I've been thinking about majoring in IT for a degree. I want to know if there are any commercial pilots here that used to work in that field. What was it like? How long did you have to work in IT to finance your training and obtain your licenses/ratings? What was the pay like? Quality of life?
The schools I've been looking at are Heald College, University of Phoenix and Devry University. Any alumnis or current students at these schools? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
As promised Hyper... btw... I'm a DeVry Grad.
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Hi DFW. I too am in IT. I am also 45 years old. Unlike you though, I haven't yet tossed it aside for the Aviation career.... although thats what I had intended to do... I'm now in Raleigh for another IT gig, and am just wrapping up the TSA process for flight training approval....
What i wanted to say was this... I've been in love with flying all my life, and have 52 hours to my name.... I planned on switching careers, and had a long hard fight with my wife about it... however, after all is said and done, I, like you, weighed the pro's & con's, and an aviation career came up far short of my needs when compared to my IT career....
I have 4 young kids and a wife who like to see me every night... my IT career makes it possible, an Aviation career would not
I like to plan my weekends and every other day in my schedule according to my family needs and plans... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not
I like to maintain a certain level of comfort, and not just get by on subsistance living... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not...
I like to drive my Land Rover, and provide my wife and kids with a nice big house, and spoil them all rotten (after all, I won't be around forever, and I could die today!)... my IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career would not....
Like you, I've been in IT since 1993 until today, so after 15 years I make a steady mid-6-figure income, don't carry a pager, don't work weekends, don't work nights, am not on call..etc... IT makes this possible, Aviation cannot offer the same
I have decided that I'll get my commercial and instructor ratings to fill my need for professional aviation by instructing on weekends etc, but I also plan on buying my own twin and flying for fun.... an IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career does not....
What I'm saying DFW, is that rather than focusing on the "fix" that you want, or I want, in our desire to fly, focus on what your family "needs", rather than making them do without so your (my, our) flying needs are fulfilled)... They NEED an at home dad, more than we "need" to fly for a low paying corporation (don't forget, the Airline mgrs and execs don't share your financial or schedule pains, and they cannot even fly the planes nor risk their lives on a daily basis!).... fly for fun to get your fix.... Your IT career will get to the point where you can pick a job that has only day shift, and no on call requirements... there are plenty out there, just be choosy up front... the money will come again.. but to make it come quicker, stick to internetworking (ie: Cisco certs) as opposed to MCSE's.. they are truly a dime a dozen and don't offer high $$$'s .... find a role that will let you work on project and lead some of them, then make the transition to IT Project Management... thats where BIG $$$'s are... and thats exactly what I did.. Her eis the path I took as I learned and figured out how to cash in big in the IT industry... my certification path below as an example....
CNA 4.1, CNA 4.11, CNA 5.0, CNE 5, Master CNE, CNE 6, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCIE Written, ITIL, PMP..... still a PMP today.....
I hear ya DFW , and I feel your pain... but family, kids, wives, come first, not our desire to fly... money can buy that for us in a recreational way...
I think you're making the right decision to get back into IT... You AND your family will have more money in your pocket, MUCH more quality family time, AND, your family will be able to enjoy flying with DAD every weekend.... can you imagine the thrill the kids will get ?
Thats my two cents anyway.. I hope it helps... :bandit:
Cheers.