You’re right… you don’t need a four year degree… and you know what? Airlines don’t have to hire those individuals who don’t have degrees either… That’s their option too. Think about the many without any post high school education that never got an interview, let alone turned down during the weeding out and consideration process. In this pseudo stale mate… who wins and who loses? Any type of degree can open a lot of doors for you instead of you opening up a McDonalds at 04:00. Airlines are going to hire the most overall qualified individuals, not solely taking into consideration of flight experience.

 

Yeah I know what you mean, I myself did the associates in Aviation science and I am two classes away from the bachelors and I might even keep going and do the masters. I only go one night a week and some of it is online so its a breeze and interesting because I am learning about how to run a business and all kinds of other things. So that can open a lot of other doors in the future.

 

Good for you EJ135. There are programs offered by just about every university where you can get your masters degree via the internet. Stay with it... you won't regret it.

 

well here is my two cents worth....if you have 3 plus years it is my considered opinion that if you can afford it, you absolutely have to have the college...especially this day and age..you are so close...I would love to be in your shoes...I am on furlough from a major cargo airline (ABX Air...da!) and have been for 5 years...I was the only one in my class with a high school education...yup thats right high school....I didnt know anybody and I dont have 3 shuttle t/os and lnds...I am the classic example of the .01 % who actually got the interview and the job...at the same time I was offered an interview with midwest airlines which I couldnt attend because of ground school at ABX..I have letters of recomendation with senior capts at both UPS and FDX...hell I know at least 15 guys at FDX who will recommend me...I am still on furlough because noone will even look at me without a college degree....I have the hours...I have military flying (enlisted..third seat.) I just dont have the college...in the big barrel of resumes...my sits on the bottom like lake silt...the cream rises to the top...while I sit....Im a good pilot and can fly with the best of em..I just dont get the chance because I dont have the college...Im not looking for pity, I made my choices, however I would go back and change a few things if I were given the chances and college is one of them. I will get called back very soon as I am next on the list and I will be lucky again!! By the way my fallback job for the last 5 years has been corporate pilot service and driving an eighteen wheeler...nothing wrong with either however the pay is somewhat less than ideal....
get your degree and for now stay out of the hammer lane when driving on I-80

 

I will state that in the forseable future almost no one will get hired at a major without a degree. Degrees are a LOT easier to get now than 30+ years ago, and there are so many pilots out there...

Exceptions are always available if you know someone important.

I-80 is pretty scenic in the west.

 

The doctor told me that the chip is inoperable. The wine is by prescription.

SkyHigh

 

Little off topic but, have you guys noticed that it takes a college degree today to get the same job 20 years ago (almost any job)? You can't tell me that many jobs out there exactly needs college education, because most didnt before. Its almost so common to have a degree that as far as im concerned it should be covered by the government as high school is. However, college is a big money maker nowadays and we have all been tricked into thinking that it is the only way to ensure getting a "good job" that now as ever other person holds the same piece of paper, it becomes less valuable to the point that it gets you "a job". Now im not saying what we've all worked hard for is useless but just merly throwing out some observations worthy of scrutiny but still has some validity. Question is, sort of, have we been duped?

I know many people with college degrees working in retail and other "normal jobs". Did they need to spend 50k to get that job?

Also, does the bar that originally defined "College" get lowered as it becomes more common? Not everyone going to college is going to be a research scientist, doctor or philosopher where they will use college to share information and reflect on thoughts and ideas (as college used to be intended before it became near "standard education").

Also you may apply the same idea in the context of pilots. As the pilot profession becomes more open and accomodating with things like the influx of quick 0-airline pilot courses, how does this effect the "unattainable" airline pilot prefession?

Just throwing it out there for thought (not looking for arguements)..nothing more..

Maybe this is soo off topic and long that nobody will read it either...

 

I agree with all your observations. College is so common these days that its impact is diluted among the masses. To me I see most going to college to get a job at Old Navy that pays 30K when they could of started out as an apprentice electrician and be making 60K by the same time.

As for pilots, automation and advances in human programming has made the actual skill associated with flying a plane antiquated. Pilots are push button dough boys anymore so that is a natural fit with the instant pilots that we have today. Anyone who puts the time in to build some true skills would be dissatisfied as a button monkey.

The majority of self made millionaires have a High School Diploma or less. College has a way of institutionalizing ones way of thinking and can stunt ambition and entrepreneurship.

SkyHigh

 

"College has a way of institutionalizing ones way of thinking and can stunt ambition and entrepreneurship."

I totally agree with that statement. It is more profound everytime I think about i t and can be applied to all levels and studies.

Sometimes we are all taught something society as a whole has accepted as truth. We may accept it so much that we never challenge the idea may not be correct. Simple example - For thousands of years man believed Earth was at the center of the solar system.

It takes open "uncontaminated" minds to see through those "truths".
Thinking outside the box is easier when the box has not been drawn.

 

You need to look at the areas of studies chosen by the individuals and determine if the chances of being gainfully employed are within their grasp in today’s medium. I know a number of college educated people working in retail too… their majors consisted of to name a few… mass communications, art, political science, social science, history, literature. That’s not what they set out for when they embarked upon their college studies.

On the flip side I also know a number of people who are gainfully employed in occupations in fields that have application where there is demand for employees in the areas of applied studies, also to name a few… micro-biology, computer science, accounting, architecture… then proceeding to obtain post graduate degrees in focused areas of desired work.

You can’t equate both sides of the coin to a 100 percent failure and success stories. Some individuals who receive a degree in arts, literature, etc. get a job they sought after. Not everyone who majored in micro-biology, computer science, etc. get a job in the field they majored in.

There is a greater demand for technical trained individuals than there are for political scientist. Don’t get me wrong… I love the arts, literature, culture… all of it… but attending college and getting a good paying job in one of those fields is pretty tough… ergo off to Macy’s to sell shoes… until hopefully something pops up.