Career change anyone???
Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-03 10:07 AM (#112391)
Subject: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
I've been with the same company for 36 years now. Hopefully I'll be here for 13 more. I have enjoyed comfortable, if not extravegant lifestyle and a level of consistancy and security that is rare in todays world.
At times I can't help to wonder what it would be like to do something else. If I knew then what I know now would I have loaded up my '72 Gremlin, driven out to California and tryed to get a job with George Lucas???
This topic could run far and wide with hundreds of variations on a pipe dream. But for poll purposes lets narrow it down to an area near and dear to us all.
So... what alternate universe would you like to step into???
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2007-03-03 10:27 AM (#112392 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12762

Location: Boise, Idaho
I thought 29 at the same job was a long time, Brad. Congratulations. The best man at our wedding had a 71 Gremlin. I had a 68 Javelin.
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guitarwannabee
Posted 2007-03-03 10:33 AM (#112393 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1487

Location: Michigan
36 years at the same job thats great .
What do you do for a living??

You must be a guitar purchasing agent for Guitar Centers or something?

Brad your from Michigan so it can't be auto related because most people in Michigan with auto related jobs here are shitting razor blades that they wont have a job in another year.GWB
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Weaser P
Posted 2007-03-03 10:45 AM (#112394 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5332

Location: Bluffton, SC
36 years? Did you start there when you were 5, Brad?
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Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-03 10:56 AM (#112395 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Here's the link to my workplace.
Started when I was 16.
Am-Dyn-Ic Fluid Power
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cliff
Posted 2007-03-03 11:07 AM (#112396 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
Darren is my Hero.
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Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-03 11:12 AM (#112397 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
I would probably best fit in the marketing end of it.
Yep... Marketing Puke Extrordinare.... that's what I would be.
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2007-03-03 11:29 AM (#112398 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
Kim/John-- That sounds good to me.

At the age of 33, I discovered that I have a knack for auto/mc repair. Had I known that when I was 14, I woulda taken auto-shop in high school. Instead of Marine Biology!
[Which I have never used for anything in my Life! Except, "If you knew what clams/crabs/catfish/flounder/lobster really eat, you definitely wouldn't eat it!"]
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stonebobbo
Posted 2007-03-03 11:33 AM (#112399 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee
When I grow up, I wanna be Al.
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Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-03 11:41 AM (#112400 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Hey... I heard that Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel), is thinking about filming a segment with Al.
Anyone else hear that too???
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Thanksforallthefish
Posted 2007-03-03 11:50 AM (#112401 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374

mine was a 73 Gremlin(Levi's edition) with a Clifford Research 6=8 motor and mt50's all around..
we called it the puddle jumper

20+ years with Pepsico and 8 with BMY ...

now I'm just an internet Bum.. run a couple .coms and .orgs

Glenn
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seesquare
Posted 2007-03-03 12:14 PM (#112402 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666

Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire
33 years, muckin' around in other people's heads. 17-plus, at the current venue. I'm terminally warped. Probably why I have no rhythm, too!
Kim & John are the Arch-angels of Restoration of the Faith, in The Cathedral of The RoundBack.
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alpep
Posted 2007-03-03 12:25 PM (#112403 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ
in 1975 me and a couple of buddies decided we were going to rebuild his 54 ford and go to California. He for a career in comedy, me one in music and the third guy was there because he heard there were good drugs out there.

Well my buddy in his haste put the timing chain on wrong on the ford and we were all too stupid to know how to push the dristributor or change the order of the spark plugs......

I was working a ton of hours in a driver/warehouse gig and dumped a full file cabinet on my toe and SMASHED IT.

the third guy got a job as an usher in the midnight movies so he could see the movies for free.

Well we never made it, I went on to college and then taught school and my comedy buddy is still trying to "make the big time".

as for wanting to be me stonebobbo, I am not sure if your body could withstand all the internal damage that mine has.

why did I even tell this story?
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Cc
Posted 2007-03-03 12:25 PM (#112404 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 195

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
I've been selling most of my life. Just for a lot of different companies. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone into aviation. Maybe airport manager or airline pilot. Then again, I have turned down a couple of bands that ended up almost famous.. So who knows.........
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Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-03 1:22 PM (#112405 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Say what you will.
It was a pretty cool little car.

