Howdy guys, I'm a PPL (18yr old) at Central Texas College learning Aviation Science. I am (like many others) pursuing the (awful) career of becoming an airline pilot. I'll spare you the "it's been my dream ever since..."

Like many other industries, aviation isn't ever the most stable industry. In the last 13 years, we've seen the results of de regulation, and a failing economy take toll on many of our airlines. Additionally, it isn't uncommon to find a pilot who had failed his medical for one reason or another.

I'll be honest, I haven't a clue what to choose for a fall back/back up plan. I look at these majors and I think "Wow, Liberal Arts. Not a chance." and "Engineering, I'm not very good in math." Which is quite concerning, considering I've just killed off a lot of areas. Law school didn't sound too interesting after I was in debate for two years in high school. As for medical, I believe that humans are disgusting, I'd rather just keep my germs to myself. Well, now that I've pretty much eliminated every cliche, the topic is now open for flaming or advice.

 

There are MANY different types of law in which you would not have to DEBATE.
You also didn't mention business in your list.

 

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Best of luck!

 

Try getting your aircraft dispatchers license. It will compliment your current training, and allows you to stay involved in aviation if you should ever lose your medical. I know that companies are actively hiring dispatchers right now and the starting pay is very good.

Plus, if you are flying with a company and lose your medical it is possible you could just transfer to their dispatch department if they have one and not become unemployed for an unknown amount of time.

 

"debate" would apply towards trial lawyers, those that, well, go to trial, such as criminal or tort/malpractice law. Most law is not about debate per se but about NEGOTIATION. With that said, intellectual property and bankruptcy law is "hot" right now.

Also industries you might look at are IT, engineering such as Electrical and Mechanical, and health care such as Radiology Tech (or whatever its called).

Those fields should always have you employed at good salaries.

 

If you aren't willing to go the medical route, go management and/or marketing IMO. Straight out of college you can start at $40-50K/yr in just about Anywhere, USA and a business degree is something good, yet wide ranging, to fall back on down the road.

 

I completely understand where your're at right now. It's tough to find out your "dream job" kinda sucks. As for alternatives, I would rule out law school, at least right out of college. The job prospects for law grads are atrocious right now considering you pour another 100k+ in tuition. Like others said, the common misconception about lawyers is that they sit in court all day debating a case, which is just simply not true. I have quite a few friends who graduated law school that still haven't seen a courtroom since they graduated. As satpak said, IP and bankruptcy law is going to boom. If you do want to go to law school, I have always been told to go work for a few years before making the decision.

Alright, off my soapbox. A solid business-type degree is always useful in the job market, especially to someone who is unsure what to do after graduating. Choose one that is in demand such as economics or finance, which should give you a stable, well-paying job to support that expensive flying bug you will still have

 

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You're right, I generalized the industry a little bit.

Absolutely, I think it will be something that I'll def default later. The problem is that you have to be a few years older before you get get a job like that. For me, the decision to get my aircraft dispatchers license will be the day I fail my first medical.

Sounds like you have to be good at numbers to get anywhere in life haha. Great Movie BTW

Thanks for the help. It does suck learning that my future job could be paying me around 20 grand haha. They never said the industry would be easy, and I'm sure others will be weeded out. I'll do some research on economics and finance. Who knows, maybe my heart is in either and I just haven't met them yet.

Hah! What?

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm always still looking for more ideas. So far I have narrowed it down to Business (any of which you have mentioned), Meteorology (I enjoyed aviation meteorology but not sure if I'll make a penny off it), or maybe ditch digging.

 

Remember that just because your heart isn't in it, doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue it. Not everything out there will have the emotional pull that aviation has. I will tell you that I have never had a "passion" for economics, but I found it interesting enough and it has a nice job placement rate once you graduate. I know that goes against everything you were ever told, but in today's fragile job market you have to be forward thinking.

Btw, I too almost went into meteorology as I went to a school that has a world-renowned program. If you choose that route, be ready for LOTS of math and physics. Of the people I know that did it though, everyone loved it.