$35k Saved-- MBA or Get my Wings?

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

I've done the opposite...got my Master's but wish I would have gone for an actual flying job. Never use my degree. Wonder how much I could get for it on ebay ?
I will say it helped get my foot in the door but you still have to sell yourself as well as prove yourself after you get the job.
Been out in the working world for 19 years and haven't been "furloughed" (yet). Made some moves I didn't want to though. It is a M-F gig and it pays pretty good to where Momma can stay at home. However, I don't enjoy the work I'm doing. I take satisfaction in doing a good job and enjoy most of the people I work with but again can't say I enjoy my work. Thank goodness for smashing bugs on the weekends and the camaradrie you can have with other aviators.

 

[ClassG]

See how easy it is to use this board to help you make a decision??

Good Luck!

 

[Idreamtofly]

Optimize your time and money. Aviate then Educate

Get all your ratings through the Multiengine Flight Instructor (MEI).

By next year you could be employed as a Flight Instructor(CFI).

Your annual CFI income will probably be low enough that you may qualify for college financial assistance for help with your Masters degree. If you have to get a loan it will be a low-interest, long-term educational loan.

If you work as a flight instructor and carry nine credit hours--typically three courses--you should be able to get your Masters and have your pilot certificates with logged time, thus making it easier for you to make the appropriate decision(s) about your future employment with a feel for flying a desk or the right seat of a training airplane.

Before you do any of the above,however, schedule and pass a First-Class Medical exam with a Aeromedical Medical Examiner to ensure these two career options are feasible.

Best of Luck.
Idreamtofly

 

[pilotyip]

MBA close to useless

An MBA without a background in commerce, or from a top 10 school is like having a type rating with no time in the airplane. I was in the MBA program at the U of Mich. when I left the Navy in 1977, after one year I went back into flying because I liked the people in aviation better than the people in my MBA classes. I finished my masters in an evening program. I could not imagine spending the rest of my life in that environment. You have to decide what defines a successful career, if it flying airplanes, because you like flying airplanes, then pursue that career, you will be successful. If you define successful as a certain level of flying wide body int'l, you may not make it, but it will be because your interest in flying is not an interest in flying but an interest in a certain status associated with a flying career. This may lead to disappointment with your choice. If you pursue both you will end up half way complete in both areas. You have to decide what you want to do and then pursue that option, and never look back. If you get your MBA leave it off your resume when looking for a flying job, because many employers will figure you have ambitions beyond flying airplanes. I never put my masters on any application for a flying job, until USA Jet was looking for a Director of Training.

 

[azpilot]

If you really want to fly I would start working on a my ratings. You don't have to go to one of the pilot mills to do this. All ATPS does offer their training in a weekend format now so you could always go to a school like this and work hard on the weekends. An MBA is great if what you want to do in life is sit on the ground. There is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with being a GA pilot for the rest of your life either. No one says that you have to be an airline pilot in order to enjoy flying. I am considering turning down a very well paying management job because in the end it doesn't help me take my first step in the airline industry which would be a regional job.

If some how you can afford both I would finish my private license build a little experience and then work towards finishing your other ratings.

An MBA does not guarantee you a well paying job either. There are lots of very well educated people on the street today as well.

If you really want to be an airline pilot you need to be commited to doing whatever it takes to get there. Since you are only 24 I think you have plenty of time to work a full-time job or school and work on completing your ratings.

Good luck

 

[g159av8tor]

In my opinion, if you even have to ask the question, you already know the answer. Few professional pilots ever got to the pinnacle of their careers because they were brainiacs--just gifted ( I use the term loosely) and, more importantly, dedicated and determined aviators. But that's the same stuff that gets one through grad school.

My story, I started my MS one day a year after I graduted ERAU and really out of sheer bordom. Now, I'm 50% completed with about 18 months more as a part-time student.

Also, think of it like this: you may, as a CFI, be able to write-off a portion of your tuition, supplies and books if you specialize your MBA in aviation something-or-other. Just a thought.

Tailwinds...

 

[seatrumpeter]

Fly

Always fly.

