Interesting thread, I'm glad to see that other people feel like this too
I'm 21 now and nearing the end of my higher education (although it isn't going very well). I was destined to become some computer guy as I study computer sciences now, but some time ago I realized that was not the life I wanted.
For now my interest goes to a maritime job. Belgium has some big dredging companies and the system of 6 weeks of work, 6 weeks of vacation and a very nice paycheck seems extremely tempting. I'd rather have a system in which I can commit myself to my job all day long (12 hours shifts...) and don't have to think about anything else, but on the other hand being able to do whatever the fuck I want in my week-long vacations. Normal jobs seem to clog up your free time too with mobile phones, e-mail, and deadlines, and I don't want that.
I would have to study 3 years more though, but that's ok with my parents.
The only issue with a job on the sea far away is indeed my social life. I don't have a girlfriend, never had, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone. Never been in love makes it quite difficult to feel what a week-long seperation does with a relationship and I've heard several stories of people stopping their maritime education after meeting the woman of their life.