I have absolutely no idea
Just starting the 3rd year (of 4) of a physics degree, and have no idea what I'm doing after it. Trying to learn a load of stuff on the side (programming, some web design, doing a few other projects too (like the PhysSoc vs EngSoc trebuchet competition), which while not relevant, should at least be a good talking point in an interview when they ask me about practical skills). Possibly thinking something computery*, or possibly engineering (though I don't want to do anything specific, so would try for a consultancy so that I can do a lot of different things (my dad used to be MD of one, so I've had work experience there in secondary school, but I'm determined to try and do things on my own if possible)).

*I have friends doing just about every aspect of game design in one form or another, which while it would be great if it worked, probably wouldn't.
( Tedium Alduce me to interlow myself., Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:04, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

If you want to go into industry, QC technician jobs can be a good place to start.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:07, Reply)

I've put in an application for a general placement
(IASTE, at this stage, it will be some placement, in a vaguely science/engineering related career, somewhere in the world) next summer, will see where that leads (and may call in a small favour from my dad on that, since they "consider your application more favourably" if you can organise a place somewhere in the UK that they can send someone).

QC could be a good place to start, I have some work experience I could pass off as relevant (worked in a company making fuel cell components, testing how the properties of one of their materials changed under certain conditions, QC won't be too dissimilar, just the emphasis will be different (checking against expected values, vs finding out what happens with no prior knowledge))
( Tedium Alduce me to interlow myself., Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:12, Reply)

Plus you can get a good general view of how things work, which could be very handy in the future.
Another thing, be prepared to work shifts rather than 9-5 if you end up working somewhere that's got a high turnover.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:19, Reply)

Shifts are no problem
I tend to keep odd hours anyway, so can wake up whenever, and sleep when needed (or, in the case of this week, through lectures due to forgetting my alarm >.< )
( Tedium Alduce me to interlow myself., Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:24, Reply)

The best trebuchet would be
Based on a Da Vinci catapult, with the arm modified with a trebuchet firing mech.

Yes, I realise how sad this post is.
(PenguinOfDeath is Scottish, and most likely angry, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:09, Reply)

It's not sad at all from where I'm standing.
Ancient weaponry is fucking GRATE. I'm a mangonel fan, myself.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:19, Reply)

The mangonel is fairly cool
But I prefer the aesthetics of the Da Vinci.
(PenguinOfDeath is Scottish, and most likely angry, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:23, Reply)

Poofter, eh?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:24, Reply)

What's the point in destruction
If you can't do it while looking fabulous?
(PenguinOfDeath is Scottish, and most likely angry, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:25, Reply)

I think one of the conditions will be that it has to be weight driven
rather than spring driven (assuming we are talking about the same da vinci catapult ( www.hucbald.ramst.ca/articles/leonardo_catapult.html ), so that would be out.
I've built one before (very roughly, but got a good 20m out of a 50kg counterweight on a worryingly bent axle (firing water ballons (at dave))) so could probably do fairly well on a standard design with a bit of fine tuning, and actually managing to cut things straight (the only reason the previous one fired straight was that all the wonky bits cancelled each other out just right that the axle was the only level bit on there (though, as said, it was rather bent when under load).
( Tedium Alduce me to interlow myself., Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:20, Reply)

Yeah, roughly the same design I was talking about
My flatmate used to want to build a floating arm trebuchet, which is a bit different from what most people do.
I built a traditional one from lego once, and fired marbles about 10 metres using a counterweight full of AA batteries.
(PenguinOfDeath is Scottish, and most likely angry, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:25, Reply)

My brother's aristocratic college friend
made one and used it to fire old pianos across the lawn of his parents' country pile. I have seen photos.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:30, Reply)

Well, that fairly trumps my lego one
Some day if I live in the countryside, I'll get round to making one to fire pumpkins and the such. What could possibly go wrong with that?
(PenguinOfDeath is Scottish, and most likely angry, Thu 4 Nov 2010, 23:34, Reply)