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What degree are you seeking?


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I'm 9 1/2 years Active at this point and finally looking at persuing a degree to pick up CW3 if my time comes. As I've posted before I have been permanently grounded in the Army and may be reclassing in a few months, hopefully not being med boarded

 

I've transferred my military education to Embry Riddle and starting a math and English class in January. As of now I'm going for an Associates in Aeronautics. With my transferred credits I have 27 credit hours towards the required 60 for the Associates. I can't fly but I've always loved Aviation and would love to do something in Aviation when it comes my time to get out.

 

Like I said I'm going for an Associates in Aeronautics but curious what some of you are getting a degree in and what job you hope to get out of it. I hope to get an Engineering degree eventually but lots of the classes I can't do online or at this time.

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Currently pursuing my JD, got my BS in biology while in the USMCR. I am halfway done with the law degree, so that is why I am now starting to put my ducks in a row for Guard aviation, which hopefully works out.

 

As someone who made the mistake of not getting an engineering degree in undergrad because I let someone talk me out of it as a stupid 18 year old, if you like that stuff stick with it and it will serve you well. My closest friend just got recruited by Space-X. Another friend was working in firearms design. These are both guys who went to a good state school engineering program, nothing crazy. My old neighbor designs afterburners for P&W, also straight from an undergrad state school engineering program. All my buddies who got engineering degrees have high paying jobs in interesting fields.

 

Best of luck

 

Mike

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If you're going to spend the time and energy....

 

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Ref Link: 2016-2017 College Salary Report

 

I really hate this.

 

More so because there are lots of ways to be financially way off, but there aren't so many ways to make a difference in people's lives.

 

I grew up poor, single mom in the army poor.

 

When I was in my teens, I started living with my dad who is giving me an Audi R8 for graduating college rich.

 

Chasing money only just hurts you, because we always want more. Never satisfied with what we have. Chase making a difference in your life and the lives of others, chase a life that means something other than the numbers in your bank account. There is plenty of stuff you can do that can make you enough money to live more than comfortably with and have the money mean something.

 

Money makes things easier in life, without a doubt, but I'd honestly trade a rich divorced parents for a poor, happy family. Riding around in an S-class mercedes that hugs your body as the car turns isn't the same as driving home in a $2,000 hoopty into the arms of a warm embrace from someone you love.

 

Just food for thought.

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I really hate this.

 

More so because there are lots of ways to be financially way off, but there aren't so many ways to make a difference in people's lives.

 

I grew up poor, single mom in the army poor.

 

When I was in my teens, I started living with my dad who is giving me an Audi R8 for graduating college rich.

 

Chasing money only just hurts you, because we always want more. Never satisfied with what we have. Chase making a difference in your life and the lives of others, chase a life that means something other than the numbers in your bank account. There is plenty of stuff you can do that can make you enough money to live more than comfortably with and have the money mean something.

 

Money makes things easier in life, without a doubt, but I'd honestly trade a rich divorced parents for a poor, happy family. Riding around in an S-class mercedes that hugs your body as the car turns isn't the same as driving home in a $2,000 hoopty into the arms of a warm embrace from someone you love.

 

Just food for thought.

 

As a complete failure and great example of what not to do, I'd have to say,...

 

GO FOR THE DEGREE THAT WILL GET YOU THE MONEY!

 

I'll trade my honda pos for a merc any day! My major at Embry Riddle was Aeronautical Science, something tells me that's not as profitable as Engineering? Good thing I dropped out. :D

 

You can always make a difference in people's lives on the weekend!

 

Just Ramen for thought.

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As a complete failure and great example of what not to do, I'd have to say,...

 

GO FOR THE DEGREE THAT WILL GET YOU THE MONEY!

 

I'll trade my honda pos for a merc any day! My major at Embry Riddle was Aeronautical Science, something tells me that's not as profitable as Engineering? Good thing I dropped out. :D

 

You can always make a difference in people's lives on the weekend!

 

Just Ramen for thought.

 

Mo' money, mo' problems.

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Kind of ironic being told not to worry about money by someone being given an R8.

 

Mike

 

I'm just giving my side of the story. I say that because I spent the majority of my life so far poor and it changed in the last few years and I still have problems and issues that I had when I was younger and money doesn't fix those. It's not a magic wand that makes life easy.

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No, but it makes life easier. Especially when you are talking about school and potentially racking up large amounts of debt to go to school. The "do what your heart desires" thing has merit, but when you are talking about dumping 80-200K on an undergrad education, selecting something that won't require either grad school or a miracle to pay you back is a wise decision.

