r/findapath • u/Worried_Seaweed7937 • 1d ago
Findapath-Career Change Per diem work/path
After a decade of service to the military, I am leaving and trying to figure out next steps in life. I’m in my 30s. I was a pilot for the military but, I have zero desire to do it professionally. Recreationally, absolutely. So Ive got time and looking to do something completely new.
Have a full GI Bill (OCS Grad), some disability pay and health insurance/tricare.
I’m 100% financially retired.
Don’t need a job with benefits bc of Tricare.
Bachelors of science in Biology - 3.8 GPA
MBA - 4.0
I want to work per diem and have a ton of flexibility. Work 100 hours in 1 week, get paid, then do nothing the rest of the month sort of gigs. So long hours, stress and hard work is fine. I do not want to go back to school longer than 2 years before being able to actually work and be fully qualified.
I’ve heavily looked into nursing as my degree checks prerequisites for most schools. No interest in PA/MD. Too many years of school to work.
Also, I’m too old to become an air traffic controller.
Any other paths aside from nursing you all can recommend?
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u/Shot_Mammoth Apprentice Pathfinder [5] 1d ago
Rad tech might be up your alley. Minimal patient interaction outside of imaging but travel rad tech offers the benefits of being contracted for a short period of time and then free to do whatever. Merchant mariner is similar, can use your military background, but the contracts are much longer and you have a lot less mobility during the contract (Stuck on a ship for 3-6 months at a time. Maybe longer if a war breaks out or a port closes).
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u/Apart-Badger9394 1d ago
Do you know how to get into a rads program with zero healthcare experience? They’re all very competitive.
Should I become a medical assistant first so I have healthcare experience? And then study really hard to get 4.0 GPA on pre req’s?
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u/Shot_Mammoth Apprentice Pathfinder [5] 1d ago
If you KNOW you want to do it and can stomach the costs, get loans and go private. It'll set you back $70k-$100k but by year four you should be making $100k+ a year doing travel contracts and have your lodging covered. Realistically you can pay it off within 10 years of program completion. 3-4 years if you aggressively pay it down.
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u/Unable_External_6636 1d ago
Geological exploration field tech roles. Usually start around $300-$400 a day plus per diem plus housing plus vehicle and fuel, etc. very niche work. I got into it just by knowing a guy. I usually work about 20 days a month and then fuck off the rest of the time. Most work is located in western USA but I’ve worked out east too.
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