Originally Posted by wrxpilot

Exactly.

I have a four year engineering degree (there really isn't a "two year" engineering degree, at least not that is accredited). After graduating, I went to work (as a mechanical engineer) and started paying off my debt and paid cash for flight training. After a few years, I was in a position to make the jump to professional aviation as a pilot.

I've been flying professionally for six years now. While there have been some challenges the past several years with the economy, I've always been employed and have had a couple of different cool flying jobs. I don't have any regrets, I love what I do, and would definitely do it again.

Engineering put me in a great position to start this career, and it's always nice knowing I have a good backup career. I've always been absolutely baffled by people that get a degree in aviation and become professional pilots. It is a terrible plan for risk management.