Should I major in Aviation or Computer Science

JustinS said:
Aviation major here.... I didn't know what else I wanted to do in life to supplement my career so I just went all in. Graduating with a handful of certificates (including an A&P) and a few hundred hours under my belt. I can't complain. If you're gifted at something that makes a lot of money, and you have a passion and desire to do that. Major in that and you can pay for flying a lot easier.
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Meh. One of the biggest problems I think we have today is that nobody dreams anymore, and nobody follows their dreams, so good on you for making it work.

My technology career was a means to an end (it paid for the flying and then some). And the education I received is a backup for when things go pear-shaped. But I also really enjoy computing, and I'm not sure that I've ever done anything (except an open time pickup) solely for the money.

Have the courage to follow your heart; it somehow knows what you really want to do.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Meh. One of the biggest problems I think we have today is that nobody dreams anymore, and nobody follows their dreams, so good on you for making it work.
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Thank you. There are moments where flight instructing can be monotonous. In those moments, I reflect on the fact that I could be somewhere else in life flipping burgers and day dreaming all day, or be stuck in a cubicle with a 9-5 job I hate. Rather quickly a smile appears across my face because I'm glad I am following my dream and not holding myself back.

I kind of wish I had a knack for engineering, or computer programming or a degree that could yield a good fall back. I just felt like it would hold me back from what I truly cared about doing which is working around airplanes. I also didn't want to go through college being miserable forcing myself to learn about something I didn't enjoy. It might not be a path to financial prosperity, but there are jobs in aviation that can allow you to sustain life just fine. I am thankful that I couldn't give a care in the world about money either (please do not mistake this for me being one of those "I fly for free guys".... I put a value to my skill-set I'm no sell out.).. I feel more free in life knowing that I don't hold value to a specific dollar amount being my goal in life. Rather my goal is just to enjoy life and follow my dreams in a responsible manner.

So if you really enjoy computer science and you can easily see yourself going through college for a degree and career in that. I say go for that. Aviation will be there when you have built a career in a more financially stable environment. Just make sure you're doing what you love and for the most part it will feel like "you've never worked a day in your life."
 
Take it from somebody who's done an aviation program...it's not worth it. CS, get a cushy 70k a year job after graduation, pay off any loans, save up and do flight training. You'll be a lot better off than aviation program > CFI > poor regional pilot.
 
PGT said:
Take it from somebody who's done an aviation program...it's not worth it. CS, get a cushy 70k a year job after graduation, pay off any loans, save up and do flight training. You'll be a lot better off than aviation program > CFI > poor regional pilot.
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JustinS made a very eloquent point that CS (or any other degree) may not be right for everyone.

But if CS is something you like, and you are good at it, it absolutely will not keep you from flying. If anything, it probably gives you more opportunity.

But my old man speech is pretty short - go to college, do something challenging that you like, that isn't aviation, and the planes will still be there. Bonus points for getting someone else to pay for both.
 
I dont post much on this board, but, I'd like to add my $0.02 since I was kind of like you. I wasn't looking at an aviation degree, but, maybe this will help you.

I've loved aviation and computers since I was very young. I graduated college with a computer science degree and my focus was on web developing. I did a few jobs after college and decided I would try out aviation because I always wanted to. Thankfully, having the computer degree, I was able to do contract work on the side while I was a CFI. If I wasn't able to do that, I would be living with my parents. A couple years into flying, I decided it wasn't the life for me. I wanted a family, I wanted to be home to see my (future) children grow up, etc... And, to top it off, I didn't want to fly people around or deal with the BS that a lot of people in the aviation industry have to deal with (this isn't a knock, its actually a compliment because I couldn't do it).

So, last year, I decided it was time to get back into computers. I found a job with a great company and it pays well with great benefits. To top it off, I can afford to to be a part owner in an airplane and go fly whenever I want to where ever I want. I love aviation. But, I realized the hard way, that as soon as I started doing it to make ends meet, it lost its appeal.

Did I need to get my CFI/CFII to do what I'm doing now? No, I could have just gotten by with my instrument. Do I regret it? Absolutely not! It has made me a WAY better pilot that I wouldve been if I stopped at instrument. Plus, if I want, I can go teach some students on the weekend for a few extra bucks. The students I want to work with. Not the students that are dumped on me by a flight school. And, if the itch ever gets me and I want to get back into aviation, I can.

If you want to do aviation, think really hard if thats what you truly want to do day in and day out. Likewise with computers. Loving to do it and needing to do it to pay bills are two very different things.

