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I was raised to believe that you can gain a lot of knowledge whether its at a 4 year, 2 year school, that its a time from growing one's mind. My parents installed in me that you should go to college-- even if you don't want to work in an office and rather use your hands. To this day I still agree.
When you have kids you begin to realize nothing is ever as you plan...lol. My son is 19 and really does not like school. I wish he appreciated learning on an educational sense but really doesn't like it. He wants to be a pilot-- hereditary from my wife's family (its in my FIL's blood). Its his passion. He started college last fall at a university in another state-- and didn't do well. He doesn't like to learn or read, unless its about piloting. Which is fine but you still need at least an AA degree to be a pilot at the commercial level. I'm trying not to worry about it but I just find it frustrating that he's not really interested in college. I'd be fine with the military as well, but he hasn't shown much interest there either.
I know one day he will be a pilot, its his dream and passion. I just wish he had more interest in learning in general. Am I a bad parent? Any thoughts?
It doesn't make you a bad parent but he needs to know the realities of being a pilot. Make sure he also knows about other careers and ge needs to pursue something. Otherwise you might have a basement dweller on your hands.
College teaches people how to think, how to solve problems and go through the critical thinking process.
Does it? Not much any more. I'd say it's a waste of time - UNLESS the career field requires it. I know too many young people with 6 figure debt who aren't even working in the field of their major.
I'd let your son figure this out, he has a passion and he will do what it takes to fulfill it.
My nephew ALWAYS, since he was little, wanted to be a pilot. Was always into aviation. Would buy and build model planes. When he graduated from highschool, he got a batchelors degree at St. Louis University, in their aviation program. He could FINALLY be a commercial pilot. Except...
He couldn't find a job in the field. Everyone wants to hire a military vet for the jobs.
Soooo...now he's a Fed Ex driver. He's fine. Makes a decent living, he and his wife just bought a house, etc.
This thread could have been written by me, about my son, except that he's currently 15 instead of 19. He too yearns to be an airline pilot. He too has no interest in college, or school in general. However, our research has shown that the airlines require a four-year degree in order to be a pilot. They'll probably change this as the pilot shortage worsens, but for now, they require it. And that's his motivation for wanting to attend college. Because he has to, in order to achieve his dream.
The solution we've hit on is to have him attend a college that offers a degree in aviation. They usually call these programs "Aviation" or "Professional Pilot." It's a flight school, with some general college courses thrown in so they can justify awarding a degree from that college. At the end of the four years, the student has earned the various ratings that he would need to become an airline pilot. Several airlines have entered into partnerships with various colleges as a way to find a pathway to getting new pilots. Best of all (from the parents' point of view), most of these programs can be paid for with a 529 college fund. This is NOT true of an independent flight school like ATP (though I think it should be).
Several people have mentioned Embry-Riddle. I should mention that, while one can certainly learn to fly at this school, their emphasis is on Aeronautics. In other words, their program is a lot more technical than just the nuts and bolts of earning the various type ratings. That's great if one is interested in the science of aeronautics; but if one just wants to become an airline pilot, I would recommend looking at other colleges that offer this program.
Does it? Not much any more. I'd say it's a waste of time - UNLESS the career field requires it. I know too many young people with 6 figure debt who aren't even working in the field of their major.
I'd let your son figure this out, he has a passion and he will do what it takes to fulfill it.
How many people do you really know with $100K in SL debt?
1. Student loans debt as a percentage of GDP has been decreasing since '17/'18.
2. I don't have figures in front of my face but something around 5% of SL borrowers have $100K or more in SL debt. The overwhelming majority of the cadre are doctors, lawyers and other graduate/professional degree holders who are able to manage their debt.
This thread could have been written by me, about my son, except that he's currently 15 instead of 19. He too yearns to be an airline pilot. He too has no interest in college, or school in general. However, our research has shown that the airlines require a four-year degree in order to be a pilot. They'll probably change this as the pilot shortage worsens, but for now, they require it. And that's his motivation for wanting to attend college. Because he has to, in order to achieve his dream.
The solution we've hit on is to have him attend a college that offers a degree in aviation. They usually call these programs "Aviation" or "Professional Pilot." It's a flight school, with some general college courses thrown in so they can justify awarding a degree from that college. At the end of the four years, the student has earned the various ratings that he would need to become an airline pilot. Several airlines have entered into partnerships with various colleges as a way to find a pathway to getting new pilots. Best of all (from the parents' point of view), most of these programs can be paid for with a 529 college fund. This is NOT true of an independent flight school like ATP (though I think it should be).
Several people have mentioned Embry-Riddle. I should mention that, while one can certainly learn to fly at this school, their emphasis is on Aeronautics. In other words, their program is a lot more technical than just the nuts and bolts of earning the various type ratings. That's great if one is interested in the science of aeronautics; but if one just wants to become an airline pilot, I would recommend looking at other colleges that offer this program.
My neighbor across and down the street is a very senior pilot with AA - he earned an aviation pilot training degree from Oklahoma State and then flew heavy cargo for the Army and then Air Guard.
Not only is the training free, they get paid while they are learning how to fly. And after the training is over, they will get ample opportunity to fly and gain proficiency. I have to say, that the manner in which they are trained has been maximized for efficiency. The military has been doing this for decades. They have refined the process to achieve optimal results. But that also means that not everyone will make it through to the end.
My son did that about a decade ago. He's flow all over the world. Plus they are always sending him out to different type of training. He just finished high altitude flying training and is now doing instructor pilot training. His GF is also a pilot, so they get to have some amazing experiences overseas at the government's expense.
Not only is the training free, they get paid while they are learning how to fly. And after the training is over, they will get ample opportunity to fly and gain proficiency. I have to say, that the manner in which they are trained has been maximized for efficiency. The military has been doing this for decades. They have refined the process to achieve optimal results. But that also means that not everyone will make it through to the end.
My son did that about a decade ago. He's flow all over the world. Plus they are always sending him out to different type of training. He just finished high altitude flying training and is now doing instructor pilot training. His GF is also a pilot, so they get to have some amazing experiences overseas at the government's expense.
Did your son join with a degree?
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