Ok, at the moment I'm in the IT industry working as a helpdesk technician. The job itself isn't too bad, but my lifestyle in general I hate. Working normal office hours in the week and just getting p***** at the weekend. If I would have kept on at college I'd now have 2 A levels but I'm doing a work-based modern apprenticeship that will give me the equivalent of 2 A levels at the end, along with numerous other qualifications.

The job I want, and always have wanted, is in the RAF.

Is it too late to think about changing careers and joining the RAF?

http://www.rafcareers.com/jobs/job_files/jobfile_pilot.cfm

I like, alot. I'm in need of a drastic lifestyle and career change and what better than your childhood dream?

Give me your views.

I wouldn't say it is too late but then you haven't given you age.

Moon Maiden

I'm 18.. So much water has passed under the bridge since I was at college..

18! Wow, you really are in need of a major career change.:D

My advice is do whatever makes you happy. I've had too many career changes to count, I had 2 before I was 20. I too always wanted to join the RAF and when the maximum age for joining passed it was like a door shutting.

If you do join the RAF use it as a stepping stone to your next career change, that is get a skill while your in there.

[/lecture]

Good luck in whatever you chose.

Thanks. If I do leave it I'll be gutted when "The door closes".

I'll need to put some serious consideration into this though.

12 years is a long time and I'll be over the hill by the time I've done it.

18??? What the hades are you waiting for? I would suggest the same - i.e getting a skill.

My uncle left the RAF with only no extras and is now selling insurance policies *urgh*

Moon

Originally posted by GazB

I'll be over the hill by the time I've done it.

You just managed to lose all my sympathy and good will. Over the hill at 30, my ****.:mad:

Only 18??!! What are you waiting for then - get straight down to the RAF careers centre at the double. Do whatever you can to get in. Decide what you want to do and also do a lot of research beforehand. I take it you want to be a fighter pilot or something - I think competition and selection is extremely tough but it is well worth having a go. What better job could there possibly be than flying fast jets and getting paid for it! Good career prospects too - airline pilots are very well paid! Sadly I am way too old, but if I had thought about it a bit more when I was your age that is definitely what I would have tried to do.

Just remember that you won't necessarily make it in as a pilot... but don't sell yourself short either..

Best of luck :)

Over the hill at 18... that's a good one :P

No, I meant over the hill at 30 because it's a minimum of 12 years service, and I'm 18 now.

Thanks for all the support anyway people. I'm gunna have a word with the Armed Forces Careers people and see what my options are.

If you want it go for it but joining the RAF is a big step. I planned on doing the same, arsed about for a while after leaving college doing various jobs until earlier this year I thought sod it I'm going for it. Went down to the AFCO and was promptly told I was 2 months too old for entry - being that the entry age is supposed to be 23 for a pilot and I was still 22 I asked what she was on about. Seems that you have to have completed your first part of training by that age, nice of 'em to tell you that on the literature! To be honest I'm not that bothered, I would have loved the flying experiences but RAF life didn't appeal that much - I just can't be doing with poncey pilots who think they are above everyone else :)

At the moment there is a shortage of fighter pilots so now's a good a time as any to apply! With regards to Norbo's comments on commercial airline pilots, you wouldn't get a job with them unless you are particularly well qualified (at least 1 degree etc.), already have your licence etc. as the competition nowadays is absolutely ridiculous. I know of a girl who had 3 degrees all relevant to aeronautics and she still had a hell of a lot of trouble getting a job.

Anyway if you do decide to go for it good luck :) Personally I'm contemplating the Army Air Corps, I'm still young enough for that and you don't get your poncey RAF old boys :thumbsup:

Ooops, didn't notice you hadn't got A-levels, you need a min. of 2 to get in as an Officer and a degree is preferable.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
I just can't be doing with poncey pilots who think they are above everyone else :)


I wanna be one of those :D

I'll have the equivalent of 2 A levels plus a fair few computer qualifications (MCP's etc) by the end of the summer.

