you can fly when you want, where you want, for as long (or as little) as you want. More importantly you won't have to fly when you don't want to.

Flying airplanes as a pasttime is great. Flying them for a living sucks.

[PWMURPHY]

I'd encourage you to go straight to a full-time MBA program and finish that as quick as you can. Maybe by taking extra classes and staying summers you could do it in under 2 years.

Once you get hooked into aviation, you will find it very difficult to complete that degree. I know as I tried for years to finish a doctorate in public administration but always found myself more willing to hang at the airport rather than the library. I kick myself now. Had I just waited one more year and stayed in college full-time, it would have opened many more doors later in life.

Wow, can't believe that I'm agreeing with DE727UPS!

Pat Murphy

[ComplexHiAv8r]

[ QUOTE ]
Flying airplanes as a pasttime is great. Flying them for a living sucks.

[/ QUOTE ]

While I know alot of people say they enjoy the trip more then the end (training to commerical flying), but every job has its problems. If I could ask, is it really that bad? If so, what have you done to make it better? Maybe you could give us a Day/Week in the Life to better understand what to potentionally expect once we get up there.

[naunga]

Go full time to get the MBA.

While it's more loans, it's two more years you can deferr your undergrad loans.

Fly in your free time, pay cash for as much of it as you can.

Graduate with your MBA.

Start a hugely successful biz, and buy a Citation to fly yourself around in.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Naunga

[BrettInLJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Go to school, get your MBA, and then your PhD. Get into a career that actually pays a decent salary (hint: not flying). After you have done all that, get your PPL and buy an airplane (or a share of one). Then you can fly when you want, where you want, for as long (or as little) as you want. More importantly you won't have to fly when you don't want to.

Flying airplanes as a pasttime is great. Flying them for a living sucks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, tried that... doesn't work. Flying is like a viral disease that keeps flaring up. You can keep it under control for a while, but then it comes back with a vengence. I had it under control for over a year and a half... a few promotions and a transfer to a Fortune 50 company later I can now afford to finance a good used Mooney or 182, but it doesn't keep you from getting that feeling in your gut when you look into the cockpit with envy while travelling in the back of an aircraft on a business trip. The disease is in your blood and not curable, and will make you miserable unless you give into it. Sorry for the bad news. Rent out your hose, sell your BMW, develop a taste for ramen noodles, give in and be happy. Or at least less miserable.

[typhoonpilot]

Flashback to 1984: Me going to a junior college intent on finishing a 4 year degree and a friend looking for a two year degree and then full time flying. He was hired by American in 1988, I was hired by another carrier in late 1989. That one/two year time difference was huge. Had I been hired by any other airline, including the one that hired me, in 1988 I would have had a much more stable career.

Who knows if you will end up on the beginning, middle, or end of a hiring wave but I think the best suggestion here was to go get all your ratings and then do the MBA while flight instructing. That is the best compromise and is easily doable. You may not have a life for two years, but there is plenty of time to enjoy once you've finished the degree and have the ATP plus 1500 hours.

TP

[Texguy]

[ QUOTE ]
that feeling in your gut when you look into the cockpit with envy while travelling in the back of an aircraft on a business trip.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know that feeling. Or when you're in an office building on a sunny day and see a jet fly overhead.

[Aero_Engineer]

I have a situation like yours, I am going to start my training this summer and I am hoping to get all my licenses all the way to MEI in two yaers when I will also be a Mechanical Engineer. In the long run all I can say if you really have thought about this careers and industry and you still came out with a positive outlook go for it and never look back.
Aviation industry in my opinion is one of the hardest and toughest industries to get in and survive in but for us aviation nuts it is always a lot of joy and saticfication once we pull back on the yoke of that Cessna 172 or MD 80 or any other airplane that flies.
Not me and not anyone else will assure you that oh everything is gonna be alright and we are headed in the right direction so it is always good to have something to fall back on in the rainy days.
Good luck with everything and happy flying.

[BrettInLJ]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
that feeling in your gut when you look into the cockpit with envy while travelling in the back of an aircraft on a business trip.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know that feeling. Or when you're in an office building on a sunny day and see a jet fly overhead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very very true. Whenever I'm at a meeting in one of our VP's offices at my work and the wind is right, I can see planes taking off at Burbank, head right over our building in North Hollywood. Very distracting, and it makes me care less about costs analysis, etc... I'm taking a long lunch today and finishing up my BFR at Whiteman, and all I can think about is flying. Guess I'll have to get my fix in and then wait until this afternoon to be productive.