Had I not been an engineer I would have been a priest... for without engineering there is only faith!
Tom Heath, Fortrose, Highland
Winding the clock back to 1974, I should have gone into banking. My profession would have been respected for the majority of my career, I would have had a higher standard of living, and I would have retired by now!
Tony Kenyon, Newport Pagnell
I have really enjoyed my career as an engineer, so an alternative would have to be really good. Working for the folks at Pixar Animation sounds good.
Clive Newell, Belfast
I would have made a good surgeon – making use of my capabilities and interests in problem solving, systems engineering and DIY – although I only tend to get DIY jobs 90% complete, so perhaps it’s better that I chose engineering.
Chris Donaldson, Bristol
When young, I contemplated a career in horticulture, against which at the time (the 1960s) I was dissuaded by advice about the poor remuneration. Was I wrong? The advent of televisual gardening, the delights of Miss Dimmock? However, could the politics of Gardeners’ World at the BBC have proved too much?
Roger Hill, Darwen, Lancashire
I would really have liked to be a cathedral builder. My current project is to design a medieval aisled royal hunting lodge authentically styled and datable to 1180. This is possibly as close as I will ever get to achieving my dreams without being able to travel back through time!
Ken Hume, Basingstoke, Hants
If my heart ruled I’d be a pilot, but poor eyesight put a stop to that. If my head ruled I’d have gone into banking in the City like many of my less-qualified friends did. They pay more in tax than I earn and most are retiring in their early fifties on huge final-salary schemes. But are they happy? You bet they are!
Gary Lock, Leatherhead, Surrey
Apart from the obvious dream jobs such as a professional sports person or entertainer, I would like to have done law. The area I would have enjoyed would have been criminal law defence. It is a bit like an engineering problem in that you have to consider ways and options of solving an issue and looking for loopholes around regulations.
Martin Lewis, Gaydon, Warwick
Wow! What a question – is there any other career than engineering?
Matthew Waterhouse, Tarporley
I would have become a lawyer with the aim of becoming an MP. Then I could influence the passage of new laws so ensuring that, whatever else might happen in the economy, the scope of business for my own profession would expand forever.
Tony Pritchard, Preston
This is difficult because engineering has always been my only consideration. Too squeamish to be a doctor, and accountancy and the legal profession seem so dull! Probably banking; filthy rich and I could handle the hatred!
Adrian Roper, Loughborough
The happiest time in school was when I was standing in my craft and design class and building something out of wood. Had I not taken the career path as an engineer I would have most certainly become a carpenter – nothing quite satisfies as much as turning a raw element into something of beauty.
Angus Harding, Cumbria
As the son of an Anglican clergyman, we have a family joke that I had the choice of the church or railway engineering as a career. Since the church wouldn’t take me it had to be the railway.
Paul Russenberger, London
A year after graduating in engineering I was offered a chance to work in tax accountancy (as I liked working with numbers) – but after much consideration I declined. I’ve always wondered whether I made the right financial choice? But my work in fluid power engineering has been much more interesting! Right choice in the end, I am sure.
Harish Narotham, Crewe, Cheshire
As a woman, a career in engineering can never be anything other than a conscious choice. With the benefit of hindsight, engineering is absolutely the right career for me and one which I have, almost exclusively, enjoyed and found inspiring.
Cathy Hunsley, Basingstoke, Hants
If I were being sensible, then I would have become an architect as they have greater status, more artistic opportunity and apparently higher salaries. Otherwise, I would have become an engine driver.
Robert Harris-Mayes, Llanwrda
Despite 30 years in offshore engineering, a career in medicine or in veterinary practice would have been more caring and satisfying, although I would probably not have travelled nearly as extensively.
David Thornton, Banchory
My hobby was aviation – flying gliders. I would have liked to have followed my love of flying.
Paul Cullen, Llanelli
I would be an engineer again, having had a varied, interesting but poorly paid career managing a diversity of projects. If I was 20 again I would not be an engineer in this country because for most it’s constrained by process, and still poorly paid.
Chris Jones, Hilton, Derby
Professional cycle tourist, which would allow me to do what I like best, riding my tandem with my wife.
Tony Dewdney, Southampton
- Which profession you would have picked, in retrospect? Email your answers to pe@caspianmedia.com or leave a comment below.