Career Change........

[OnTheFly7]

I found JC quite a long time ago, and from being a lurker, a random poster and an absentee(SP), I know there are very knowledgeble individuals on this site, from all walks of life. Keeping this in mind, I thought what would be better than to look for insight on these boards!

At 31 years of age, I find myself a year into a completely new environment, with a job that is ok and in a constant state of wonder. I spent the better part of 7 years in corporate sales and did average. The economy tanked and I was laid off. I know that I do not want to go back to that environment again.

I was born and raised in the aviaiton community and I have always followed it, although I do not own any ratings. I constantly thought of becoming a pilot, however, the money of the business world was just to strong of a draw (I call the dollar sign the devil). I chased that devil and was miserable doing so. Again and again, aviation called to me, I just never listened.

As I contemplate this career change, my choices have been narrowed down to Web Design (with the goal of being self-employed), Natural Resources Management (to work as a Wildlife LEO or possible pilot) and Pilot/A&P. I like the idea of being self-employed as a Web Designer, however I know how much work is involved with running your own small business and I do not know if I want that. The Natural Resources Management field is a very strong draw for me! It combines my love of nature with doing some positive things for wildlife and our citizens. Then there is flying, I would love to do it, possibly with an A&P as well (Is there an A&P school in Phoenix?).

I guess I am looking for insight into the first two fields from those with experience, as I get the aviation insight from JC ! Basically looking to find out about QOL, pay, fullfillment (each person will be different, I understand), etc. I have an idea of where I want to go, just looking for info. from those who are more experienced!

I thank all of you who provide insight, in advance!

 

[jerrywhite7]

Welcome PGA07,

Of course QOL is different for everyone, and the many, many, many different jobs in aviation.

I fly corporate and I am home more than I am away, although when the phone rings, I have to go . . . so making plans out in the future is always hard. Although I do work less than most anyone I know!

The pay of aviation is something that most be considered. For those first several years, your pay is going to be pretty low! You will more than likely need to flight instruct once you spend a small fortune on your ratings, and the CFI pay is not a whole lot of money.

Then once you have done this for a while, you will get that "FIRST JOB" and even though your pay "may" go up, it wont be a whole lot. Once you gain some experience, you can get more money for your flying.

This may be an opertunity for you to possibly do both. . . web sites and flying . . . or A&P (better money) and flying. . heck through in a little web design in there to really bring in some extra income.

Before you make that big move and decision, I would go and get your private pilot rating. Get that, THEN make the choice as if you like this flying thing!

Remember as well, that the aviation loans are all but gone. So, I hope you have some cash set aside or a rich uncle.

Now, the good news is that there a fewer PVT pilot certificates being issued right now, which means whenever the economy rebounds and all the frouloughed pilots, then current flight instructors and time builders get into the right/left seats . . . there WILL be good opertunities for new pilots! Get in now, BEFORE a shortage occurs, thats how you get the job!

Anyway, good luck.. . and remember. . . HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[OnTheFly7]

Are you saying that there is better money in A&P work, than there is in web design? Or were you comparing A&P to flying? Just trying to get a feel for the web design and A&P choices since I do not know much about those two (other than I know self-employed web designers can make good money).

 

[Firebird2XC]

These days, aviation is proof that while having money is cool, there are still some people willing to forgo immediate profit to do something they love.

Lock in on what you want and go for it. Stick around and if there's a more intelligent way to do things, you'll likely find it here.

Good luck, and cheers!

 

[SurfandSun]

I found JC quite a long time ago, and from being a lurker, a random poster and an absentee(SP), I know there are very knowledgeble individuals on this site, from all walks of life. Keeping this in mind, I thought what would be better than to look for insight on these boards!

At 31 years of age, I find myself a year into a completely new environment, with a job that is ok and in a constant state of wonder. I spent the better part of 7 years in corporate sales and did average. The economy tanked and I was laid off. I know that I do not want to go back to that environment again.

I was born and raised in the aviaiton community and I have always followed it, although I do not own any ratings. I constantly thought of becoming a pilot, however, the money of the business world was just to strong of a draw (I call the dollar sign the devil). I chased that devil and was miserable doing so. Again and again, aviation called to me, I just never listened.

As I contemplate this career change, my choices have been narrowed down to Web Design (with the goal of being self-employed), Natural Resources Management (to work as a Wildlife LEO or possible pilot) and Pilot/A&P. I like the idea of being self-employed as a Web Designer, however I know how much work is involved with running your own small business and I do not know if I want that. The Natural Resources Management field is a very strong draw for me! It combines my love of nature with doing some positive things for wildlife and our citizens. Then there is flying, I would love to do it, possibly with an A&P as well (Is there an A&P school in Phoenix?).

I guess I am looking for insight into the first two fields from those with experience, as I get the aviation insight from JC ! Basically looking to find out about QOL, pay, fullfillment (each person will be different, I understand), etc. I have an idea of where I want to go, just looking for info. from those who are more experienced!

