[diamondgeezer]

OK, here's the situation - I've just started my second year of Uni and already I'm falling behind with work and attendence, so I'm questioning wether I have sufficient commitment to the accademic process. I'm taking BSc Geology, and as much as I love the subject I'm wondering whether I like the job prospects it offers. Ultimately, I want to join the RAF, for which my existing A-levels are sufficient qualification to at least apply. Apparently I can't join the University Air Squadron (a kind of Uni version of the cadets) until next summer, since I missed this summer's intake.

Here, as I see it, are my options:

1. Wait until next summer and apply to the UAS, finish my degree and join the RAF as a half-way capable pilot

2. Wait until I finish my degree and apply for officer training from square one

3. Bail out of my degree and apply now

Factors to consider:

1. The oldies spent a lot of money getting me this far

2. I really don't want to spend the next two years working on something my heart isn't in (ie my degree)

3. The RAF might look down on me dropping out of Uni, although I'd explain that I'd made a mistake taking a degree course and that wasn't happy where I was, etc

4. Without a degree, I'd be relying on the RAF to give me training I could use out in the world if I ever left - bit of a gamble? To cite precedence, my old man took an apprenticeship insetad of a degree, and he claims to have regretted it ever since, even though he's done alright for himself


I'm going to the RAF office tomorrow (instead of Uni - bonus!) to see what they think, and at some poimt I'm going to have to talk to the oldies (that's going to be fun, though once the initial shouting's died down they'll support me whatever I decide, I know that)

So, what do you lot think? Anybody out there who chose the millitary over higher education and is regretting it? Any millitary types who want to warn me off?

Whatever I decide, it needs to be soon and I need all the advice and opinions I can get...

[Shrike]

Did you know college/university students change their mind as to what they want to do an average three times?

[Blue Lion]

Don't drop out now, wait at least until next summer

[CP5670]

1. Wait until next summer and apply to the UAS, finish my degree and join the RAF as a half-way capable pilot

If you have already gone part of the way by now, I would go for this option, since otherwise the time and money you have put into it so far would be wasted, and a college degree of some sort can sometimes come in handy later on anyway. Although it really depends on what your future goals are in terms of professional prospects.

So basically have you decided that in the end you want a job as an RAF pilot or does it just seem to be the most realistic and practical option at the moment? Should be an interesting career, at any rate.

[diamondgeezer]

Originally posted by CP5670
...it really depends on what your future goals are in terms of professional prospects...

Basically, I want to spend as much time as possible going faster than the speed of sound


This is good stuff guys, keep it comming

[Ulala]

Yeah, I wouldn't drop out DG. If it were me, I'd finish it out, then you can decide, and you'll have a degree under your belt. Also, in doing this, you'll have lots of time to look into everything, make sure its what you want, so you don't end up somewhere you don't want to be, etc... I hope everything works out for ya man. Remember always... [whisper] TWNBAFS3 [/whisper]

[aldo_14]

I'd finish the degree... even if you decide not to go onto to do an honours year (I'm assuming you have the option..I do a3 year degree / 4 year honours).  Mainly so you have a fallback position.

Besides which, if you actually enjoy the subject, do it.  I've always intended to take jobs I want to do when I'm finished uni), rather than those which pay best.