So... What do you do?

[Jennasis]

I am a horseback riding instructor, horse trainer and farm manager.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I'm retired, but I worked for 25 years as as executive assistant with a government agency that goes by it's initials (and it's not the FBI). No college required, just excellent computer, office, and people skills. I ended up working in 10 countries all over the world. It actually was my dream job, and even after 7 years of retirement, I really miss it. I do consulting work with them occasionally (DH more frequently), but it's not the same as traveling in Europe! The downer is waiting for a security clearance, but it's a shorter time now than when I started. If you're a US citizen and can get a clearance, I highly recommend it!

Queen Colleen

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

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

yeah,I started reading it trying to figure out what was in my que.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

.

 

[NFLDERS]

Best job ever, I'm retired

I worked in an automotive factory for 30 plus years.

Retired as well! Almost 9 yrs love it!!

From the Insurance Industry (Underwriter)

 

[kimblebee]

I am a patient service representative for the largest online pharmacy in Canada.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm an Operations Manager for a small lighting supplier. I studied engineering, but quit school ~1/2 way to my degree. I've previously worked in all aspects of logistics, and that weighs heavy in my current duties.

Pro: I work independently and have a real hand in impacting the bottom line of the company.

Con: there is nowhere to move up from here unless I leave. I've been in my current position nearly 10 years and have never gone so long without a promotion. But, unless I want to buy this company (I do NOT), I'm as high up as I will ever be. And at 46, retirement is a LONG way off.

 

[minkydog]

I've been an RN for over 36 years. In that time I've worked in many areas, but most of my experience has been in pediatrics and intensive care.

A little over a year ago we placed our very disabled son in a group home. During that process the non-profit agency realized they had need if a nurse who could act as a sort of medical liaison between staff and caregivers. They asked me to join them and here I am!

I would have never in a million years thought about doing this, but its a perfect fit. All my training as a nurse and my experiences as a mom and a teacher come to bear in this job.

I love helping our developmentally disabled clients live full and productive lives. And I love teaching staff and caregivers how to better care for and advocate for them. There is no downside!

 

[Kerrio929]

I'm a pharmacist for a grocery store chain. I have a BS in pharmacy and had to pass boards.

Pros: I work part time and make a great living. The pay is great. I work with some great people and usually have a great time at work. The company I work for is amazing and treats it's employees extremely well. Knowing I helped someone is a great feeling at the end of the day.

Cons: people can be really ruthless. Even though it's medicine, it's still a retail setting and sometimes, the customers can really bring you down. I work some nights, weekends and holidays. Dealing with insurance companies sucks.

 

[Jeslynb]

I'm a lawyer by training, but now work part time in an energy-related field (family business). I spend most of my time as a SAHM, but I'm keeping a toe in the company as best I can.

Pros/Cons: I love both "jobs" and I wish I had 48 hours in the day.

 

[momof1princess]

I'm a lawyer by training, but now work part time in an energy-related field (family business). I spend most of my time as a SAHM, but I'm keeping a toe in the company as best I can.

Pros/Cons: I love both "jobs" and I wish I had 48 hours in the day.

I was a SAHM for 12 years. Just went back to work 2 years ago. I started out in college as "undecided", took a business law class my sophomore year and, loved it so much, I wanted to be an attorney. However, being the oldest child of a single mom, I knew the entire financial burden would be on me, and I just didn't want to start my adult life under a mountain of debt. So, I went to business college instead, got a legal secretarial degree, and worked in various, local legal and doctor's offices before deciding to stay home with DD16 when she was 2 years old.
Now, I'm an Admin. Assistant at a large, local church, and I love it. My boss is great, my co workers are nice, and the church family treats me like I've been there forever.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I work at a major motion picture studio in the sound department, scheduling ADR and Re-Recording stages, with ADR being my specialty.

I don't have any "certificates" or any papers for my job. I have a degree in English so I can write really funny emails at times. You CAN work your tail off getting a film degree, but you still need to put in your time and pay your dues regardless of your schooling to get anywhere. I got my first job in the industry in 1993 and literally worked crazy hours and took a lot of baloney to get where I am now.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I work at a major motion picture studio in the sound department, scheduling ADR and Re-Recording stages, with ADR being my specialty.

