So... What do you do?

[scrapquitler]

I did this kind of work when I was in college, and just graduated from college. It is very hard work, but very rewarding. I worked in a group home with four severely and profoundly mentally challenged women...it was a lot like taking care of small children. They needed all of their needs taken care of...it was a truly humbling experience for me and really changed how I looked at life!!!

I"ve only been doing it for a year, but it certainly has changed my outlook and attitude about a lot of things, and it has taught me a lot about being more patient. Overall, very rewarding.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

I am a remedial reading teacher ... I taught first grade for 10 years in various school districts ... then an opportunity to transfer into a remedial teaching position became available. I have been in this position for 12 years now.

The fact that I am changing children's lives and improving their self esteem is what gets me up in the morning. When I end up telling a child (and parent) that they no longer need my services ... it is always a sweet sorrow.

I love my job!

 

[Craftsman Revival]

So my question to you, is what do you currently do for a living, how did you get into your current position (like courses, college/uni, certificates etc.) and what are some positives/negatives about your job, that may not have crossed my mind -or anyone else who's interested.

TIA Can't wait to read about how everyone currently spends their time.

OK here goes

I'm a VP for a marketing / PR agency. Right now most of the work I do is in healthcare. I got into it right out of college although it was not my original intent. But that happened because I had a baby and a (now-ex-) husband in law school and needed to support the family. I'd done a PR internship during college and it just happened to be the first job I was offered right out of school so it stuck! The job gives a new meaning to the word multi-tasking. On any given day I am writing / editing / publishing / on the phone / managing / running campaigns / training / coaching, etc.

The positives are that I get to learn something new and / or a new industry about once every 6 months. It's challenging, and hardly ever boring. The negatives are that I work all the time, and that the job sometimes includes playing therapist, babysitter and mediator to, let's say, "difficult people."

In my "free time" ( ) I am also putting my professional writing and editing skills to work. I'm trying to write a novel that I've been working on for a few years, which includes a fairy tale within.

 

[Craftsman Revival]

...and can I just say: what a great idea for a thread! Thanks for starting it - really interesting so far

 

[Feralpeg]

I have a BA in Education with a minor in English. For 30 years, I worked as a software designer/Systems Manager. I retired from this and moved to Florida. Since retiring, I've run my own gift basket company, taught high school English, worked at Joann's and worked for the Disney Florist.

I am currently writing children and young adult books (haven't been published yet). I am also trying to become a certified Disney travel agent as well as doing gift baskets.

As you see, I'm having a hard time staying retired.

 

[Bareacuda]

Ok... Im an artist, doing alot of female sculptures: body casts made of ceramics.
Most of them are comission work and few are just what I want to do.
I don't throw pots or bowls, I do some Raku work.

Pros: get to do alot of work I want to produce and in colors I want. Meeting alot of other artists around the country.
Cons: Economy hits bad times and I lose alot. The thing about starving artist... yup , it's true
But Im home taking care of our youngest grandchild while mom and dad work.
I wouldnt change a thing!

Ann

 

[OK!]

I do research on the ATM network of a major US bank (like documenting problems, spotting trends, yelling at vendors to have them get their techs out to just FIX the damn things already, etc.). A degree wasn't required for the position but I think it helped me get it (others who were hired at the same time I was went into different positions than I did). The biggest, most wonderful pro of this job is that I work from home or from wherever I want, really. This Monday, I'm going to a concert in Indianapolis and rather than take a vacation day, I'll be working while on the road while a friend drives me. Ditto for the trip home Tuesday. Last month I spent 3 weeks at WDW and worked during the day and went to parks at night and on the weekends. It was delightful. I'm actually looking at relocating to the Orlando area soon, something I could never have considered doing without my current job.

And not to sound like a company shill, but there really aren't any cons to the job. I love my boss, the company constantly rewards hard work with promotions, bonuses, etc., and the benefits are great (including benefits for home buyers).

The way I ended up getting my foot in the door was through a headhunter. He'd gotten me a job with a tiny little software company 2 days after graduation; that company ended up downsizing me and some other people 2 months later and I was devastated that my first professional postgrad position had ended so soon. Obviously, it turned out to be for the best, as I got my current job about a month later. Couldn't be happier.

 

[S. C.]

