Archive through February 02, 2002

The ClubHouse: Archives: A poll of our professions/jobs: Archive through February 02, 2002

Donut

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:30 pm Click here to edit this post
boy i started a really interesting thread! we should start a book called the lives and careers of net nerds or sumthing...Well i may as well add more, since you all have.
As a kid i volunteered at camps etc with disabled kids and wanted to be an occupational therapist since i was a kid. My first job at 15 or so was scooping icecream at carvels but got fired for giving too much icecream on the cone and not weighing them precisely!.i sold classified ads and proofread at a newspaper thru high school.
In college i was a camp counselor in charge of arts and crafts and drama. I got in trouble for holding a beauty pagent parade with the deaf kids(boys) cuz i let them wear womens clothes cuz thats all that got donated. They had a blast tho, marching around banging percussion stuff and strutting their costumes...
I also worked in an inner city afterschool program, and gave inner city kids tours of the boston museum of science, and did research for a book on accesibilty for the handicapped in Boston by measuring all the bathroom doors etc in Harvard square.also typed for the world bank in Korea, worked in payroll at the woodshole oceanographic institute and worked at Bose. a lot of these were summer jobs.
Then i did mostly OTjobs ranging from hospitals, schools group homes, homecare, rehab. industrial rehab, hand injury clinics, etc from the late 70's to now. I left my job after 12 years when i moved, plus my new boss was really evil, and found out this year that OT jobs have been drastically reduced due to gov and insurance crap. I could previously find a great job in a day and this time it took a year. so this year i was doing temp work, delivering pizza, etc. til i got my job a month ago working 2 days a week as an OT assistant in a local school.i get way less than half my usual pay that i would get as an OT with a masters, but they are trying to get me a fulltime pos. as a regular OT for next year, so it is worth it and i have my fingers crossed. I need to find work the other 3 days asap cuz i am real broke!
I also have worked in independent films, a couple years ago for a few years during summers and nites. Started as a production assistant for fun, but i got quickly promoted to location scout and manager cuz i was really good at getting big stuff donated, and getting people to let us film and mess up their million dollar homes etc. I did a lot of different film production stuff. Its really fun, high pressure, looooonnngggghours exciting andgot to meet some stars, but there is no money or work in this here town and i dont plan a move to ny or l.a.
I also wrote a couple sitcom scripts which were taken by a comic/actor to LA with a nibble by the Cosby producer but no bite. I wouldve loved to change careers while i was job hunting but it seems that you really cant unless you go back to school or start over at min wage. Ideally i would like to make big bucks writing freelance sitcom scripts, or i would like to do wedding or eventplanning or movie stuff or invent something. I am really good at getting hard to get stuff for people so i have been told i should start a business called 'let donut do it'(but with my real name):) i would like to also get webtv to pay me to demo the system to assisted living residents. bu it it looks like for now for a poopy amount of pay, i will be helping preschoolers learn how to hold their scissors to cut out their paperbag kitty puppets..
BTW--my hub just asked me how you all have all these jobs and still manage to find time to come here and write about them!
omg!!! i didnt realize i wrote so much sorry! this is way way way more than anyone wanted to know!!!

Moondance

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:33 pm Click here to edit this post
I have been...
Cake decorator
Jewelry - Sales/Design/Repair
Professional Cheerleader
Health Club manager
Personal Assistant

I am now...
Private Exercise Trainer
Film Producer/Director
Actress

Grooch

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:47 pm Click here to edit this post
I am confused. :)

Moondance

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:48 pm Click here to edit this post
Confused... Why G?

Grooch

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:49 pm Click here to edit this post
Dang, Kstme! I thought all I had to do was dye my hair brown and I would be rolling in the dough. :)

Hmmm. I love this thread. Everyone has had such interesting and creative jobs.

Grooch

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:51 pm Click here to edit this post
Because I don't know what I want to do next.

Look at all the fun things everyone has done. :)

Moondance

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 12:58 pm Click here to edit this post
SuperG can do whatever she wants or dreams!!!!!

Grooch

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:02 pm Click here to edit this post
So can everyone else here in this thread. :)

Life is an adventure.

Mammyyokum

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:22 pm Click here to edit this post
I've worked in restaurants, factories and offices. I've balanced those jobs (not always successfully or easily) with attending to a husband, 2 wonderful kids, and a widowed mother.
For over 11 years now my husband and I have owned and operated an independent retail business. Just hope I can keep it up. It's overwhelming at times.

