Dream job/Possibility of becoming an Astronaut?

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Reply 20

Imposition

Original post by FloydRix

Should read this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/r62jp/iama_nasa_astronaut_that_recently_returned_to/

"SPACESTURBATION IS CONFIRMED"

Those guys at reddit are a different breed. Genius.

Reply 21

lsaul95

Original post by inadilemma

Next year I'm going to be doing a degree in International Politics. But that's not actually related to my 'dream job'.

My dream job is to be a performer on the West End. It's technically possible - I have grade 8 singing which I passed with distinction and I've been in various amateur dramatic productions - I was in one last week actually.

But I'm doing politics so I have a back up option in case it all goes to pot. My plan is, do politics and while doing that do as many amateur dramatic productions as possible, take dance classes and continue singing lessons and then try and get into a musical theatre course.

Good luck with your dream! I hope it all works out for you!

I urge you to go for that dream, and don't forget us on here when you make it :wink:

I'll be expecting a signed photo in the post to sell on Ebay in many years to come!

Good luck with your dream too, all the best :smile:

Original post by jmenkus

No problem. Luckily for you, being British (and therefore speaking perfect English) and having a good degree will increase your chances of citizenship massively. And you wouldn't be the first British-born American in space.

Awesome. That makes me feel a lot more confident about this dream. I've literally just booked myself onto a Russian speaking course, I already know Spanish, so learning another language will be alright, tough, don't get me wrong but very useful if I want to be an astronaut. And if Russian goes okay, I'll start Japanese!

Plan:
- While studying, learn Russian, look into flying lessons if I have the time. (Which I dont)
- Get my degree in Medicine. Look into US citizenship during my last years, as I'm aware it could take a while. Do my foundation years as a doctor and 3 more years in the profession.
- Hopefully will have achieved citizenship by then, apply for the astronauts space programme at NASA.
- After rigorous training and tests, I will be an astronaut.
- Go to space
- Talk about it on here, thanking all of you again for your advice, asking for your addresses so I can send you a piece of the moon, or something else very valuable.
- Die happily.

Original post by Joinedup

If it doesn't come off you could always become a flying doctor instead :yep:

hahaha, well, with no shame I already own a cape. You could be on to something here :wink:

Original post by FloydRix

Should read this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/r62jp/iama_nasa_astronaut_that_recently_returned_to/

Funny you should post that, reading through this is what got me thinking about it. I've always wanted to do it but I never thought it was actually possible. But seeing that he is just a normal guy with a top degree and specialist training, it makes me feel a lot more confident about my dream :smile:

Reply 22

Count Dracul

None of this 'aspiration' stuff affected me, I went into the family business.

Reply 23

lsaul95

Original post by Count Dracula

None of this 'aspiration' stuff affected me, I went into the family business.

I find that hard to understand but everyone is different I suppose :smile:

As long as you enjoy what you're doing!

Reply 24

lsaul95

Original post by FloydRix

Should read this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/r62jp/iama_nasa_astronaut_that_recently_returned_to/

Original post by jmenkus

Original post by Moleman1996

you want US citizenship really, We don't really put men into space and i don't believe we're involved in any manned space flights by the ESA

Original post by thunder_chunky

I see. Well good luck with that!

Check out who responded to my comment guys! -

Me - I didn't think it was possible to become an astronaut, you seem like such a down to earth person, well, some of the time :wink:

. But anyway, I'm a British citizen, when I get my medical degree I will meet some academic requirements, I have a military background and am physically and mentally fit. All I have to do is get that US citizenship since the EU programmes aren't as promising. I didn't think it would ever be possible for me to even think about becoming an astronaut, but thanks to you, I'm going to go for my dream. Thanks a lot for doing this AMA, you've literally changed my life.

Ron Garan (Astronaut that recently returned to Earth after 1/2 a year in space) - Go for it - You never will know unless you try.

Reply 25

edd360

My dream job is to own self sustaining websites so I can spend my time doing whatever the hell I want.

Reply 26

lsaul95

Original post by edd360

My dream job is to own self sustaining websites so I can spend my time doing whatever the hell I want.

That would be awesome! Good luck!

Reply 27

inadilemma

Original post by lsaul95

I urge you to go for that dream, and don't forget us on here when you make it :wink:

I'll be expecting a signed photo in the post to sell on Ebay in many years to come!

Good luck with your dream too, all the best :smile:

Thank you

Reply 28

Nitebot

I imagine most astronauts never expected to become one early on in their careers.

Those who become the spacecraft pilots work their way through to becoming a top test pilot, whilst taking degrees and a PhD on the way, usually in an engineering related field. They then realise they meet the spec required to apply.

Those who become the mission specialists, usually become world class scientists or engineers first, then realise they too meet the spec and so apply.

There are, of course, opportunities arising now in the private sector but they only seem to be taking former NASA astronauts as pilots, so newbies have no chance.

Reply 29

InsaneFandom

Me too ahaha :smile:

I very much doubt it'll happen, but it's atleast a possibility!

By going for it you can only gain- it's not like keeping fit, learning a couple languages, working/studying abroad and maybe getting some flight experience alongside a degree is going to harm you. If you decide you're not cut out / want to do something else then hey, atleast you're fit with some valuable skills and experiences.
Now I'm well aware it takes much more then that to become an astronaut, of course.
But in these early stages you really don't have anything to lose.

I've also considered trying to get into acting (rather different, I know!) so **** knows what I'll actually end up doing.

All I know for sure is that I want to travel, so ideally my career will allow that somewhat.

Ah, I'm just going to aim to get a good degree classification, keep fit, join a drama society and learn a language or 2 during my under grad.