Best job ever, I'm retired

I worked in an automotive factory for 30 plus years.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm a chef, interior designer, maid, bookkeeper, driver, gardener, nurse, travel agent, party organizer, personal shopper, entertainer, and playmate but to make it easier I just call myself a SAHM

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I'm in Australia also and work for myself as a Conveyancer. I work for myself which is good as it gives me flexibility with the kids and school etc. But its not a pleasant job. The banks make it extremely difficult at times to do the job and its a constant battle. Not sure how it works in NSW but to become licenced here in Victoria now, you have to work in the industry for 12months and then do the required course. Licencing is fairly new in Victoria whereas I believe NSW Conveyancers have had to be licenced for some time. I got into the industry about 10 years ago working for my Mum. I then took the business over from her and when the licencing requirement came in, I did a short course as this was all I needed due to my work history.

 

[HeatherFeather]

I am a sonographer and work full time in a breast care center. I got my AAS in radiography technology and took my x-ray boards. I then returned to school for a one year CE program in sonography and then sat for (and passed) my boards for that. I saw this job, applied for it and interviewed. I was told that over 20 people applied, so I feel very blessed to have been the person chosen for this job. One of the big reasons I feel I got this job is that I had some full time experience doing breasts at my previous hospital.

Pros: working with a great group of women, working directly with patients, very good pay, no weekends, holidays, or call. (this is an ultrasound techs dream) I often get hugs from patients.
Cons: patients generally have a high level of anxiety when they come to see me, you are often the first person to know that someone's life is about to change forever, this job is NOT for you if you are a man.

good luck to you in rethinking your path!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Pixie dust spreader on the tilt-a-whirl!!!

 

[Dismagic1]

I run an equity options trading group at a proprietary trading firm.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I am a Resource Manager for a small office equipment dealership. We (as in the company) sell and service office equipment, like copiers and printers and fax machines. I basically "manage" most aspects of the business, more or less the owners right hand person. It's an interesting job, I'm not really the type to do just one thing so it is very fitting for me.

FWIW I studied Psychology in college and then nursing. I'd love to go back and finish my nursing degree but there are just not enough hours in the day, or money to make more hours in the day

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm a substitute teacher and have been since '83!!

Gosh no wonder, I have high blood pressure, a few ticks, and tons of grey hair!!!

 

[BecBennett]

I started this thread, then lost it. It's great to finally find it and read through it!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I'm a CNA - a certified nurse's assistant. That means that I'm certified by the state of Illinois to perform certain medical functions, almost all of which can best be described as 'grunt work'. In order to be a CNA, you need to be certified by your state. Some states require you to take a course (Illinois does), but others don't (Florida doesn't). The course I took was eight weeks long and was free, since I was taking it to work for my old facility.

Basically, a CNA will do whatever the nurses don't have the time or inclination to do. In a typical nursing home, this usually means helping residents with dressing, showering, eating, transfers (and most of the ones I dealt with needed full assistance for that), oral care, bathroom use (especially for incontinent residents), etc.

However, at my current job, I work for a supportive living facility, which is basically a state-funded assisted living facility. It's the same thing, it's just that the funding comes from the state, so it's a different classification. The day shift mostly does housekeeping and sometimes helps residents with showers or dressing, but most of the residents here are fairly independent. On the night shift (my shift), we're mainly here in case of emergency. We're the only staff in the building, and there's only two of us (at the moment). My coworker does med reminders (exactly how it sounds, reminding certain residents to take their meds) and the resident laundry, and I do the cleaning in public areas and the offices.

It's one of those revolving-door positions, really. I don't plan to do this forever. I'm going to be going back to school either in the fall or spring to get an Associate's Degree, and then I'm planning on moving back to Orlando and getting my Bachelor's from UCF in hospitality management.

 

[leo711]

I am an Occupational Therapist. You need to have a masters in Occupational Therapy, pass a certification test to be registered and hold a State license in the field. I currently work in a short term rehabilitation center and skilled nursing facility. I help people become more functional in their every day activities: from learning how to dress themselves to independently paying the bills. Occupational therapists work in all kinds of settings, Pediatric, schools, mental health, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, Home Care, work with pple. that have developmental disabilities, in companies and factories to help decrease work related injuries, aquatic therapy.


Basically you help people find ways to complete the activities they need to do in their life roles to increase their functionng and level of independence

I Love what I do.!! Bonus as the Baby-boomers age the demand for OTs is only going to keep increasing. OTs are among the few professions that have companies chasing them for employment.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

For the past (almost) ten years I have been a computer programmer for a company that makes administrative software for school districts and local governments.

I have a BA in Computer Science and a BA in English Literature.

 

[marcyinPA]

For the past (almost) ten years I have been a computer programmer for a company that makes administrative software for school districts and local governments.

I have a BA in Computer Science and a BA in English Literature.

I'm in Bethlehem too! I think I know which company you work for...is it downtown, across from the Boyd? If so, a good friend of ours works there too...