Your College Degree.

[LAFrequentflyer]

Military History
like the subject, needed four year degree to get commissioned in USAF
would do it over again...

-LA

 

[Swede]

Chemistry. A brutal degree. I'd never do it again. I know less chemistry now than my H.S. daughter. Utterly worthless for anything other than saying "Yes I have a B.S. in chemistry." But my ability to say that got me hired, so I guess it was worth it after all. I would NOT have been hired without a Bachelor's degree.

 

[dabandermac]

go to college and f biatches..... have the best time of your life

 

[FreightNazi]

And I agree with pilotyip here. You do NOT need a college degree to be a pilot. You only need it to get some VERY GOOD pilot JOBS!







.

I Agree.

 

[gkrangers]

I'm thinking of going with a Bs. in Geography, with a focus in climatology/meteorology, and geographical information systems. That is an interest if mine, especially weather, and it is technically a "science" degree.

I'm not aware of exactly what the Guard looks for, but I do know that active duty, especially ROTC, usually doesn't care what your degree is in, as far as pilot applicants are concerned. Apparently they actually prefer the "technical" degrees, such as engineering, for other jobs.

I am horrible at math, and I hate it. Therefore, I am not going for engineering, physics, or any other degree that involves more than your basic level maths.

Meteorology involves a very very high level of math and physics.

As for myself..

It'll be a Safety Science degree...minor in ATC.

It'll give me options...

 

[CFIcare]

For those of you who have a college degree, I have a few questions.

1) What is your degree in? Late Modern European Military History
2) Why did you choose the degree you did? I had the best grades in it
3) Would you major in the same thing, if you had to do over again? Um, no.
4) If your answer to #3 is no, than what would you major in? I would have saved myself a LOT of needless memorizing and cramming and I would have majored in recreational science. It doesn't matter what your degree is in if you are going into aviation.

Major in something you enjoy reading/writing/learning about, not something you will base a career on. I don't know many people who actually have a career that thei major prepared them for. Do history, literature, heck forestry if you like it. Some employers like to see you have a degree only to see that you can finish a long term program that you started. If you want to run your own FBO or charter company one day, then maybe aviation/airport management would be a good idea. If all you want to do is fly, then just sample what's available and major in what interests you. I took courses in geology, astronomy, calculus, French, religion, economics, literature, art and history. I had the best grades in history so that was that. After graduation I framed the diploma, put it somewhere and then went flying.

Good luck and have fun at whatever you choose to do.

 

[smellthejeta]

For those of you who have a college degree, I have a few questions.

1) What is your degree in?
2) Why did you choose the degree you did?
3) Would you major in the same thing, if you had to do over again?
4) If your answer to #3 is no, than what would you major in?

I am just a little confused right now. I know the track I want to follow to become a pilot. I recently enlisted in the Air National Guard, and when I graduate from college, I plan to apply for, and hopefully get a pilot slot. Of course, I eventually want to go to the airlines.

I am just trying to get an idea of some good majors.

-Thanks!

Let me preface this by saying that when I started college, I had no aspirations of becoming a pilot. I had no flight time and it wasn't even on my mind.

I started off as mech engr and hated the homework. Switched over to comp sci. Halfway through, I figured out what an airplane was and decided that was a heck of a lot more fun than school. I finished off my degree because, well, it doesn't matter what I get it in and I already started it.

I then went to work for the airlines making jack squat trying to figure out how to pay the rest of my flight training and keep that guaranteed interview. That job ran its course and I moved on to general aviation. I then decided that financially being a pilot wasn't worth it anymore. I tried to fly in the USAF (great career for flying) but lost my medical. I then decided to pursue the ATC thing full steam. I'm in the middle of getting situated at ZHU and should be down there late spring/early summer I hope. I'll let you know then whether or not it's been worth it.

Oh yeah. As it stands now, with that job, I can own my own airplane and fly where I want when I want how I want just because I want to. I don't have to wear a hat, a jacket, or stripes.

 

[capt. megadeth]

In today's climate, I would get a degree in something that you could either use successfully in the event you don't land a flying job or you get furloughed; and/or one that you can use practically on the side to earn extra income.

Some of the degrees that come to mind that would be worth investigating are accounting, nursing, electrical or civil engineering, and even automotive technology.

My job is very secure, so I am not worried about the possibility of ending up on the street with a completely useless degree. However, many others out there cannot say that. So what I would do if I were starting out today, is find a degree that is very practical and can offer you a very good chance of stable, good-income employment that is not aviation-related. The airlines do not require any specific degree, so study something that will give you more than just a piece of paper to hang on the wall.

Very well said. I got a non-aviation degree as a "back up" and it was the best decision I ever made. It has supplemented my income through flight instruction, regional FO, regional Capt. and first year pay at UPS.

 

[Clyde]

Very well said. I got a non-aviation degree as a "back up" and it was the best decision I ever made. It has supplemented my income through flight instruction, regional FO, regional Capt. and first year pay at UPS.

capt. meg'

Thank-you. I can definitely remember those probationary-pay days, and I'm happy to hear that you have a way to supplement it. Hang in there, it won't be too much longer and that decimal point slides over a little bit more to the right.

 

[seefive]

The bottom line is to get a degree in something that interests you and that you can make a living at. The next piece of advice would be to continue your education throughout your life.

If I were to go back and do it all over again, I might become a doctor, lawyer, business degree from a top 5 program. You can write your own ticket financially and it opens all kinds of interesting doors.

My undergrad is in economics (somewhat useless but it was interesting at the time). I went back for an MBA (small school but good program). After the military, I got on with FedEx. I just finished an AAS in IT that I worked on during layovers for the past two years (online degree). I'm getting my Real Estate license this semester (not planning on working in that industry, just fun, knowledge, and as stated earlier - a backup).