Oh, and, get the computer science degree! :)
 
I'm late to the party but.... don't major in Aviation. Sure, the classes were interesting and I learned a lot of stuff that I use everyday (which honestly, you can read in books from your public library for free).

The problem is return on your investment. I know multiple graduates from my college that are anywhere from FO's for small regionals to Captains for major airlines. Not a single person has said that majoring in aviation helped them; it was about networking and being at the right place at the right time. If you meet the minimums, have the skill and the personality you will get the job. I seriously can't recall an aviation job description requiring anything other than a college degree; and that's if a degree is even required!

Great advice for having a college degree that will suffice for a backup plan. Some of the best advice I ever received regarding the aviation world: "As a pilot you fly when you can, and when you can't you find something else to do until you can fly again!" The question is what do you want to do while you are waiting to come off furlough or looking for your next pilot job because your company went under. Manual labor, flipping burgers or a nice job that pays well with great benefits. I always go the construction route, which tends to kinda suck!

Throwing all of your eggs in one basket won't work in this industry. If I had a dollar for every IT, Business, or entrepreneur student that I take in that pays cash for every lesson.... well I would be making more than I do now with my aviation degree and certificates.
 
I graduated college with an Aivation degree. My first year out of college I flight instructed 100 hours a month (7 days a week) and made about 30K before taxes. After that I flew cargo for a 135 airline and made about 15K before taxes. Then I was laid off. I spent the next year living with my parents and teaching myself how to build software. At the end of 2010 I got a job as a software developer making 75K. After a few months I got a job working for another software company making 110K. I now make 140K. All of my programming jobs had full benefits associated, none of my flying jobs had any benefits whatsoever (unless you count "can be furloughed at any time without notice" as a benefit) If I were still in the Aviation game I'd be at some regional somewhere sitting right seat making 35K.

Major in CS.

Edit: Theres something else I want to say, if you want to be successful in CS (and this goes for any industry, not just CS), you really have to go above and beyond. Don't expect to make the kind of money I make now by just getting a Bachelors degree. I work especially hard on my own personal projects which has helped me earn more than most people in this industry. This bit of advice does not apply to Aviation. You are at compete mercy of the industry. This industry is a humongous machine. Theres not much you can really do to effect your own destiny. This fact is what ensures I will never return to my aviation career.
 
nbv4 said:
the end of 2010 I got a job as a software developer making 75K. After a few months I got a job working for another software company making 110K. I now make 140K. All of my programming jobs had full benefits associated, none of my flying jobs had any benefits whatsoever (unless you count "can be furloughed at any time without notice" as a benefit) If I were still in the Aviation game I'd be at some regional somewhere sitting right seat making 35K.

Major in CS.
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My experience is similar. Adjusted for inflation, I made what I am making now my first year out of school. And unlike aviation, you can always make more if you want to- there are always side contracts to pick up, and changing jobs frequently is not something anyone looks down on. Software is quite the opposite - no one wants to hire someone that has been at the same place for 15 years.

We are literally fighting over qualified people at this point. (By qualified, the key skills are: Linux, web, shell, python, ruby, Oracle, IP, virtualization, and the typical CS/EE education. And it is "expert" level knowledge that is needed)
 
Whatever you do, just make sure you're happy. Nothing worse than making good money and halting life because your job sucks. I think they made a movie about that. Office Space.

I know for a fact I could never work 9-5 Monday through Friday. I like lots of variety.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
My experience is similar. Adjusted for inflation, I made what I am making now my first year out of school. And unlike aviation, you can always make more if you want to- there are always side contracts to pick up, and changing jobs frequently is not something anyone looks down on. Software is quite the opposite - no one wants to hire someone that has been at the same place for 15 years.

We are literally fighting over qualified people at this point. (By qualified, the key skills are: Linux, web, shell, python, ruby, Oracle, IP, virtualization, and the typical CS/EE education. And it is "expert" level knowledge that is needed)
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If I could add to what drunkenbeagle has stated, another key skill-set that is in very high demand at the moment is knowledge of mobile programming. Objective-C, Cocoa, Apple frameworks, etc are rigorously sought after.

My personal opinion is that JavaScript will continue to grow in popularity (I love AJAX and JSON); let's keep an eye on Node.js, too. It would probably be a good idea for me to pick it up...
 
Without reading any of the other replies, if the choice is to major in aviation or something else, always choose the one that is not aviation.

-A150k, Business Administration major
 
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