To finish a degree? Yes or no?

[Typhoon]

Hey there,

Sorry if this is in the wrong topic (feel free to move it), wasn't sure if it was really related to "training" or not.

I've just completed my CPL and am actively looking for a job now, however, based on the way the industry is going today, would it be advisable to finish off a degree to have that piece of paper just in case?

I'm able to complete a Bachelor's of Commerce in two years (by transferring credits) online, or I have the option of going back to University to finish off my Engineering degree (around 3 years).

I hear the industry should be picking up soon, so it's one of those decisions that are crucial I guess as I don't want to miss the hiring spree (if one ever comes around), but at the same time, I don't really feel "completed" without a degree... It's a hard decision that only I can make, but would love the input from those of you who are currently in the industry!

Any help is greatly appreciated and thanks a lot!

[Flygal]

Finish your degree. I'd aim more towards the B. Eng, because everyone and their dog has a B. Comm or "Management" diploma. Engineering is also more direct rather than dicking around at lower level "commerce" jobs. If you have 3 more years of engineering left, I assume you've already done 1-1.5 years of the intro courses. Stopping now would only be throwing away all that work, time and money.

It sets you apart from the pack.
It makes you more competitive in the hiring process.
It actually makes you a better, all around person. (No I am not saying those who don't have post sec. education are lessor)
Have a back up plan! There are many things that can kill your medical.

If I were you, I'd get a job in your area leading to a potential flying position while working through your schooling.

Good luck!

[Flybabe]

YES YES YES YES YES!

[ToolShed]

Finish your degree. I'd aim more towards the B. Eng, because everyone and their dog has a B. Comm or "Management" diploma

Good luck!

Get the degree.

[moocow]

I would suggest finishing the Engineering degree as well. As a product of a BBA puppy mill, I'm having problem finding work since my concentration wasn't in accounting, HR, or marketing (have a finance concentration but sucked at it).

[skat0r]

I'm in the same boat, I'm 22, i'm currently at 140hrs and was hoping to get my cpl. But now I'm starting to ask myself questions if I really want to do this later on and also knowing it's kinda hard finding a job. So I took a break from flying and applied to an university to be an aeronautical engineer, for next session, but it's 5 years though...

Don't know what to do

[fish4life]

I'm in the same boat, I'm 22, i'm currently at 140hrs and was hoping to get my cpl. But now I'm starting to ask myself questions if I really want to do this later on and also knowing it's kinda hard finding a job. So I took a break from flying and applied to an university to be an aeronautical engineer, for next session, but it's 5 years though...

Don't know what to do

if your already asking that question I'd say stick to the degree for sure and perhaps buy a plane and fly it for pleasure later on in life.

as for the OP 100% finish the degree especially something like engineering because you could end up being a consultant while your a pilot making good money on your days off / days on reserve

[Phu]

Stick to the degree - then start flying for a career. It was the best decision that I have ever made!

[Flybabe]

If you have the opportunity to get a degree NOW, do it. There are many unforeseens in aviation. I'm kicking myself for not having something to fall back on.

[Typhoon]

Thanks for all of the info. I really appreciate it. So I'm assuming stay away from the Commerce then? Is a BBA the same thing (would you have to upgrade it to an MBA for it to be useful for anything)?

I would hate to be sitting around doing nothing, while I could be continuing my education while I'm not working.

[warbirdpilot7]

Get the degree as a fall-back option....I know lots of pilots who loved flying, but now only do it because they have to.

There are lots of posts about this topic, so search away and make the decision that is right for you. Remember, if working in aviation was easy, everybody would be doing it.

[Typhoon]

Duly noted. Would there be any downside to entering university in this day in age with respect to the aviation industry, is it expected to pick up with the amount of people expected to retire in the next 5 years or so?

[cgzro]

No brainer. Do the engineering degree. Try to get into a co-op program where you work 4 months , then 4 months school. While you are working as a student you'll be earning enough to do some flying. If you have already done 1 year you are through the hardest part, if your marks were good then for goodness sake keep going!!!

I would take any projections of the future with a very healty dose of skepticism.

[SunWuKong]

So you just got your CPL, industry is hiring (for how long?) and you want to go to university in order to become pilot?
Something here doesn't make any sense.
University can wait for you, not the hiring cycle. Finish your degree when you really need a job (medical loss...), your knowledge and contacts will be up to date that way, and finding a job will be easier in your degree/bachelor field at that future time.

It seems to me you went back and forth a few time already, time to stabilize and maintain your heading.

You just got your CPL, move up north, do something, it's time to go. No excuses, if you cannot find a pilot or ramp job this hiring spring, well yes maybe you can think about an other career...

