Ok........
I need some help here. so bear with me.
I'm 21 years old, female, and i would love to becomea  professional pilot.
The problem is I'm a little bit confused about what to do next.
First of all, i have already completed 3 years of university (towards a completely unrelated degree.)
I do not want to go back there.  There is a flight school at a local college where you earn your commercial pilot certificate for single and multiengine aircraft.  Is that what I should be doing?
There is also aeronautics university (Embry-Riddle), is it necessary to acquire a degree in aeronautics?  From what i have read, no...but it would nice to hear from some of you about it all.
What is the job market like? 
My father is a professional pilot, and having trouble finding a job right now (although he is quite old and in not the greatest health, so i'm not sure his example is representative of the actual market.)  He also learned to fly during his days in the army so has little to no advice for me about choosing a flight school and what not.  He did however receive his degree from Embry-Riddle later on in life.
OK guys, thanks for reading my little rant and I hope you have some great advice for me.  I grew up around airplanes with my father and this is something i should have gotten into a long time ago, but it's never too late i hope.
Anyway, I'd like to hear about flight school, especially from professional commercial pilots if there are any out there.  About the process, how long it takes, what to expect, what degrees are necessary etc etc. 
BTW my name is Elisa and I'm very friendly so PM me or contact me on AIM: elisamal2003.  Thanks   (or just respond here too that works!!)

Nice to see you finally decided to post:)
welcome to the forum officially, and like OTTOL said any help you need dont be afraid to ask

Hi Elisa, welcome to SimV. You obviously know Craig
My advice, finish your degree as it will make you more employable. It doesn't matter what your degree is in, its that you've got one.
Okay other considerations, getting your wings isn't a cheap thing, and you need to think about what kind of aviation you'd like to do. Commercial jet? Short haul prop? Helicopter?
And finally you might want to consider getting up to speed in a second language too. This is a big bonus in the job market (French or Russian are popular).

Ozzy

Quote:

we've only spoken for a short amount of time.

Ok here is the low down on Embry Riddle from a freshmen....its an awesome aviation college, it is the top of the line. (note period  ) The horrible thing about Embry Riddle is the cost, it is a private school and therefore its horribly expensive.  If you decide to try Embry Riddle, make sure you have the money to finish the flight program for the current year.  I learned that you can save A LOT of money by coming with your private pilots license. The Aeronautical Science is basically a program set up to become either a Airline pilot, or flying the business jets, which ever you choose.  Since completing 3 years of college, you should have all of the silly courses out of the way (english, computer, math, maybe physics) ummm if you have anymore questions post em, and I'll see if I can answer....its sooo early in the morning here...


a few other places to look at flight training schools is Western Michigan (maybe its South Western Michigan) and Purdue University in Indiana.

I wasn't impressed with them as much as I was with Embry Riddle though, .....maybe thats why Im here.... ???

Theres Western Michigan University www.wmich.edu
one reason why I did not like (basically the only reason) is that students would not be allowed to fly with the unviversity until junior year, explanation I guess is that all other classes will be out of the way.  

Andrews University is just north of the Indiana/Michigan border.  Its a small private college it was the cheapest of the schools I looked at, but did not seem to compete well with the other universities in the flight program.  www.andrews.edu

Purdue University in West Lafayete Indiana has a good flight program also.  I probably would have gone there over Embry Riddle if I were accepted.  (because its a lot closer to home than Arizona   ).  www.purdue.edu

I would recommend Purdue, Western Michigan, and Embry Riddle the most.  If you have any more questions I might be able to answer, shoot...

Sorry , I forgot, there is no real job in Quebec, it is more up to north. I know to that there isa lot of work in Florida and California.

                                      Cheers

P40, your profile says your 13, its gonna be a few years yet till you can get your license.

Just goes to prove what I've always said. Don't believe everything you read, especially on the Internet. I could state in my profile that I'm a 10 year-old girl from Timbuctoo. Who's to say I'm not? I defy anyone to prove otherwise.

No No No! I am 13 I just messed up on FAA regulations.

I'd say same as Craig, get as much flight time possible, (I personally would start so many years in advanced), you can get your solo flying permit at 16 and full license at 17.....anyways whenever you get around to flying I hope you have fun