Lost - Need Advice

[Tyler]

Ook, life story coming up..

 

I'm 20 years old. I'm in college, and I have no idea where I'm going in life.

 

Right now I'm working towards a BA in Computer Engineering. I feel like I will probably hate the job I get after college. I still have almost 4 full years of school ahead of me. I having a difficult time justifying staying in school. Everyone around me is reinforcing this idea that I am nothing without a BA. My parents specifically make it sound as if I will fail at life. I'm a smart guy. I've got a 4.0 right now. All I hear from people is "You have so much potential. Why would you give that up?"

 

I've been flirting with the idea of dropping out of college or changing over to an AA program. An AA program just means I wont be in school as long and I'll make less pay in the long run.

 

So far I have avoided college debt. I've been paying my way, but those days are about to end since some of my scholarship fund has just fallen out.

 

My only real dream in life is to travel. I have this incredible urge to seek out adventure. A boring career is just not fitting in with my life plans right now. I constantly feel like I am heading to a place I do not want to be. Even though I am working towards a degree, I feel like I have no direction in my life.

 

I heard about Heli pilot a couple years ago and it has always sounded awesome. The whole idea of learning a skill vs. earning a degree really appeals to me. The sense of adventure involved with Heli pilot gets my adrenaline flowing. I feel like heli pilot is really something I could get behind. I would be really motivated to start moving towards a goal I believe in.

 

Ok so.. now that you know a bit about me, I have some questions.

 

How much does a typical training cost? I know it costs a hell of a lot.

 

How much can I realistically expect to make as a heli pilot?

 

Does heli pilot have that adventure aspect to it or am I dreaming?

 

Have any of you been in this position? How did it turn out for you?

 

Does anyone here have a BA? How has it affected your life?

 

I hope this post made sense.

I'm having a borderline early-life crisis. lol.

 

-Tyler

[CYGNUS I]

Tyler,

 

Here is a VR FAQ link maybe you can get some answers here.

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/helicopterfor...?showtopic=4360

Do what is going to make you happy!

Later

Edited August 1, 2007 by CYGNUS I

[arotrhd]

Tyler-

 

I would suggest continuing and completing the BA for a few reasons: 1) a backup job option is always valuable if/when a layoff or other type of obstruction happens (lose a medical...) and a BA would likely provide higher compensation over an AS/AA, 2) some employers recognize and value the effort/commitment to get the degree, and 3) all things being equally competitive, it might give you a slight advantage over somebody else for a position. While I'm a big proponent of further education, I respect the fact that others may not share the same perspective.

 

As far as some of the questions, training will be expensive ( ~45K - 90K, depending on who you go with and which ratings you end up earning. Initially, and generally speaking, newer pilots realistically won't earn too much over 40K, but things get better afer a couple/few years, type of operation, etc. Many pilots are the "adventurous types" and fortunately, the industry does need some poulation of nomads who wander the face of the planet executing various tasks. Others, however, like to remain in one area, and there are positions for those as well...you can make it what/however you want. I completed the AS, BS (Industrial Design) and MS (Aerospace Ops). The grad degree helped me establish a great network that I have used, and just as importantly for me, showed me how much I thought I knew and how much I really don't know. Enjoying life (not flying as much at the moment due to family situation, but will be back in the saddle shortly).

 

You are young and have a lot of time...way too young for any type of life crisis. Maybe consider changing majors and transferring to another university that has degree+flight training? Many out there...

 

-WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

[nicepants]

Ook, life story coming up..

 

I'm 20 years old. I'm in college, and I have no idea where I'm going in life.

 

Right now I'm working towards a BA in Computer Engineering. I feel like I will probably hate the job I get after college. I still have almost 4 full years of school ahead of me. I having a difficult time justifying staying in school. Everyone around me is reinforcing this idea that I am nothing without a BA. My parents specifically make it sound as if I will fail at life. I'm a smart guy. I've got a 4.0 right now. All I hear from people is "You have so much potential. Why would you give that up?"