Solidsnake

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:25 pm Click here to edit this post
nah

Grooch

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:34 pm Click here to edit this post
nah, what?

Kstme

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:43 pm Click here to edit this post
Donut...WOW! You've really done some neat things!My mom taught LDS when it was called "special education" and I always admired her patience so much. I was too much of a screw-up to do anything that substantial. TheKid wants to teach hearing disabled children. I think ambition skipped a generation!

Grooch...BLOND! Always think in BLOND! Blond moments! I never got away with half the stuff I wanted to do as a brunette! As a blond, I could "baffle them with bull***t, stun them with knowledge and be rewarded for a smile"! Almost shallow, huh?

Moonie...you've had some FUN jobs too! A true "right-sided" brain person!

This is such a cool thread for a Saturday afternoon!

Moondance

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:46 pm Click here to edit this post
>Moonie...you've had some FUN jobs too!<

:)Yes and I did it all as a burnett!!!:

Donut

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 01:59 pm Click here to edit this post
kstme, hi i have missed you! i thought at first that you said that your mum taught LSD... now thats some really special education!!

Solidsnake

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 02:11 pm Click here to edit this post
nah nah nah boo boo grooch

Willi

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 02:26 pm Click here to edit this post
I'm at a career-crossroads as well currently.
My life's journey so far has taken me from teaching pre-school while in college studying to be a teacher (decided it wasn't for me) to doing Missionary work as a counselor while working on a degree in social work. I loved doing social work and it actually brought me to a health clinic where I did pre & post-test counseling for HIV/AIDS & helped other people in crisis. As troubling as that may sound, it was very rewarding work. I also decided to become a licensed nurse (not an RN) just so I could help when clients wanted me to take care of some part of their health that I might of had to pass on to someone else (a stranger to them) otherwise.
I also worked as a nurse to the elderly for awhile & worked with survivor's of domestic violence. This work brought me to helping a lot of non-profits get on the Internet which piqued my interest and I began to take computer classes which led to my current work: Webmistress of a very popular local Coffee Company. I also consult on the design & development of other Web sites (mainly local-mostly non-profit).

My biggest job (and the most rewarding) is parenting two children aged 7 & 13. This job led me to write & get passed some Child Protection legislation in the State of New Hampshire. I worked with local Senators, law enforcement, and our local District Attorney's office and I am currently trying to talk myself out of Law School...We'll see.
:)

What a great thread! I'm really enjoying reading all about what my fellow-TVCH have done & what you're up to now and even dreaming of.

(I should mention that I did all of the afore mentioned jobs as a blonde, brunette, & a redhead...Sort of seasonal...Like life.)

Zed

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 02:26 pm Click here to edit this post
During college summers I worked in the Pharmacology laboratory of the University Medical School doing alcohol experimentation on rats...really big rats...I had to go get them from the basement of the medical school. There was a gorilla down there in a cage...I would go make faces at him ...he would get REALLY pissed about this.
After college,I took state boards to become a certified cancer screener...screened slides in a pathology lab for 4 years. Got bored,moved to NYC and worked in retail,then interior design,then in fashion. Moved again to work in sports marketing for a pro sports team,now back to interior design/antiques.

Merlin

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 02:34 pm Click here to edit this post
A week ago I celebrated the twentieth anniversary of starting my own business. I own a small construction company that is in reality a subcontractor for much larger construction companies.

My specialty for the last 6 years has been in providing foundations for large custom homes, typically in the range of 3,000 to 6,000 square feet in living area. I also have a client that builds water plants in which I do the work that involves concrete in those projects.

I love my work. It is sloppy when I have rain, freezing when it is cold, and 100 degree days in summer with Texas humidity makes you appreciate the shade of a tree. It is not glamorous or high tech, but I find myself waking up in the morning waiting for the alarm to go off so I can start my day. I am about to turn 52 and can’t imagine not being able to continue my business another 20 years.

During the 20 years, I have built homes and child care facilities as a general contractor. Of the two, I enjoyed building the child care buildings the most. My client at the time allowed me to design the entire buildings and site layouts. The challenge became providing something that could not be destroyed by the children in a matter of weeks, but at the same time did not look like it was a fortress awaiting invading armies. I was never completely successful at this…..but I came close.

Besides making money, I get other rewards out of what I do. Quite often I see a homeowner who is placing their life dreams in a home and not have a clue to the care that has been taken to make sure it never becomes a nightmare. My knowing they have nothing to worry about quite often makes me smile.

Car54

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 02:35 pm Click here to edit this post
wonder if we should start a hair color thread? learning a lot from that too!

