I can't agree with CC more!!
I planned a 30+ year on active duty; fly fighters, command, stars, the entire package!
BUT...I didn't plan on marrying an AF pilot, being based apart and being on different jets/career paths, etc. Bottom line, I moved to the AF Reserve.
Then...had to find a real job as the airlines were NOT hiring!!
So...what do I do? I mean...I fly jets! I'm an aerial assassin, skilled in the art of war. What can I do???
Enter that Academy engineering degree...interview at Motorola for, get this: "Staff Electrical Engineer in MEMS accelerometers!" For those not familiar with MEMS: Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems. Basically this was a position working on the accelerometers that told you car airbag system that you had either hit a rabbit (poor rabbit, no airbag needed) or another car at high speed (fire that airbag!)
I got that job! And had an incredibly interesting job in a field I did NOT have a degree in! EE I am not!
When I asked the many people why they hired me, a non-Electrical Engineer, for the job, here is what they told me (no kidding!)
"Steve...you're a graduate of the USAF Academy...that's a superb school! You have an excellent engineering background; it may not be in EE, but you've had EE classes and MORE importantly, you have experiences as a pilot and a military officer that mean you know how to make decisions quickly and accurately. You have proven ability in logical thought processes under stress. THAT is what we need in this position!"
I loved that job!!!
My mantra after that was like the old TV commercial: "I'm not a Double E but I play one at Motorola!"
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83