Not something that would bother me but they might have been funny with her (the lady with the degree's) because she's female..

No it's nothing to do with her being female, it's just that the competition for commercial airline pilots is ridiculous. I'd check with the RAF first about your qualifications because unless they've changed the rules recently they have to be A-levels, equivalents won't do. Your MCP and other IT stuff won't mean jack to them. My father is/was a captain at British Airways - so far up his own arse it's unbelievable, you'll find most airline pilots like that and a lot of the RAF too, that's what does my head in :)

I'll have a word with the interviewer/talk person when I go to the AFCO and ask what my chances are.

Fingers crossed though eh?

Yeah like I said good luck, the bird who interviewed me was rather nice as well :)

If I can change my career from web designer to plumber at age 28 then i'm sure you can change at age 18 matey. Go for it and be happy. :)

You changed from web design? Thats a pretty good career to be in! I find it quite exciting.. even though I suck at it. I suppose you were in similiar circumstances though where you don't care about the money that career could bring because it doesn't interest you anymore.. same as me now.

I suppose it feels like I'll have wasted the last 20 months or so.. and being quite an efficient lad, I don't like the thought of it.

The competition for Pilot's is extremely high as I've been told by a fair few people including my Dad who, believe me, is always right. I think that's what appeals to me more.. a challenge is very thrilling as I've always put stuck in a job with the odds against me (except this I suppose).

Like I started work for a massive computer company (Fujitsu) aged 16 on a 3-month temporary contract thing. They chose me because a few months before when I wasn't doing too good at college (not because I couldn't do it, but because I was constantly tired from my early morning bakery job) I'd asked them to let me do a few days "free" as work experience. They must have seen some form of eagerness. Anyways 2 weeks into the 3-months I apparently did really well and they offered me a permanent full-time job on the HMC&E contract supporting 30,000 users in a technical environment. There were 2 sites, Manchester (where I started) and Wakefield (where I decided to take the permanent job). Manchester and Wakefield really didn't like each other (employees from each site always bickering at each other)and when I moved from Manchester to Wakey, the whole team including the managers really didn't like me. This was before they got to know me and I thought that was a little unfair but could see where they were coming from. Not only the fact I was from Manchester, but because I was 17 (had my birthday whilst I was still at Manchester). 3 weeks later after I stuck my head down and worked my rear-end off, people started to actually respect me.. even like me and asked ME for advise on what to do when they got stuck on calls etc. Also the managers always nominated me to speak on the call agents' behalf in meetings etc, and the female manager said she'd love a son like me! Slightly worrying but flattering all the same.

Anyway my point is, I may be young but I've got experience in dealing with harsh challenges when the odds are against me and to be a Pilot in the RAF.. they certainly are not in my favour.

..But I'm going to try anyway.

Apologies if my S.P.A.G isn't the best in that little rant.

Good Luck with it GazB - just give 'em that 'whatever it takes' raw attitude and you'll be fine ;)

Time is obviously on your side - even if you fail the entry at this stage, find out what extra qualifications / work you'd need to do (ask the RAF for their help putting a plan together if necessary) and make it happen!

Your attitude in this case really will determine your altitude! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by alert_bri
Your attitude in this case really will determine your altitude! :thumbsup:

Ha ha! Good finish, I guess you're literally right!

I would say definately go ahead with any career change, especially since you are only just (relatively speaking) starting out on your working life. I would hate to be stuck in a job that I didn't really want to do - and hopefully the moment that becomes the case I would do everything possible to put myself in a better situation.

What I would say about the RAF though, is that is is REALLY tough competition to become a pilot. I had a close friend who was accepted for training for a fighter pilot, and he told me many times about the intense tests that they go though - medical tests (which, unfortunataly have no bearing on your attitude - you either you pass them or you don't), physical tests, maths tests etc. You really have to be able to excel in these areas to even be considered for training.

