I Need Career Advice.

[seaav8tor]

Everyone has different reference points. That's why you end up with so many answers. The further apart the reference points are the more meaningful the trend line. My points are 1976-present.

This guys points are 1968-2003. http://www.landings.com/_landings/stories/captainicarus.html

You say you would be happy with 90K.... Well stick at it and you will most certainly make 90K. Understand however, by the time you get there inflation may have cut it in half. 90K will be 45K. While this problem is not 100% limited to pilots; pilots have taken more of a "hit" on inflation adjusted pay then any other job I am aware of. And, the trend is continuing with no bottom in sight. (well ok, minimum wage).

If the job was to never pay more than minimum wage would you still do it? If yes, then press on and you won't be unhappy.

 

[Fly4Pay]

*Tower Of Power 1970's funk references

Two thoughts:

A) Threads RARELY need to be "bumped" around here, cause it's a happenin' place!

2) Us old guys got the reference, man! But an even BETTER Tower of Power song to refer to here would be...... "Bump City!"

 

[OnTheFly7]

First off, welcome to the site.

Everyone else has pretty much touched on parts of what I was going to say! I guess I am not needed!

You really need to decide what YOU want to do with YOUR life. I was being pushed into aviaiton by a father who only wanted the best for his son, but ultimately wanted him to be passionate about his (my father's) line of work.

So I went out into the world, experienced many great things and places and a few not so great things and places. I placed my foot steps in a new path, one that only I had wallked. However, somewhere down that very long path there were another set of foot prints. Mine, along with that "other set" seemed to be headed in the same direction. Little did I know, I found my way back to the original path.

In the end, I am back to aviation because it is what I want to do and it is where I chose to be, not what someone else wants for me.

The future of this industry is uncertian, more so than just about any other career field. However, the next 5 to 7, possibly even 10 years look to be very, very good. However, keep in mind that this can change overnight. Yet, despite this, if you truely love what you are doing you will perservere (SP).

What ever you decide to do, make sure it is the best decision for you!

Good Luck!

 

[skidz]

1. Should I become a pilot, ATC, or A&P Mechanic?
2. What is the future outlook for Pilots? Is it safe to say AA will start hiring in 2012?
3. I Want to go to Miami Dade College of Aviation, anybody that went here please let me know how was the training and hours logged in ect.
4. Future of ATC's and Is getting an ATC interview hard? What are my chances of working at Miami Tower/Center?
5. Future of A&P mechanics.

1. Be a pilot.
2. good.
3. just go to local fbo....mmmmkay! and pick a college in something you are interested in.
4. Do you wanna be a pilot, mechanic, controller or what?
5. just go to local fbo and start flying

and tell your dad flying is the safest mode of transportation.

 

[jspeed87]

I go to broward community college. I think its better than the gig Miami dade has.

Hey how much dose it cost to go their? I live in NJ now, but I'm moving to FL like in March.

 

[mastermags]

Thanks!

Definitely not "new" just not hip, but what is hip, tell me tell me if you think you know, what is really hip the passing years will show . . . you in a hip trip!*

"I used to be with it! But then they changed what it was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what it is is strange and scary."

All quotes aside, don't let other people ruin your dreams, but don't fantasize either... educate yourself (which it seems you are already doing). There are a few pieces of advice that I can give you which I think most people would agree with.

1) Go to college. It is potentially the best time of your life and could possibly be required by the company you want to work for down the road, even if it's not a current requirement. And you don't HAVE to study aviation. I would advise studying something non-aviation and doing your flying on the side.

2) Be flexible. Aviation is a cyclical industry and is constantly changing. Having an end goal is good, but today's dream job might not be so dreamy by the time you are qualified for it. I'm not saying put off having a wife and kids because that's not my business, but it certainly helps; especially in the early stages of your career.

3) Enjoy it. If you find that you don't enjoy being a flight student or even a flight instructor, chances are aviation isn't for you. I run into pilots that make me question "why are they even still doing this if they hate it so much?" Don't be like that. And don't be in a rush to get to the airlines. Enjoy the learning process and your training... it is some of the best and most free (as in freedom) flying that you will ever do.

4) Try to find mentors who can help mold you as the kind of pilot you want to be. I think most experienced aviators will tell you that their first instructor was a huge reason for the sucess they have had over their careers. Network! Get over to the local airport and find stuff to do. Make people remember you. A lot of careers are made by someone dropping a name or walking in a resume.

That's about all I have, but I'll say this. If you ever get a chance, try to give something back to aviation. Try to do something to help someone else out who is getting started. Be a mentor to someone else. It's a small community and we should all try to leave it better than we found it.

 

[MarkE]

1. Should I become a pilot, ATC, or A&P Mechanic?

At your age who's to say you can't be all 3! Espeically if you plan to own your own plane being an A&P would sure come in handy

2. What is the future outlook for Pilots? Is it safe to say AA will start hiring in 2012?

No one can answer that. Who knows if Earth will still be here in 2012?

3. I Want to go to Miami Dade College of Aviation, anybody that went here please let me know how was the training and hours logged in ect.

can't help you with that.

4. Future of ATC's and Is getting an ATC interview hard? What are my chances of working at Miami Tower/Center?

I don't know much about ATC but I assume it's takes some seniority to get placed where you want.

5. Future of A&P mechanics.

Well , planes are always gonna need repairs.

ok sorry for all the questions thanks. :nana2:

 

[ORDinary]

Driving to a job (like, for instance, one in radiology) is more dangerous than being a pilot. Tell your dad you worry about him being in a car.

There are some pilots who hold down more than one job. You could be a pilot and be something else, too.