career change...

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Long story short (more like book), I came to my senses and decided that a career in aviation really isn't for me. All my life I wanted to fly airplanes and always thought I'd have a career in it. Over the last few years I've been working in the industry and speaking with fellow pilots and decided that the airlines just are not for me. I like the feeling of actually flying an airplane, not monitoring autopilot. All I really ever wanted to do was aerobatics (stunts) and fly upside down. Having worked in aviation the last several years each day made me think of how I really don't want to be associated with a lot of the people in it. I get along with fellow pilots just fine, but the people who run it always seem to get under my skin. I don't want to fly airplanes because I feel like I have to every day. I want to fly airplanes because I want to fly! And I just don't think that's possible for me when it comes to the airlnes.

That's the first half of the story, here's the second!

I come from a family of educators (dad, two grandparents, sister, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and two aunts) who absolutly love what they do. And are good at it I might add! It's always been something I was passionate about but never really gave it second thought. Over the last several months I've really been praying about it and finally decided this is where I want to take my life. Not only would it be great to be a teacher, but it also is something that easily allows me to continue with my other passion, flying! I'll be able to flight instruct during summers and on weekends which will allow me to fine-tune my skills in aerobatics so I may eventually spend my summers as an airshow performer.

So, almost 24 years of knowing I was going to have a career in aviation and here I am! lol Just goes to show that sometimes you really don't have a clue as to what God wants you to do!

 

[Weasel7711]

Wow you knew when you were an infant?

Thats cool that you have figured a path to take which still lets you be involved in aviation and also teach. Cool.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Knew when I wasn an infant... basically! It's all I've ever wanted to do. And today at 4:30 It will finally become a reality.

I made sure it was today since I'm turning 24 tomorrow, I want to be able to say I started flying aerobatics "before my mid-twenties" lol

 

[Shazamataz]

Yay for teachers!!!! lol Thats what I'm going to study next year

So, almost 24 years of knowing I was going to have a career in aviation and here I am! lol Just goes to show that sometimes you really don't have a clue as to what God wants you to do!

I feel ya here... I spent my life knowing I was going to be a music teacher but it just didn't work out. *sigh* so now I'm just gonna be a straight ol' primary teacher. We really dont know what God wants for us and lots of the time I wish I could know!! And the bit that scares me these days is the fact I'm not really into playing music all that often anymore... and it used to fill my life! Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me...

 

[Sketcher]

Having worked in aviation the last several years each day made me think of how I really don't want to be associated with a lot of the people in it. I get along with fellow pilots just fine, but the people who run it always seem to get under my skin.

On your nerves, you mean?

I come from a family of educators (dad, two grandparents, sister, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and two aunts) who absolutly love what they do. And are good at it I might add! It's always been something I was passionate about but never really gave it second thought. Over the last several months I've really been praying about it and finally decided this is where I want to take my life. Not only would it be great to be a teacher, but it also is something that easily allows me to continue with my other passion, flying! I'll be able to flight instruct during summers and on weekends which will allow me to fine-tune my skills in aerobatics so I may eventually spend my summers as an airshow performer.

Sounds good so far. The best of luck to you.

 

[apple_on_a_tree]

I understand completely. At the age of nine my passion was history, but by high school I realized I wouldn't be able to make a living at it. So I changed into the medical profession, but after working in several doctors offices, I figured out that I hate working in those offices. I can't stand the gossip and drama queens so I went back to original passion... history. I am into my first year for the undergraduate. I love it! My classes are so much more fun and interesting and I can see myself doing this for years to come.

Good luck! And love what you do! Always!

 

[Tragic Paradox]

lol Just goes to show that sometimes you really don't have a clue as to what God wants you to do!

to that... lol

Kudos for not settling for something you just aren't into. I'm a big believer in doing something you love to do for a living (even though I know everyone can't do that...or else who would clean bathrooms? ).

Flight instructor sounds perfect. Go for it man!

 

[Sunburst]

Hi Blue
Hope things are going good for you!

 

[cloudstrife007]

Long story short (more like book), I came to my senses and decided that a career in aviation really isn't for me. All my life I wanted to fly airplanes and always thought I'd have a career in it. Over the last few years I've been working in the industry and speaking with fellow pilots and decided that the airlines just are not for me. I like the feeling of actually flying an airplane, not monitoring autopilot. All I really ever wanted to do was aerobatics (stunts) and fly upside down. Having worked in aviation the last several years each day made me think of how I really don't want to be associated with a lot of the people in it. I get along with fellow pilots just fine, but the people who run it always seem to get under my skin. I don't want to fly airplanes because I feel like I have to every day. I want to fly airplanes because I want to fly! And I just don't think that's possible for me when it comes to the airlnes.

That's the first half of the story, here's the second!

I come from a family of educators (dad, two grandparents, sister, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and two aunts) who absolutly love what they do. And are good at it I might add! It's always been something I was passionate about but never really gave it second thought. Over the last several months I've really been praying about it and finally decided this is where I want to take my life. Not only would it be great to be a teacher, but it also is something that easily allows me to continue with my other passion, flying! I'll be able to flight instruct during summers and on weekends which will allow me to fine-tune my skills in aerobatics so I may eventually spend my summers as an airshow performer.

So, almost 24 years of knowing I was going to have a career in aviation and here I am! lol Just goes to show that sometimes you really don't have a clue as to what God wants you to do!

Boss_BlueAngels: Do you mind me asking what you didn't find comfortable about the airlines and the people?

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Oh, no, I don't mind at all.

