Should I be a Flight Attendant or Should I go to College?

[dwightcharles 12]

Hi guys.

Good Afternoon.

I am kind of in a sticky situation right now. It's more of a "good problem", however I am having a real hard time deciding.

So here it goes:

I am 23 year old male and I am an artist. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to draw. I studied Fine Arts for short while back in my country and it was one of the best things that happened to me. My dad when he was still alive, would always tell my sibling and I that education is the only treasure he can give us if he passes.

To cut the story short, I got accepted to Parsons the New School for Design in New York City for the Bachelor's program and it will start in the fall. As an artist, it is my dream school. I feel so privileged and honored they selected me among other applicants from all over the world.

On the other hand, just this week, I interviewed for a major US airline for the Flight Attendant position and amazingly, I got offered the position. The recruiters on that day of recruitment, told us ( the 7 of us who got the offer out of probably 60 people who got invited for the face to face interview) that we are among of the selected few out of thousands of applications they received online. I was sooo overwhelmed with joy and disbelief when they gave us the offer letter. I always wanted to be a flight attendant even as a little boy.

So heres my problem.

I already received my financial aid package from Parsons. They gave me a total of $33,000.00 worth of merit and FAFSA award. This is based on my portfolio and FAFSA application. The school is really expensive and I did all that I can to support myself if I decide to go there. I am also waiting for the scholarship competition results the school had going. If I do win the scholarship, they'll award me a full tuition scholarship for all 4 years of my college education. Parsons tuition alone would run 40 to 45 thousand a year.

They will announce the results of the scholarship competition on April 4th and on April 7th, I will start my training with the airline as a Flight Attendant.

If I win the scholarship, between college education and Flight Attendant career, which one do you think should be my priority?

My personal take on this is, If I choose to be a Flight Attendant over going to college, I would feel like I would miss such a great opportunity I was given. If in the future if I decide I no longer want to be a flight attendant, I would not have a Plan B since I never gotten a degree. There will be less options for a career change and it will be much harder to find a high paying job without a college degree. On the other hand, if I choose school over being a Flight Attendant, I will be in school for 4 years and I might take out student loans as my eligibility for scholarship if I do get it, depends on maintaining a certain GPA and grades. I might graduate school with enormous debt and finding a job after graduation may be quite a challenge especially with the state of the economy right now.

So I really need your help on this. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Edited March 15, 2014 by dwightcharles

[christeen 966]

Can you see yourself working as a flight attendant the rest if our life, or will you always feel like you gave up your art dream? What career wild you have after college with your degree?

[dwightcharles 12]

Can you see yourself working as a flight attendant the rest if our life, or will you always feel like you gave up your art dream? What career wild you have after college with your degree?

I actually really dont know. It's going to be my first time as a Flight Attendant and I never really had any job in the past similar to it. So I guess I would have to experience it first. Training will start April 7th and school will start in August.

I feel like if I do win the scholarship and not go to school, I missed a very rare as in once in a lifetime opportunity. But you know, if I go to school, Im scared of ending up with tons of debt.

If I graduate art school, btw I will major in Fashion Design, I would want to be a designer or a creative director for a magazine or a clothing line.

Edited March 15, 2014 by dwightcharles

[ashleyphilly 70]

Go to college. This is an exceptional opportunity. Dont miss out on it

[Jon York 156]

I don't even know why you're bothering to ask this. The answer is so obvious that you answered it yourself in the first half of your next to last paragraph!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I say school now because you can always go back and be a flight attendant. The skills you have now won't go away and you could get rehired in the future.

By that logic you could also probably reapply to Parson's and get accepted again in the future.

You will have debt if you go to school. Figure out if you can handle it before you go. Keep up your GPA though to keep the scholarship. If you can't get the grades and lose the scholarship, then I would drop out of school. It's not for you if that happens.

If they give you the full package then definitely take it (I know you have to wait to see).

Edited March 15, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[dwightcharles 12]

Go to college. This is an exceptional opportunity. Dont miss out on it

Thank you. Im keeping my fingers crossed that April 4th with deliver me good news.

I say school now because you can always go back and be a flight attendant. The skills you have now won't go away and you could get rehired in the future.

By that logic you could also probably reapply to Parson's and get accepted again in the future.

You will have debt if you go to school. Figure out if you can handle it before you go. Keep up your GPA though to keep the scholarship. If you can't get the grades and lose the scholarship, then I would drop out of school. It's not for you if that happens.

If they give you the full package then definitely take it (I know you have to wait to see).

Thank you maam. Yes. I will definitely have to wait for that. April 4th is when they will announce the winners.

Thats what I thought too. The flight attendant job will always be there. Thank you for your insight.

[razspaz13 30]

I worked with a lot of flight attendants that regretted they did not go to college when they could and then were in the "job" stuck

when you are a new hire flight attendant you also get the lousy jobs and shifts LOL, I know from experience

good luck on your choice, no one can ever take away your art degree/experience! hint hint wink wink

cheers

[dwightcharles 12]

I worked with a lot of flight attendants that regretted they did not go to college when they could and then were in the "job" stuck

when you are a new hire flight attendant you also get the lousy jobs and shifts LOL, I know from experience

good luck on your choice, no one can ever take away your art degree/experience! hint hint wink wink

cheers

Hahaha. lol

Yea i know especially being on reserve for years can suck.

Thank you for your input.

[Gwapo1ako 14]

School

[Abby&Mario 100]

Most college degrees don't mean what they used to in the U.S., and by that I mean no one is guaranteed a job just because they finished undergrad. If the situation were different, I'd say be a flight attendant. But this isn't just any degree-- it's your dream, and they're already offering you financial aid. Sounds like the chance of a lifetime, but play it smart. The cost of living where you'd be will be sky high. Plenty of people go into debt just trying to live in New York City without having tuition to pay on top of it. Be responsible, don't get into crazy partying, and work hard. Being a flight attendant can be your backup plan for after you graduate if you find yourself in a rough patch.

I think you already know what you want to do. I will tell you, I knew what I wanted to study when I was 18 and it was time to go to college, but I chose something "practical" instead. I graduated in 2009 and that practical degree wasn't so practical after the recession. Fast forward almost a decade and I'm finally studying what I've always wanted to. I wouldn't change my life for anything, but it does make you think. Live your dream, I say!

[NathanAndLiza 2]

Im here to tell you this. I graduated from ITT Technical Institute with my Associates Degree in Electronics Electronics Engineering Technology. I graduated from AIT, American Institute of Trucking and have a CDL licence Class A. I have all my endorsements: Tanker, Doubles/Triples and HAZMAT. Last, now im a student pilot working to get my private pilot license. Whatever your personality is, if you enjoy doing mulitple things, then go for it. For me, I have backup. If one does not work out, I can do something different. My fream is to get my PPL license so never give up that dream. Flight attendant jobs will always be there.Do what you do best.

[Cathi 5,784]

College. Always college.

[Carolinaolina 1]

Hm.. I might give you another opinion. you dont need a degree to be fashion designer..

But if you can get through without debt then its fine to go to college

[wheninlimbo 9]

Parsons!