What does everyone do for a living?

dan.schumaker said:
Engineer for Herman Miller. If you sit in a fancy office chair, odds are my fingerprints are on it
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About 8 years ago I made some prototypes for HM. They liked the colors so much that rather than try and match them in house, they wanted my shop to mix paint for a limited production run. 2 gallons of lacquer. The paperwork and then freight costs (explosive materials) was upsetting to me, in terms of how expensive that paint became to them. (I know it didn’t matter to HM.)
 
Ale_jellybelly said:
I always say that I'm a social worker to stay away from uncomfortable chat, precisely though I work in a camp for refugees and asylum seekers
When I tell people I get a lot of "I'm not a racist, but..." so I stopped telling it unless I get to know the person better
After 8 years, next month I am moving to office work to avoid burning out
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I’m not racist! I respect all races equally, although I do think that Motocross is definitely more enjoyable racing than drag racing , nascar and formula one races. Seriously dude, no shame in your work. I’m not a people person so I have a LOT of respect for the folks who actually enjoy working with others. Glad there are folks like yourself who do what you do!

On that I’m currently in IT again after working for a few years professionally building, repairing and restoring tube amps… hindsight being 20/20, the economic crash after 9/11 wasn’t the best time to try and grow a business in essentially luxury items.

That said, though, working a “real job” makes me enjoy my amp and pedal building again, which is something I lost when doing it professionally
 
I've done a little bit of a lot of things. In college, I was a mover and truck driver for United Van Lines. In the 80s-90s I was a broadcast engineer and taught video production at a broadcasting college. I've done corporate communications, graphics design, PR and publishing. I've worked in economic development and for the Chamber of Commerce, and for the past 15 years, I have worked as a security/cybersecurity consultant for the federal government.
 
Robert said:
... then a few more in a calibration lab testing/repairing/calibrating test equipment for the DOD.
...
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So you worked at DOD, cool! Was that before or during Tom Cram's reign? 😜


Feral Feline said:
As little as possible.
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Well that was rather flippant. 😼


I once was in journalism — technology, watches, luxury goods & fashion, adventure sports, travel, corporate brochures, books, IT-manuals, lawyer-reviews, blah de blah blah blah...

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After more than two decades of making the same piddly freelance-writer wage (about 25¢/word, for 2+ decades uhm hello, inflation?) I said screw it.
Since then (well, that and during) I've taught/guided MTBing/climbing/camping/kayaking; experiential training for corporate and youth, acting, voice-dubbing, chauffeuring, a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting. Each of the aforementioned paid about as well as journalism. I still edit documents from time-to-time, but no more writing 'cause it just doesn't pay.
Currently shovelling snow, 'til spring and then I'm hanging up the shovel for good.
Don't know what I'll do next.
Probably... as little as possible.
 
I'm an academic librarian. I mostly look after collections (negotiate database licenses, buy books, etc) and teach in the campus makerspace. Easily the best job I've ever had.

I used to be a digital literacy and makerspace librarian in a public library but it was unusually stressful. Low pay, volatile patrons, antagonistic management. If you meet a librarian who works for a public library tell them you appreciate them because that job is insanely difficult and normally thankless.
 
I've got a friend who's the head administrator at the local library. She used to have to drive out of town to another library for years, stress was through the roof, then she managed to get to a better library at another community and it turned out to be yes a better library but with even more problems with the advisory board — after just a few weeks she quit. The Mayor then went in and fired the board for letting a gem of an employee get away. Luckily she landed her current job just as she quit the new nightmare.

Though I've heard the war-stories, it's still good to be reminded, @joeyd — I will be sure to tell her, again, she's appreciated.

Librarians hold the keys to the city of knowledge.
 
I was a professional classical musician and private instructor after college, specializing on the bass trombone. One major burnout later I went into social work to do something that was about something more than just "me." Bounced around that path a bit, started in a residential children's behavioral health facility but I eventually worked with dual diagnosis (mental health and addiction) adults as well, transitioning folks back into the community after extended stays at the Oregon State Hospital, where they filmed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

My wife is an angel and encouraged me to walk away from that career path completely when we had kids as it was devouring my happiness for an insulting salary. Been a stay at home dad for like 7 years now. The pay sucks but my clients treat me a little better.
 
Mentaltossflycoon said:
I was a professional classical musician and private instructor after college, specializing on the bass trombone. One major burnout later I went into social work to do something that was about something more than just "me." Bounced around that path a bit, started in a residential children's behavioral health facility but I eventually worked with dual diagnosis (mental health and addiction) adults as well, transitioning folks back into the community after extended stays at the Oregon State Hospital, where they filmed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

My wife is an angel and encouraged me to walk away from that career path completely when we had kids as it was devouring my happiness for an insulting salary. Been a stay at home dad for like 7 years now. The pay sucks but my clients treat me a little better
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I have mad respect for anyone who walks away from a carrier for the betterment of their children.
 
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