Gotta love that the 2 careers I'm seriously tempted by at the moment are both ridiculously competitive :p:

Reply 30

lsaul95

Original post by InsaneFandom

Me too ahaha :smile:

Yeah exactly, there is a very small chance that it's going to happen, but if you aim for it then you'll be gaining a lot more things than you would maybe do otherwise. :smile:

hahaha working in the film industry would be amazing, it's just not a very secure thing to do. I suppose if it was your passion then you have to accept that, but I don't think I could take that risk. I'll maybe make a film about my space endeavours when I'm a rich astronaut :wink:

haha I know what you mean, I'm trying to get into Medicine, and it's such a nightmare because so many people want to do it! But I suppose you have to fight the competition if you want to get where you want to be :biggrin:

Good luck on your career and astronaut prospects :')

Reply 31

InsaneFandom

Original post by lsaul95

Yeah exactly, there is a very small chance that it's going to happen, but if you aim for it then you'll be gaining a lot more things than you would maybe do otherwise. :smile:

Good luck on your career and astronaut prospects :')

Yup

Ahaha I know, I think I'd prefer to go into TV or theatre rather then films.. not that that makes it any easier to get into! :p:

Too right, and it's good to have a dream/goal even if you end up changing it later on- it's something to keep you going

I generally don't tell people about these dreams irl though, feel like I'd sound like a right idiot x3

Ahaa you too!

Reply 32

najinaji

OP, you've made my day. I genuinely hope you become an astronaut, and I'm glad that there are some people out there who have genuinely brilliant aspirations, as opposed to wishing to appear on X-Factor or being a top banker or CEO.

Make sure if you do become an astronaut, you come back to TSR and show us some pictures.

Reply 33

lsaul95

Original post by InsaneFandom

Yup

Ahaha I know, I think I'd prefer to go into TV or theatre rather then films.. not that that makes it any easier to get into! :p:

Fair one! I think it's important to have some sort of direction. :smile:

You should speak about your dreams, it's what makes you different from everyone else.

I hope you get into the industry, if you do, don't forget about us :wink:

Original post by najinaji

I think people are too caught up in believing they can't do something. If you work hard and really want something, you can get it. A lot of people don't realise that. We have people who drop out of school to become rock-stars and they make it, look at Dave Grohl. You just need that drive, and a lot of people lose theirs and just live regularly. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, but there are so many possibilities in life, proceeding to live normally is just one of those.

I'd never really thought about it and the future seemed pretty distorted. But when I read about this astronaut, and actually spoke to him about always wanting to do it, but thinking it was impossible, he encouraged me and that's all people need.

Determination will get you far but encouragement from others will take you further.

I thought it was impossible so I never really aspired to anything, and didn't really have a direction other than medical school. But what was going to happen after that? Live my life as a Doctor? I'd be more than happy with that, but you've got to believe there's something more. Something greater to achieve than what you've done already.

No matter what you do, if you always look to better yourself by doing something, whether it be learning a language or getting into shape, you will always feel that achievement once you get it, you can always better yourself. Look at Da Vinci, his knowledge was vast in many areas, not just one. People think you have to choose one path and then that's it. But why not indulge in more? I've done my art, I spent a year studying it in depth and I've gotten all I want from the subject. I'm currently doing the sciences and it's fascinating. Later on I hope to be doing the human body, so what's stopping me from discovering what space has to offer? Nothing, that's what.

Anyone can achieve something astronomical (no pun intended :wink:

), I just wish more people would understand that, because we'd have a lot more brilliant people in the world.

I won't, I promise. I will most likely make a big thank you video to everyone who encouraged, helped and let me believe it was possible while I'm in space. You guys included.
Just gotta get there now! :wink:

(Apologies for the essay, I feel pretty strongly about this so I had to vent it)

Reply 34

asmaamahamud

i want to be a plane engineer although the may seem far-fetched i think i can do it. :smile:

Reply 35

lsaul95

Original post by asmaamahamud

i want to be a plane engineer although the may seem far-fetched i think i can do it. :smile:

Go for it man :smile:

Reply 36

Brutal Chav

Wanted to be a physicist when I was younger but now I just want to make big money, even if it means a dull career. Oh god I really hope I find something to be passionate about, I envy you OP :/

Reply 37

lsaul95

Original post by Brutal Chav

Wanted to be a physicist when I was younger but now I just want to make big money, even if it means a dull career. Oh god I really hope I find something to be passionate about, I envy you OP :/

You will dude :smile:

I didn't expect to find that passion but it just hit me one day. You've just gotta wait for that one defining moment.

Reply 38

M1011

Original post by najinaji

Becoming a top banker or CEO isn't a genuinely brilliant aspiration? Have you seen how much top CEO's make? Moon house please? :tongue:

Original post by lsaul95

I think people are too caught up in believing they can't do something. If you work hard and really want something, you can get it.

A nice sentiment, but far from true. Plenty of people would love to be professional athletes but don't have the physical ability. Plenty of people would love to make big money in the city but don't have the intellectual ability. Plenty of people would love to be me but don't have the awesome sauce.

But hey, fingers crossed you have what it takes to be an astronaut! If not, do the American immigration thing anyway but as a doctor. Make a shed load of money and book yourself a ticket on a commercial flight to space. Won't be long :cool:

Reply 39

lsaul95

Original post by M1011

Becoming a top banker or CEO isn't a genuinely brilliant aspiration? Have you seen how much top CEO's make? Moon house please? :tongue:

It's not all about money for some people dude :smile:

Sure, it's nice, but if I was an old man sitting down with my family and they asked me what the greatest thing I ever accomplished was, I would choose flying to the moon over gaining any amount of money, every time.

hahaha what you have said is true, but what I mean is you still shouldn't be discouraged from at least trying.
That's true, with Branson bagging his Virgin Flights to the moon it will only be a matter of time before people are flying up there regularly.