Spike511
Well-Known Member
Hello gentlemen,
Firstly, I'd like to apologieze for drawing lots of information and not really returning any of it. It's kind of hard to give information back to a community when you're not actively involved in the basis of discussion (IE: I'm not a pilot so i'm pretty useless at giving back here.) But hopefully, one day I can at least begin to contribute.
Anywho, here's my situation.
I've already started up my senior year of high school and quite frankly it's flying by. I've already had to start worrying about things such as homecoming and college applications.
One major decision i've made is that I will pursue a normal degree as opposed to an aviation oriented one. Partially because I keep switching between career choices, as most people my age tend to do.
As a young kid I wanted to be a stormchaser, but around middle school I wanted to be a cop, high school I wanted to be a pilot until junior year when I began thinking about law enforcement again.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to:
-Aviation
-Law Enforcement
-Fire/EMS
-Government (US State Department, Intelligence, Homeland Security, etc.)
I've already decided to major in International Relations. This would assist me in obtaining a government job, and meet the general degree requirements for Aviation, Law Enforcement, and Fire/EMS. This is a big step from wanting to take the 200k plunge and attend ERAU or FIT or some other big aviation school and throw all my eggs in one basket (thanks to you guys who talked me out of that awhile ago, that would have been a big mistake.)
I guess I'm just looking for general advice about how to pursue this next bit of decision making. All the above career options will hopefully (medical exams go well, joining goes well, etc.) follow time in the military. Hopefully the Army...where i'd like to be infantry, cavalry, or MP (I know, off topic...moving on.)
I've recently been thinking about possibly going into aviation as well as being a member of the Army National Guard. This sorta seemed like a good idea, what do you guys think? Second income, getting the best of both worlds, etc.
I dont really know what to say. Typically these kind of threads stir about good discussion that helps me make sound decisions. I know I still have 4 more years, to make a sorta final decision, but I'd need to begin getting my ratings during college. However, I've sorta decided to not do anything career wise my freshman year. Except for joining the volunteer fire department, and maybe linking up with a local search and rescue team. This is because everyone keeps telling me that in college you discover who you are as a person, and where you're going. You begin to mature as an individual and a young adult.
Anyway, does this make sense? I guess I'm just sorta looking for advice for those who've sorta been in my position before. For those currently in the industry, why did you join? Why do you get out of bed every morning and go to the airport? For those who are leaving, why? For those who want to enter the industry, why?
If you read most law enforcement message boards, you get alot of cops incredibly stressed with their jobs, and for good reason, and they want to leave. I've actually seen a bunch want to enter aviation.
If you read most aviation message boards, as you guys well know, alot discuss leaving the industry.
Before I conclude, to address a few points that i'm sure will be asked:
-Family: I dont plan on getting married for some time now, I have fairly high standards rolleyes and I have a feeling it's gonna be awhile before I meet the right one. As for kids and all that, I'm not entirely sure if I even want kids yet...i've actually seriously just considered adoption...I really dont like young kids...
-Time on the road: I enjoy traveling immensely. It's probobly one of my favorite things to do, ever. Even if it's to Themiddleofnowhere, Idaho on a rainy Wednesday afternoon in the middle of November. Actually, one of the positives about the career to me is living out of a bag for possibly extensive periods at a time and not being home very much.
-Pay: I'm a firm believer in money cannot buy happyness. I'd much rather wake up each morning and go do something I enjoy and make just enough to get by then get up each day and go do something boring and make 300k +.
I live in Northern Virginia, which means i'm in close proximity to IAD, BWI, and DCA. It's incredibly common to see at least one aircraft in the sky at one time, and everytime I see one I wish I was on it. That same feeling originates every time I see something like "Surviving the Cut" or I hear about my buddies endevours in getting ready to enlist right after high school.
Well, anyone who has been in my position before have any advice on what to do?
Thanks,
Eric
Firstly, I'd like to apologieze for drawing lots of information and not really returning any of it. It's kind of hard to give information back to a community when you're not actively involved in the basis of discussion (IE: I'm not a pilot so i'm pretty useless at giving back here.) But hopefully, one day I can at least begin to contribute.
Anywho, here's my situation.
I've already started up my senior year of high school and quite frankly it's flying by. I've already had to start worrying about things such as homecoming and college applications.
One major decision i've made is that I will pursue a normal degree as opposed to an aviation oriented one. Partially because I keep switching between career choices, as most people my age tend to do.
As a young kid I wanted to be a stormchaser, but around middle school I wanted to be a cop, high school I wanted to be a pilot until junior year when I began thinking about law enforcement again.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to:
-Aviation
-Law Enforcement
-Fire/EMS
-Government (US State Department, Intelligence, Homeland Security, etc.)
I've already decided to major in International Relations. This would assist me in obtaining a government job, and meet the general degree requirements for Aviation, Law Enforcement, and Fire/EMS. This is a big step from wanting to take the 200k plunge and attend ERAU or FIT or some other big aviation school and throw all my eggs in one basket (thanks to you guys who talked me out of that awhile ago, that would have been a big mistake.)
I guess I'm just looking for general advice about how to pursue this next bit of decision making. All the above career options will hopefully (medical exams go well, joining goes well, etc.) follow time in the military. Hopefully the Army...where i'd like to be infantry, cavalry, or MP (I know, off topic...moving on.)
I've recently been thinking about possibly going into aviation as well as being a member of the Army National Guard. This sorta seemed like a good idea, what do you guys think? Second income, getting the best of both worlds, etc.
I dont really know what to say. Typically these kind of threads stir about good discussion that helps me make sound decisions. I know I still have 4 more years, to make a sorta final decision, but I'd need to begin getting my ratings during college. However, I've sorta decided to not do anything career wise my freshman year. Except for joining the volunteer fire department, and maybe linking up with a local search and rescue team. This is because everyone keeps telling me that in college you discover who you are as a person, and where you're going. You begin to mature as an individual and a young adult.
Anyway, does this make sense? I guess I'm just sorta looking for advice for those who've sorta been in my position before. For those currently in the industry, why did you join? Why do you get out of bed every morning and go to the airport? For those who are leaving, why? For those who want to enter the industry, why?
If you read most law enforcement message boards, you get alot of cops incredibly stressed with their jobs, and for good reason, and they want to leave. I've actually seen a bunch want to enter aviation.
If you read most aviation message boards, as you guys well know, alot discuss leaving the industry.
Before I conclude, to address a few points that i'm sure will be asked:
-Family: I dont plan on getting married for some time now, I have fairly high standards rolleyes and I have a feeling it's gonna be awhile before I meet the right one. As for kids and all that, I'm not entirely sure if I even want kids yet...i've actually seriously just considered adoption...I really dont like young kids...
-Time on the road: I enjoy traveling immensely. It's probobly one of my favorite things to do, ever. Even if it's to Themiddleofnowhere, Idaho on a rainy Wednesday afternoon in the middle of November. Actually, one of the positives about the career to me is living out of a bag for possibly extensive periods at a time and not being home very much.
-Pay: I'm a firm believer in money cannot buy happyness. I'd much rather wake up each morning and go do something I enjoy and make just enough to get by then get up each day and go do something boring and make 300k +.
I live in Northern Virginia, which means i'm in close proximity to IAD, BWI, and DCA. It's incredibly common to see at least one aircraft in the sky at one time, and everytime I see one I wish I was on it. That same feeling originates every time I see something like "Surviving the Cut" or I hear about my buddies endevours in getting ready to enlist right after high school.
Well, anyone who has been in my position before have any advice on what to do?
Thanks,
Eric