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dvd
Posted 2007-03-03 1:31 PM (#112406 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889

Location: Central Massachusetts
I took the Kim/John angle.. all my jobs have been in the fix-what's-broken arena. Would be great to do that with real, tangible things rather than geekStuff.
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alpep
Posted 2007-03-03 1:34 PM (#112407 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ
gremlen vs 54 ford??????


ok yours ran
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2007-03-03 1:54 PM (#112408 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
Gremlins were cool.
So were Javelins and AMX's.
Another great car company down the drain.
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alpep
Posted 2007-03-03 2:10 PM (#112409 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ
Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Gremlins were cool.
So were Javelins and AMX's.
Another great car company down the drain.
amc started as rambler

every one I ever worked on needed front end work.
I still have the pickle fork to prove it
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schroeder
Posted 2007-03-03 2:18 PM (#112410 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

Who's the guy with all the hair leaning on your car? Do you want us to get him? Just give us the word slip and he's a dead man.
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Mr. Ovation
Posted 2007-03-03 3:27 PM (#112411 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247

Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
This is a fun topic. I can't imagine being at the same job for even 5 years. I have always enjoyed change and I guess I started getting paid for "real work" when I was about 13. I started with CB Radio Repair/Hotroding and Professional Photography. In both cases I worked for myself and could have made either of those into careers. After I got my drivers license at 16 I started working as a Printing Apprentice during the day working in what now is referred to as an "old school" print house. For those that know of this work, it's a blast. I learned to operate a lynotype from melting the lead into the bars on up to setting. Also did offset and darkroom work. On nights and weekends I had security jobs at a summer resort, and then at College and also when there was work did carpet installation. Again any of those could have been careers I guess. I also had some not-for-pay "jobs" like assistant at a recording studio and a radio DJ in College. More career ops.

After I joined the Navy, although I guess that's a career, it didn't feel like one. Granted my paycheck came from the same place for 14 years, but I was a Cryptologist (can't believe I can still spell that) and was in a sub-specialty that pretty much meant every 12 months to 3.5 years I moved to someplace new, and usually did something totally different than I did at a previous station. I always held part-time jobs when possible. Security, DJ, Musician, Bartender, Licensed Building Inspector, Carpet Installer, Postal worker. I also did a LOT of programming an d PC repair, although it wasn't really part of my job, it was a useful set of skills to build on.

When I left the Navy in '91 I got into the IT field. First programming and then into Help Desk operation and management then up to Network and Program Management and CIO positions. That was five companies in about 10 years.

Since Jan 9, 2002 before my 42nd birthday, I have considered myself retired, whatever that means. I ran my recording studio, did some IT consulting, bought and sold Vintage music gear (mostly Ovation). Didn't really plan on it, it just happened that way.

These days since the move to the great Pacific Northwest last year, we do that "eBay thang" and are working on some other fun opportunities that will hopefully be fun.

I guess that's been my career so far. Find things to do that are fun and pay the bills. I hope no one takes offense, and please understand it's a reaction due to lack of understanding, but when I hear people being in the same job for 10, 15, 20, 30 years, my first reaction ranges from "I'm so sorry, is there anything I can do?" to "congrats on the great career!!!"
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Phil Wong
Posted 2007-03-03 3:52 PM (#112412 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
As most of you know I have used my camera for a second career. I have photographed many weddings and parties. I also shot a local beauty pageant, a bikini model and lingeree(I hope I spelled it right)model. Yes, I actually made money with the last two and it was not that easy.
Phil
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Old Applause Owner
Posted 2007-03-03 4:02 PM (#112413 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922

Location: Canton (Detroit), MI
I voted for being Kim/John, because I do engineering now, have done it for 31 years, and a change (of my choice) would be nice. Making people happy (if they aren't asking for something stupid) is a good life.

I just watched 1/4 of Ford salaried go out the door from retirements/buyouts this week....I wasn't offered, so it's not my turn yet for another career, I guess. Time to go put some fresh lube on the slide rule....

Roger
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2007-03-03 4:27 PM (#112414 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
I went the Darren route. I have to do SOMETHING creative with all of these parts!

