Hmm, majority of the players here are old farts so I'll ask.
I'm planning on going to college right after high school (currently a sophomore), and I really can't decide which profession I want to take.
There's of course commercial aviation (no military, parents will not allow unless a draft ever occurs again). I also want to go into computer/video game design. And my Plan B is to be an aircraft mechanic. I live in NYC so there are tons of flight schools around, as well as plenty of nearby colleges to choose from. Now here's the part that's causing me decision problems.
Aviation jobs are in decline (lots of aviation companies are getting smaller or gone), and it'll be rather hard to find a job in a large commercial company (sorry, but I don't plan on flying crop dusters). It's also rather expensive to learn and get a flight degree and money is something my family doesn't have (surprise!). However, I love flying and is willing to do all I can, but have very little money to pursue such an expensive career (unless someone can show me otherwise? I'm open to feedback). I also want a sure-fire job after graduation in a large commercial company.
As for video game designs, I also love video games and everything about it. It's also much easier to find a job for this career because literally everywhere you look, there is a game company. It also helps that I live in the city where the large companies are. But from what I've read, video game designers work long shifts especially in the weeks before a game launch as well as having a rather low income in the first few years (30K-50K, although the average is 70K/year). Also, if anything should happen and I can't find a job, my experience won't carry well to other professions.
So what do you guys think? Do I bet big and follow an aviation career or play safe and follow a video game design career that's relatively easy to find jobs?
