Foxcow

I went back to school part time at first to study Computer Science and Mathematics. The world runs on software and at the time, I was already pretty savvy.

I landed my first job as a developer before graduating this summer. Once graduating, it was refreshing to have lots of prospects and choose what I wanted. I currently work for a large company as a developer and enjoy it very much so far. Obviously, flying a cube might not be as enjoyable but I can walk around the office, home every night, a reliable lunch time, etc. I will admit that I do miss flying but am fortunate to have been able to fly at the airlines as long as I did.

If anyone is considering this route, I will answer any questions you may have.

CAtoUTJC83

Foxcow,

I have pondered this path multiple times. No upgrade in sight, new rest rules and a growing family make me feel behind the 8 ball.

How long did your transition take and was there employment offers already lined up?

Online schooling?

Foxcow

If you can go to school full time and you have a previous science-ey degree, you can transition fairly quickly. It took me about 3 years because I wasn't always going full time. I also went to a state school which offered a fantastic education as well as the maximum affordability.

Online classes are great for the general/filler classes that you will need. However, the core classes will need to be in classroom for obvious reasons.

The job market is really good where I live. My last two semesters is when I got serious about job hunting and found that there are a ton of jobs available. Depending on what field you go into with whatever specific skillsets, you can do very well your first year. I get pinged on Monster and LinkedIn all the time with recruiters looking to fill a role that they have for whatever company. There are so many jobs out there all across the country.

I won't lie, the three years that it took me to transition were hard. The school stuff and familiy obligations were hard to juggle as well as the financial aspect but it can be done. Being out only a few months makes me feel that it is worth it. Being home every night, packing a lunch, and knowing rather than praying that your income will increase year after is a very good feeling.

edit:
People don't want to do science/math-ey things because they aren't easy. If you can handle the science and math, you're golden.

UASIT

Federal government is looking for software engineers and everyone with IT experience.

Bottom line: STEM degree, military experience, security clearance - you're golden and feds want to talk to you...

Foxcow

Security clearance is huge. When recruiters contact me, the first or second question asked is if I have a clearence. Its a huge plus from what I've witnessed and other in the industry have told me.

talldorknhansum

Dang Foxcow...
I am nearly in the same position as you were when you posted this except in reverse. I was going to become an airline pilot in 2011 untill I read too many horror stories about the state of the industry. So I went and got my Masters Degree in Information Systems with an emphasis in software development. Currently, I am working for the state of Hawaii as an Applications Developer and I still cannot get flying out of my head. Especially when I can see the planes pass by the window after taking off from HNL.... I know I have kerosine in my veins. This is not a "what should I do?" post. I just want to know what it was about flying that made you go this other route. I am just interested to find out what the life style is like from someone who doesn't sound vitriolic and bitter. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.

Foxcow

talldorknhansum,

Mostly, it was the volatility of the industry and the schedule. I left about a month before I became a father and was not sure how we would have coped with me being gone so much. In 08 things were looking good. I was in the left seat, gaining seniority until the end of the year. I was downgraded and displaced (lived in my initial base) but fortunately not furloughed (~ 150 from the axe). Commuting was not ideal but I was senior in the other domicile. I was able to bid back to my home domicile but I was super junior and was on reserve. I spent my last year and a half on reserve and my schedule was completely unreliable and folks on reserve are abused pretty badly, but I wasn't commuting anymore.

I had enough experience to go elsewhere but not enough left seat time to go where I wanted. I actually interviewed and was hired at another place but it would have been a lateral move at best. The most frustrating thing about the industry is your experience and seniority is tied to one company. As a captain at one airline, if I choose to go to another company, I would start over at the bottom of the seniority list and pay scale. Its another lever that management use against us.

As an engineer, I work 6:30 to 15:00. I'm home every night. I can work from home anytime I wish. I am well payed and experience is company agnostic. Also, my relationship with management is no adversarial which is quite a change and I'm still getting used to it.

That being said, I miss flying terribly but there is a lot of baggage thats tacked onto the job that I'm not willing to put up with for how little we are compensated. There is a reason why the industry is having an increasingly difficult time finding qualified candidates. I think managements are aware of the coming storm but will not start to address the problems until they have to (major impact to schedule).

Thats my .02

Jason5

I'm working on becoming a developer. Wish there were more pilot to programmer stories out there. If anyone reads this, chime in.

talkdork: Are there any part-time/contract Caravan type jobs in Hawaii you could find to satisfy the flying bug? Airline flying is boring and easy. In my opinion, it'd be a lot more fun to do something like that on the side while working a more rewarding professional job.


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Perezan

I thought about studying Computer Science and move on but I can't find any college that has a 100% online degree.

Jason5

If you already have a degree you can do CS through Oregon State online. Western Governors University has a Software Development degree online, and Arizona State offers a Software Engineering degree. Not CS, but something similar.


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