Seriously - this is a question I struggle with on a daily basis. I've been with about 10 or so different companies - but the same job/industry for over 20 years - telecom. I went and got an MBA last year but that didn't help. Financially, I just can't take the leap into something else. 2 kids in high school and another a few years behind. The oldest gets his license this year which will be a small fortune.

I'm am just THRILLED to have rediscovered the guitar - playing, fixing, building, etc. - and to have discovered this place. It certainly makes the moments outside of work way more fun!
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Beal
Posted 2007-03-03 5:53 PM (#112415 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Been there, done that.
How about running a gas station, there's something interesting and different......
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2007-03-03 7:25 PM (#112416 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15683

Location: SoCal
I've been at my work now for over 21 years, self employed for the last 18. Where the hell does time go.....
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Old Tele man
Posted 2007-03-03 7:39 PM (#112417 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 122

Location: Tucson, AZ
...as an ex-Fender tech who went back to college, got his degree and then spent 30+ years in aerospace/defense electronics...gotta be the "numbers/math" kinda job for me!
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ignimbyte
Posted 2007-03-03 8:43 PM (#112418 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812

Location: Hicksville, NY
I've always believed that success starts at the bottom, and not to be afraid to get ones hands dirty. I got my first job as a gardener. What started as a once-a-week assignment at the home for a couple of senior citizens, I ended working on three more homes by the end of the summer.

Then I went to college ... although, I graduated with a degree in journalism, it's not what I did in the beginning. I took several temp jobs for quite some time and went on backpacking trips with a beat up guitar whenever possible. This was the time where I traveled to many great places that I might not be able to in the present due to my circumstances and responsibilities. Unfortunately, this was also the time when I was often referred to as a bum or freeloader, in addition to the numerous pressures to clean up my act, and get a real job from family members.

So I somewhat did, and earned a decent wage as a journalist with the Associated Press. I also enjoyed the traveling part of the job for a while there, but then I had to quit when I was appointed to cover the news in Bosnia -- we were bombing the heck out of Milosevic and his army at that time, and I was fearing for my life.

Just when I thought I got it so good, I found myself back to square one, and without any alternatives in mind. I spent the next two years providing humanitarian service and support. The first year in South Asia with the Peace Corps, and the second year in our own backyard with AmeriCorps. It was also then that I found my calling in life to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

After serving, I immediately went back to college and got my degree in Special Education. I'd been teaching, assisting, supporting, and guiding individuals with developmental disabilities ever since [e.g. Autism, Down Syndrome, mild to profound MR, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.]. When an individual overcomes an obstacle, despite his/her disabling condition, it means the whole world to him/her. That's enough for me to stand back and say, "today is a good day" to myself, and tomorrow will be another exciting day in the world of learning.
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ozwatto
Posted 2007-03-03 9:00 PM (#112419 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 672

Location: New South Wales, Australia
Started out as a journalist with a small newspaper and then worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation doing radio and TV news...hated it.

Became a warehouse storeman, delivery driver, whitegoods installer, industrial trouble shooter for the Australian Journalists' Association, labourer in a steel plant, blast furnace operator, forklife driver, converyor belt operator, steelworker, frozen food delivery, owner/manager of small post office, parcel courier, weed control operator and now unemployed again.

I'm sure one day I'll wake up and know what I want to do.
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Beal
Posted 2007-03-03 9:14 PM (#112420 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Why don't we all become musicians?
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ignimbyte
Posted 2007-03-03 9:21 PM (#112421 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812

Location: Hicksville, NY
Originally posted by ozwatto:
I'm sure one day I'll wake up and know what I want to do.
In the meantime, you can:

a) travel extensively. I did a lot of "soul-searching" during my backpacking trips around the country. Whether I was looking at countless stars on a clear night after pitching my tent at a campsite in Arizona, or staring aimlessly out the window as the Amtrak train roared through its tracks tirelessly, it was definitely a great experience.

or

b) serve in the Peace Corps or its equivalent. It was during this time that I learned to appreciate the little things that most individuals normally take for granted and treat like it's nothing.

Perhaps, it just "might" lead you to the path that you'd like to do ...
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ozwatto
Posted 2007-03-03 9:42 PM (#112422 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 672

Location: New South Wales, Australia
Thanks Gil....a bit of soul searching wouldn't go astray.