Tess

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 03:49 pm Click here to edit this post
Well, I left out a few of my jobs along the way. However, since Whoami brought up the fast food thingy in another thread I'll go back and fill in a bit.

When I was in highschool I spent a summer as camp counselor at CYO camp in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I loved working with the kids--however that is also where I heard my first swear word ever--out of the mouth of an 11 year old girl.

The following summer I worked 12-14 hours a day caring for 5 children aged 3-12. The oldest, a boy, was quite mentally challenged and an absolute sweetheart. I continued working after school and weekends until the woman's boyfriend moved in with his 2 daughters, a 13 year old and 17 year old. When he started spending a bit too much time around the house while I was there I quit. I still feel bad that I lied and said my grades were suffering instead of saying that guy really creeped me out.

During college I worked in the Social Sciences library at the University I attended and just loved that job. Due to state-wide budget cuts, all student hours were cut so a friend who was a buyer at chain of upscale women's clothing stores helped me get a job as a sales person at their downtown main store. I loved working downtown--2 blocks from Chinatown on Grant Avenue but I was painfully shy and sales for full-timeres was on commission and cut-throat. I was a part-timer, still in school and was much happier doing stock work for my friend but the union intervened and wouldn't allow it. When I was offered a job in their offices I jumped at it. By then I was in grad school attending part-time at night while working full time during the day.

That brings me to half-way through grad school when I re-located to Minnesota. For the first 9 months I worked in the offices of the major department store here, but frustration with my boss who just sat in her office and at chocolates all day and wouldn't let me grow in my job led me to quit. I had a clerical supervisor who had no clue what my job really entailed but she was responsible for the office. I really worked for the fine-jewelry buyer. I was offered a job in their accounting office but left to take the job at the communications company.

Part of what I left out was that for the first 8-1/2 years that I lived in Minnesota, I also worked nights and weekends at Burger King. I loved it. There was pressure all day at the office and at night I could just work with kids who were 7-10 years younger than I. Since I had a full time job I had no desire for advancement, I just needed the money at first. When I no longer needed the money I stayed because I was having so much fun. It was hard work but I loved the customers and the kids. I found out I was really good at helping people and being a big sister to the kids. I gradually came out of my shell.

My health forced me to quit my job at BK but I kept working at my full-time job until I was no longer able to work at all.

I guess my point here is that I viewed my experience at what many people might consider to be a menial job to be one of the most positive. At all the fast food restaurants where I live there are women with school age kids and older working. They enjoy it--you can see it on their faces, in their eyes when they say hello.

Sometimes a job is just a job. Sometimes it's a stepping stone to something else. Sometimes it becomes a life-long passion, if we're lucky. All are what you make of them. You can be a multi-millionaire with a fancy office and minions galore and be miserable. And you can work at the local BK across the street from a high school out in the suburbs and be happy as a lark. Go figure. :)

Car54

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 04:03 pm Click here to edit this post
Beautifully put Tess!

I have found something to like in every job I ever had. I like to work hard, and to go home every day feeling like I earned something, and I like to make a contribution.

Almost every job, no matter what it is has an opportunity for that. :)

Babyruth

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 04:15 pm Click here to edit this post
I've held quite a few kinds of jobs in my life thus far.

Like one American teen in four, I started out at McDonald's slinging french fries.

I have also worked at
A horse farm (shoveling **** like Karuuna!)

A motel chain (housekeeper--lasted 2 weeks til I quit-LOL)

A magazine subscription processing center (ever notice how those subscription reply cards always go to Boulder, Colorado?)

A drive thru liquor store (and "complimented" on my "hooters" by more than a few drive-thru customers who were driving drunk--I hated that job)


I have also been:

A retail sales clerk or assistant manager in a few specialty stores(luggage/travel goods, imported soaps and fancy schmancy jams, camera/gift shop, pharmacy/gift shop)

A flower delivery person (my favorite job! Everybody thanked me as though I had bought them the flowers I was handing them-LOL--it was NOT a thankless job)

A delivery driver and caretaker of wholesale greenhouse tropical plants and bedding plants

A veterinary assistant in two clinics, a kennel assistant at a boarding kennel for cats and one for dogs, plus was an assistant at several private dog breeeder kennels

A horticultural specialist for a huge corporate building complex (Domino's Pizza World Headquarters..la de daaaa.) LOL

I'm sure I've missed a few jobs in there somewhere.

