Dilemma: School/Career Vs. Career/School

[Bigey]

It's been quite a while since i posted a thread, but i'm really stuck on something this time.

Heres a little background so the story makes a little bit more sense.

As some know, i'm currently applying to be an ATC'er. I'm an OTS (off the street [Public Announcement]) and have been passed on 3 times (PUBNAT4,5,6). I'm currently enrolled at a JC and in the CTI Program (collegiate training initiative - basically, complete the degree and you can apply for a controller position more direct and pretty much get the job. It's a pretty sure way to get into ATC'ing (as it was one of the few ONLY options before they started hiring off the streets).

Lately, i've been really starting to enjoy going to school. Even though it's a JC, i'm having a blast. It's a different challenge for me, and the environment is ever changing. I'd like to get at least a Bachelors degree for my own personal desire. With this though, i'd like to go to a university (transfer that is..) and do the whole dorming thing since it seems quite fun. So here is where my dilemma sits:

Do i A) Finish the degree (AS) at the JC and jump into ATC'ing and finish my BS online, or through the JC LATER
B) Finish the degree(AS)/transfer to a University, and dont do the ATC'ing
till i'm done with the BS/BA
C) Transfer to a University, forget the whole ATC'ing thing, and get
back into the Professional Aviation (Professional Pilot) thing again

Wait, what?! C?! Yeah i know, i'm having an inner struggle about that too. My head is in the clouds, and keep having this vision of myself flying for a living so i'm starting to get torn about this too. However, knowing that i'll still have the ability to fly on the side of ATC has pretty much put this to sleep for the most part.

Okay, sorry for the rant. Suggestions are MORE than welcome and appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

...whatever you do, go to school, finish school and get the four year degree!

...Trust me!

 

[KLB]

I'd go to college, enjoy living in the dorms, and just enjoy being a young adult. It was one of the best times of my life. You have plenty of time to get into a career, but not so much with being able to enjoy the college experience.

 

[Bigey]

...whatever you do, go to school, finish school and get the four year degree!

...Trust me!

If i was to do the ATC thing, i'd still end up going back to school and getting the BS, over just having the AS. You think i should still pursue ONLY the BS in this type of scenario?

I'd go to college, enjoy living in the dorms, and just enjoy being a young adult. It was one of the best times of my life. You have plenty of time to get into a career, but not so much with being able to enjoy the college experience.

Aghh! I know! All my friends are doing the dorming stuff, and keep telling me to do it too. It's just i'm thinking the window might be pretty small to get in good with ATC.

 

[Brian Z]

School first. I chased the money when I was young and regret it now that I am 38.

 

[jtrain609]

Go to school.

Drink.

Get laid.

Worry about the rest in a few years.

I mean really it's cool that you're motivated with how young you are man, but don't get TOO motivated or you'll miss out on life! I didn't have the best undergraduate GPA, but man if college wasn't a blast.

 

[ppragman]

Go to school.

Drink.

Get laid.

Worry about the rest in a few years.

I mean really it's cool that you're motivated with how young you are man, but don't get TOO motivated or you'll miss out on life! I didn't have the best undergraduate GPA, but man if college wasn't a blast.

What he said. Seriously, as someone who went balls to the wall for career at the neglect of school, I'd recommend not working, or having anything to do with a career while going to school. I can't quit working now (I need the money big time) and I wouldn't change anything if I did it all over, but as a 21 year old with over 2000TT, and a love of aviation I'd strongly caution you against just jumpin' in too quick, because frankly, this industry has a tendency to want to eat your youthful exuberance for lunch. I have good friends, and a wonderful girlfriend, and the like, but all of these things came before college and not as a result of it, frankly, I never had time between work and school to even really hang out with my friends during the school year, or to go to any good parties (it was always, naw man, I gotta fly tomorrow, or to friends from work, naw man, I gotta go to class tomorrow) or to do literally anything other than go to school then go to work. At the risk of sounding preachy, avoid real work as much as posible, the career will be there later. I'd be just fine with myself if I'd be able to graduate a year earlier with a few more cool experiences and half of my total time/ career progress, or less. Just my $.02.