Back to Brad's original question of an alternate universe -- a lighthouse keeper wouldn't be bad where I could flick the switch at night and turn it off again in the morning. That would leave me with plenty of spare time to follow cwk2's advice and become a muso
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fillhixx
Posted 2007-03-03 10:03 PM (#112423 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Hmmm, Been a reporter, plumber, logger, fisherman, heavy equipment operator, carpet salesman, greengrocer, pet store owner, radio station manager, restauranteur (ouch!), advertising genius, and I still don't know what I want to be when/if I grow up. (though this advertising gig seems to be sticking.)

Actually, I'm a songwriter who dreams of running off to Nashville....

To drive cab or sell string ties.
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2007-03-04 12:11 AM (#112424 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15683

Location: SoCal
Why don't we all become musicians?


I think we are all musicians who just do other stuff on the side to support our musician habits.....
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Chuck (Retired Navy)
Posted 2007-03-04 12:49 AM (#112425 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 280

Location: Waterloo, IL
The long and varied road:

2 years at DQ while in high school.

2 years in college, with time at a nursing home, fast food joint, steak house.

1 year as a welder's helper.

4 years as a diesel/heavy equipment mechanic.

21 years in the Navy: Radio and computer communications, crypto, instructor (twice). Two submarines, two targets (surface ships), time in Korea, plus visits to many other countries.

2 years in video retail.

Next stop looks like driving an 18 wheeler for a while.
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fillhixx
Posted 2007-03-04 3:09 AM (#112426 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Originally posted by Chuck (Retired Navy):
Next stop looks like driving an 18 wheeler for a while.
How to make a guy jealous!
East bound and down
Loaded up and truckin'
We gonna do what they say
Can't be done.....
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Designzilla
Posted 2007-03-04 11:55 AM (#112427 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150

Location: Orlando, FL
Interesting thread. I recently went through what may or may not have been a career change. It was at least a major lifestyle change.

When I was 18, playing in a band and preparing to be a "rock star" I took "graphic arts" classes, to have something constructive to do during the day. Also, in the unlikely event that I didn't become a rock star, I'd have something to fall back on. When my girlfriend got pregnant, we speeded up plans to get married "someday" and I was married with a daughter at 19. I quit the band and got a real gig, testing and repairing street lights. After getting the sh!t shocked out of me a couple of times, I got a job at a magazine doing layout. Then I ended up doing some sign painting and silk screening for a year or so.

I settled down and spent the Reagan years in an art dept in a major defense industry contractor. Good times for the defense industry! I had fun and learned a lot at that job. There were lots of old farts who had been there for 20+ years ready to show a kid the right way to be an illustrator or designer or calligrapher or whatever. I watched my industry make the transition to computers. I got into it early and loved it. I ended up running a small group. During this time, I still played guitar and considered myself a musician.

I finally left and freelanced for a year, until my wife got pregnant with child number four, and once again I started looking for a "real job". I spent 6 years a small aerospace company, that grew fast. After a few years I was running a nice art dept of 7 people. I started playing less and less guitar and considered myself a graphic designer not a musician.

That company was too successful, was sold and became a lousy environment. So I freelanced for the next 10 years. The early days things were tough and I sold a couple of guitars I no longer played. I had a great time freelancing, had some great clients, did some good work and my hours were flexible enough to drive kids to school or have lunch with my wife. I was making a good living for the last few years. My wife convinced me to start playing guitar again to relieve stress and encouraged me to buy some more guitars so she could "decorate" my office.

In January 2006 I had a massive heart attack. I missed a lot of work and racked up a bunch of medical bills. The stress that used to drive me became my enemy. I sent out a few resumes. I wasn't really interested in getting a "real job" but got a great offer I couldn't refuse. In October 2006, I started my new gig managing a creative services dept in a huge, global company. Surprisingly enough, I love it! There were some really big projects (a corporate rebranding for one) they were waiting to dump on the new guy. It's weird being back in the corporate world, but we do so many different types of work, it is always interesting. My wife and I are actually able to plan a vacation now and I actually take weekends off. l picked up my #47 reissue and my long sought after Breadwinner since I started this job so I must be doing something right.

