Masters Degree

[DaveC]

I recently graduated from university with an IT degree, snagged a full time job locally (5 minutes from the airport) that pays quite well. Full benefits, pension etc. Great job to jump right out of school from.

That being said, its always been my goal to work in aviation. Another perk of my day job is that they will pay up to 85% of my tuition, as long the course is approved by management. I can't see them approving anything aviation related, but i'm sure there are areas where a masters degree could be used for any purpose.

I was thinking an MBA or M.Ed (education)? It wouldn't have much of an impact on a hiring matrix I would think, but any education is self-improvement so I may as well take advantage. I plan on doing my CPL written in November so after November I wont have any studying to do (other than for the MIR / MIFR in the Spring of 2012).

People tell me to stop burning the candle from both ends; Normally I would. I just want to work hard now so its easier down the road.

Language training would be an asset but my workplace is uni-lingual so I doubt they'd approve it. Any suggestions?

[bmc]

Whatever gives you more options in life should be pursued. Playing the "what if" card, having a masters to fall back on wouldn't hurt if you lost a medical and couldn't fly. Also, you never know what jobs may come up in the future that need a graduate degree, even in aviation.

Where I work, we value experience, but entry level management positions require a masters degree. Also, school mode is fresh in your head. Popping back into it will be far easier than pursuing down the road.

Some companies pay higher starting salaries to people with masters degrees. It will not hurt your resume to have this. It may hurt, someday, if you don't have it.

I say go for it.

Oh, and, congrats on the undergrad.

[JAHinYYC]

I started my full time MBA fourteen years ago this week...

I can advise that a full time MBA at a traditional (not online) University is a total saturation event. The program is designed to overload you with standard courses and group work to the point that you will regularly be putting in 10-14hrs days. I went to school with a woman who had a child care business running a before and after school program at a local community center. She was habitually time starved, late for group meetings and pulling all nighters to get it all done.

I would suggest that if you planned to work, fly and do a full time MBA - you would be a very busy, busy boy.

The school I went to also offered a part time course of study in the evenings. Classes were three hours a night, plus study time and group work. If you did this and worked you would likely be "full" with the commitment required and have minimal time for life's other pleasures. Doing it in the fuller side of part time - ie tw classes per semester or five per year - you are in for a four year haul.

Last question is what you planned to do with the MBA and were are you planning to take it? Not all MBAs are created equally and some places have poor reputations based on the perception that they are "pay your fee, get your degree"...I would advise, buyer beware and to weigh the potential impact on your earning potential after the fact.

PM if you want to chat about this further.

[brownbear]

The best bet is to find a job that gives you ample money to enjoy hobbies and keep aviation as a hobby. Being a pilot full time really isn't that glamorous for the 95% of jobs out there. Not to mention being poor.

The people who have it right are the ones who kept it a hobby.

As a hobby you enjoy picture perfect flights on clear weather days, as a job you slog through rain, snow, thunderstorms, snags, ungodly long wait times at airports and a gazillion days away from family and friends. You could end up spending your lifetime in this job paid less than a Greyhound driver with 10x the stress.

[WetJet]

Any suggestions?

1. Don't quit the job you have.
2. More than 1/2 of the people I know with CPLs are no longer pilots, they are now cops, health care professionals, work at Future Shop, or have manufacturing jobs, etc. But they are still paying off the 40K hole left in their wallets. Listen to the people who know you and are telling you to stop buring the candle at both ends. Be good at it, and fly for fun.
3. Don't quit the job you have.
4. Don't quit the job you have.

[DaveC]

Thanks for the advice all. The MBA is not an option right now as there aren't any reputable online MBAs, the UOIT one probably isn't great either. Local university is UOIT so I would do my studying there.

Money is not an issue right now for me, and before I even think of switching careers i'll make sure my flying has left me with no debt. University is paid off, car is paid off, no family (seeing a girl, but not engaged), still live with the parents.

I also run a small business on the side (IT stuff) so it would support my financial woes of being a pilot.

They say: do a job you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life. The key (I think atleast) would be for me to utilize my IT background at a mid-size air operator as a full-time IT guy and part-time FO. Best of both worlds?

[WetJet]

The key (I think atleast) would be for me to utilize my IT background at a mid-size air operator as a full-time IT guy and part-time FO. Best of both worlds?

Dave, 4 people who have piles of aviation insight have taken time out of their days to tell you politely not to chase this dream.

The MBA on the other hand, is a fantastic idea. My friends with MBAs have the best jobs of anybody I know in terms of job satisfaction or compensation. Travel lots or work from home, there are lots of options. If you change companies after 20 years, you don't start out again at the bottom of a seniority list, you have experience that takes you to the same level you left.

If you are not going to listen to everybodys advice, re-ask your question like this:"Can anybody give me a good lead on where I could get a gig as a part time F/O and full time IT guy?" See how many answers you get.

I'm not saying any of this to be a d!(k, but I know lots of people who wish they hadn't wasted years and money chasing a career that looks good when you are 25. There is too much luck involved, and I've see too many wasted years.

Flying is fun and you should use your PPL enjoy it.
Being a professional pilot becomes a career, just like any other one.
The real trick is to find a career that will allow you the resources and flexibility to enjoy life to the max away from work.
Good luck on the MBA!

[planett]

We're anti-education in aviation!
I'm joking, but only half joking. If you want something worthwhile, try rugby.

[TG]

I think there is people who like piling up occupations. And who will accomplish much more in their life than the usual person.

A good example I once heard of (maybe someone can confirm, correct or deny) is a guy nicknamed "Superman" by some at Jazz.
He is (was ?) a full time Dash-8 co-pilot and also a full time Montréal Cop!
On top of this he has others occupations during his "spare times"
By working the scheduling at Jazz it removes some of his flying days and help him managing his Police works, etc...
Doing all this with no burn out whatsoever !