 

I've been flirting with the idea of dropping out of college or changing over to an AA program. An AA program just means I wont be in school as long and I'll make less pay in the long run.

 

So far I have avoided college debt. I've been paying my way, but those days are about to end since some of my scholarship fund has just fallen out.

 

My only real dream in life is to travel. I have this incredible urge to seek out adventure. A boring career is just not fitting in with my life plans right now. I constantly feel like I am heading to a place I do not want to be. Even though I am working towards a degree, I feel like I have no direction in my life.

 

I heard about Heli pilot a couple years ago and it has always sounded awesome. The whole idea of learning a skill vs. earning a degree really appeals to me. The sense of adventure involved with Heli pilot gets my adrenaline flowing. I feel like heli pilot is really something I could get behind. I would be really motivated to start moving towards a goal I believe in.

 

Ok so.. now that you know a bit about me, I have some questions.

 

How much does a typical training cost? I know it costs a hell of a lot.

 

How much can I realistically expect to make as a heli pilot?

 

Does heli pilot have that adventure aspect to it or am I dreaming?

 

Have any of you been in this position? How did it turn out for you?

 

Does anyone here have a BA? How has it affected your life?

 

I hope this post made sense.

I'm having a borderline early-life crisis. lol.

 

-Tyler

 

 

Tyler-

 

I don't know a lot about the specific computer engineering field, but in the IT field, having that degree just means you'll have a better shot at management positions. As far as the regular techies go, in my experience it's not so much the degree as it is your prior experience. You have 2 candidates, one with a degree and 0 experience, and one with experience and 0 degrees, the experience wins almost every time.

 

Again, this is what I've seen working in the IT field, not so much computer engineering. I do have an Associates Degree, but I know that I've been selected for jobs over people who have the BS.....and I'm making more than most people in my High School class who got their Bachelor's. I think it's something you have to weigh out. If you drop out of school and start training in helicopters, then later discover that it's not your cup o' tea...or, God forbid, you incur some sort of injury or disability that prevents you from being able to fly safely.....that degree would be a nice cushion to fall back on.

 

I've just started helo training (I'm 26). I'm planning to spend about $9-$12k to get my ppl, which would include aircraft rental, instruction, books, equipment, etc. About the time I get my PPL, my current job contract will be up for renewal, and I'll re-assess my financial situation to determine whether my training will continue part-time, or whether I'll go full-time into it.

 

First things first, before you go quitting college, save up $100-$250 and take an intro lesson at your local (good) helo school. (A little browsing on these forums will let you know which schools to avoid).

 

Take the intro ride, and talk with the instructor who will probably be able to answer a lot of your questions.

 

One other thing: I got my 2nd class medical certificate ($60) before I dropped any money on training...no sense shelling out the money if you'll be unable to get your license.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Jason

[slick1537]

My story sounds a lot like yours, however I never started college, but did do some tradeschool work in computer networking and repair. Also 20. Again, I also decided that working in a cubicle for the rest of my life is not something that I wanted to do. I only just started my training a week ago so I can only tell you the facts that I know. Training will cost you somewhere in the vicinity of 60k maybe more depending on where you go. Almost everyone gets their private license, commercial license, and flight instructor license. Quite a few people also get their instrument rating and instrument instructor rating. Once you complete your training most people will instruct their way to 1000 hours of pilot-in-command time, as this seems to be the magic number employers are looking for. After that you can usually find work in the gulf of mexico, alaska, or vegas as a 1000 hour pilot and the company you sign with will put you through some turbine training, as the helicopters you train and instruct in are weak power piston engine helicopters. Starting pay for a 1000 hour pilot in the gulf is around 50k a year give or take.

[Tyler]

Well, I've decided that I'm going to stick with the Comp Engi bachelors for now. I may take some time off in the next year or two to get my head straight, but I'm not going to change to AA. As flaky as I am, I realize I've got to have a good foundation to fall back on.

 

I have a problem with paralysis through analysis, so I just need to do something while I'm thinking things over, and I might as well be working towards a degree right?

