Dear Campus Advisor: 

Ever since I was a little boy I’ve always wanted to fly planes.  I have always had a fascination with the sky and technical things.  My parents both had jobs that allowed them to do a lot of traveling.  I was constantly traveling to different destinations.  I was lucky enough to be exposed to airline travel at a young age, and on many occasions I was invited to the cockpit to visit with the flight crew.  I kept scrapbooks of my trips with pictures of me with pilots and sitting behind the wheel of a 747.  I told myself, “one of these days, I’m going to fly.”  Now I am a college student majoring in engineering.  My studies are going quite well.  However, there is something missing in my life. I miss flying to new places and seeing new things. I miss the excitement of just meeting people on a different vibe.  I wish my studies were more relevant to my dream of flying.  My parents tell me to be patient and stay focused on my studies, that I will have time to travel and maybe learn to fly when I graduate.  I don’t understand how though, since once I graduate, I will undoubtedly be looking for a job.  Once I start working I will lose my freedom to do the things I really want to do.

Unsure about the present and less thrilled at the possibilities after graduation, I recently went to an information session with a nationally renowned airline. They gave me a lot of information about becoming a pilot. According to them, all you have to do is enroll in their training program and in 18 months you become certified to become a pilot.  I was thrilled to hear this, however, I’m almost positive that it won’t go over too well with my parents.  The question I have for you is how can I satisfy my urge to fly and please my parents at the same time?

Signed “Fly Guy”

Congratulations “Fly Guy,”

You have already figured out what it is you want to do at this stage in your life, but the real question is, do you want flying to be your hobby or an occupation?  The answer to this question is very important because far too many students come to college with lots of interests and dreams.  But not every interest or dream can be realized through an occupation.  When you are able to match your interests and dreams with an academic major and a real career possibility, you are on your way to a satisfying life.  For you to have such a persistent, long-time dream and to have investigated that dream by going to an information session on pilot careers, says that you are serious about this dream and could benefit from doing even more in-depth research.

I’d suggest that you go to your college Career Center and discuss your dilemma with a career counselor.  The counselor will take a look at your academic program and others offered at your university that relate to aviation as a career.  Your engineering program may provide a direct link to your career interest.  If not, the counselor will direct you to additional information in the career library or have you go online and explore more on aviation careers and becoming a pilot.  You will be able to log on to Web sites for national and regional airline carriers and investigate their pilot training programs, as well as pilot education at such academic institutions as Tuskegee University or at commercial training schools.  Once you have more of an understanding of the cost and length of time for pilot training, the kind of work you would be eligible to do immediately upon completion of your training, and the number of hours you would have to accumulate actually flying, before even being hired in a first officer position, then you are in a far better position to translate your dreams into reality.  This kind of information is essential for you to make an informed decision and to direct your energies toward becoming a pilot.  This is by no means intended to discourage you. We need more African-American pilots and it certainly is a lucrative career for those who prepare for it.  Just understand that the education and training requirements are rigorous and that you will have to make a major financial investment as well as a major time commitment to pursue this dream.  Having detailed and accurate information will help you to realize your dream.  Now pleasing yourself is one thing, but getting your parents to share your dream is another, unless they are already aware of and supportive of your pilot dreams.  Your parents may know you have a desire to fly, but until you are able to convey to them the depth of your desire and determination, they may see this as only a phase.  Parents invest a lot of time and effort into their kids and they want them to succeed and be happy and independent.  They understand how hard it is to follow a dream; they understand even more how difficult it is to bounce back after things don’t work out.  What you have to do is explain to them how this is going to work out; help them to see that you’ve thought this through.  If you write a thorough game-plan of what you intend to do, how long it will take you, how you will pay for pilot training, how you will supplement your income, and what you need from them, you may help them to not only feel excited about, but even invest in your dream!  Parents don’t want to crush your dreams; they just want a realistic plan to which you are seriously committed.  Sit down with them, show them your plan, let them help you to refine it and come up with a workable solution.  You’ll be glad to have both their insight and support.

There is one more option that you may wish to consider that just might satisfy both you and your parents.  While doing your research, look into your campus ROTC program.  ROTC is a great way to stay in college and obtain military training.  In some programs, you can train to fly and get your college degree at the same time.  Whatever option you choose, don’t give up on your dream, just be sure you find the best way to make it real!

Linda Bates Parker is the director of the Career Development Center at the University of Cincinnati.