I worked part time as a laboratory technician at Wandsworth gas works, then became an analytical chemist for Brett Yarsley Services in Leatherhead. I was in the TA and wanted to join the army, but then my father showed me an advertisement in the Sunday Times colour supplement for people to join the Royal Marines and learn to fly. 2 months later I swore my oath of allegiance to Queen Elizabeth at Deal and began the path to becoming a helicopter pilot - best thing I ever did.
Sadly under EASA I am deemed to old to fly commercially any more but am lucky enough to still be involved in aviation in Tanzania.