Quote:
Originally Posted by Stack4
I'm a Sophomore in high school thinking about what I want to be when I'm older. I'm kind of wanting to be a travelling pharmacist because it pays really well and you get to travel. My dad has always wanted me to be a pilot and is trying to persuade me to do that. So if I do that, I will try and get into the Air Force Academy and become an air force pilot. I think I will then discharge and become a commercial pilot. I read where they start out making less than $50k. Is that true?! And is being a pilot as fun as it seems?
|
First of all, it's a very good thing you are thinking about your future at this stage. You are already ahead of many your age. You have to look at your options, figure out what you are good at and passionate about, and then figure out how to make it happen. Ultimately, only you can decide what you want to do with your life.
Just a bit of advice, though, from someone who is about 10 years ahead of you on the path of life. Regardless of what you do, have a solid plan. Understand the costs of whatever schooling you go through, and be sure to keep realistic expectations. Regardless of what profession you choose, be aware that starting pay and average experienced or potential pay in any field will almost always be at two different levels. So for financial planning purposes (particularly if any student loans are involved), be sure you are prepared and able to make it work on starting level salary for the first few years. And be aware that while you will eventually work your way up to what all the recruiters tell you you'll make in a given field, it probably won't happen right away.
My advice would be to start now. Get a job and make and save as much as you can during and beyond high school. Minimize what you need to take out for loans (nothing would be best), and if you do take out student loans, be sure you will be able to pay them back based on starting level salary in your field. I've seen too many people my age come out of college and hit the student loan vs. starting salary wall head on.
I'm not trying to scare you, or anything, just give you some beneficial advice based on real experience. I worked all through high school and college (with some parental forcing, admittedly) and was able to get through with no debt. I didn't really like it at the time, but today, I can't tell you how thankful I am for that, and how much easier that has made things at this stage of life than it otherwise would have been. I can't stress this enough...not having a student loan payment when you get out will give you so much more slack to pursue what you want to do.
In short, do your homework...research and know the realities of your options, have a plan, and execute. The earlier you start working toward whatever goal you set, the better off you will be in the future.