Tough decision... Engineering vs. Pilot
 

I've been going to a community college for engineering where I would acquire my 2 year degree in the spring. Then comes the big decision in the spring... What to pursue after that. Now I've been looking into continuing my engineering degree at a 4 year college such as UMass where I would take mechanical engineering or RPI for aerospace engineering. Or take another route and go to bridgewater state or another possible college for aviation management or science. It's a tough choice because I always dreamed of becoming a pilot and it seems more and more I couldn't picture myself behind a desk but rather in the air. The good news is I would have an engineering degree going into it. Mechanical engineering would be the safe route but I feel like aviation would be much more rewarding for me. First post and I was just asking for some advice and I figured not a better place but here! I already work in the industry at a machine shop and we are currently producing some aircraft parts. So here's the big question... Manufacture planes, fly planes, design planes, or get into air traffic controlling... Either way aviation is my passion and I'm not to sure what way to go about my passion.

Thanks!

There will be a very serious shortage of engineers (and other STEM skills) as baby boomers retire and entitlement kids steer away from anything which might be challenging and possibly damaging to their impressive self-esteem.

For that reason, I'd definitely say get a 4-year engineering degree if you have the aptitude and inclination. The shortage will be such that you'll be able to fall back on that even without a lot of work history or recent experience. This is especially true if you are a US citizen...off-shoring and importing foreign talent is not an option for defense contractors and government agencies which require security clearances.

I would suggest that you graduate, get a job in your field, and start flying for fun. If you like flying, get an IR...if you still like that then consider professional flying. The engineering background will make training easier and will serve as a good backup skill.

Listen to rickair, and get your engineering degree. Fly on the side. Do not put all of your eggs in one basket. That is what i tell my seniors. If Congress does not get their act together, we are looking at another recession.

I am a US citizen and I will have a 2 year degree at minimum for engineering, but im just starting to feel like sitting behind a computer in an office all of the time isnt for me. I know there is a need for engineers but you almost need to be that special type of person, I am a trainee at my company. Not anyone can just say hey I want to become and engineer and do the math involved. And of course the courses are challenging, but with this 2 year degree I will have passed most of my physics courses and finished all of my calculus for a 4 year degree.

Thanks so much for the imput!

Being an engineer doesn't mean sitting behind a computer ALL the time, my uncle worked for MD/Boeing and they sent him all over the world. I know of current ones that go to Europe to use wind tunnels there, etc. I'm sure it's a lot of computer time, but realize Boeing and other major manufacturers are world class organizations, they want happy workers. They have lots of programs, job switching stuff, etc, to keep it from being "boring".

An engineering degree will be very useful for all sorts of fields. So your flying part 91 and decide if that's what you like. I'd so, work the engineering field a bit and save some money (you'll need it!) and flight instruct on the side to build your time (or banner tow, fly jumpers, etc). Some cash saved up in the bank will help! Three years if engineering salary is about 6-8 years of regional FO pay.

You can do both... engineer by day, and enjoy flying around your own airplane with your wife/girlfriend/kids on the weekends.

Get the engineering degree
 

Forget about whether you want to sit behind a desk or an instrument panel for this decision. Neither the military or any airline cares what your degree is. The non-flying job market does!

If, at some point in the future, you decide flying isn't for you or you can't pass your physical due to any number of reasons, you'll have a GREAT fallback career option. While I won't say an aviation management degree is worthless, the engineering degree will open a lot more doors when you need a paying job...

Get the engineering degree. Period.

Engineering degree... Hands down the smarter option. You don't need any degree to fly an airplane, just the training. You do however need a degree to work a good job if for some reason you lose a medical (it happens more than you might think), get furloughed (it will probably happen), or get over flying.

Of all reasons, that!?!?!?!?!?