Well, first of all I just don't get excited about doing long cross country flights. The view is great and all and when I'm taking someone up with me it's fine, but I get bored when I have to keep the nose on the same heading, same altitude, look for other planes, make an occasional turn, etc. I enjoy actually flying the airplane, and competition aerobatics is something that requires just that. A bit of "seat of your pants" flying, number flying, technical "stick and rudder" flying, and on top of all that, requires a good bit of imagination and artistic impression. At least that last part comes when developing your Competitive Free sequence.

As for the people, well, I don't enjoy the business side of aviation. I've worked with and been students of instructors who are there only to move on to get their real paycheck and treat people accordingly. I've gone through 15 instructirs in a very short amount of time and all but 2 were actually worth remembering. I'm all about the awe of a 1,600 lb machine lifting effortlessly onto an invisible sheet of air. Not so much about getting a bunch of people from point A to point B. As I've already said, I don't get a kick out of that when I'm by myself! lol


Oh, and not even to mention the complete lack of job security, and decent working hours.


And now that I'm almost done with the 2nd quarter at the Middle School I am even more in love with my decision. Sure, I don't get to look at some gorgeous airplanes every day, but I get to actually make an impact on a kids life every day. I can help them finish their work, learn new things, and actually dream about having a job that they love. And it's an incredible opportunity to share how much I truly love aviation. My airline issues are mere personal and totally understand that other people do love that, and my hat is off to them. It just isn't for me is all. Teaching is.

In the end I have found where I am supposed to be and I haven't been happier. It gives me everything I need to enjoy the part of aviation I've always been in love with... aerobatics.

 

[cloudstrife007]

Wow! Thanks for your sharing mate. Brings joy to see that God has been guiding you to where you are now!
I'm still seeking where my direction is with God even though I finished an actuarial studies uni degree. I've been thinking of alternatives but I don't know where my heart is. Sounds a bit dumb but I I'm not sure of what I REALLY enjoy and what I'll be good at. I just have a general idea of what I won't enjoy and what I'm not good at. Been praying about it for a while now and still don't know. Need to be patient and listen carefully but my relationship and communication with God feels like its on a stand still.

 

[whocanrejectlove]

Hi guys, I have quite the similar problem actually. I passed out of one of the best engineering schools in India and landed the top job on campus and I'm 6 months into the job too. But somehow I was never passionate about numbers. Not as much as I was about biology and the human body in particular. So I'm really wondering if now I should do a complete U-Turn and apply to Pre-Med school in the US for a medicine degree. It's something that I've always wanted to do as a child. I always used to sit in all the family doctor discussions (every 2nd person in my family is a doc). And it's always fascinated me. But I was unfortunately not allowed to take up medicine after school by my parents because they thought it'll take too long to settle down.

I'm slightly clueless right now as to whether I should make the switch or stay on. I'm really passionate about medicine but it's going to be another 8 years of hardwork from here. I know the passion will be there but I wonder if a little frustration might creep in. And top it all of I don't know what God's plan for me is. I wish He'd just show in a vision where I'd be 10 years from now. It'd make things so much more simpler..

 

[Doer]

Funny thing is I had a complete plan on doing the exact same thing until God changed it. I'm glad he did.

 

[Maffers]

I really am lost on what i want to do for the rest of my life. I really wanted to be a police officer...... and i still really really want to be a police officer but I have a hard time with stress sometimes hand have had a history of panic attacks in the past so sadly i am afraid that will never come true. I thought about a job in loss prevention but it would require me to go to school for several years and my wife is already a full time student and i we struggle as it is to make ends meet. But the government says that i make to much money to get any grants..... and i can't afford taking out anymore lone (because my wife has gone to school for 7 years. shes on her last year) so sadly i am stuck for a good long while doing thinks i really don't want to do =(

 

[Macano]

Hi Boss_BlueAngels;

I read your posts in this thread with interest. I am very happy for you that you found out before it was too late that a lifetime in the cockpit isn't for you. I really, really wish when I was your age I would have realized the same thing. Flying for fun is one thing, flying for a career can be sheer misery. I've been in the airline industry for 7 years now, and I still to this day question on nearly every trip I do if this is where I should be.

Don't get me wrong - there are some great times to be had - but at HUGE personal sacrfice. I don't see my wife much. We had to move from family and friends. We don't like where we live. We are poor ( the airlines are paying very low these days! Believe it!) I am never home on the holidays, work crazy hours, and come home from trips just absolutely exhausted, and end up sleeping most of my precious home time away. Now, my wife and I are trying to have kids, and well - lets just say I am really torn if this career is going to work. Also, the retirement age just got bumped up to 65, thereby stagnating my career and pay for 5 years.

I was furloughed after 9/11, and it took me 4 years to make up what I lost. This industry is so very unpredictable, and with each passing day I wish I had chosen another profession. But I'm getting to old to start over (Im 31), and on my meager income we arent' getting ahead on the school debt I already have. My passion is the outdoors. If only I could support a family as a professional backpacker!!

Anway - I am very happy for you - thank God that he spoke to your heart and opened your eyes before it was too late. You will do great things in your field, and you will enjoy flying more when you make it up in the air for fun, rather than for a paycheck. God bless!

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Talk about bringing a subject back from the dead!!

Bit of an update... this January I graduated my teaching certification program and will be endorsed (Once I get my final paperwork turned in) to teach P-12 Special Education and K-8 Elementary Education! In fact, I'm going blind completing online applications to about 6 districts around me. I'm terrified, but also excited, all at the same time!

I've been working for the same middle school since I made this original post and it has been a dream come true! Yeah, there have been a few heart-breaks here and there, but it's all just been such a great experience! I'm so glad God opened my eyes when he did!