If you weren't in IT...

[aerospacemango]

Had I not fallen into IT 18months ago, I'd probably still be working in one of the top casinos in London.

 

I did 4 years in the RAF, as an Aerospace Systems Operator, and a fast-jet simulator pilot. Sounds cool, but it was only a simulator! Nearest I got to flying was in a Chinook, off the deck of HMS Ark Royal. Mind you......that WAS cool!!!

[GNewnham]

Chocolate taster and suntan lotion tester

[36Degrees]

I did 4 years in the RAF, as an Aerospace Systems Operator

 

Is that a "scope dope"? hehehehehe

 

This is my second career. Thanks to working for a complete *expletive deleted* I decided to go to college and do a computer course as they seemed to be becoming more and more prevalent (I didn't own my first until 6 weeks into the course!). ONC in Computer Studies completed I then did a HNC in Computing (Software Engineering) before doing a Microsoft course and getting certified.

 

I then got a 6 month contract to help with a roll out of 1000 PCs where I somehow managed to do a lot of stuff in the workshop and occasionally on the helpdesk. I left there to come here.

[aerospacemango]

Is that a "scope dope"? hehehehehe.

 

Indeed it is!!!

 

We were known as "dopey scopies", though we did have our own range of cool stickers.....along the lines of.........

 

"Scopies do it better in the dark!"

 

Thems were the days......................!!

[Polski]

2nd career, first being an Avionics Engineer working on nasty, smelly, noisy, helicopters.

 

Fell into IT as it meant I could stay in out of the rain and not smell of synthetic oil so much!

 

What would I like to do? Fuel injection / engine management systems in motorsport. Currently messing about in that area, so if anyone has a MegaSquirt system they don't want? (Google it, THEN start the puns!)

 

I spent a day out at Wattisham airfield with the Footwork F1 team while they got to grips with their "Active Suspension" they had bought off Williams F1. Racing by numbers! Cracking day out.

[mdrabble]

Musician of some kind either that working in a recording studio

[36Degrees]

Indeed it is!!!

 

2nd career, first being an Avionics Engineer working on nasty, smelly, noisy, helicopters.

 

Ooh, a scope dope and a fairy! Well for 12 years I was a plumber and yes I do know the entire alphabet!

[Polski]

A plumber? You mean a real one? Or where you just going through the motions?

[36Degrees]

A plumber? You mean a real one? Or where you just going through the motions?

 

I just assumed that you were an Avionics Engineer in the Royal Air Farce and would know what a plumber was...

[Polski]

There you have it! That third word. Deadly that one. No I was in a rather fetching green uniform! Though I still know my AP's from my EMER's.

[36Degrees]

There you have it! That third word. Deadly that one. No I was in a rather fetching green uniform! Though I still know my AP's from my EMER's.

 

Aaah, now I understand - especially with you being at RAF What-A-Shame!

[aerospacemango]

A plumber? You mean a real one? Or where you just going through the motions?

 

That's such a funny line that I now have to wipe tea off my screen!

[Sarconia]

I was largely forced down this career route simply because I took the first job which was offered to me after graduating from university. It wasn't what I'd wanted to do but it could've been worse, I've got no idea what I'd be doing otherwise, I'd probably be stuck in another completely random career if I wasn't here.

 

I always wanted to be an MP when I was younger and still do really, it's the only way you'll ever get to change anything big.

[aerospacemango]

I always wanted to be an MP when I was younger and still do really, it's the only way you'll ever get to change anything big.

 

Despite my cynicism at the thought of MP's actually changing anything, other than their bank balances......

 

You should go for it. Follow that dream, because it's people like you that are needed in Parliament. Someone who has a real wish to do it, and to make a difference can only be good. I'd suggest dipping your toe in the water with your local Party HQ, get your face out there and see what happens. All politicians have to start somewhere....and you probably just need a push in the right direction.

 

Once those at the local HQW see your passion for it.....who knows??

[6Foot2]

Much like some other replies already posted here I sort of 'fell' into IT. A brief summary of what went before goes like this:

 

I have had several roles since completing my degree. I have worked as:

 

A Quality Control Officer [Food Factory]

 

Research Scientist [Pharmaceuticals Company] [i had a PhD lined up and ready to go until a Canadian idiot raised objections and scuppered my chances of starting the course ]

 

Sales Engineer [whatever that was!] [software house]

 

Then finally: Network Support Engineer [Education networks] [several schools]

 

And assorted part time or temporary jobs.