Oh and by the way Brad, my Gremlin was a "73. My wife hated it, but I loved that car. It was amazing how much musical gear I could cram into it!
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MWoody
Posted 2007-03-04 12:28 PM (#112428 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997

Location: Upper Left USA
Cool thread Brad.
My first job was swamping Christmas trees at local farms and then I became a Bouncer at a Disco. OK, ticket taker, garbage dumber and ejector.
Then it was Laborer, Tank Cleaner, Rigger, Nuclear Inspector, Planner, Supervisor and now Contracts Planner.

I chose the role that Kathy has; do your part for an interesting company and then clock out and do what you really want. Too much of one or the other can get a little tedious.
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Weaser P
Posted 2007-03-04 1:01 PM (#112429 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5332

Location: Bluffton, SC
Ok, I'll throw in as well...Sold advertising for the local daily newspaper for about six years and found that I was much better at strategy than sales so went back to school for business and accounting. The job I had the (unfortunate) foresight to take right out of school was a leasing company that was, unbeknownst to me, behind what is now known as the largest Ponzi scheme in US history. You have no idea how much you can learn when you're sitting next to federal and SEC agents every day. I learned, rather quickly, that I didn't like forensic accounting at all but was asked to stay by the Trustee that was brought in to oversee the mess. He made it relatively worthwhile for me and a few others to stay and help "clean up" so we did.

While finishing up at the leasing compnay, I got a call out of the blue from a local advertising agency who was looking for a CFO. So back into the ad world I went and have been there ever since and, given that I've spent over 20 years in the ad game and I'm mulling over an offer to become a principal now, it's probably where I'm destined to end my career.

And mine was a '73 Maverick. Three speed on the column. Box stereo speakers in the rear dash. You couldn't keep the body on it but you couldn't kill that engine either. Thank God that car couldn't talk.
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Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-04 1:38 PM (#112430 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Hmmm.. no Alpha males here, eh?
No one wants to be the "top dog".
.
Interesting stuff. I'm was having trouble with the "Woody as Bouncer" image. It just didn't fit. Then I factored "disco" into it. That cleared it up. Those guys(?) in the 3" platform heels and satin shirts were pretty easy to intimidate I'm sure.
"Get out now or I'll.. why I'll.... mess up your hair... I mean it!!"
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lanaki
Posted 2007-03-04 7:43 PM (#112431 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576

Location: big island
in my 50 years upon this planet, i have had as many diverse jobs. cook, pharmacy tech, cna, surgical tech, army medic, psychiatric asst, institutional laundry manager, food broker, medical supply sales, mortgage broker, a few mlm businesses, art gallery director, professional musician, video production and stay-at-home dad.

the most fulfilling jobs dealt with ministering health to others.
the most "wild hair" jobs involved traveling all over the united states selling food, medical supplies and mortgages. these jobs were not conducive to a happy home life.
the most fun job and one that actually paid me more money than i ever dreamed of making was in the art gallery business. that job was also the one i spent the most time doing, 7 years.

just after the dot-commers started their descent, 9-11 dealt a mortal blow to the art industry here in hawaii. the silver lining is that i now have a dream job. i make less money than i have ever made in my adult life. my foundations and motivations have been shaken and restructured more securely.
i get to have spontaneous tea parties and play "tent" and horsey and read heartwarming children's stories all day. i get to nurse boo-boos and enjoy butterfly kisses, hugs and every moment of nearly every day in the lives of two little girls. the guitars and ukuleles are always at hand and we have parlor luaus anytime we please. and then, i get to miss a few doo-doo diaper changes and teething pains to play music and get paid for it.


i am so very blessed.

nope, i ain't looking for a career change. just another guitar... :D
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Stuart Miller
Posted 2007-03-04 9:32 PM (#112432 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 430

Location: Lebanon, TN
Most excellent thread. I chose the Rick job as its probably the one I’d have most fun at and closest to what I currently do.

Left high school to go do a sponsored degree in Marine Engineering with BP Tankers. After contemplating what 6 months at sea would be like with the same bunch of smelly reprobates, BP accelerated my career thoughts by cutting their fleet by a third and dismissing all these “cadets” they had sponsored.