[2.5milefinal]

University can wait for you, not the hiring cycle.
Wrong...
Flying can wait.
FINISH the degree. Finish school.
This industry could turn by the end of this business day. (Note the cost of fuel is going up again)

[BTyyj]

Yes get the University degree. Basically to get on an airline now a days you need some sort of post secondary education to get onto an airline, if thats what your looking for. Westjet had a job opening for 60 positions, had something like 3000 applicants, and 1000 of them had post secondary. They are going to immediately be put on the top of the list.

High School Diploma - 2
College Diploma - 3
University Degree - 4
College Diploma related to aviation - 4

That apparently is the amount each of them are worth in the matrix a lot of airlines use.

[SunWuKong]

University can wait for you, not the hiring cycle.
Wrong...
Flying can wait.
FINISH the degree. Finish school.
This industry could turn by the end of this business day. (Note the cost of fuel is going up again)

Explain us why university cannot wait?

[SunWuKong]

Yes get the University degree. Basically to get on an airline now a days you need some sort of post secondary education to get onto an airline, if thats what your looking for. Westjet had a job opening for 60 positions, had something like 3000 applicants, and 1000 of them had post secondary. They are going to immediately be put on the top of the list.

High School Diploma - 2
College Diploma - 3
University Degree - 4
College Diploma related to aviation - 4

That apparently is the amount each of them are worth in the matrix a lot of airlines use.

ATPL and turbine experience: 100%

[2.5milefinal]

oh boy

Explain us why university cannot wait?

I just did.
I haven't got the time to go any deeper.
jackg737 is correct as well.
...Its a no brainer, really.

[SunWuKong]

Explain us why university cannot wait?

I just did.

Everybody can see you didn't.


Let's imagine the person wants to become a pilot, and he did pass a CPL for that.

YOU guys take the responsability to tell him to abandon to look for a job, after a CPL he has just passed, to go to university for 2 or 3 years. If when he comes back to aviation it's a recession, YOU will be responsible for messing him up his pilot career.

Further more, a CPL is NOT A PIECE OF PAPER, it's a set of skills that has to be used as soon as possible, not 3 years later. Otherwise better postpone the training.

And if you cannot see we entered an hiring cycle, sorry to say that but you are blind. And I don't beleive this hiring will last more than 3 years, because historically it seldom did.

All pilot with experience here will tell you their career went fast when they started to work at the very begining of an hiring cycle.

Everybody can get a degree, the perfect time for that (if you don't already have one) is when there is no job, or distance learning.
But getting a full ATPL with PIC turbine experience... Here is the challenge, better not to mess up that one, because westjet/AC/Jazz/First Air/Kenn borek... asian or middle east airlines... won't hire you without the appropriate experience, Phd or not, and I know what I am talking about.

[Hedley]

I am horrified at the idea of getting a university degree to please some fat HR cow at a corporation. It's not a bloody baseball card, ok?

You get a university degree for you, not to please anyone else.

All my life, no one has cared if I had a degree or not. What mattered was, could I do the job?

[slowstream]

You get a university degree for you, not to please anyone else.

All my life, no one has cared if I had a degree or not. What mattered was, could I do the job?

Hedley,

Times are a changing and I for one really wish I had a degree to fall back on right now!

I have 16 years experience, 7000 hrs with command time on multiple jets including CRJ900 and 200's

I spent 6 months off work in 09 and now 2 months off work this year, I've been applying for jobs all over the place and can't seem to secure a position right now. Industry says we're so short of pilots but we see very little hiring going on right now and the competition is very tough.

I wish I had a degree to fall back on or another career to go to. I've looked at other jobs out there and honestly their crap jobs with crap pay, certainly not enough to support my family.

I just looked at some tech schools and university programs for careers in I.T, I found very high tuitions and very high competition to even get into the course's. 6 applicants for every seat, and a horrible starting pay of 30K!

I wish I had told me early on go into Pharmacy, Dentistry or Engineering, I'd be working today and making a good income.

[DaveC]

Just graduated University (IT degree), working it IT and making a decent salary (around 50K/year). Working on my CPL during weekends and nights (need lots of PIC night for an ATPL anyways).

It depends where you work. Anything GOV in IT is usually well paid. Private sector, not so much (very variable, I know a guy making double what I do at a bank doing a similar job).

Pharmacists make good coin. About $60/hr at the top of their pay scales. Healthcare is always going to be in demand, or so I've been told.

[2.5milefinal]

At most company's, even the smaller ones. HR rightly or wrongly have more say then the chief pilots. (when it comes to who to hire) The HR people like to see a secondary education.
I say again.
Stay in school.

[SunWuKong]

I wish I had told me early on go into Pharmacy, Dentistry or Engineering, I'd be working today and making a good income.

Career choice...
Flying glider on week-ends, that's not bad at all...