Working as a detective. You need the same analytical skills as in engineering. The major difference is that you are working with people, not products, and there’s nowt as queer as folk.
Anonymous
When I left school engineering was speaking to me. All other careers were just whispering.
Peter Bowden, Manchester
Whatever I might have found myself doing, it would probably have some scientific basis, but I’m sure it would not have been teaching.
Stephen Henderson, Birmingham
The government should try to make science jobs for science graduates and engineering jobs for engineering graduates. We might then have an economy that is bigger than just banking.
Anonymous
Teaching, accountancy, research, music, flying, writing, medicine, patents, minister, estate agent, librarian, purchasing, sales, computing, logistics, editor.
Jenny Elliott, Cheltenham
I dream of opening a tea shop serving tea, coffee and cakes to little old ladies in a scenic town or seaside resort, and spending my day enjoying life, possibly with a little teaching to pass on the knowledge I have obtained.
Robert Landragin, Enfield, Middx
My initial career choice was metallurgy. In 1956 a careers adviser suggested I consider the aircraft industry. Armstrong Whitworth made me a good offer. The rest is history.
Les Pook, Sevenoaks, Kent
I became an engineering apprentice with BAC. I actually wanted to look after gardens for the local authority. I have since become an accountant!
Philip Runacres, Sevenoaks, Kent
It is a genetic thing. All the family were engineers and I was not cut out to be anything else.
David Hitchings, Stone, Staffs
I would have been something very creative, something which made sense and fun as well as money, somewhere I could be part of a team and make a contribution to the company and to society. Oh, sorry, sounds like an engineer to me.
Clive Scott, Manchester
I would have been a dentist. Only a last-minute decision to study engineering saved me from a life of peering into people’s mouths!
David Livesey, Glasgow
I would have become an architect. In both professions you need a lively imagination and enjoyment of tough challenges. An absolute must is the desire to build and express yourself.
Peter Grimwood, Norwich
I wanted to be a pilot or in the navy, but qualifications stopped those. I was lucky to pass the dockyard apprentice test and became a fitter turner by trade. Years later I thought I had better do something or end up on a lathe until I was 65. Mechanical engineering looked interesting.
Fred Bunce, Gloucestershire
I did dabble with the thought of milkman or postman – but I am no good at early mornings.
Gareth Lewis, Nailsea, Somerset
I fancied being a traffic cop, but now I’m a magistrate. I think I could have enjoyed a career in the law.
Anonymous
Pilot, footballer, builder, industrial designer. Working in further education could be rewarding and thanks to austerity I will probably get the chance to find out.
Alastair Clarke, Nantwich, Cheshire
I might have become a university lecturer. I enjoy sharing knowledge.
Eric Lee, Korea
I didn’t “become an engineer” – I am an engineer. Nothing else called – or, if it did, I couldn’t hear it above the noise of the engine buzzing away in my head.
Russell Birnie, Sawley, Derbyshire
I chose engineering because I was fascinated by aircraft. My second choice would have been photography/film making. Not teaching, because of indiscipline.
Chris Jones, Hilton, Derby
I’ve wanted to be an engineer since the age of 10 – no other option.
Sasha Gallagher, Walsall
I wanted to go to sea as an engineer but was persuaded against the idea by my parents who saw a maritime career as a watery grave for a marriage. Now I envy civil engineers who get to work outside with big yellow trucks and lots of mud.
Stuart Brown, Dundee
Centre forward for England.
Chris Brown, Bushey, Hertfordshire
I was very interested in becoming a butcher and a dental technician (not sure what it says about me!).
Dave Leggett, Bristol
Architecture seems like a good alternative for an engineer; perhaps a bit light on the mathematical side but more fun in the artistic, philosophical and political aspects.
Paul Garlick, Bournemouth
Airline pilot was hot favourite, but a change in eyesight put paid to that.
Anonymous
A circus performer: not the clown, but the plate spinner – it seems the skills required for engineering are similar! Perhaps a magician as I’ve witnessed many an engineer pulling the rabbit out of the hat.
Gary Lock, Dorking, Surrey
- If you hadn’t become an engineer, what other profession might have been your calling? Have your say by commenting below.