I'm sure I'll find something else to work on later. It can be a pain sometimes if i don't feel like working on schoolwork, but it's never a bad thing to do.

The flying business will probably never be the same as it was at most carriers. If flying is what your heart is set on, go for it, but have a fallback position. My 2 cents.

 

[fifty30retard]

No College here. HS diploma only, 1.7GPA in fact! I'm now a mid-level seniority captain at UPS. Guess I should have gone to college afterall!

Yeah freightnazi we've all known for sometime that you were too cool for school. That cheesy avatar picuture has GOT to be you!

 

[millhouse21]

1) What is your degree in?
2) Why did you choose the degree you did?
3) Would you major in the same thing, if you had to do over again?
4) If your answer to #3 is no, than what would you major in?

1) Electrical Engineering
2) Seemed like a good idea at the time.
3) Sure.

If I have to leave aviation, my degree plus a bunch of military experience will probably allow me to get a decent job. I'm happy to have a back up plan. Especially these days.

 

[Victor120]

What you get the degree in doesn't matter AT ALL. Just get the degree.

Having said that, get a degree in something that might be useful down the road TO YOU. Something you enjoy. Think architecture, finance, or any other degree that might help you further build a lifestyle you desire (on a Major Airline Pilot Payscale). These collegiate departments allow you access to resources that will never be available to you in the same way ever again.

You are in a position with options. Maximize that postion.

-vic

 

[pilotyip]

Do they still have degees in Industrial Arts degrees? it is a great degree, you learn to operate every wood working tool ever made, then wire a house, then you learn to weld, run a lathe, plus build a radio from scrach, then take your car apart and put it back together, plus print, photo shop. All the stuff that is really handy around the house.

 

[Guitar Guy]

For those of you who have a college degree, I have a few questions.

1) What is your degree in?
2) Why did you choose the degree you did?
3) Would you major in the same thing, if you had to do over again?
4) If your answer to #3 is no, than what would you major in?

1. B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
2. I liked airplanes and science as a kid, so it seemed a fairly reasonable choice when I found out aeronautical engineering existed. Plus, when I was in high school (mid '80's), it seemed like flying for an airline only happened for ex-military pilots.
3. The experiences I've had as a result of my degree (worked for Boeing and a 121 carrier in a techincal capacity) have been very rewarding and ultimately prepared me very well for my current flying career.
4. Although I'm currently flying professionally, I'd recommend considering computer science, business or perhaps law or medicine. It's too hard to predict the future, so all you can do is try to have a solid background and be adaptable.

 

[BoilerUP]

For those of you who have a college degree, I have a few questions.

1) What is your degree in?
2) Why did you choose the degree you did?
3) Would you major in the same thing, if you had to do over again?
4) If your answer to #3 is no, than what would you major in?

1) Aviation Flight Technology
2) I've always wanted to be a pilot. I got the desire from an uncle who flew F15s and living under the ILS for my local airport since I was 3. I got an AFROTC scholarship so I declined an appointment to USAFA, then subsequently got screwed by DoDMERB on my medical. My path has gone from there...
3) Yes, I would still major in AvTech. The opportunities I've had because of my education have been amazing, taking me further up the career ladder. I would not have gotten my Guard slot without my background.
4) I would rework my schedule to double-major (or at least minor) in Management and also take the required CTI courses for a career in Air Traffic Control. If nothing else, I would at least build my electives around courses that would educate me about starting and running my own business. TAKE A PERSONAL FINANCE CLASS.

 

[Socalplt]

B.S. Industrial Technology with a concentration in Aviation Administration
A.S. Commercial Flight

Stopped flying in 92 after getting my SEL/MEL Commercial license. Choose to go to school fulltime while also working fulltime outside of aviation. Flew only occasionally for the next four years.

Finished the degree in 94 and went looking for a full time job outside of flying. Couldn't afford to go work as a flight instrutor. Everywhere I interviewed I'd always get asked why I wasn't out flying...(Guess they figured I wouldn't stay). If I would have had a degree in something else I probably would have wound up getting hired at a few of the places that turned me down.

Went flying full time in 98. If I have to get out of the industry now, I think the degree is worthless. A Business major would have probably been best. I'd have to imagine that anything in a technical field -- computers, engineering, etc. would be useless if you didn't go to work in the field immediately after graduation and stay in it.

If I had to do it over again.. Should have never stopped flying in 92, shouldn't have spent another dime on college. Plenty of decent jobs in aviation that don't require a degree. I'd be 5-6 years further along in my career.

 

[pilotyip]

Honest I did not pay socalplt to make that post. Imagine a man who feels he would have been better off in his flying career if he would have just stuck to flying, and maybe have done college on the side. Plus the realization that the fall back value of tech degree in overrated

 

[pgcfii2002]

#1 Economics...opened alot of doors for me, landed my cushy salary job.

#2 Professional Aeronautics...almost complete, hoping to land a job at a regional.

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

Thanks for the info. everyone. Im thinking about a couple of things right now.

1) Communication Studies - this degree actually opens up a lot of opportunities. You can work in a variety of career fields, including business. I am taking a class in it now, and I find it interesting, and on top of that, it is not too difficult. I think this is somewhat of a generic degree, which really just allows to to go into many different fields.

2) Geography - The school I attend does not have a meteorology degree, but you can major in geography, with a focus in meteorology. It doesn't involve the physics and math that a atmospheric science major, which is a meteorology degree, would involve. Again, interesting, and also not too difficult.

3) or, general studies, which allows you to choose among three minors. I would choose business, communication studies, and not sure what else, maybe geography. This would again, not be difficult, but be a mix of what I like, and also offer me a variety of fields outside of aviation to work in.

Of those three, what do you all think may be best. I know its my decision, but just looking for some advice.