-- Posted by Vordhosbn at 3:07 am on Oct. 9, 2008 so, i think i'm a premature midlife crisis. or i've just changed my mind. whatever. i'll try to put this as best i can. at the moment i work as a pilot with the air force. i enjoy the job, the actual flying, but the rest just makes me feel... stale? for example, the people. the type of people that the military tends to attract (not all, obviously) are typically your redneck, nationalistic "rednecks". rednecks and i do not get along. i just don't have the patience. conversation i had this morning: him: if a muslim comes here, she shouldn't be allowed to wear a headscarf. its unaustralian. me: ... how? him: we're a christian country! they should just assimilate or get the fuck out. there's a reason our motto is "in god we trust" me: ... (face palm). that's america's motto. not ours. we don't have an official religion. him: whatever. the fact that i don't give a shit proves that i really am australian. me: ... you fucking moron. and then there's the fact that being in the military is not like having a job. by joining, you basically sign over your life and say "here you go, have fun with it. oh! iraq? for six months? sounds great!" i'd like to have a little more control over things. you can forget about the art, literature, travel... there just isn't time. so, i've decided to leave. it's a little bit scary, as the military is a very "safe" career (as ironic as it sounds). you're basically guaranteed a job for as long as you want it, the pay is alright, free medical, financial assistance, etc, etc. but i can't spend my life in an unfulfilling job. finally, my question: what now? i have a degree in physics with honours in quantum mechanics. ideally, i would like to get into something concerning international aid. possibly in the medical field. maybe something like doctors without borders or the fred hollows institute. not sure what they need physics graduates for though   otherwise i'm into art, music, film, politics and the like. can anyone somehow combine these passions into a super-job, which will actually make me money? i really don't mind what i do, as long as it is something worthwhile and lets me make a contribution, and it must allow for travel. ideas?... go! -- Posted by ElephantStone at 3:37 am on Oct. 9, 2008 You could try, maybe joining an engineering company. Or even in the British Army, the Royal Engineers, which are largely involved in building schools, bridges, demining minefields, etc. Just general work to improve the lives of the people. With your degree you could apply for an Officer with the RE. The RE is a very good regiment, very professional, and I doubt you would meet any rednecks in it, especially if youre an officer. -- Posted by Bacon at 5:36 am on Oct. 9, 2008 A degree in Physics with honours in quantum mechanics!? A former pilot for the air force?! Good god. 1. How old are you 2. You're having a career crisis? You're qualified for just about anything! -- Posted by Vordhosbn at 9:51 pm on Oct. 9, 2008 Elephant Stone: thanks for that. i'm an officer in the air force over here, but the attitude is still less than tolerant. i'm trying to get away from the military in general. good idea with the engineering though, i hadnt even thought of that. my minors were in maths and aeronautical engineering, so that might just be an option. Bacon: i'm 21, have been flying since i was 16 and with the military since i was 18. i know i'm qualified, but all the things that i am passionate about don't really tie in with my kind of training. i'm really looking for work with some kind of foreign aid group, but in the science/technology side of things, so that my degree isn't a waste. i don't really want to start from the bottom again. thanks for your ideas! :)