Great thread!
I went to college at New Mexico State, started out in engineering but had to switch to business because I could not get the hang of calculus... too obtuse. I graduated with a degree in accounting and immediately went to work for a mining company. I spent four years getting the hang of the corporate office when I learned that I did not want to end up in corporate America. I put my hand up for a position in Chile and have not looked backed. All told now we have lived overseas for the last 19 years, to be honest I can't see myself ever returning to work in the US, returning to drive my Jeep yes, work no. All three of my kids were born overseas and they are fluent in three languages. None of it would have been possible without a very supportive wife who loves living like a gypsy (no offense to gypsies).
Sixteen years in South America and now three in Indonesia. Oh, I also gave up the accounting racket and now work in the operations arena. My roles have varied over time but I am now the EVP of Technical Services. I love my job and cannot imagine doing anything else. We are getting ready to move to our next position and we are really pulling to get back to Peru!
Working for a mining company is like working for the military, you never know where your next posting will be! Exciting.