I thank all of you who provide insight, in advance!

I can't offer specific insight into those particular industries but I would highly recommend that you have a side business if you get into flying.

 

[jerrywhite7]

I can't offer specific insight into those particular industries but I would highly recommend that you have a side business if you get into flying.

hey that was what I was getting at. That side bussiness could be web design or even A&P work. Or heck, both! Always have a back up. . . always expect that you will loose your medical or get fired/furloughed.

 

[killbilly]

There are just about as many unemployed web designers right now as there are unemployed pilots. Austin is full of them...and many (and the ancillary professions in advertising - the two go together) are ditching AUS to head to the better market in Dallas. They're being replaced by Californians who took a loss on their house there but can pay cash for a new one here.

"Web Design" itself is no longer a trade in itself, in my opinion. To be competitive as a freelancer, (which means you'd be brought in on various projects by other, larger shops) you have to know some back-end coding...ASP, Java, PhP, Ruby On Rails, etc...things like that. No offense to you, but just about anyone can learn HTML 5 - even W3C COMPLIANT HTML 5 - but without knowing something about content management and DB integration, you're going to be competing with kids out of HS who not only know it, but will offer to manage the network, too, because they got their CCNA cert as an elective.

If you want to do wholly-owned projects - that is, being responsible for the whole site instead of working on someone else's project as a freelancer, means LOTS more hours, twice as much work selling, and bringing in specialists to handle things like e-commerce, security, back-end integration (such as workforce management, for example) and other bells and whistles.

I do not want to pee on your parade, but I've got more than a few friends and enemies who are forced into frugal living, unemployment checks and working at Starbucks (for the lucky ones) who have been trying to do the same thing. The ones who are making it are the ones with the diverse skillset in multiple web disciplines.

 

[OnTheFly7]

There are just about as many unemployed web designers right now as there are unemployed pilots. Austin is full of them...and many (and the ancillary professions in advertising - the two go together) are ditching AUS to head to the better market in Dallas. They're being replaced by Californians who took a loss on their house there but can pay cash for a new one here.

"Web Design" itself is no longer a trade in itself, in my opinion. To be competitive as a freelancer, (which means you'd be brought in on various projects by other, larger shops) you have to know some back-end coding...ASP, Java, PhP, Ruby On Rails, etc...things like that. No offense to you, but just about anyone can learn HTML 5 - even W3C COMPLIANT HTML 5 - but without knowing something about content management and DB integration, you're going to be competing with kids out of HS who not only know it, but will offer to manage the network, too, because they got their CCNA cert as an elective.

If you want to do wholly-owned projects - that is, being responsible for the whole site instead of working on someone else's project as a freelancer, means LOTS more hours, twice as much work selling, and bringing in specialists to handle things like e-commerce, security, back-end integration (such as workforce management, for example) and other bells and whistles.

I do not want to pee on your parade, but I've got more than a few friends and enemies who are forced into frugal living, unemployment checks and working at Starbucks (for the lucky ones) who have been trying to do the same thing. The ones who are making it are the ones with the diverse skillset in multiple web disciplines.

With regards to your last sentence, isn't that the case in all industries right now? One thing I think everyone should learn from this economy, and recent events, no industry or profession is safe! Only those with the most diverse skill sets, the most experience, the best contacts, etc. are making it and/or will continue to make it.

As for what I would be learning, html is just one of many things. Flash, In-Design, JAVA, PHP and a few others are on the list. As with aviation, as I am sure you know, with that career field, you never stop learning. I do sincerely appreciate your insight, however, again, I think what you state applies to ALL career fields, now and in the future!

 

[jerrywhite7]

There are just about as many unemployed web designers right now as there are unemployed pilots. Austin is full of them...and many (and the ancillary professions in advertising - the two go together) are ditching AUS to head to the better market in Dallas. They're being replaced by Californians who took a loss on their house there but can pay cash for a new one here.

"Web Design" itself is no longer a trade in itself, in my opinion. To be competitive as a freelancer, (which means you'd be brought in on various projects by other, larger shops) you have to know some back-end coding...ASP, Java, PhP, Ruby On Rails, etc...things like that. No offense to you, but just about anyone can learn HTML 5 - even W3C COMPLIANT HTML 5 - but without knowing something about content management and DB integration, you're going to be competing with kids out of HS who not only know it, but will offer to manage the network, too, because they got their CCNA cert as an elective.

If you want to do wholly-owned projects - that is, being responsible for the whole site instead of working on someone else's project as a freelancer, means LOTS more hours, twice as much work selling, and bringing in specialists to handle things like e-commerce, security, back-end integration (such as workforce management, for example) and other bells and whistles.

I do not want to pee on your parade, but I've got more than a few friends and enemies who are forced into frugal living, unemployment checks and working at Starbucks (for the lucky ones) who have been trying to do the same thing. The ones who are making it are the ones with the diverse skillset in multiple web disciplines.

Killbill, if your ever around GTU give me a shout! nice to see another JCer in Central Texas!