 

[RickVF]

Ok. How about this. Instead of spending the big bucks at SMU (a very expensive private school) for your MBA, why not get your MBA at UT Austin (a very inexpensive public school with a great MBA program). With the money you save in tuition you could get your commercial and CFI ratings at a local FBO. When you graduate in two years, still only 26 or 27 years old, you can decide which career route to take. I wish I had 35K in the bank when I was 24. Good luck in whatever you decide. Rick

P.S. I guess I should disclose that I received my law degree at UT, so I might be a little biased.

 

[Archer]

I don't know what to tell you, because I'm in the same boat (or close enough).

In fact, I would like to get advice as well. A lot of people have already given me advice in the "corporate" forum, and those people need not bother replying to this. I would appreciate advice from the OTHER people.


In short, I'm a third year Italian aerospace engineering student in central Indiana earning my Private Pilot's licence on the side.

Interest: Airplanes and Spacecraft! That's all. They are my life. Whether designing them, or flying them, or just looking at them.

I got a year left to get my degree, and I'm guessing I'll have my Instrument rating if not my commercial by then too.

Once I get my BSAAE, I have two options. Become an engineer or become a pilot. The engineer route means get a Masters (MSAAE) and most probably go back to Europe, unless citizenship fall out of the sky for me.

The other option, invest the money and time in ratings. Go to Florida, and get all the remaining FAA and JAA licences. Then see if I can work in the US, then good, if not, try out Europe.

Oh, and I wouldn't work for airlines or any Part 121. My interest is charter (to begin with) and then a respectable high paying Part 91 corp job in 10 years or however many it takes making 100K+

Sorry for intruding in your thread, but it's the same topic, no need to waste server space.

Archer

 

[bobbysamd]

Ideas for Archer

Most definitely you should finish your degree. In the meantime, you should seriously consider going to the Alitalia Scuola di Volo in Alghero. That could be a real opportunity for you. You could be on the line at 500 hours or so after receiving first-rate training. I know a little about the program, having instructed Alitalia crews at FlightSafety several years ago. The training captains brought the program to FSI, and we trained the students their way, consistent with having to pass the FAA Commercial-Instrument-Multi tests.

Being multilingual is a real advantage for you.

Hope this idea is helpful.

Here's another link to the school.

 

[350DRIVER]

I think for the most part some great advice has been given but people need to keep in mind that "FLYING" does NOT require a MBA to gain employment as a pilot. < bottom line. A four year degree is enough (

The poster asked whether or not he should do the MBA "OR" do his flight training....

What does he want to do? FLY or work a 9-5 desk job.?? -

Does he enjoy flying enough to do it as a career and endure the struggles of the industry.?

Where is his heart and desires.??

I don't think we are pilots can answer those questions for him. What we can answer is that "needing" to get the MBA to secure a job as a PILOT in the aviation industry is just completely FALSE and will continue to be that way-


3 5 0

good luck to whatever he chooses

 

[Loafman]

I took the honking huge paycut from the engineering world to the airline industry and have never regretted it. I made less money to start, but after I caught up salary-wise, I can't imagine ever doing anything else. If you truly have a passion for flying, an airline job will never snuff it out. Just avoid AMR like the plague, I've NEVER seen a happy AA pilot. The corporate culture stinks like a can of smashed a$$holes, and it may never get better. There's always time for higher education, and that's not the last $35K you'll ever save up. Despite the doom and gloom attitudes out there, several regionals are hiring 500 hour pilots from accelerated bridge programs, and once your foot is in the door, you'll do fine.

 

[av8instyle]

bad economy...

Which means right now is the perfect time for a guy getting started. By the time you get training done and have a year or two as a CFI, the hiring will be going again.

 

[azpilot]

Food for thought

Obviously things can change but....

CollegeJournal.com Reports Sobering Outlook for New M.B.A. Grads
Tuesday February 25, 9:45 am ET


PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The market for M.B.A. talent is as cold as the weather, and students can only hope for a spring thaw of last minute recruiting, according to CollegeJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal's site for career-minded college students.

In "MBA Track," CollegeJournal.com's new column about business-school issues, columnist Ron Alsop reports that most school officials and recruiters don't expect demand for M.B.A. graduates to rebound before summer or fall -- if then.

