Originally Posted by
Mitch Rapp05
Pilot career does have a larger risk but bigger reward. Engineer is a safe option, but you'd never have a chance to enjoy the (eventual) great schedules and good pay that most major airline pilots have. Good luck.
Former engineer here, as I have indicated in past posts. Now going on 5.5 years as a professional pilot, and have zero regrets about leaving the engineering career at the time I did. I have WAY more time off, I've visited parts of the world I never dreamed of doing before, and I genuinely enjoy going to work (yes, even at a regional!).
Would I do it now? Only if I was able to complete my flight training as cost effectively as I did before. I also eliminated all debt before leaving engineering, and saved a few thousand dollars as backup. Flight training today is quite a bit more than when I started in 2004, so I know it's more challenging these days.