What do you like about engineering, and what do you like about flying? What kind of life do you want?

There are people miserable with their life in the left seat making six figures just as much as there are people miserable in their corner office in middle management.

The key to life is perspective...sometimes you need to experience things yourself to fully appreciate, but for big job transitions it's in your best interest to try to understand it first before the jump, like you are, and take note of any red flags that pop up that you might be trying to suppress because you hate your current situation so much.

There is no perfect job, for most. At the bare minimum you should try working for a different employer before you fully commit and leave your current industry. Don't chase the money, engineering or aviation will pay well enough either way.

I've made a similar switch, feel free to PM me for more info.

So after debating for 3 years if I should make similar switch (close to 6 years as mechanical engineer), I am finally sitting @ CAE. My engineering employer has asked me to work part time (remotely or in the office) as many hours as I want/can. This will give me a chance to get a taste of flying and worst case scenario I will go right back to engineering after a year or so. This is one of those things in life I just had to do in order to not have any regrets. I think I may even want to start instructing at CAE Northeast after a year or so of flying, starting pay is in 6 figures.

Sim doesn't offer nearly the pay, benefits and QOL as the majors. If you're relatively young, I wouldn't take a detour in the sims.

Hi,

I am a recent graduate of mechanical engineering as well and just like you im interested to enter the aviation too.
Could you send me a Pm.? I would like to discuss few things with you.

Thank you

Engineering graduates do well as pilots.

Don’t do it. Stick to engineering and buy a plane if you want to fly. Low wages are really not worth it to have a career in flying

I make WAY more as a pilot than I ever would have dreamed of as a mechanical engineer. More time off too, and a better retirement. And I absolutely love my job.

Of course that’s not guaranteed, but I would’ve been very unhappy had I not at least tried. As long as one has the resources to do so, they should follow their passion if they can do so responsibly.

And if something happens, you can always go back to being an engineer.

That’s true too. At this point it’s been about 15 years since I worked as an engineer, so I would likely have to go back to school and refresh on a few subjects. But still, it would be a relatively quick spool up and engineers are always in demand.

That last sentence is correct, and the key.