By 1990, at age 32, I had decided to give up minimum wage jobs to I could support my newly divorced self. I graduated from nursing school and became an Registered Nurse--and that has been my profession since. I worked for six years in a large teaching hospital in renal, GI, and general medicine as well as critical care units: cardiac surgery step-down and cardiac medicine.

For the past 5 years, I've worked for a non-profit agency providing nursing services/teaching/consultation/advocacy to caregivers of the developmentally disabled and or mentally ill.

Oh, and back there in the late 70's/early 80's I went to college for all but one semester, studying biology, psychology and English. Never could pick just one.

Kstme

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 05:00 pm Click here to edit this post
Tess...(repeating here), but VERY well put!

oh shoot Tess! You had to bring up that health thing? sssshhhhh...I try to forget the "real" reason I'm a "bumette"!

Donut...you made me go back and make sure I had the letters correctly placed!

Car54...hmmmmm...hair colors of the moments? Good idea!

Moon...

Kstme

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 05:01 pm Click here to edit this post
Babyruth...I think you may have worked more jobs than I have!!

Max

Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 06:59 pm Click here to edit this post
Hmmm. I feel like I'm late to the party! :)

My job path started at age 15 when my sister hired me at the Title Company where she worked. I learned to type by preparing documents for transferring title on various properties in our rural county. There weren't good copy machines back then and the only computers took up entire climate-controlled rooms in research facilities. My sister and I used to have races typing full-page metes and bounds property descriptions on the electric typewriters (with manual carriage returns). We worked on onionskin paper (remember that?) with carbon paper in between so that we made 5 copies each. Every time you made a mistake, you had to stop, roll the paper up, erase on all five copies, then adjust back and start again. Not fun. I also had to compute the principal and interest on mortgage payments we handled. There weren't calculators as we know them. I had a big machine that had separate wheels for each number and rows of punch buttons from 0-9 for each decimal place. It rattled and hummed and whirred and finally gave you an answer.

When I went to college, I worked part-time in the admissions office for a while. Then I worked several different part-time jobs at once while still trying to go to school. I clerked at a Motel 6 for a while, then graduated to a private hotel in town (had to work an old-fashioned switchboard there like Lily Tomlin used to use in her comedy sketches). I also worked at a small mail-order company that produced sets of educational slide shows as well as at a real estate brokerage typing paperwork. On the side, I typed term papers and senior thesis stuff for students.

Got sick of juggling so many jobs and school, plus I fell in love with a Navy man, so I moved to Oakland, CA to be closer to where he was stationed in Alameda. Worked for a few months in a title company in Berkeley, but it was the late 70s and business was really slow, so I got laid off. Three days later, had a job with a bank in San Francisco making lots more money. Worked in the construction loan department.

At the bank, they bought a new-fangled machine called a word processor (remember those?). A friend was assigned to work on it and he hated it. I was fascinated, so he showed me how it worked. His boss saw me working on it one day and freaked out. I explained that I was just helping out and showed him how to make some stuff work that he didn't know it could do. Next thing I knew, my friend took a different job and I got offered his.

I learned how to connect that word processor into the VAX systems the bank used to crunch the main numbers. I downloaded all kinds of data and produced reports for people. Back then, this was really considered to be something special because it was all so new. When the IBM PC and Apple II desktop systems hit the market, the bank decided to set up a group to help oversee introduction of these into the system. I got hired into that department. We did lots of consulting work to help sections of the bank figure out what they really needed to maximize their productivity. Most of the systems we installed were small UNIX-based systems instead of DOS. I did that for a few years.

Eventually, the lure of Silicon Valley kicked in and I moved down there. Got a job with 3Com as something like employee #106. I was doing technical support on the phone for software that ran in DOS, but I didn't know DOS! Did a pretty good job of bluffing through it until I learned some. :) Stayed with 3Com for 5 years, moving from support to technical writing. Then, the lure of the Northwest kicked in, so we (my now-ex-husband and I) packed up and moved to Portland.

Took me a while to land a good job here. I worked at a computer store for a while doing training. Then I did research for a gal who was writing a book about the rise of Nike. After that, worked for a couple who puts on dance pageants (that was the MOST dysfunctional environment I've ever been in!) before getting hired as a tech writer at Central Point Software in 1990. Moved from writer to manager after a couple of years. In 1994, Symantec bought Central Point and they kept me on, although I had to lay off most of my staff. Been there ever since. I'm now the Internal Communications Manager and my group runs the intranet website that provides corporate-wide news and policy information for all 4,000+ employees worldwide.

What a long, strange trip it's been! :)