19 year old son seemingly has no interest in college (boy, married, friend)
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I was raised to believe that you can gain a lot of knowledge whether its at a 4 year, 2 year school, that its a time from growing one's mind. My parents installed in me that you should go to college-- even if you don't want to work in an office and rather use your hands. To this day I still agree.
When you have kids you begin to realize nothing is ever as you plan...lol. My son is 19 and really does not like school. I wish he appreciated learning on an educational sense but really doesn't like it. He wants to be a pilot-- hereditary from my wife's family (its in my FIL's blood). Its his passion. He started college last fall at a university in another state-- and didn't do well. He doesn't like to learn or read, unless its about piloting. Which is fine but you still need at least an AA degree to be a pilot at the commercial level. I'm trying not to worry about it but I just find it frustrating that he's not really interested in college. I'd be fine with the military as well, but he hasn't shown much interest there either.
I know one day he will be a pilot, its his dream and passion. I just wish he had more interest in learning in general. Am I a bad parent? Any thoughts?
You are not a bad parent.
Your son is different from you.
You are different people. I mean, really let that sink in. You’ve mentioned before about your wife’s family being really into aviation and you sound a teensy bit resentful or maybe a bit left out over that.
However, a great parent makes it about the child and not about themselves.
I went on through my doctoral program. It was all I could do to convince my son to go for his AS degree. My husband is an engineer and was an athlete. Our son is completely creative. Our son cares about basically one thing—film and photography (but mostly film). Anything to do with camerawork, basically. It’s his passion. He doesn’t really care about anything else.
Now he’s in film school…which some people might say is a complete waste of money…learning more than he thought possible, making contacts, working freelance, and charging (and getting) hundreds of dollars to make 20 and 30 second videos. He works long hours and has a lot of ambition. I have no idea where his career will end up, but I know his work ethic and his ability.
I’m not trying to make this about me. I’m just trying to tell you that my 19 year old is exactly like yours.
For someone who has a passion and a talent, I truly believe there is no stopping them. The sky is the limit, no pun intended.
My advice is to bring your son home from college at the end of the semester. Do not send him back in the fall. It’s a waste of time and money. Look for an aviation program as others have suggested.
Your son is not lazy. He knows what he wants to do and everything else is noise. Help him figure out how to make his dream happen.
ETA: my husband’s cousin always wanted to be a pilot. His parents wouldn’t agree. He got a business degree and sold insurance for years, all the while paying for his own lessons. He now is a contracted pilot on a private jet. It took him 20 years to get there.
Last edited by calgirlinnc; 04-11-2022 at 01:51 PM..
For those that are familiar with military pilot training, aside from the college degree, what areas should the candidate be highly adept in? For instance, do they need a lot of math and science or would an English degree suffice?
why do you have to have a college degree (let alone a 4 year one) to be a pilot? I legitimately don't understand that and that isn't a knock against pilots. IMO, experience trumps everything, and I think vocational (coupled with being around experienced pilots in a lesser role) would do.
Define "Pilot." From what I understand airline pilots are the best compensated pilots out there. They fly the biggest planes, and carry hundreds of people. That's why a college degree was largely a prerequisite.
Someone can correct me but as I understand it, Airline pilots>Regional Pilots>Business/Corporate Pilot>Agricultural Pilot...
I was raised to believe that you can gain a lot of knowledge whether its at a 4 year, 2 year school, that its a time from growing one's mind. My parents installed in me that you should go to college-- even if you don't want to work in an office and rather use your hands. To this day I still agree.
When you have kids you begin to realize nothing is ever as you plan...lol. My son is 19 and really does not like school. I wish he appreciated learning on an educational sense but really doesn't like it. He wants to be a pilot-- hereditary from my wife's family (its in my FIL's blood). Its his passion. He started college last fall at a university in another state-- and didn't do well. He doesn't like to learn or read, unless its about piloting. Which is fine but you still need at least an AA degree to be a pilot at the commercial level. I'm trying not to worry about it but I just find it frustrating that he's not really interested in college. I'd be fine with the military as well, but he hasn't shown much interest there either.
