Luck, Choices, Education, Passion
06-26-2010, 08:25 AM
#1
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: C-172
Posts: 8,024
Luck, Choices, Education, Passion
At a conference for lawyers yesterday, the hot topic was alternative careers given an expensive legal education. Speakers ranged from State Supreme Court justices, Tribal Court judges, legal recruiters, people who work in law school admissions, and even a lawyer who started a winery in downtown GEG.
I was struck by the similar comments and arguments I see here when discussing whether a young person should pursue the dream of 777 Captain for UAL. Aviation, like law, is the same - long, expensive training to reach a goal that may not allow you to pay back crushing student loans or make a living to support a family. Burnout is high. Hours are long and lonely.
As I have said many times here, two factors seem to be determinants - luck and the choices you make. You could be the luckiest guy on earth, but you made the wrong choice. Or you made the right choice, but luck turned against you.
One speaker was a strong proponent of doing a cost-benefit analysis. What will it cost you in terms of money, time, and other intangible sacrifices to get that training and experience, and compare that to what kind of job you can expect to have when all is said and done. Take law schools, for example. You may decide to spend the extra money to purchase a degree from Harvard or Yale. Duke's mission is to manufacture Wall Street lawyers. If that's what you want to do, then perhaps you should go into debt for that Duke diploma.
I also cannot emphasize enough the importance of a solid education. Law school taught me a lot, the most valuable of which is that I may not know the answer to everything, but I know where to find it and how to find it. It taught me to think analytically, logically and strategically. I believe that in the process of learning how to fly, you will also have gained some skills that will serve you well outside of the cockpit.
I am not advocating that young people should or should not pursue flying. This is what APC is about, I think. Discussing the pros and cons in an intelligent manner. We are lucky in that there are so many with varied experiences and backgrounds, and who are willing to share their war stories. Each of us will be different (because of luck and the choices we make), but I urge everyone to engage in introspection, have an open mind, ask questions, and be passionate about what you choose to do in life.
I was struck by the similar comments and arguments I see here when discussing whether a young person should pursue the dream of 777 Captain for UAL. Aviation, like law, is the same - long, expensive training to reach a goal that may not allow you to pay back crushing student loans or make a living to support a family. Burnout is high. Hours are long and lonely.
As I have said many times here, two factors seem to be determinants - luck and the choices you make. You could be the luckiest guy on earth, but you made the wrong choice. Or you made the right choice, but luck turned against you.
One speaker was a strong proponent of doing a cost-benefit analysis. What will it cost you in terms of money, time, and other intangible sacrifices to get that training and experience, and compare that to what kind of job you can expect to have when all is said and done. Take law schools, for example. You may decide to spend the extra money to purchase a degree from Harvard or Yale. Duke's mission is to manufacture Wall Street lawyers. If that's what you want to do, then perhaps you should go into debt for that Duke diploma.
I also cannot emphasize enough the importance of a solid education. Law school taught me a lot, the most valuable of which is that I may not know the answer to everything, but I know where to find it and how to find it. It taught me to think analytically, logically and strategically. I believe that in the process of learning how to fly, you will also have gained some skills that will serve you well outside of the cockpit.
I am not advocating that young people should or should not pursue flying. This is what APC is about, I think. Discussing the pros and cons in an intelligent manner. We are lucky in that there are so many with varied experiences and backgrounds, and who are willing to share their war stories. Each of us will be different (because of luck and the choices we make), but I urge everyone to engage in introspection, have an open mind, ask questions, and be passionate about what you choose to do in life.
06-28-2010, 09:23 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,725
Always with the negative vibes dude..
I have at least a half dozen airline pilot buddies who have completed law school while they were still flying. BTW none of them have left to pursue law full time.
I do know some lawyers who have left law to fly full time however. I Also know one dentist and an MD who are flying full time. The grass is always greener I guess.
06-29-2010, 07:36 AM
#4
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Or another way to look at it is. If your GPA was high enough you can use that "worthless" degree to get into law school. Undergrad is undergrad. Hey Sky I just found your cup and I wasn't surprised to find that it was half empty!
I have at least a half dozen airline pilot buddies who have completed law school while they were still flying. BTW none of them have left to pursue law full time.
I do know some lawyers who have left law to fly full time however. I Also know one dentist and an MD who are flying full time. The grass is always greener I guess.
I have at least a half dozen airline pilot buddies who have completed law school while they were still flying. BTW none of them have left to pursue law full time.
I do know some lawyers who have left law to fly full time however. I Also know one dentist and an MD who are flying full time. The grass is always greener I guess.
I suppose you are right I could use my degree in aviation to work as a McDonalds shift manager or to organize the tool department at the Home Depot. I suppose you are right. The grass is always greener.
Skyhigh