[cookie_monster]

Much like some other replies already posted here I sort of 'fell' into IT. A brief summary of what went before goes like this:

 

I have had several roles since completing my degree. I have worked as:

 

A Quality Control Officer [Food Factory]

 

Research Scientist [Pharmaceuticals Company] [i had a PhD lined up and ready to go until a Canadian idiot raised objections and scuppered my chances of starting the course ]

 

Sales Engineer [whatever that was!] [software house]

 

Then finally: Network Support Engineer [Education networks] [several schools]

 

And assorted part time or temporary jobs.

 

 

Was your degree not in IT then?

 

Unlucky on having your PhD scuppered

[6Foot2]

Was your degree not in IT then?

 

No I did a modular degree in Physical Sciences: Mainly Physics and Chemistry with some Maths, Oceanography, Geology,...

 

Unlucky on having your PhD scuppered

 

Thanks. It was annoying at the time but it is getting on for 20 years ago now. A lifetime ago.

Edited June 3, 2010 by 6Foot2
Modify post formatting.

[Sarconia]

Despite my cynicism at the thought of MP's actually changing anything, other than their bank balances...... ??

 

Until you'd mentioned it I didn't even know what an MP earnt, I've never really been thinking about the money. According to parliament.uk, they earn £65k which equates roughly to a take home salary of £3700 after tax. What the heck I'd do with that money, I do not know. I'm an eternal stingebag and don't see the point in paying more than I have to for anything, yes... I even buy Tesco value toilet roll, your finger doesn't go through it like they say and sure, it's not as nice as Andrex but when it's 12 rolls for £1.50 I can't complain. It's not that I couldn't afford Andrex or anything like that, it's the principle, why spend money on a product which is quite litterally going down the drain? It's just arse fodder at the end of the day.

 

You should go for it. Follow that dream, because it's people like you that are needed in Parliament. Someone who has a real wish to do it, and to make a difference can only be good. I'd suggest dipping your toe in the water with your local Party HQ, get your face out there and see what happens. All politicians have to start somewhere....and you probably just need a push in the right direction.

 

Once those at the local HQW see your passion for it.....who knows??

 

I definitely intend to, it's time to really help the poor and the middle classes, not the rich, they have it easy enough already. I'm fed up with politicians who can't even adhere to their own standards. The seven principles of public life, they all sound like a good idea to me but have you even met an MP who has embodied most of these traits? selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. I think most fail on the first one! I'll have to see where the local HQ is and shift myself down there at some point.

 

The only issue with this that I can foresee is the problem of other people. Personally I always try to conduct myself with professionalism, I try to be nice to everybody, get on with my work and then go home, however, some people seem to have a problem with this, they attempt to screw over others, myself included for no apparent reason - it doesn't give them any benefit whatsoever. This I do not understand, I really don't, you can't like everyone but if you do happen to end up near those who you don't particularly like, just be civil, do whatever it is you have to do and then get out of there - no grief or hassle is needed. From personal experience though, a lot of it comes down to the fact that people aren't honest, can't even admit to their own feelings and generally go around lying and harassing others in order to try and cover up their own problems and the cycle repeats. It's supremely annoying, don't take your problems out on others who have nothing to do with it, target the problem directly.

 

Hmm, that went off at a slight tangent, maybe I should go and write a manifesto on lawsloop.

[CyberDrac]

A Barman ... some of my happiest memories were being a student and working full time in a bar, being a barman was a vocation ... a calling ... a Deputy Network Manager is merely a way of paying the bills and providing me with the necessary to stand on the other side of the bar and whinge about the poor quality of the bar service being received.

[aerospacemango]

I definitely intend to, it's time to really help the poor and the middle classes, not the rich, they have it easy enough already. I'm fed up with politicians who can't even adhere to their own standards. The seven principles of public life, they all sound like a good idea to me but have you even met an MP who has embodied most of these traits? selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. I think most fail on the first one! I'll have to see where the local HQ is and shift myself down there at some point.

 

Then, you SHOULD go down to your local Party HQ and become an activist.....Work your way up, by using your abilities, and not other peoples discarded corpses, and you should be ok. Don't just think about it.....Do it!

 

(Which is precisely how I got into IT! It's almost as if I planned this convo, just to get back on topic!!!!!)

[cookie_monster]

I agree if you want to do something you have to make it happen.

[Rawns]

I love to cook. I'd like to say a professional chef but the long unsocial hours and the hot kitchens don't appeal too much.

 

Maybe a famous chef so I could write cook books, cook on TV and go around the world?

[ButterflyMoon]

Am part way through a counselling course and fully intend to go down this route. While I love IT work am just not so keen on the in school politics and hassle you have to endure to just get through the day. Once am qualified and got a client list am off.

[cookie_monster]

Interesting counselling was something I thought about as well but I decided on paramedic in the end.

[RinSewand]

Either a commercial pilot (still has a bit of the 50's / 60's romance to it, photographer (trying to get into that more anyway) or a sound engineer...