I don't have any "certificates" or any papers for my job. I have a degree in English so I write really funny emails at times. You CAN work your tail off getting a film degree, but you still need to put in your time and pay your dues regardless of your schooling to get anywhere.

I think you have the most fascinating job by far!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think you have the most fascinating job by far!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have the best job ever. I really do enjoy going to work each day.

 

[njmom47]

I'm a grocery girl for life apparently!!
I worked in the stores for almost 20 years.
Now I work in the office of a rival chain (coming up on 14 years). I am an Accounting Clerk (no degree, just 20 yrs previous experience). On a daily basis, I balance credit cards and check deposits. I do bank recs and investigations, work closely with Loss Prevention, respond to fraudulent credit card charges and maintain the returned check database. I work closely with store personnel. I really love what I do; some of the people around me, not so much.

 

[primgirl]

I'm a CPA in a small accounting firm.

 

[DVC-Don]

I am an insurance agent in my wife's agency and I also keep the books for her. I'm kind of semi retired now and fully retire in March, although I'll still be the book keeper.! In the past I've been a firefighter and police officer.

 

[tasha99]

Wow--old thread. I was still a student when it started. Now I'm a speech language pathologist in a couple of skilled nursing/rehab facilities. I'd say more than half my caseload is swallowing disorders. I also work to improve cognition, speech, and language, often after a stroke..

Edited to add how I got here:
4 year BA in English
1 year postbacc for necessary background knowledge
2 year MS in Communication Disorders and Sciences (included 2 summer terms and was 17 credits/term--just short of double full time as 9 hours is considered full time in grad school--my program was more like 3 years crammed down into 2.)
Passed licensing test
1 year of clinical fellowship mentoring to get full certification
After working 2 years in the schools, I decided to switch to more medically focused therapy, so my company has given me a mentor for this first year
Maintaining license requires $$$ and earning CEUs

Pros:
(in general) Shortage field--there is about a 1% unemployment rate for SLPs, and that's just people changing jobs. Lots of variety (schools, early intervention, outpatient, acute medical, subacute, voice clinics, accent reduction, voice after gender changes etc). Flexibility--you can work as little or as much as you want. Pros for the SNF setting in particular are: being able to provide individual therapy, being somewhat autonomous when it comes to writing treatment plans, working with and getting to know and help elderly people, being able to take vacations with advance notice any time rather than just at the school holidays.

Cons:
(in general) Can be a higher stress, high responsibility job. Having to give bad news to people at times. Cons for the SNF setting in particular are--hours can vary from very few w/ a low census to overwhelming if it's high. Depending on your Director of Rehab, you may have to push back on therapy hour assignments--they sometimes assign more than is clinically justified to meet their goals. Having to pay so much attention to Medicare A, Medicare B, Medicaid, and HMO rules which were written by politicians w/ no regard for what is clinically correct (more government involvement is coming soon). Knowing a payer could go back 3 years, see a mistake in a note or even just something they misunderstand, and deny all claims on your patient. Biggest con, though, is required productivity levels (ratio of billable to non-billable hours).

 

[Maggie7313]

I'm a lawyer, primarily tax. Lots of school to get here - four years undergrad followed by a few years working as a legal assistant. Then three years of law school for my JD and another two years of night school for my specialty. I love what I do (lifelong law geek) but it took a lot of time and money to get here. And the hours were crushing for years. I've been part-time since making partner because of some health problems but still usually work 40-50 hours a week.

I would advise anyone considering law school to think long and hard before committing. The job market is extremely tight and the daily life of a working lawyer is not what most young grads expect - and a lot of them truly hate it. Being miserable at work is no way to spend your life.

 

[Squirlz]

Wow--old thread. I was still a student when it started. Now I'm a speech language pathologist in a couple of skilled nursing/rehab facilities. I'd say more than half my caseload is swallowing disorders. I also work to improve cognition, speech, and language.

Zombie thread! But anyway, my Wife and I make and sell holistic care products for animals. All natural herbal products. Our biggest seller is an herbal worming system. She invented all this stuff years before we met. She is Molly's Herbals if you wish to look it up.

We work at home, all internet orders. No phone, no face-to-face customers. No advertising. All repeat customers and word of mouth. Business is booming!