Going back to school next year

[BUG_EAF322]

Somehow the time wis ripe now im 34 years old and i dont like what i do now.
My passion is aviation.
So i thought if i wanted to study i want to do something in this.
So i gave myself up for aviation technician JAR B1
I have 2 kids and my wife also works, so next year after summer i wont be that much online

My father used to be an aircraft mechanic so i know a bit where im up too.
and thats study and study.

But i never been this enthousiastic about a study.

Gawd i want this
anyone else experienced this kind of midlife change ?

[Dago]

I went into Aviation Maintenance back in the late 70s.  Made a pretty good living at it ever since. I am one of the lucky ones that can say that.  The majority of aircraft mechanics will job jump often.  The average A&P only stays in aviation an average of 17 years.

Have worked on general aviation aircraft, corporate aviation and major airline. (and some warbird work, but not as much as I would like)

There are good points and bad, and if your Dad did it, you have an idea of the world of it, but not as much as you might think.  I personally discouraged both my sons from aviation.

But, I have been to an awful lot of this countries cities, and many many countries as part of my duites.  This career can offer tremendous adventure and excitement if you look for it.  You will meet some great people and many turds.  You will meet people who will die in aircraft, and maybe in maintenance accidents.

But, if you really want to do it, you may enjoy it and enjoy going to work every day.  I do.

dago

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by BUG_EAF322
Somehow the time wis ripe now im 34 years old and i dont like what i do now.
My passion is aviation.
So i thought if i wanted to study i want to do something in this.
So i gave myself up for aviation technician JAR B1
I have 2 kids and my wife also works, so next year after summer i wont be that much online

My father used to be an aircraft mechanic so i know a bit where im up too.
and thats study and study.

But i never been this enthousiastic about a study.

Gawd i want this
anyone else experienced this kind of midlife change ?

One of Maslow's theories in psychology is that a person's motivations change every 10 years or so.  Thus the quip "When you hit 30 you either save the whales or have babies".  What you're experiencing is not unusual.  You want to pursue something you love, and you want to do it for a number of reasons: Example for your children, more money, pursue of the "dream job", everyone has their different reasons.

Few actually risk going through that door of opportunity due to the unpredictable results they may encounter.  Most are happy doing what they are doing because they know the result.  Humans tend not to take unnecessary risks once we have a family... if we did have a tendency to take unnecessary risks, we'd all be astronauts.

Its good that you have checked into the "risk opportunity" side instead of being complacent with what you have. You'll find great joy pursuing your dream, and its unlikely you'll fail in accomplishing that goal.  Even if you do fail, there is ALWAYS a silver lining in every cloud.

[BUG_EAF322]

Thanks Rip somehow im always a dreamer but never really pushed myself.
It feels the timeline is getting nigh.

It feels really like a challenge.
Hi Dago:
My father had a bad experience in the end when his heatlh failed and got dropped out like a number.
He also saw some guys die or get to know people who deadly crash.
But life will much more real than in that plant im workin now as an operator.

One thing i couple on all this is smoking i wanna quit all on 1 january.
Than i will rebuild my new disipline to get through.

Somehow all kinds of questions raised through my head and i went on a info evening at the college.
The teacher also changed his carreer even at 46 years old.
Next school year there will also be an evening traject.
and there stood a joystick in that teachin hangar.

like 3 signs i have to do it


i realize there comes responsibility with it also and the work is very accurate u really most know what ur doing.

there some weaknesses to overcome.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by BUG_EAF322

i realize there comes responsibility with it also and the work is very accurate u really most know what ur doing.

there some weaknesses to overcome.

Its my opinion that a person who overcomes ones weaknesses leads to greatness and a better quality of life.  The first step is recognition and most don't even get to the first step.  Its also good to know what you are particularly good at, and highlite that within your career.  Good luck, from what I've read about you over the last few years, I have no doubt you'll succeed in whatever you pursue.

[Maverick]

Bug,

I've gone back to school twice. Once for a MA and the second time for myA&P. In each time I enjoyed being in school and found it rather easy to focus on the subject.

If you do go back to school try to make it one that can get you the A&P when you graduate. Example. I went to Cochise College in Southern AZ. for their 15 month program. At the end of the program I took my written for the final certificate in power plant. I already had the airframe 2 sessions before. When I left the campus I had my temporary certificate in hand.

This was the fastest way to get the certificates available. Since you have a family you'll have to decide if you can support them while in school or not. A full time school may not be the way to go.

[Dago]

I have spent some time with the aviaition types in the Netherlands, have worked with plenty of guys from KLM, plus people from Transavia, KLM CityHopper, etc.

All were good people, and did an excellant job.  I noted there are some great aviation enthusiasts there.  Saw a vintage DC3 group at Schipol.  Those kind of groups can be a blast, but always beware of the wrong groups.

dago

[JB66]

Well...Here's my experience with this topic.

I finished high school and vowed never to cross the threshold of higher learning.  After several years I began taking classes at the community college.  

I found a job in sales which I hated, but it had good benefits and payed well, so I  got married and started a family.  After putting my wife through college and moving to a new state, I decided it was my turn to finish college.  So here I am at 36 returning to college fulltime. The major I decided to pursued was Computer Science.   It wasn't that bad and the "kids" were great.  Alot of people underestimate the younger generation.  Most of the people in my class had been programing for years while in high school and were more than willing to help me get up to speed.

I graduated with my Bacholors of Science degree in Computer Science about five months ago.  I am now working fulltime programming for a small company and absolutly love my job.  Every day is challenging, and every day has its rewards.

The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner.  So, here is my advise, "Go for it".

[Sandman]

Good luck.

[LePaul]

Good for you, I was just thumbing thru a course catalog for the local technical college.  I figured with all the fun ive had with this robot project, between fabrication and now the electronics, it might be fun to take up a course in machining or basic electronics.

[NUKE]

Originally posted by LePaul
Good for you, I was just thumbing thru a course catalog for the local technical college.  I figured with all the fun ive had with this robot project, between fabrication and now the electronics, it might be fun to take up a course in machining or basic electronics.

What will your robot be able to do? Flash some lights maybe? that would be cool!

Not that your response has anything to do with the thread or anything, but it still would be cool!

Bug, go for it and follow your heart.

[NUKE]

The first R2 D2 was made in the late 70's. It was a movie prop. I wonder how long it took to make the original?

I'm thinking about starting a "Herby the Love Bug" builders group. The children will love it when I am done, 75 years from now.

[Dnil]

I am 34 soon to be 35 here in a week or 2.  I graduate after the spring semester.  This is my 3rd try at college.  1st and 2nd try I was just out of high school and hated it.  After a divorce and working jobs I hated I went back and have been on the deans list every semester.  Not only that its in something I love, flying.  I fly about 5 times a week.  

Plus its been quite fun living out the movie "Old School".  I am frank the tank.

[Vulcan]

I've always had a deep desire to return to school....



























(a catholic girls school)

[ROC]

anyone else experienced this kind of midlife change ?

I'm only coming up on 43, I haven't hit midlife yet.  I suspect it might be around my 53rd birthday before I'm halfway home.

Go get it man, you only got one shot, might as well spend it chasing what you want in life.  Make it happen.