Of course, if you don't do so well on certain tests it isn't the end. You can still become pilot - perhaps of helicopters, or prop aircraft. If your piloting skills aren't the greatest you can become a navigator.....there are clearly many options. Should you fail any of the tests outright, there is always the ground crew - but then again I'm fairly sure working on the ground isn't what you intend!

Don't forget, you might not even enjoy life in the RAF but the principle of being able to change your career to whatever makes you happy will hopefully be something that you can continue on with.....

Without wanting to sound over-negative (I wanted to join the RAF when I was younger too), don't forget that apart from the flying bit, there's also the killing people bit too.

And also the fact that they will be trying to kill you too :)

That's the first thing my Dad pointed out ;)

As long as it's in good service, I don't mind killing or being killed to be brutally honest.

It's easy to say that sat behind a keyboard but I suspect that in real life when faced with destroying a building full of real, live people....or after you've been shot down, captured and are about to be tortured to death, you may feel differently.

It's just worth a lot of thought is all I'm trying to say I guess :)

I understand what you mean but, it's something I've always considered.. and something I'm prepared for.. to an extent.

Originally posted by Pauly
If I can change my career from web designer to plumber at age 28 then i'm sure you can change at age 18 matey. Go for it and be happy. :)

Shrewd decision that, I went from IT to outdoor installation work - much better paid and much more rewarding :)

What exactly is outdoor installation work? I'm looking to escape the mental hell that it IT and am looking for ideas.

I was installing playground equipment all over the country for a local manufacturer. They cocked up with their selling though and they've lost a lot of work so no longer contract for them. Currently working as a postie but also setting up on our own though soon so should be fun.

I've vowed never to work in an office again. I'd rather stomp about in the mud, rain, snow etc. all day then sit in some horrible dark, dingey office :)

Training as a plumber or a carpenter (do a lot of joinery anyway) has always appealed to me as well, more so recently with the great demand for tradesmen.

I know lots of people who have left IT for other jobs. (myself included as I was an Oracle DBA on MEGA money but I just couldn't stand it any longer. Call out, very very long hours, weekends, stress. You just don't need it).

Having an interest with computers and working with computers on a daily basis are very different things.

If you don't like what you are doing, change... and do it now before you get sucked into it. It took me until I was 30 to make the break..

I'm into environmental work now but the trades are great. The government keeps banging on about everyone going to university but it's a nightmare getting a good plumber or sparky etc.

i was a bricklayer for 10 years - became inspired when working on the biggest building site in europe - berlin and went back to uni, got my degree and MA and am now a chartered town planner - erm although some people say i look more like a hairdresser!

never too late for a career change in my view

This is interesting, I thought I was the only one thinking of getting out of IT to become a plumber/spark/plasterer or something similar. Totally sick of working in IT having to spend years becoming proficient in some aspect of IT only for it to become obsolete a year or so later and then having to learn some other bizarre, over complex technology. And I'm over 40 now so virtually on the IT scrap heap now. Think I should be the one asking if it is too late for a career change?

Sadly being a fighter pilot is not on the cards but I'm seriously interested in becoming a plumber or something. Does anyone know how long it takes to train/qualify as a plumber?

train to become a brickie and the nature of your work will make you a plasterer by default - bargain!

i did a 3 and a half year apprenticeship as a bricklayer on a YTS/Advanced craft - was the same for a plumber but it's probably different now

what i find interesting is people wanting to change from a clean indoor job to a dirty outside one! although granted that plumbing is not always necessarily building site work

I'm on course to escape IT forever and I thank God every single day - the IT office scenes in The Matrix probably rang bells for loads of people out there :D

I've always loved going outside and getting loppy from being a kid anyway so nothing changes :D You can speak to people normally as well instead of having to ponse about customers pretending your something you're not. I also find I get a much better sense of achievement when there's something physical to look at in the end :)

yea must admit was pretty cool standing back and admiring the face brickwork i'd just put up