Advice!

24M making 120–130k as a correctional officer, but unsure about long-term career (aviation vs staying for money)

I’m 24, currently living with my parents, and making around 120–130k/year as a correctional officer (mostly due to overtime). The money is great, but I honestly don’t like the job and I’m only here for the money at this point.

I feel pretty stuck and unsure about what direction to take next in life.

Here are my two main options:

Option 1:

Stay in this job, move out, and start my own independent life. I’d likely continue working in corrections to afford rent and expenses. The downside is I feel like this would kind of “lock me in” to a job I already don’t enjoy.

Option 2:

Pursue aviation, which is something I’m genuinely interested in. I did a discovery flight recently — I was definitely nervous (sweaty hands), but I had a huge smile on my face the entire time and really enjoyed it.

The issue is the cost and time:

Around 80–100k to become job-ready

Likely a couple of years of training

Early career pay would probably be much lower than what I make now

My plan, if I go this route, would be to keep my corrections job but cut down on overtime (probably making closer to ~90k) while going through flight school.

My dad is very money-focused and thinks it’s a bad idea to leave a 130k job (or even scale it back) to spend years training for a career that might pay significantly less for the first 5–10 years. I understand his perspective, and it does make me second guess things.

At the same time, I don’t see myself doing corrections long-term unless it’s helping fund a transition into something else.

I guess I’m trying to balance:

Financial security vs doing something I actually enjoy

Short-term sacrifice vs long-term fulfillment

Would you stay for the money and independence, or take the risk and pursue aviation while I’m still "young"?

Any advice or perspectives would be appreciated.