Zach on the other hand was never that lucky to just know what he wanted to be. He has always been a fabulous handy man and worked with his family business in construction. But he didn't know if he wanted that as his career forever and he started going to USU right after we were married to at least get his general classes going to start earning a degree. His path started in Business Administration. We thought it would help him if he'd one day start up his own idea of a business since he also has a very entrepreneurial mind. After not loving this path anymore, he changed to Mechanical Engineering. It was more a clear/safe shot of getting a job after his degree was earned and he could talk himself into possibly enjoying some aspects of that line of work. But after again realizing this path might not be what makes him happy, we ended up at another crossroads of decision making. Here we are again making another change...and what definitely feels like the last change in this journey! Yay! Zach is going to be getting a degree in Aviation Technology and getting his Pilot's license to become a Pilot!
This all came on rather suddenly but it has all felt good in the process and we are excited to start this journey as a family together. It's a very valid question when we're asked, "why?" or "how did you decide to become a pilot?" because it's not something we've ever talked about to other people before. Zach has thrown out little comments here and there in our marriage of how it would be so fun to fly. I've always immediately shut those thoughts down, not thinking they were realistic or important to Zach (and selfishly not wanting my husband to be in the sky for his work!) Then at the beginning of December, we were driving past the Salt Lake Airport and Zach mentioned this thought again. "What if I was a pilot?" with a big smile on his face looking up at the airplanes flying in. For some reason this time hit me differently. I actually even started crying a few minutes later in the car right then just thinking about it. For some reason it felt real to me that this was going to happen. I immediatly got out my phone and started reading anything and everything of what this career choice would mean.
The following days and weeks we researched a TON and found a lot of concerns and also a lot that excited Zach even more. We even brought it up with our Bishop that Sunday at our tithing settlement meeting. He then told us that a brother in our ward worked for USU's aviation program and is a flight instructor. Zach spent a few hours at his home a few days later where he got to ask all sorts of questions and learn more. He even took him flying and Zach LOVED it. We talked with others we knew who have gone down this path, met with USU advisors to see what it would mean to graduate, and all the while it just sort of kept falling into place in our hearts and minds that this was what we were going to do.
With all careers, there are pros and cons, advantages and sacrifices. Being a pilot (or a pilot's wife) isn't easy. I've shed plenty of tears about this at the beginning of this decision making process. But I've come to a real personal decision of my own that this path is going to be the right one not only for Zach (who I am so excited finally feels HAPPY about his future!), but also for our family and our future goals. From our conversations with others in this field, it's all about attitude. There will be hard days for both of us, but we've decided to do it and we are going to be positive about every step of the journey. I love seeing Zach look forward to this, doing research, watching videos, etc. It really is the first time I've seen him so motivated about his choice in a career path and that is exactly what I've been hoping and praying he'd find. In 2 1/2 years he will be graduated and we will go from there! We are ready for take off!
I'm so glad Zach found something that he'll enjoy! He looked so excited and happy when he told us about it!
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