Little Help/Advice

[NTXPilot]

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.

 

[RedDogC130]

Do not drop out before you finish the BA!!!!!!

When I finished my BA, I went through flight training and got my Masters while going to school part-time. I then flew for a few years and then got into the Guard. Now I am going back to civilian flying with the Guard on the side. I am still under 30 so you can do it. Do both if you can afford it. Lucky for me I had some backing with the finances. Get the flight time and do the school on the side. The flight time will get you the job, not the education at that level.

 

[nosehair]

...jump ship on college with the BA at 22 and hopefully get hired at an airline...

MMmWHAHAHAHAHA...OOOh-hoo-hoo-weee-ee...

 

[Goose Egg]

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...

The logic is sound...

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)

I'm in your exact position (well, with a few more ratings and a little more flight time) and I have been accepted for an MBA program starting in September. I queried the flightinfo crowd and recieved a variety of responses--some thought it was a great idea, others thought it wasn't. In the end, I just decided to do what I felt best about.

Funny thing though, I was a little hesitant to undertake the MBA after I was admitted to the program. I think I had been listening to my academic Phd. student friends talk too much about how an MBA wasn't a "real" degree (I love them to death but darned if they don't get a little snooty sometimes.) But then I had the opportunity to get some of the opinions of non-pilot business people when I told them that I was accepted--they all thought it would be a really, really good idea, and I'd basically be crazy not to do it, (this group includes CPAs, VPs, fathers, etc.) and that it would open up all sorts of opportunities for me. I know I want to fly, but who knows what will happen down the road. Maybe I'll get layed off. Maybe I'll lose my medical. Maybe I'll just decide one day that I've had enough. I don't think any of that will happen, but I can't be sure. And maybe the Man upstairs has different plans for me. I just don't know.

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

No. Online school for anything is a waste of time, in my opinion, unless you are merely trying to "check a box." And if you are just trying to "check a box" with the MBA, then don't bother doing it at all--it won't be worth your time. I've done online programs before, and I don't usually get anything out of them. Sure, technology is great, but there still is no substitute for actually being in the same room with a teacher. It's like the difference of playing golf on my XBOX vs. doing it for real. No comparison.

(But finishing school and doing the CFI gig is a good idea, but that's for another thread.)

B) Finish undergrad; MBA, get out while still 24-25 yrs old and done with school for good.

Yeah, that still leaves you plenty of time to get your ratings. Speaking of which, is there any reason why you can't finish your BA and MBA and simultaneously work on your flying?

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)

I'm no expert here, and I'm not going to pretend to be one. I'd personally finish the MBA. (I'll be finishing mine and instructing full time.) But then again, I really would prefer flying corporate over airline. In fact, if I don't have have a seniority number or join a union or commute a day of my life, I'd be fine with that. Maybe my MBA will help out here!

The classes of my MBA program are held in the evenings (as are many other programs), so that those who work during the day can attend. This is a great option for me because it allows me to instruct and build time while also being a graduate student. It's basically the ideal situation come to fruition. (In more ways than one!) Maybe something like this would allow you to finish your ratings and start instructing.

Don't let anyone ever tell you that school isn't important. Knowledge is power, and the only ones that would tell you otherwise are the ones that don't have it.

-Goose

 

[bigbenno]

if you honestly want to fly, you need to start your ratings now, they will take you a while if you dont have lots of time to just fly all the time. As i am sure you know, the sooner you get into an airline the higher number you will have than you would have if you waited 2 years. With the way the airline industry is, a good way to hold onto a job is to not be furloughed. I would say finish your BA work on the flying stuff, get a flying job, and then get your MBA

 

[pilotyip]

Hiring boom coming

Why would you get a MBA if you want to be a pilot? Now if you want to join the management ranks that could be another story. The on-line MBA will get you some good info how how business works, but if you want to get a MBA that leads to a good managment job you have to go full time at one of the top schools. Sounds like you want to be a pilot, skip school go fly airplanes, do your MBA on the side. The hiring boom of 2007 is coming, so start flying now to be ready for 2007

 

[Goose Egg]

Why would you get a MBA if you want to be a pilot?

Because he has more than 15 minutes of foresight, unlike some people on this board, and he wants all available options open.

-Goose

 

[mayday1]

The on-line MBA will get you some good info how how business works, but if you want to get a MBA that leads to a good managment job you have to go full time at one of the top schools.

ah, not so fast... I didn't get my MBA at Wharton (or any of the "top" schools), but darned if it hasn't served me very well. You get out of school what you put into it regardless where you go.

 

[pilotyip]

Good for you Mayday, a college degree has to be put to use shortly after getting it to have any real value. Sounds like NTX wants to be a pilot and the MBA degree will just get in way of pursuing a flying career. I do not believe you can have it both ways. If you spend 10-15 years trying to build a flying career your college degree/MBA does not have alot of fall back value.

 

[NTXPilot]

Yip,
I had the feeling you would chime in with the 2007 hiring boom. For my sake and all aspiring pilots out there--I hope you're right.

Thanks everyone for the replies. As of now it's on to the MBA...my school has a ''fast track'' program, which allows an undergrad to take grad courses that count for both. So, by the time I finish my undergrad I'll be 12 hours ahead in graduate work...hopefully that will allow me to finish in 1.5 years. We'll see. And, who knows, if I've got some free time on the side then maybe I can go after a rating or two. If not, then do 'em when I get done.

BTW, are there any pilot/management positions within an airline? Or is it pretty cut and dry...you're either a pilot or you're in management? Could you fly for x amount of years then go into management? Or would the MBA serve more in the corporate world, like management/pilot. Just curious what kind of things are out there, which "doors" within aviation the MBA might open...

 

[Goose Egg]

...hopefully that will allow me to finish in 1.5 years. We'll see. And, who knows, if I've got some free time on the side then maybe I can go after a rating or two. If not, then do 'em when I get done.

Waint just a sec here...

For once I'm going to go with Yip here. If you want to be a pilot, get your undergrad done and then go fly. While, contrary to Yip's opinion, I feel that an MBA would be beneficial no matter what your goals in life, I don't think that it should be done in place of flying if flying is what you want to do. The only reason that I'm going for mine is because I will be able continue instructing full time. Otherwise, I wouldn't pursue the MBA. (Also, I wouldn't pursue it if it weren't free for me, but that's another thread.) Sure, it's only 1.5 years, but that's 1.5 years sooner that you could be flying. My MBA won't hold up my flying career, and if it becomes a question of taking an airline job vs. finishing the MBA, I'm taking the job. Flying is the priority.

Or would the MBA serve more in the corporate world, like management/pilot. Just curious what kind of things are out there, which "doors" within aviation the MBA might open...

Funny you should mention that. Personally, I'm not seeking my MBA with any specific goals in mind, such as "airline management" or "management pilot." Fact of the matter is that the opportunity has presented itself, it's free, and two years are going to go by anyway. It's true that I think I'd prefer corporate flying, and an MBA may help out there, but that goal is not set in stone. I really don't know exactly what the future will bring, but I have a good feeling about my plans and I'm trusting my gut.

Speaking of which, you will have to make that decision for yourself. The advice that you recieve on this board is for novelty purposes only (there's just too many bitter/grumpy/jaded individuals to look at it any other way.)

-Goose