Also, we aren't talking becoming wealthy here (although if doable, more power to you). A starting salary in the 100K range, especially for someone who's not 22 and maybe has a family already, is nice, but it aint wealth, and you probably aren't buying an R8 with it. That said, it is leaps and bounds different than working for 30-40K a year.

 

But yes, straight up trading money for life goals is often unwise. I like "stuff," but I don't live to work, and would gladly trade salary for more free time when the time comes. The civilian employment I'm looking for pretty much excludes the more high-paying, but life draining of the employers. I'll also likely be taking some hit to my pay and civilian upward mobility by committing to guard aviation.

 

Mike

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If you want to get a degree then go for it. That being said, a degree in aviation is somewhat irrelevant. Unless you want to be an engineer I suppose. Thinking back on the companies I have worked for and the one I currently work for.....I can't remember a single manager that had a college degree. Chief pilots, Directors of Operations, General Managers, or the owners themselves. I've also never once been asked if I had a degree while interviewing. Don't waist your time or your money...that's a reality of civilian aviation. People talk about turbine transitions being a waist of money lol.

 

Just pay attention to how the business works, how money is spent, marketing is conducted, and so on. Show interest and ask questions, that's your education.

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Don't waist your time or your money...that's a reality of civilian aviation. People talk about turbine transitions being a waist of money lol.

 

I agree don't waste YOUR money. A buddy of mine (ex-Navy) just finished using his benefits to get his Master's (some kind of computer related degree). He said he didn't really learn anything worth while, but after his Bachelor's his boss gave him a raise and now after finishing his Master's he's getting another raise!

 

He's not a pilot though, so,...?

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If you want to get a degree then go for it. That being said, a degree in aviation is somewhat irrelevant. Unless you want to be an engineer I suppose.

What kind of a leg up would you see in the aviation community with an engineering degree? Would an engineering degree limit your options to a design job, at a large company, with little to no flying?

 

Thanks

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So I held off a little bit on this post, as I feel my experience/views might be offensive to some. Regardless, I completed my undergrad in Computer Management Information Systems doing in-residence. I understand that is not really possible for someone who is active-duty or someone who is working full time to support their family. Thankfully being Guard, I had some flexibility and I had a maxed out Post 9-11 GI bill from time that I served. With that degree and some certifications I now work for Boeing as a Cyber Security Specialist. My point is you can still work in the aerospace/defense industry without obtaining a degree that is directly related to aviation. Also, I'm not a fan of online colleges (I've taken classes online - even attended Park University for a bit) especially when you're getting a degree in Business. Getting a degree in Business is too generic and often times people come out crying they obtained a degree and they can't get a decent paying job. If you are staying in the military and just need a degree, then sure. The advantage to attending an in-residence college is you can attend career fairs (I worked for Lockheed Martin, Monsanto, Geek Squad, and now Boeing - had offers from Edward Jones and Centene and met almost all of them at career fairs) and it gives you a foot in the door. You can also network with your professors and set yourself up for a Masters or even get on a PhD track. Also those pay charts are kind of sh*t. Often times (Lockheed Martin and Boeing both) use a third party company who tells them what average salaries are like for certain occupations and they don't deviate all that much. I turned down a job with Lockheed Martin because they refused to give me my $5,000 increase in salary counter offer. Sounds childish but you have to know your worth (Boeing gave me what I asked for). Anyway, good luck sir and let me know if I can help with anything.

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I know on the MBA front the majority of what you are paying for is the network. I wouldn't waste my time with a school that isn't well networked for an MBA (selective) unless your job requires you get it.

 

Mike

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Thanks for the feedback. So let's say you have the combination of an engineering degree and military flight training. Would this present any career opportunities that would not be available without the combination of both?

 

My guess is no. I can't imagine any jobs that would use both piloting and engineering skill sets, but I could definitely see it creating a slight advantage in the interviewing process.

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Depends on the job. I have to imagine that a company seeking test pilots looking at equally qualified applicants from a flying perspective, but one also had a formal engineering background, they would give the job to the guy who has at the very least a primer in fluid dynamics, materials sciences, etc.

 

IIRC a lot of NASA pilots had engineering backgrounds.

 

Mike

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What kind of a leg up would you see in the aviation community with an engineering degree? Would an engineering degree limit your options to a design job, at a large company, with little to no flying?

 

Thanks

 

All I meant when I said "unless you want to be an engineer" is that, obviously to be an aeronautical engineer you would need a degree (that's in aviation). If you want to fly for a living in the helicopter business, you absolutely do not need a degree…..in anything.

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