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social life vs dream career

Hey, just wanting opinions on what you would do in my situation. i am 19 and straight after leaving school studied for a year to get my helicopter licence. now i have got a job as ground crew and hope to one day make it into the cockpit. the issue is i feel like i may have missed out on the university experience. i'm still young so drinking, living with mates and going out heaps sounds really fun and i virtually never go out due to my job. if you were me would you go to uni and party for a few years or follow your passion (mines flying helicopters obviously) but sacrifice all those fun nights.
Cheers

Reply 1

TheVth

Original post by sommersetkid

If I was you, I'd continue living the dream career as you've already started and you'll reach the cockpit sooner, on the basis that getting a ground crew job is difficult to obtain. If this isn't the case, live the social life whilst you still enjoy all it entails. After you're done, then you can always go back to working. You'll reach the cockpit later but you would've made the most of your youth ^^"

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Reply 2

username1159152

Original post by sommersetkid

Hey I'm 19 and was also thinking about the same topic you mentioned. I am in a similar situation and am currently pursuing my career also. I did feel like I was missing out on the uni experience but talking to the graduates that I work with, they have always wished that they were in my position. University is a great opportunity to develop as a person an socialise but you can always create the social life you want. Yes you may not be able to go out much now but at some point you would have had to give that up in the pursuit of your career.

Reply 3

brabzzz

It's hard to see at the time (and i was most excited about that aspect of university before i went...and for the first year there) but getting pissed with a bunch of 18 year olds goes down as a mere footnote in the story of your life a few years down the line and you'll only realise how much time and opportunity you wasted at university (in all the free time you have outside of lectures/classes) doing the drinking/hangover thing many are so excited about. Many only partake to the extent they do out of fear of missing out and trying desperately to 'fit in'. Damn...i love hindsight :smile:

Having a dream job you love means you will never really have to 'work' (what most people spend 80% of the rest of their lives having to do). Your life, social life and social will develop around that - contrary to popular belief, going to university is not a prerequisite for a 'social life'.

If you pursue the uni route, at least study something demanding at a top university and join the OTC (RAF) whilst you're there so you get your PPL free and don't entirely waste those 3 years.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 4

Scott.M

I gave up 6th form social life to study to get into dentistry.

2 years down the line I have my social life again and I'm a dental student.

So worth it. :smile:

Follow your dreams OP!

Reply 5

coldhell

I've watched interviews of some successful people and they have always said that to be successful you need to sacrifice (so lots of hours of work) and when you're living the dream then you can party whenever you want!

Reply 6

username418231

Stick with the dream career.

Reply 7

Jess & Nick RMA

Original post by sommersetkid

Hi there,

Here are a lot of people who have had your experience and went straight into a career. Might be worth reading through their experiences and seeing whether you're really missing out. I know it must feel like it because all your friends are at uni but in three years they'll be in your shoes.

Flick