Pierce Herr, a senior studying business management from Arizona, has already begun his dream career. As an Arizona State University graduate in aeronautical science and aviation management, Pierce is now pursuing his second degree at BYU-Idaho.

Pierce earned his bachelor’s degree through ASU and completed pilot training through Red Rock Flight School, simultaneously. Undertaking an extremely heavy workload to accomplish this feat, he managed to complete it all in four years and offered insight into the process.

“It was hard to have a social life … when you can’t manage your workload or your education properly,” Herr said. “It can take a toll on your relationships if you’re not careful.”

Taking a break from his homework and 24-credit classes, Pierce experiences the unique opportunity of flying about twice a week.

Once he completes his 1500-hour requirement of flying, he can become eligible to be hired at any airline. Only a couple hundred hours from this completion, Pierce enjoys his time in the sky.

“It’s like driving a car, but imagine being able to pull back and push down on the steering wheel and going in all those directions,” Herr said. “It’s like complete freedom. It’s just an adrenaline rush.”

Pierce expects to complete his flying hours by the end of 2023 and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.