 

Heli pilot is still something I would love to do and I will keep it in the back of my head for now. I may go ahead and take that intro lesson that you guys suggested and maybe a demo flight or something. I don't know if I necessarily have a passion to fly. I think its the lifestyle of a heli pilot that appeals to me the most.

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

-Tyler

[Goldy]

Tyler- why do you feel that you have to trade one for the other? You cant go to school and learn to fly at the same time? Is that like walking and chewing gum? You can get your PPL in 12 months for less than a grand a month....which you can easily earn part time and living at home.

 

I say do them both.

 

Goldy

[Tyler]

Thats actually not a bad idea. I'm not sure why I didn't think about it.

Earning the money would probably be the hardest part, buts its definitely manageable in my current situation.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

-Tyler

[Wally]

"Heli pilot is still something I would love to do and I will keep it in the back of my head for now. I may go ahead and take that intro lesson that you guys suggested and maybe a demo flight or something. I don't know if I necessarily have a passion to fly. I think its the lifestyle of a heli pilot that appeals to me the most."

 

Friend, if you don't have the "passion to fly", don't do it- at least not as a vocation. The ONLY reason any body's happy in this job is the love of the flying helos, the "passion" you're not certain of. If you don't have that, it's a lot like driving a tractor.

As to the "lifestyle"... Helicopters are expensive pieces of narrow application equipment- the 'equipment's expensive, you're not. In fact, you'll probably be the least compensated person on the job site. Helicopters are only used when absolutely nothing else will do and/or it's a matter of life and death. There's no glamor in either facet.

"Absolutely nothing else will do" means working where nobody else goes (and not wilderness so much as a place nobody wants to be- the 'crotch' of some country or other), inhabiting the cheapest possible contract accommodations, and going home- to your car.

The "life and death" part is hardly heroic, either. Combat's very like a surprise knife fight in a phone booth, and combat support means you probably don't even have a knife. EMS is a little less tense in that nobody's shooting at you, but you're doing pretty much the same job otherwise- except that the folks who call you expect you to walk on water; or rob the dead and rape the widows and orphans.

If you do any of the the jobs well, it's not exciting- in fact, it's boring except for the intrinsic challenges of flying: placing the load exactly, 500 times a day; never touching a limit while operating at gross off a toad-stool in the GoM; or finding a way to teach your 1000th student the difference between translating tendency and transverse flow. If you're really good, you make the job look easy, and your employer's sure you're being overpaid.

You have to love the JOB. I know I can, and have, made more money doing other things.

[slick1537]

Ill just say this, after my 1 hour demo ride I hardly had a strong passion to fly. If you decide to train you won't be able to get enough of it. Personally I think I would start a PPL program and pay as you go, no one says you have to finish it if you decide it is not for you. It is a very expensive endeavor.

[Gomer Pylot]

What Wally said. I got to thinking the other night (dangerous, I know) after a somewhat tense landing on a road at 3AM, dodging wires, trees, and what not, thinking that I could not do what the med crews do - sit there in the back on a flight like that, knowing that the least paid person on board is handling the controls, and has my life in his hands. I'm just an ambulance driver on this job, and paid accordingly. Same for every other helicopter job I've had. If Uncle Sam had given me any other skills, I would be using them. There aren't many jobs which require firing a rifle, though, and he didn't teach me much else back then. At least I got upgraded to this.

[Witch]

I may take some time off in the next year or two to get my head straight

 

There you go, start flying while getting your head straight.

 

Later

[Merc]

Check this article out, it might give you some insight.

 

http://briankim.net/blog/2007/08/is-gettin...-it-these-days/

[Mike Murphy]

Tyler,

 

Have you considered getting that degree and letting the military or Coast Guard pay for your flight training? If combat is an issue, the Navy and Coast Guard are probably the logical choices, both require a Bachelors degree because their pilots are commissioned officers. The pay is not bad for a young guy and in your first 10 years you will fly alot. Just another thing to think about.

 

Keep your turns up