An extreme example would be Caroline d'Aigle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Aigle
She did a top military school, went to the École Polytechnique http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique
was a Chasseur Alpin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasseurs_Alpins
Top military Triathlon athlete,
Skydiver,
Ended up being the first woman to receive the French fighter pilot wings,
A husband, and two kids (also she really knew only one)
She would probably have been selected as an astronaut if it wasn't about her cancer who cost her life at 33.
Talk about being competitive!



I didn't read a single complaint from what you are doing or envisage to do DaveC.
So you might as well be someone like the "Superman/wonder woman" above

I would say go for it, know your limits and:

Don't quit the job you have.
Don't quit the job you have.
Don't quit the job you have.

that pays quite well.

So we can cry a bit. Can you tell us roughly how much$$$ you make ?

[DaveC]

I think there is people who like piling up occupations. And who will accomplish much more in their life than the usual person.

A good example I once heard of (maybe someone can confirm, correct or deny) is a guy nicknamed "Superman" by some at Jazz.
He is (was ?) a full time Dash-8 co-pilot and also a full time Montréal Cop!
On top of this he has others occupations during his "spare times"
By working the scheduling at Jazz it removes some of his flying days and help him managing his Police works, etc...
Doing all this with no burn out whatsoever !

An extreme example would be Caroline d'Aigle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Aigle
She did a top military school, went to the École Polytechnique http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique
was a Chasseur Alpin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasseurs_Alpins
Top military Triathlon athlete,
Skydiver,
Ended up being the first woman to receive the French fighter pilot wings,
A husband, and two kids (also she really knew only one)
She would probably have been selected as an astronaut if it wasn't about her cancer who cost her life at 33.
Talk about being competitive!



I didn't read a single complaint from what you are doing or envisage to do DaveC.
So you might as well be someone like the "Superman/wonder woman" above

I would say go for it, know your limits and:

Don't quit the job you have.
Don't quit the job you have.
Don't quit the job you have.

that pays quite well.

So we can cry a bit. Can you tell us roughly how much$$$ you make ?

I suppose I could be superman. I'll keep my current job; but actively pursue aviation & masters at the same time. I've got some serious time building opportunities now that the GF is moving 275 NM from my home base.

Hardest difficulty will be landing that first 'part time' flying gig. I'm sure i'll find a way to make it work

[structurespilot]

I agree with the others, keep the aviation as a hobby. I know of a guy who is trying the IT full time to Part time FO, and its not working. He has spent at least 5 years trying, and has finally found a place that gave him a B200 course and a ride for a 2 year contract. The worst part is that he hasn't touched the plane since the course 6 months ago. Trust me as soon as they hear that its you dream to fly they will just string you along with big promises and not results.
These ar not people who are being negative or jaded, its just the truth in this business. Its all about luck and who you know.
Yes people win the lottery other wise why would you buy the ticket right? But chances are really slim. Good luck hope you get to use that commercial, if not it'll will make you a better pilot anyway.

S.P.

[brownbear]

I'm not trying to prevent you from your dreams. But in all honesty only 5% of flying really could be considered fun. Like all jobs they have moments of Zen.

The rest is stress, boredom and low pay.

Other occupations can afford you to own your own plane. Pilots don't have enough funds to own planes, nor do they wish to fly on days off, as the novelty and enjoyment is long past.

Now that other 5% of flying gigs might be the best years ever. Maybe it is a 415 water bombing or flying around the continent in a Kingair. Certainly cannot be strip to strip and the same airports in all weather imaginable with a wrinkled shirt from a bad overnight in a flea ridden hotel.

But hey if your Superman as above, you might be fine.

[Baseballfan]

Education is a lot like altitude: the more you have the farther you are able to see.

[. ._]

I think there is people who like piling up occupations. And who will accomplish much more in their life than the usual person.

A good example I once heard of (maybe someone can confirm, correct or deny) is a guy nicknamed "Superman" by some at Jazz.
He is (was ?) a full time Dash-8 co-pilot and also a full time Montréal Cop!
On top of this he has others occupations during his "spare times"
By working the scheduling at Jazz it removes some of his flying days and help him managing his Police works, etc...
Doing all this with no burn out whatsoever !

An extreme example would be Caroline d'Aigle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Aigle
She did a top military school, went to the École Polytechnique http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique
was a Chasseur Alpin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasseurs_Alpins
Top military Triathlon athlete,
Skydiver,
Ended up being the first woman to receive the French fighter pilot wings,
A husband, and two kids (also she really knew only one)
She would probably have been selected as an astronaut if it wasn't about her cancer who cost her life at 33.
Talk about being competitive!

I'll bet they have no cool drinking stories though.

[DaveC]

I think there is people who like piling up occupations. And who will accomplish much more in their life than the usual person.

A good example I once heard of (maybe someone can confirm, correct or deny) is a guy nicknamed "Superman" by some at Jazz.
He is (was ?) a full time Dash-8 co-pilot and also a full time Montréal Cop!
On top of this he has others occupations during his "spare times"
By working the scheduling at Jazz it removes some of his flying days and help him managing his Police works, etc...
Doing all this with no burn out whatsoever !

An extreme example would be Caroline d'Aigle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Aigle
She did a top military school, went to the École Polytechnique http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique
was a Chasseur Alpin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasseurs_Alpins
Top military Triathlon athlete,
Skydiver,
Ended up being the first woman to receive the French fighter pilot wings,
A husband, and two kids (also she really knew only one)
She would probably have been selected as an astronaut if it wasn't about her cancer who cost her life at 33.
Talk about being competitive!

I'll bet they have no cool drinking stories though.

You are probably right - I only have a few!