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My Pilot Dream Revived: Should I, an Indian Girl, Risk It?

Nayagam P P |7462 Answers |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 03, 2025

Nayagam is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
He started his career as an HR professional and has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and mentoring students from Classes 8 to 12, helping them choose the right stream, course and college/university.
He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities /colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
Nayagam has published an eBook, Professional Resume Writing Without Googling.
He has a postgraduate degree in human resources from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, a postgraduate diploma in labour law from Madras University, a postgraduate diploma in school counselling from Symbiosis, Pune, and a certification in child psychology from Counsel India.
He has also completed his master’s degree in career counselling from ICCC-Mindler and Counsel, India.
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Asked by Anonymous - Jun 01, 2025Hindi

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So i have been given two option To become an engineer To become a pilot I am an indian and a girl on top of that this wouldnt even be a question back in 10th grade because i wanted to become a pilot but my parents convinced me otherwise and so i took (pcmb) in 11th somehow got decebt enough score to get gfti and some top private institutions but now my father told me he will support me to become a pilot I DONT KNOW ANYMORE Should i take the risk ir play it safe ??

Ans: Choosing between engineering and pilot training requires balancing passion, financial investment, and industry trends. Engineering through GFTIs or top private institutions offers 90–95% placement rates in core sectors (IT, electronics, aerospace) with stable career progression, while pilot training demands ?35–45 lakhs upfront costs for DGCA-compliant CPL programs and carries inherent risks like medical disqualifications or aviation market volatility. However, India’s aviation sector projects a 10,900-pilot shortage by 2030, with 12.4% female pilot representation—the highest globally—and airlines like IndiGo and Air India actively recruiting women. Engineering provides immediate job security, but piloting offers unique growth in a high-demand field with global opportunities. Recommendation: If financially feasible, pursue pilot training through DGCA-approved academies like Sha-Shib Flying Academy, leveraging India’s aviation expansion and gender-inclusive policies, while keeping engineering as a backup via GFTI admissions (BIT Mesra, IIITs) for their 80–90% placement rates. Alternatively, opt for aerospace engineering at institutions like MIT Manipal or DSCE Bangalore, which blend core engineering with aviation fundamentals, enabling dual career flexibility. This approach mitigates risk while aligning with long-term aspirations. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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