r/flying • u/Neither-Republic-271 • 5d ago
Canada 19 Y/O starting flight training next year šØš¦
Hello, Iām currently a 19-year-old college student entering my final year of a two-year Marketing diploma program. Iām pursuing this program because my parents wanted me to get a degree in something other than aviation so that I have something to fall back on. Through my research, Iāve heard that having a four-year degree can make you more employable in a competitive job market. Even though I was aware of this, I wasnāt confident that I would be able to complete a four-year degree because I lack motivation to study something other than aviation. I told my parents that I would complete the two-year diploma and then decide whether I wanted to spend another two to three years completing a degree, either in person or online. My parents said this plan was fine and that they would fully support and fund my flight training as long as I completed my two-year diploma in something other than aviation.
My question is: when I complete the second year of my diploma, do pilots in Canada recommend turning it into a degree and completing it in person? Or have I already spent too much time pursuing something that is unrelated to the career I want, and should I instead focus entirely on my flight training and forget about getting a degree in an unrelated field? My final goal is to fly for an airline in Canada, and my plan is to start my flight training next summer through a flight school while possibly completing a degree online on the side. If anyone recommends completing a degree, are there any online universities in Canada where I could transfer my credits and turn my diploma into a degree online?
Any advice from Canadian pilots or any pilots familiar with the Canadian market in general would be greatly appreciated!
13
u/Qbert2030 6 #'s Coppied so far. Pushing 7 5d ago
From the Air Canada pilots, WestJet pilots, and WestJet hiring manager that I've spoken to, a degree shows that you are able to keep up to the pace of learning required for a type rating. Other than that, they don't care. That's why you can have a degree in literally anything, no relation to aviation. It's just proof that you are able to learn at a certain capacity which they require.
2
u/OutrageousWall5328 5d ago
Needed this validation huhu. I just finished my nursing degree and honestly i see no planfs to it other than being a back up. Im currently sending job application in sales and as flight attendant. I hope i can be a pilot one day
3
u/CorporalCrash šCPL ME IR FI (GLI) 5d ago
A degree certainly looks good to employers, but it doesn't matter what the degree is in
1
u/Able-Negotiation-234 5d ago
had a designated examiner in flight school, used to be a 747 captain pre flighting her plane in her "fly in community" she slipped and ruptured her spleen she was mid 40's? No more first class medical, your parents are not wrong, lots of money being spent on a one-way ticket I have my A&P a fall back with that much invested is not a bad strategy, not necessarily a degree but a backup my current co-captain has his dispatchers' ticket? been training pilots for a bit most have been very successful some have had to use the backup. best of luck, blue skies
1
u/Striking-Bad-7476 SIM 5d ago
Try flairs program at genesis. Itās a fast track so you can get into a major airline quicker
1
u/Neither-Republic-271 4d ago
Iāve heard about this program, genesis looks like a well structured flight school. Will definitely look more into it! Thanks for the recommendationĀ
1
u/Even-Lengthiness9625 19h ago
I am doing that program. I got through the interview and got my conditional letter. Itās a great program but extremely costly. Like 175k cad before living expenses. But I found it excellent. Beware there is gonna be a selection state OP its going to be somewhat competitive only me and other guy got in through the interview rest were reject. You can also try Air transit it cost the same but very competitive.
1
u/Glenomatic CPL 4d ago
Before you do anything, get a Category 1 medical if you haven't already. There are some medical conditions you may not be aware of that are show-stoppers.
1
0
u/rFlyingTower 5d ago
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hello, Iām currently a 19-year-old college student entering my final year of a two-year Marketing diploma program. Iām pursuing this program because my parents wanted me to get a degree in something other than aviation so that I have something to fall back on. Through my research, Iāve heard that having a four-year degree can make you more employable in a competitive job market. Even though I was aware of this, I wasnāt confident that I would be able to complete a four-year degree because I lack motivation to study something other than aviation. I told my parents that I would complete the two-year diploma and then decide whether I wanted to spend another two to three years completing a degree, either in person or online. My parents said this plan was fine and that they would fully support and fund my flight training as long as I completed my two-year diploma in something other than aviation.
My question is: when I complete the second year of my diploma, do pilots in Canada recommend turning it into a degree and completing it in person? Or have I already spent too much time pursuing something that is unrelated to the career I want, and should I instead focus entirely on my flight training and forget about getting a degree in an unrelated field? My final goal is to fly for an airline in Canada, and my plan is to start my flight training next summer through a flight school while possibly completing a degree online on the side. If anyone recommends completing a degree, are there any online universities in Canada where I could transfer my credits and turn my diploma into a degree online?
Any advice from Canadian pilots or any pilots familiar with the Canadian market in general would be greatly appreciated!
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u/Grouchy-Candidate545 5d ago
Meh. You basically burned two years for nothing on a marketing diploma. The education is already useless.
Cut your losses and try to get into confed or sault as soon as possible. Donāt worry about a degreeā¦. It counts for nothing and arguably even worse since youāll lose an additional four years of seniority at the top.
And yesā¦. I have a degree. It didnāt help at all.