College misconception
 

Greetings,

Recently I've noticed among my peers an issue that I figured I could address here. It seems as if all of the young pilots I know really aren't clear on what to study in college. I feel that for an aspiring airline pilot the obvious choice for a degree would be in the field of aviation. Then again, aviation is such a volatile industry that it probably would be a prudent choice to study something not even remotely related to aviation. I'm currently finishing my commercial-multi-intruments and then plan on going off to study meteorology. Is a degree such as meteorology or biology not acceptable or valid in the eyes of the airline recruiters? Is the misconception really that it doesn't matter what you have a four-year degree in, as long as you have one. Or do the big companies (airline or cargo) favor a degree related to aviation?

Thanks in advance-poorpilot

airlines don't care what you get your degree on, get a degree on something you like , or beter yet, on something you like that is useful. Aviation degrees as useless.

How about this?


Choose a field that interests you, and in which you can succeed. Basket weaving may be easy, but boring - - good chance of not completing the degree. Nuclear physics may be interesting, but too difficult - - good chance of not succeeding. American History may be both interesting and within the ability of the student - - excellent chance of success.


Aim to succeed. The airplanes and the airlines couldn't give a hoot about the degree, and long as it ends in BA or BS.




An argument can be made that a degree in aviation will make a better pilot. Few pilots believe that, but it makes for a good line from the counselors. An argument can be made that a non-aviation degree will better prepare the pilot for lean times when the industry is in the pits. The trouble is, few degrees are worth as much in their particular field five years after graduation as they were on the day they were awarded. A Math degree from ten years ago is not going to land you a job as a mathematician for a major corporation bringing down 6 figures. Finding a job is going to be tough.

The more important aspect of the degree is the process of starting a task and taking it through to its completion. The lessons you will learn in the process will take you farther than the formulas you will use or the facts that you will learn.

So, focus on the short-term goal of obtaining a degree, and choose the path that will offer the most reward for the least cost, both in money and time.






- The truth only hurts if it should -

Very well put. Who is the guy on your avatar...he looks familiar, but I'm the guy who can never recognize anyone.

Study medicine or law or anything that enables you to "hang a shingle." Get a MBA. Date lots of different girls while you are there. The world can wait. You can be a college student only once in your life. It can be a pretty good time.

He's the founder and CEO of one of the most successful and profitable companies in the industry, in the nation, and in the world. This is him mustering his biggest smile on what no doubt was a happy day for him, the launch customer of the A380 Freighter, during its reveal ceremony.




- The truth only hurts if it should -

I'd have to call bull **** on this one. Do you have any experience or your just commenting?

I know that my degree was outdated five years after I graduated. My degree was in Computer Science. Had I entered the field immediately upon graduation, my experience in the field would have kept me up to date. I am fairly certain that I could not land a job today in that field with nothing but the degree I earned those years ago.


I suppose that a degree in something less perishable (I did say few degrees), such as World History, might not suffer the same devaluation. But I believe most fields are moving along, and a recent degree is more valuable than one earned many years ago.






- The truth only hurts if it should -