Salary Expectations - I/O

[turbinementor]

Hello,

In two weeks I will be starting the Masters program in I/O at a University in Northern Texas. Presently I am employed in the aviation field ( a non-flying position but I am a former Airline and corporate pilot, age 42). I am considering a career change and as my undergrad degree is in behavioral psychology, thought it would be appropriate for me to get a masters.

Right now I work in the field of aviation human factors, designing and delivering presentations on pilot error, cognition, memory, perception, etc. I'm also a published safety author and an invited speaker at workshops and conferences. I've come a long way with a B.S. The problem is, I'm getting "tired" with my current employer and prospects in aviation are dismal at best. Because I have not flown a jet in the last six years I cannot go back to flying - my true love.

So here's the issue - at my current employer a masters will only serve as additional credentials - it will not advance my career in any way. So i would have to leave to advance. Ironically, the company has approved a tuition reimbursement of 75% of the cost of the masters. However; you have to stay 2 years past the date of your last class. Additionally, my salary is 85k a year with a 50% match to the 401K up to 8%. If I bail out of the misery, any prospects for an I/O to come in at that salary range?

Stay at a job your don't really love and pay the bills, mortgage, etc. or take the masters and go where?

Thoughts???

[iopsych]

Yes that would be a salary that is fairly easily attainable depending on the part of the country you are in. However, I wonder why you are considering switching. What part of I/O interests you? You seem to have a background in training, which means if you were interested in starting out back in the 85k range you would need to move into another training role. If you are not enjoying your job right now you may not enjoy another similar training role.

It also may be difficult to start in another side of I/O without any experience and expect to make 85k immediately, especially if you stay in DFW. For example, if you decide to move over into selection you may be applying to fairly green positions like associate behavioral analyst, associate consultant, etc. These positions, in the DFW area, start at closer to 60-65kish with a masters degree.

[turbinementor]

I've actually done some soul searching and like the topics of group problem solving, teamwork, workload management, etc. I guess my concern (maybe misplaced?) was a daily dudgery of corporate office work. After 22 years with a view out the front window, it's tough to do the cube farm. After my first week of class I see some interesting projects to work on and would consider using the Masters as a gateway to an aviation based consultancy. In the past week I have managed to overcome the scary notion that I'm at least 15 years older than my other 14 classmates; however, that does place me in the position of being able to cash this degree out rather than borrow money! Thanks for the input. It is appreciated.