Need help with my future career as a pilot.?

Question

I'm Vanessa, 18years of age and a senior high school graduate from Ghana. Since childhood it has always been my biggest dream and aspiration to become a professional commercial pilot or an aeronautical engineer.

Unfortunately, my country Ghana hasn't got the resources for training in this field....i.e. no pilot training schools.

Secondly my family doesn't have the finance to support me. I'm getting really depressed with the whole issue and i sometimes think of even forgetting this dream which i have held on to since childhood.

Can anyone around please give me advise as to how to go about this?? Because i really don't want to let go of this passion i have of becoming a professional pilot.

Besides i want to start flying first as a pilot then, later on go back to the university for a degree.

Please help me. If anyone can help me find a company or individual to sponsor me i will be very grateful as i will work very hard to payback even if they help me but with interest. Thank you.

Answer 1

That's a good question, and I had the same one many years ago.  I looked for a sponser, and even had a wealthy family member turn me down.  I had to work for my ratings and it took a long time and a lot of hard work.  I know that's more difficult in Africa, as I live in the US.  My suggestion for you?  I'm not sure what resources you have there, but I would find a way to go to college, and get an engineering degree.  Then, get a good job and pay your way through flight training.  You could also go to a university that has flight training, and get student loans to pay for it.  I have no idea how you will be able to do this, as you may have to go to another country.  But, I have met people who have done it, so there must be a way.  Look into flight colleges in the US, as the flight training is the least expensive here.  

If you have the will, there is a way to get it done.  I know that airlines in Africa and India need pilots, and they recruit them from the US and Europe.  

I wish I could help you more, but I'm not rich either.  Good luck.

Answer 2

Hi Vanessa;

I just wanted to stop by and tell you not to ever give up on your dream... If you want to fly, it can be some hard work, but it is definitely worth it!

Kudos to Larry on his answer!

Peace,

Bobby

P.S.  Larry, have you checked your email inbox?

I'm there!

B

Answer 3

If you have good grades you could try to get into the Airforce.  You can always try coming to the US to live here while you receive flight training.  Try to get a loan.  There is a way

Answer 4

Go for the Aeronautical Engineer, It is way more stable of a career.

Answer 5

Vanessa -

Please do not give up your dream. There are several universities all over the world that offer programs and scholarships in aerospace engineering and aviation career prep. The earlier advice about getting a degree is good advice. Once you get a degree and have lived in a country that has more opportunities for aviation careers than Ghana, you can start really blazing that trail to make it happen. How are your math and science grades? Have you contacted any schools in the U.S. that offer such programs? If your grades are good, I would wager that they would work as hard as you would to see that you succeed. I can think of the following institutions that you could check out:

Purdue University

University of Michigan

University of Alabama at Huntsville

Embry-Riddle University

There are probably hundreds of them. They can and will help you, but you have to work at it.