I know one day he will be a pilot, its his dream and passion. I just wish he had more interest in learning in general. Am I a bad parent? Any thoughts?
Are you going to come back to your thread about your son wanting to be a pilot but not go to college? I see you've logged in, maybe you forgot? Also post in the aviation section, they could probably tell you his best options.
Define "Pilot." From what I understand airline pilots are the best compensated pilots out there. They fly the biggest planes, and carry hundreds of people. That's why a college degree was largely a prerequisite.
Someone can correct me but as I understand it, Airline pilots>Regional Pilots>Business/Corporate Pilot>Agricultural Pilot...
You forgot cargo and charter pilot. A lot of pilots love to fly for FedEx and UPS. You still get to see the world but you're not hauling around disruptive passengers.
You forgot cargo and charter pilot. A lot of pilots love to fly for FedEx and UPS. You still get to see the world but you're not hauling around disruptive passengers.
For those that are familiar with military pilot training, aside from the college degree, what areas should the candidate be highly adept in? For instance, do they need a lot of math and science or would an English degree suffice?
In the college Air Force ROTC program there are all undergraduate majors. Piloting a plane is sort of like driving a big rig truck. It's basically on the job training, reflexes, physical attributes (sight, hearing, ability to withstand g-forces), judgement and motivation. The major or previous experience doesn't matter.
You are different people. I mean, really let that sink in. You’ve mentioned before about your wife’s family being really into aviation and you sound a teensy bit resentful or maybe a bit left out over that.
However, a great parent makes it about the child and not about themselves.
I went on through my doctoral program. It was all I could do to convince my son to go for his AS degree. My husband is an engineer and was an athlete. Our son is completely creative. Our son cares about basically one thing—film and photography (but mostly film). Anything to do with camerawork, basically. It’s his passion. He doesn’t really care about anything else.
Now he’s in film school…which some people might say is a complete waste of money…learning more than he thought possible, making contacts, working freelance, and charging (and getting) hundreds of dollars to make 20 and 30 second videos. He works long hours and has a lot of ambition. I have no idea where his career will end up, but I know his work ethic and his ability.
I’m not trying to make this about me. I’m just trying to tell you that my 19 year old is exactly like yours.
For someone who has a passion and a talent, I truly believe there is no stopping them. The sky is the limit, no pun intended.
My advice is to bring your son home from college at the end of the semester. Do not send him back in the fall. It’s a waste of time and money. Look for an aviation program as others have suggested.
Your son is not lazy. He knows what he wants to do and everything else is noise. Help him figure out how to make his dream happen.
ETA: my husband’s cousin always wanted to be a pilot. His parents wouldn’t agree. He got a business degree and sold insurance for years, all the while paying for his own lessons. He now is a contracted pilot on a private jet. It took him 20 years to get there.
I was raised to believe that you can gain a lot of knowledge whether its at a 4 year, 2 year school, that its a time from growing one's mind. My parents installed in me that you should go to college-- even if you don't want to work in an office and rather use your hands. To this day I still agree.
When you have kids you begin to realize nothing is ever as you plan...lol. My son is 19 and really does not like school. I wish he appreciated learning on an educational sense but really doesn't like it. He wants to be a pilot-- hereditary from my wife's family (its in my FIL's blood). Its his passion. He started college last fall at a university in another state-- and didn't do well. He doesn't like to learn or read, unless its about piloting. Which is fine but you still need at least an AA degree to be a pilot at the commercial level. I'm trying not to worry about it but I just find it frustrating that he's not really interested in college. I'd be fine with the military as well, but he hasn't shown much interest there either.
I know one day he will be a pilot, its his dream and passion. I just wish he had more interest in learning in general. Am I a bad parent? Any thoughts?
I hope yr son does become a pilot but the reality is just bc it is someones dream & passion, doesnt mean will work out for them. The workplace is competitive. There is always someone better
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