The vast majority of business schools are reporting fewer recruiters than last year, with some experiencing a 50% drop in the number of companies on campus. The weak economy, depressed stock market and threat of war are making companies -- even those that are thriving -- wary of hiring expensive M.B.A. talent until it's absolutely necessary. Students at prestigious schools, of course, are faring best. Harvard Business School, the University of Chicago, Columbia and other top schools report that recruiting activity is about level with last year. In fact, they are attracting companies that used to visit second- and third-tier schools but now are making what some recruiters call a "flight to quality."

"Companies wisely are capitalizing on the fact that they can now compete for top talent because investment banks and consulting firms are hiring far fewer students from such schools as Wharton and Harvard," says Mr. Alsop. "It's the less elite schools that are being left high and dry."

How much money should M.B.A. graduates expect this year if they get lucky? Signing bonuses will definitely be punier and in shorter supply; year-end bonuses and stock options will be even scarcer. As for base pay, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a nonprofit organization based in Bethlehem, Pa., surveyed companies and found that nearly half plan to keep M.B.A. salaries flat. Among those boosting their offers this year, the average increase will be a mere 3.9%.

"Most surprising was the survey's finding that 54% of recruiters say students still are trying to negotiate bigger salaries and that nearly 30% find that students' sense of entitlement has not diminished during the economic downturn," says Mr. Alsop.

Mr. Alsop, a Wall Street Journal editor, is in charge of The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Business-School Survey and is the editor of "The Wall Street Journal Guide to the Top Business Schools," published by Wall Street Journal Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. To read his column, "MBA Track," visit http://www.CollegeJournal.com .

 

[pipers]

What do you want to do with your MBA? Aviation business? Why not do both? Your young enough......

I'm starting my Masters in Economics this fall while still flight instructing at the local college. I plan to do an airline-transportation emphasis. I don't know exactly what doors it will open up, but completing a M.S. degree is something I've always wanted to do regardless of where I ended up. I've talked with the school, and if I get hired in the middle of my studies, I have up to 5 years to complete my degree...which should be doable You might not be able to go to the school of your choice, but you could still complete an MBA while flying. Things do suck right now, but things will get better. If you truly want to fly, 36 years or more is a long time to sit in an office. Good luck.

 

[Vicman]

Both!

join the USAF any component of...they pay for your masters and if you are lucky you might be selected for UPT training and eventually be a rated milAv.

if my information is wrong please correct me..anyone.

 

[huncowboy]

Sorry to go against the old guys here but my vote is also for flying. You want to be ready to apply and have at least some 1500+ hours by the time some hiring will start to happen again. When that happens you don't want to just start training.

Of course as it looks it may take years for that so you may even be able to get an MBA and still have time to get ready. We just don't know, but to get some dual given right now (not talking about getting a CFI job that is hard already) is slow unless you land at a very busy place. I also have a BBA and I think I will get my MBA only after I am hired as a CFI because that won't take all my day.

Another thing is that the next step for starters after CFIing is cargo, or charter or if lucky a regional job. None of these need more than a Bachelor even that is an overkill except may be for the regional. If we talk majors than yes I vote for a Masters but getting there seems to take so much time that one can get any degree.

My 0.02 only.

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Well, figure id check back in, nothing really has developed as I was layed off from my tech job about 6 weeks ago, was on track to have them pay for my MBA that I was going to get while working there, but now back to the drawing board. Im either A) going to get a regular job while trying to earn my wings at a local FBO somewhere here in the Dallas area, or just get a regular job and save up for one of those all-inclusive schools that you just go there and and they spend 24-7 to train you........

One other alternative im researching right now is going and getting trained to be an Air Traffic Controller. Considering that option as well right now......just sucks being unemployed

 

[Mason]

Do Both!

I was in the same boat as you several years ago. I was 26 and had been flying a desk for 4.5 years and wanted a career change. I left the desk job and got all my ratings and then was very fortunate to be hired by the school that trained me. Now I'm looking into adding an MBA in the event that someday I cannot support myself in the aviation world. Bottom line is that I think that you should go ahead and get all of your ratings and then if you still want the MBA, find a program that offers distance learning or night/weekend classes. Pursue both.

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Just to clarify, what are the different civilian avenues one can take to get their wings?