Going to alaska for school and possible job options out of school? (Fairbanks: apartment)

[profall]

Hey, im from New York (Long Island) and im currently looking to pursue a career in aviation. I got accepted to various schools across the country that have aviation programs. I know already that an aviation degree isn't really needed or recommended for an aviation career, it really depends on your licenses and hours (experience).

I saw UAF has an aviation program, and i've been thinking of applying their before its to late.

I know Alaska has the most pilots in the nation, and that a decent amount of People rely on planes in Alaska and its a way of life their for some people.

I am also an outdoors person, I spend my summers in the Adirondacks (It's a park in New York State) as a trail guide and instructor and I also rock climb (real rock) a lot and I love hiking, and also hunting. I don't mind cold weather, I actually prefer the winter here over the summers. I also hate living in a very populated suburb (7 million people live on Long Island, go look it up in google images and look at the size of the island, and imagine 7 million people living on there). And I also do not like New York City, or any city for that matter... to populated and congested for me, and not best place to be if your a pilot either...

Would it be possible for me to get a job as a pilot in Alaska (small planes of course) once I got the licenses required (ppl, instrument, etc...). It would also build experience and hours if I did get a job, so if I ever want to go somewhere else. And would this be a good enviroment for me to learn how to be a pilot? Is the UAF aviation program good at all? Would I be better off just going to a private flight school up there and getting a degree in something else?

Also, if I want to pursue things other than school once I get out of school, is it worth it to rent an apartment so I can get residency (I know it takes 2 years), could I get residency living in a dorm (i'd imagine it'd be A LOT cheaper). And, I have a truck and i'd like to bring it up there but it has 100,000 miles on it and im not sure if it would make the trip, also I would probably have to get it all re-worked for the cold weather in the winters? Am I better off selling my car and buying one up there?

Any suggestions, advise, or comments would be greatly appreciated!

[Rance]

Alaska Job Center Network

If your in upstate New York I don't think your winter is all much different than most parts of AK. A block heater in winter of course. Not sure what kind of vehicle you've got...but I drove my truck down to MN and back over a year ago and it's got well over 100K on it. Of course it's very well maintained so I never gave it a second thought.
I'm no pilot and I've not attended any of AK's universities so I'm no help there.

[Xa'at]

I believe that UAA has a better program, it's supposed to be top notch. Moving straight from down south to Fairbanks is guaranteed to be a bit of a shock. It would probably be better to spend a semester in Anc first anyway.