 

[PGT]

Why can't you transfer to a university with a CTI program?

 

[CK]

School always comes first in my opinion and I think you should knock out the four year degree before you start your career.

Alex.

 

[juan valdez]

Can't help you with a professoinal aspect but I missed out on most of the fun years in college. I went for 2 years, finished 1.5 of those and had a blast. Dorms were fun, though I was only there for a semester (that's a whole nother story) and enjoyed the laid back life of partying and going to class.
Then I joined the military from 21-26 and now I am married and have all kinds of bills and responsibilities. College isn't near as much fun now.
Though my time in the military was a lot like college as far as partying and barracks life and all that good stuff. So it kind of made up for it, but I still feel like I missed out on the good life that college can offer.
As someone not going the traditional route of getting a degree, graduate HS and then straight to college and graduate, I would not recommend it. A lot of my friends that graduated "on time" are all set into careers and making good money. Whereas I am backtracking trying to get everything done.
Thats just my .02 based on my experience, you may be different. However I wouldnt change anything.

 

[N826AW]

No dilemma. Get your degree. If you get the rocket from ATC, you're going to land on your ass.

 

[PGT]

No dilemma. Get your degree. If you get the rocket from ATC, you're going to land on your ass.

:yeahthat:

Listen to the guy that drives around in expensive European cars...

 

[twotwowoo]

I'd go to college, enjoy living in the dorms, and just enjoy being a young adult. It was one of the best times of my life. You have plenty of time to get into a career, but not so much with being able to enjoy the college experience.

:clap:

I fully agree.

 

[poser765]

School first. Thought I would seriously not consider an aviation/pilot degree.

Seems like everyone who is young wants to be grown up and are willing to take anyshortcuts they can to get there. I promise you...you will always miss your college days and wish you could go back. Life is so much easier. Take your time. Enjoy yourself. The real world aint going anywhere.

 

[thepedroid]

C'mon Bigey! GO TO COLLEGE and have a BLAST!!! I regret not going right after high school because I ended up getting a semi decent job and putting it off. Now Bills and taking care of the family come first...no time right now to go back to school. Start now, get it over with, and party your ass off!!!:nana2:

 

[Jfk-Pilot]

Go to college dude. And don't worry about getting a degree in aviation or anything related to it, Get a degree in something that you know you will enjoy learning about, because there is nothing worse then not wanting to be somewhere and to feel like its a waste of your time and money.


and plus what kind of person would want to pass up on an opportunity to have a time of your life, meet new people, and build up your drinking stamina :beer:

 

[TUCKnTRUCK]

College FTW

 

[N826AW]

:yeahthat:

Listen to the guy that drives around in expensive European cars...

But can't afford to buy one.

 

[Bigey]

Go to college dude. And don't worry about getting a degree in aviation or anything related to it, Get a degree in something that you know you will enjoy learning about, because there is nothing worse then not wanting to be somewhere and to feel like its a waste of your time and money.


and plus what kind of person would want to pass up on an opportunity to have a time of your life, meet new people, and build up your drinking stamina :beer:

Sweet! Its an overwhelming amount of ya'll saying go to school. That's kinda what i was leaning towards too...and it's funny, it's only somewhat recent that i wanted to go to school. I really disliked the idea of going to school, but after i gave it a try, i started to enjoy it.

As much as i'd like to say that i wont get a degree in aviation, i'm fairly limited, i at least have to get a degree in aviation in order to apply for ATC (they have open hires for only CTI students).

So i guess i'm gonna at least finish my AS right now, and start looking at other universities to go to.

Now playing a little devils advocate. Lets say my other Public announcement comes around (august) and i get picked up for it. What do you think i should do? Accept the position and forget about school now, or reject it and apply a couple years down the road? This time we're talking about a really awesome opportunity that probably wont EVER come around again...?

 

[SFCC/UND]

You can try to do online school too. If you really want a job. I spend maybe a five hours a week on school work, so it is manageable.