The College Degree thing

Not necessarily. Socializing for me was VERY difficult, which is probably why I didn't enjoy the college experience like so many other people rave over. I came out of high school with a seriously low self esteem issue thanks to my class mates there, so I really didn't want to talk to too many people. Add to that I got planted with a poorly matched roommate, and I wasn't really having a good time until I stumbled into my future wife one evening in the dorm lobby. She more or less turned my around socially, but I wouldn't say it's never hard.
That sounds exactly like me. Which is why I am transferring.:)
 
I figure ill just post this here since we are on the subject,

Is it better to major in aviation or something completely different???
 
I figure ill just post this here since we are on the subject,

Is it better to major in aviation or something completely different???
Major in whatever you want.
Don't think that majoring in Aviation is going to get you any further in....aviation. If something else other then aviation interests you that may be a better option as you will have a more well rounded education. I was an aviation major because just about any other subject puts me to sleep.
Undergrad degrees just check a box.
 
I know a C.E.O. of an insurance company with a B.S. in political science...I know an author of childrens books with a B.A. in English. I know pilots with degrees in everything from underwater basket weaving to the advanced sciences...

What it comes down to is, what will make you happy? What are you interested in studying?

My B.S. is in Political Science-Foreign Policy. I choose this major with no intentions with going to law school, or getting into the political field. I majored in politics, simply because it was something I enjoy...I think the skills and attributes you learn studying politics at the univeristy level is very applicable to many other career fields...It teaches you to do major research, put that research into presentation, draw your own conclussions, and present. I enjoyed it. Until you've written a 50 page political research paper, I don't think ya know what real research is! haha...at least I didn't.

Anyways, go with something that you will enjoy studying...

If I wasn't political science, other fields I would have potentially looked into would have been meteorology, oceanogrophy, an earth science or geography.
 
Exactly. Major in what you're likely to finish. I did biological science b/c vets get paid well after the first couple of years. By the time I was a junior, I was ready to hang myself. I got burned out, and dropped out. Here I am 11 years later finally finishing up with an aviation degree that most people will tell me is useless. Well, if I can check the box on the Delta app, then it's not useless to me.

If I had it to do over again, I woulda majored in history back in the 90s. I probably would have finished that degree and spent less money. Then again, that degree is about as useful as an aviation degree.
 
Eh, I went to college and lived on campus. Other than meeting my wife my freshman year, it was a totally forgetable experience. About the only thing I took away from that was a serious case of burnout, my wife and some credits that transferred.

If you're doing it to learn or be able to check the box on an application, odds are the whole "college experience" thing isn't gonna live up to the hype. Now, if you're going for a social aspect, that might be different.


Man, College was one of the best times of my life... You get out of it what you put in it. I chose to go to a large school which offered an outstanding program, and the school also had a great social aspect.

I went to Purdue, and chose it because it saved money living in state, and also offered a nationally recognized program. Did the program really do better at getting me an airline job than an online program?...It's possible, some might disagree...But I enjoyed it and gained a LOT out of the experience...Way more than just "checking a box" on an application!
...BUT, when the tests and studying were over, this is when "College" happened! The escape from the classroom, go hang out with friends, hit on cute girls on campus with your buddies, go out to the bars, tailgate, go to football games, play intramural sports, do stupid stuff. The time of my life. The times that I will never forget. I too met my wife in college, and I couldn't be happier today.
I don't know what school you went to man, but Other than meeting your wife, it sounds like you missed out on a lot of fun.
 
I went to Purdue, and chose it because it saved money living in state, and also offered a nationally recognized program. Did the program really do better at getting me an airline job than an online program?...It's possible, some might disagree...But I enjoyed it and gained a LOT out of the experience...Way more than just "checking a box" on an application!
...BUT, when the tests and studying were over, this is when "College" happened! The escape from the classroom, go hang out with friends, hit on cute girls on campus with your buddies, go out to the bars, tailgate, go to football games, play intramural sports, do stupid stuff. The time of my life. The times that I will never forget. I too met my wife in college, and I couldn't be happier today.
I don't know what school you went to man, but Other than meeting your wife, it sounds like you missed out on a lot of fun.

I went to the largest in-state school in my home state, so it wasn't a "small school." Sure, I could have gone to the other school, but I wanted to actually learn, not pay for friends and party all the time. Other said school was routinely in the Playboy top ten party schools, and wasn't exactly known for the academic programs. If I wanted to drink beer and party, I don't need to pay tuition for that.

Now, let's see. Go to bars. Check. Hit on cute girls....well, my wife's pretty hot, so I don't have to worry about that. Football....not much on football. Intramural sports. Check. Known when I did all that? When I was a CFI in TX. And it didn't cost me a damn thing.

My point is you can have those same experiences OUTSIDE of college. The most important thing about college is getting out on your own. I did my share of partying after I dropped out the first time, so, as difficult as it is for some people to grasp, that "college experience" is out there without going to college.

Do I feel like I missed out on anything? Nope. I'm just saying that it's different for everyone. So, no. I didn't miss out on a lot of fun. I just didn't have that fun while I was in college.
 
Go to college man! Train at the same time, youll get done in no time. Go do something else when your done, travel the world, military, peace corp, anything!!! Its all about experiences man! Enjoy life, flying will always be there!

Go fly x-counrtries with MCasey, those are always adventurous!
 
Honestly I think it depends on you. What works for one pilot, wont for another. I absolutley hated high school and i only went to two semesters in college and hated that as well. Classrooms just are not the place i was meant to be. It comes as no suprise i didnt care for airline ground school too. That being said, i really wish i had something to fall back on, for if i lose a medical now im gonna be working the family farm.

