Bachelors VS. Associate Degree ?

T

Turbolag

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone ....again.... Its been a while since I posted. I'm working on starting to fly again and I want to finish up school while flying. But I am stuck on choosing degrees.

Here is my problem:

I would much rather get an associates degree in Advance Engine Technology which is at the Technical school next to the college in my area. There isn't a Bachelors degree that interest me. My friend made a good point to me last night. Don't waste money on a degree just to get a degree. If flying doesn't work out I want something to fall back on. I enjoy working on diesel engines but I would rather make a career flying.

But from what I've seen the bachelors degree holds more weight than an associates. But I just don't know if I can make myself go for the 4 year degree when there is no area of study that interests me.

I'm just worried that if I don't do the 4 year I won't make it as far flying.

I'm stuck right now. :dunno:

Any suggestions ?

Are there any airline pilots on here with an associates flying in the majors ?
 
Yes, there are many pilots at the Majors without a BS/BA or just an Associates. Some have no college. Some have advanced degrees such as Masters or higher. Obviously, competition and needs of the airline and current hiring pool dictate your chances.

Having said that, does not having a BA/BS knock you out of contention...No! Does it reduce your chances...Probably! My advice, get the Associates in what interests you as you stated and then continue using those credits to add a BA/BS in something related that also may interest you.
 
That sounds like a pretty fun subject area, IMO. Does it focus on all types of engine applications?

I'd suggest doing the advanced engine tech degree, assuming that it will give you necessary skills to get a job in the field of your choosing. THen when you decide what you want to major in for your bachelors degree, you can start on that and hopefully some of the credits from your technical school will count towards that future degree.
 
I just went to Yahoo and typed in Bachelor's Degree Automotive Technology and came up with a program:

http://weber.edu/automotive/default.html

Here's a few other programs:

http://www.universities.com/edu/Bac...motive_Engineering_Technology_Technician.html

There are options out there if you want to do automotive technology and get a Bachelor's. Also, I'd be amazed if the only thing you're interested in is automotive technology and flying. If that's the case, I'd recommend a few hobbies... usually hobbies can lead to academic interests.

A bachelor's, as has been said, is not a requirement- but it will do nothing but help you get a job. The perk of aviation is it truly doesn't matter what area it's in so you have the ability to get an education in anything and still fly. Not every career has that perk.
 
I see I read your post wrong, you want Advanced Engine Technology. You may be able to get that A.A. and transfer to a Bachelor's in Autmotive Technology, auto management, or auto engineering program after 2 years. It would probably save you money, allow you to get your Bachelor's, all be done in an area you like, and would possibly make you more marketable in both the automotive and aviation sectors.
 
Advanced Engine Technology is diesel mechanics. You can just get a certificate of completion if you want. But a lot of shops require the full Associates.

And no, my only interests aren't those two. haha ...I have a few different hobbies.

I don't want to come on here and say ...I wanna be an airline pilot !

A career flying seems awesome. But I'm sure there are some things I don't know. The only plane I've flown is a C172...I have 7.5 hrs. Not too impressive

I've never flown and been on a schedule so its hard to say FOR sure. But it certainly seems like an avenue I would like to go down.

School starts in about 3 weeks so I need to hurry up and choose.

I keep forgetting there are other ways to fly besides the airlines. I guess Charter is always an option.
 
I also wanted to add....that I don't have anything against a bachelors degree. I am just interested in certain subjects for school.

I'm 23 by the way if anyone was gonna ask. Haha.

I'm just ready to get started with something !

The other career paths I'm looking at :

1. Hire on as a Deckhand on tug boat, and working my way to Sea Captain.

2. Trying to hire on with a rail road and starting out as a Conductor and work my way to Engineer.

Both of those jobs do not require Degrees. Just ambition.
 
It sounds like you need to figure out what you want to do in life. The only person that can figure that out is yourself! I can tell you this: I really cannot think of a way where earning a Bachelor's will hurt you, no matter what you decide to do, except for maybe loans. If you do decide to be a pilot a Bachelor's degree will open a lot more doors than an associates degree and make you more marketable. Can you fly without a degree? Yes. Are many of the better paying jobs going to be a lot easier to get with a Bachelor's? Yes.

I don't know much about driving trains and I don't know much about fishing (other than I'm learning to fly fish at the moment and it's fun!), but for flying I would say the Bachelor's is the way to go. Also, a degree in aviation is always a possibility which obviously you do have an interest.
 
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