Alright so just a little background here... For as long as I can remember I've been interested in aviation; back in middle and early high school becoming a pilot was my dream job. For whatever reason, I did not take that route, and now, present day, I'm a senior in college graduating next May with a business administration degree in marketing.

As I'm nearing the completion of college, I've found myself wishing I would have stuck with my earlier intentions of going to college with the purpose of becoming a pilot.

At this point, I'm obviously going to finish my current degree. I'm just wondering what the next step should be if I should choose to pursue this.

Should I be looking at going back for a second bachelor's degree from a university that offers professional pilot programs? Should I go through a program like ATP? Or, should I consider working on getting my private license at my local airport within the next year until I graduate in May 2020?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

No, absolutely not, do not go back to college for a aviation degree. Go and get your ratings. You can ever start now. You have a degree and that’s all the majors care about. Your in a perfect position to find a 141 school and get the private through CFI. Then instruct build your hours and get to the 1500.

Have you considered military flight training?

https://www.baseops.net/militarypilot

This.

Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, or Officer Candidate School (six week course).

Routes for a guy who already has a degree.

I’ve had a recruiter tell me my bachelors in business with a focus in Logistics isn’t what the Air Force wants. They want people with STEM degrees...?


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Be wary of recruiters, who often want people to enlist right away instead of getting a commission later. Talk to someone in “Officer Accessions” or whatever they call that branch now.
All other things being equal, a STEM degree will help, but the military is currently facing a pilot shortage:

“The shortage of pilots across the military is most acute in the Air Force, which is facing a deficit of about 2,000 pilots.”
—Stars and Stripes, 4/22/19

I’ll look into that. Thank you


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Wow, I remember talking to a new T37 pilot in 1995. He said he was one of the lucky few that got in flight training before aging out. The cold war end was devastating for young people in all aspects of aviation.

Start on your Private Pilot now. Later this year look into a Guard/Reserves pilot slot.

If that doesn’t pan out, go to a Zero to hero program after college graduation. It’s all doable for you.

Come on up to Oshkosh next week for the big fly-in too.

Look at ANG opportunities now. The new fiscal year starts in October, so the queue for Fiscal YR 21 slots will be forming this time next year. Maybe you can get in as an off the street guy or maybe not. Most successful off the street UPT candidates will have a private certificate. Make that a priority as long as it doesn’t derail your GPA or throw your degree off track. It’s never too early to start visiting units.

There might be faster ways to a legacy 121 career, but none are as personally fulfilling as serving your country. No others will get you there debt free. No others will give you the networking opportunities like the ANG/Air Force Reserves.

Good luck!