I LOVE my RJ job, and quite frankly i dont care if I do get anything better, and i dont know if i can, (QOL wise), i mean ive got 19 days off this month including christmas and new years. Job stability is the biggest concern for me at this point, and for it whats it worth ive flown with captains that hat have got hired at majors such a swa with no degree, and flown with some of the most awesome captains with a Riddle degree that have been turned down by quite a few majors. A degree is nice, and it will help you get a major job, but its dont think for a minute theyll hire you just because you have one.

So is goin to college a bad move?, absolutley not!, but its not an answer to all and your not guaranteed to have a blast while your there either. It just depends on you, you finances and what you want. If i were to get a degree, id get in something outside aviation.
 
Eh, I went to college and lived on campus. Other than meeting my wife my freshman year, it was a totally forgetable experience. About the only thing I took away from that was a serious case of burnout, my wife and some credits that transferred.

If you're doing it to learn or be able to check the box on an application, odds are the whole "college experience" thing isn't gonna live up to the hype. Now, if you're going for a social aspect, that might be different.

This coming from a guy with two cats as his avatar.....

There is more to college than sitting around boozing and eating pizza.... study, meet people, make friends, network, etc. It's a great experience... and you need it now days to get anywhere.

It is what you make of it... go to school, do your flight training on the side, get a degree in something useful, and best of luck to you with your decision!
 
The online degree thing isn't too bad. I did my BS online and working on my MA online now. The undregrad courses (Embry-Riddle) were 12 weeks long and at one time I took 4 classes at the same time. I was taking these classes in 2002 while flying my f*ing butt off...and I mean A LOT!!! I was gone 26-28 days a month and flying consistant 24 hour duty days with 12 hours off. Was it hard...HELL YEAH it was, but I did it, and did it well. With some of the regional schedules out there...it would be real easy to do...IMHO. As Doug mentioned, it is IMPERITIVE that you get your degree if you want to step into the heavy metal. There are a gizzillon RJ drivers out there and well, not that many openings @ the mainlines...get the degree!!!

Also, Embry-Riddle will give you up to 60 credits for ratings and such...but I personally wouldn't recommend the degree as it is about worthless outside of aviation. I liked the classes much better than my master's crap...but not good for anything except checking that BS Degree block.


:yeahthat:
 
This coming from a guy with two cats as his avatar.....

And that speaks of me personally how? Your avatar is a crushed can airplane. Just wondering what the hell this has to do with anything. If you're making assumptions based on people's avatars, man, you're gonna be in for some surprises down the road....

There is more to college than sitting around boozing and eating pizza.... study, meet people, make friends, network, etc. It's a great experience... and you need it now days to get anywhere.

And college doesn't have the market cornerd on meeting people and networking. I don't keep in touch with anyone I met in college (well, other than my wife obviously), and I'm connected just fine, thanks. I just like to toss out that college isn't the be-all-end all a lot of people think it is. If you don't agree with that, that's cool. Everyone's life experiences differ. Glad college worked out for ya, it didn't for me. I just happened to pick up pretty much the same experiences elsewhere, though.
 
And that speaks of me personally how? Your avatar is a crushed can airplane. Just wondering what the hell this has to do with anything. If you're making assumptions based on people's avatars, man, you're gonna be in for some surprises down the road....

And college doesn't have the market cornerd on meeting people and networking. I don't keep in touch with anyone I met in college (well, other than my wife obviously), and I'm connected just fine, thanks. I just like to toss out that college isn't the be-all-end all a lot of people think it is. If you don't agree with that, that's cool. Everyone's life experiences differ. Glad college worked out for ya, it didn't for me. I just happened to pick up pretty much the same experiences elsewhere, though.

I don't make assumptions based on avatars....

Regarding meeting people, networking, etc.----I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU!!! I'm telling the poster that its a good opportunity to meet people, network, etc. The guy who handles all of my investments I met in college.... I have several friends from college...played football in college...etc.

It's not the "be-all-end-all" but for the most part you need college to make it in life...its a necessary evil. How you do it (online, classroom, buy a diploma on Ebay, etc.) is up to you. When it comes down to the "Do you have a four-year degree?" those who can answer yes will have an edge. It's important to go. Th
 
I don't make assumptions based on avatars....

Still wondering what the point was then...


Regarding meeting people, networking, etc.----I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU!!! I'm telling the poster that its a good opportunity to meet people, network, etc. The guy who handles all of my investments I met in college.... I have several friends from college...played football in college...etc.

Sorry. Quoted me, so I figured you were. Chill out.
 
wow, this is getting kinda nasty...

To the OP: You know you need a degree so do get one whatever way is gonna work best for you. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably do community for 2 years while doing my training and then figure out how to finish your bachelors based on my situation at that time.

To anyone looking for advice on the college decision: As most everyone else has said, college is great for partying, socializing etc, but thats not why you should do it. As obvious as it sounds, A four year university is the greatest learning experience you will ever have. I dont remember a thing i studied, but I do remember everything I learned about sustaining myself as an independent adult. There is no better way to grow up than to move out of Mom and Dad's at 18. I grew up in a small hick town, went to an 90% white private highschool, and next thing I know I'm at a HUGE urban university. I was in absolute culture shock but, in the end, it made me a better person.

It's obviously not just about different cultures, that was an example. It's about getting away from the comfort of the status quo and experiencing an all new environment in which you have to think for yourself. Any new experience, good or bad, is a chance to learn.
 
There is no better way to grow up than to move out of Mom and Dad's at 18. I grew up in a small hick town, went to an 90% white private highschool, and next thing I know I'm at a HUGE urban university. I was in absolute culture shock but, in the end, it made me a better person.

It's obviously not just about different cultures, that was an example. It's about getting away from the comfort of the status quo and experiencing an all new environment in which you have to think for yourself. Any new experience, good or bad, is a chance to learn.
:yeahthat: Ditto!
 
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