I spent the next 2 years in and out of work looking for work in technical areas in the west coast of Scotland. Finally I conceded that if I wanted to avoid long term unemployment I would have to change tack. I applied to train as a Registered Nurse in mental health and never looked back.

Greatest move of my life! Loved nursing, met my lovely wife, bought first car (Volvo 240) and started along life’s wacky journey properly.

My darling wife and I on wedding day 1984

Our first car Volvo 240N



After several positions over a 10 year career, finished as General Manager of an ophthalmic hospital before getting involved in a computer system selection that led to the second career. I was frustrated with lack of career progress and with a non-working wife and two little kids wanted to earn more. So I entered the world of IT Sales.

3 years with one company, 1 year with the next, 19 months with the next, 15 months with the next and then became the Managing Director of a Venture capital backed start-up that I loved running for the three years before dot-bomb bubble burst and the money all ran away. That led to the monumental change of looking for a well paying sales job in healthcare IT where my core skills lay that led to the offer to move to the United States in 2002 and settle here in Philadelphia.

Have been in a couple of management positions but now back to being a well paid senior sales guy with designated territory. Love spending time with customers and prospects. Hate the bureaucracy and dumb ass decisions made by less experienced, less educated morons that are running the place now. However I choose to be a wage slave and am trying to max earnings to get my two kids through college. One is started and the other heads out in 18 months time. 5-6 years of good luck and hopefully good earnings should then see the missus and I enter my 50th year with a clear path to do what the heck we want.

So what I’d love to do is have a role where I can consult/work part time using whatever commercial and health related skills I have to help healthcare organizations achieve the things they want to. Not necessarily with IT but perhaps helping Rehab and Behavioural Health organizations get smarter about running what they do.

The rest of the time I want to be a Scottish Troubadour. So many people are interested in the history and culture of my country and I love telling them all about it. Would love to have a touring show where I do a one-man multimedia folksinger show. Especially I would love to explain all about Scottish history and western/Celtic folk music through song. Now that would make me very happy and put me right at the top of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Self-Actualisation).

Sorry for being long-winded :D
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2007-03-04 10:15 PM (#112433 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12762

Location: Boise, Idaho
My dad was a hospital administrator, which had an average tenure only slightly longer than college coaches. I promised myself and family I'd find a job and stay as long as I could. We came to Boise with the idea we'd take temporary jobs until we found a place and jobs we liked. I'm still in the same job. Often I think it's only because of stubbornness.
The intellectual challenge is nice, but I'm as tired of the legal system as anyone. Retirement should have been right around the corner, but the stock market and kids in college delayed that.
Back to the original question. In my second life, I could sell Porsches or guitars. I had a standing offer at Guitar Center, but my contact left to go to work for Taylor. I'd rather build stuff, even if it was just as a framer. Any finish work is out of the question. Maybe a car detailer.
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lanaki
Posted 2007-03-05 12:27 AM (#112434 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576

Location: big island
hey stuart,
i'm of the macgregor clan! my paternal grandmother is a gragg, one of the variations of the macgregor name after the clan was booted outta scotland, i think!
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Waskel
Posted 2007-03-05 10:49 AM (#112435 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Drapery cutter/installer, billiard hustler/instructor, pizza parlor manager (Village Inn in Phoenix, Dave! They still around?), custom aluminum window/door manufacturer (Mark, the Red Lion you stayed in last year? I built every original window in that building...), convenience store/gas station manager (16 pumps, self-serve - talk about stress...), house framer, selling/installing ceramic tile for Color Tile, book store clerk/purchaser, programmer, system and network administrator, in order.

Oh, and guitar player/songwriter. What I'd really like to do for a living...
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2007-03-05 11:19 AM (#112436 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
Daily News and New York Post paper routes, Burger King, Beefsteak Charlies (dishwasher - for anyone who remembers this place - all you can eat ribs, chicken, shrimp, salad - LOTS of dishes), construction, phone company summer job doing statewide computer inventory in college, Liquor store, Central Office/Implementation/Equipment/Systems/Sales Engineer, Account Manager.

I'm sure I left out a couple.
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Phil Wong
Posted 2007-03-05 11:42 AM (#112437 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
Going back that far makes me remember this:
1-Worked one day at Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips(High School)
2-Worked 3 years at Alexander's Dept Store(High School)
3-Worked 1/2 summer at a medical books supplier
4-Worked summer job at Bank of New York -Dreyfus Fund

Crimson,
My family used to go to Beefsteak Charlies for birthday's and other occasions.
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CrimsonLake
Posted 2007-03-05 11:48 AM (#112438 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
Phil - my friends and I used to go for alot of occassions... I think it was the all the free beer, wine and sangria that you could drink.

Alexanders - that's a name from the past!
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Slipkid
Posted 2007-03-05 12:20 PM (#112439 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
So far...
Frank......0%
Rick.......19%
Kim/John...28%
Darren.....28%
Kathy......8%
Al.........17%

.
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ProfessorBB
Posted 2007-03-05 12:28 PM (#112440 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881

Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
By the time I could drive, I had spent seven years in show business as a professional tap dancer in and around Hollywood. I then worked at a dairy farm owned by my best friend's father, joined the National Guard at the height of the Viet Nam conflict, continued in school, then starting working for the courts, where I am less than two months away from 35 years. I'm not a judge, but I do run the place. Concurrently, I returned to show business in 1986 as a dancer and choreographer (primarily the latter these days) and in 1991, started teaching at the local university. As long as my jobs remain fun, which they are, I don't see any reason to retire, although I'm vested and could go tomorrow, well, actually, today for that matter.
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MWoody
Posted 2007-03-05 12:40 PM (#112441 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997

Location: Upper Left USA
I am a Lineman for the County...


Couldn't let it go. Life is what happens when you make other plans.
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Jason_S
Posted 2007-03-05 12:47 PM (#112442 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 2804

Location: ranson,wva
i chose the kim/john route just because i like to fix guitars and im pretty good at it too.......jason
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Irgendeiner
Posted 2007-03-05 12:49 PM (#112443 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 165

Location: south of munich, Germany
after Highschool I started as an engineer dealing with other peoples shit... hmm... let's call it waste water treatment plants...

then one change.. now working as an site engineer at an international biotech company (but never came out of the german site.. maybe one day I have the chance to visit some of the US sites? and some US guitars on the way there ?)
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Phil Wong
Posted 2007-03-05 12:51 PM (#112444 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
In Alexander's Dept. Store I started out as a stock boy in womens underware. I became a salesperson when the Blue law took effect. For some reason they put me in women's pocketbooks. From there I worked in housewares, record department, toys, mens furnishings. I saved almost $4,000 which I used for college. This may explain why I turned out the way I did.
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lanaki
Posted 2007-03-05 12:59 PM (#112445 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576

Location: big island
Originally posted by Phil Wong:
In Alexander's Dept. Store I started out as a stock boy in womens underware. This may explain why I turned out the way I did.
what, phil? are you a drag queen?


it's an editable world ain't it? look what can happen if edit-ability gets in the wrong hands! :D
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fillhixx
Posted 2007-03-05 1:17 PM (#112446 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Not that there's anything wrong with that....
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MWoody
Posted 2007-03-05 1:18 PM (#112447 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997

Location: Upper Left USA
You think you got a job that stinks?

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fillhixx
Posted 2007-03-05 1:21 PM (#112448 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Speach balloon over dog:
"I'm not gonna smell it!
You smell it."
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cliff
Posted 2007-03-05 2:49 PM (#112449 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
". . Rosie O'Donnell here, for Alpo . ."
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Phil Wong
Posted 2007-03-05 3:41 PM (#112450 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
Originally posted by Lanaki:
Originally posted by Phil Wong:
In Alexander's Dept. Store I started out as a stock boy in womens underware. This may explain why I turned out the way I did.
what, phil? are you a drag queen?


it's an editable world ain't it? look what can happen if edit-ability gets in the wrong hands! :D
Hey don't give Brad any ideas. He may try to unload a bunch of coconuts on me. :eek:
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lanaki
Posted 2007-03-05 4:20 PM (#112451 - in reply to #112391)
Subject: Re: Career change anyone???


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5576

Location: big island
that would be just plain wong. er...i mean, wrong.
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