What do you do (or did)?

Sister

I've found that I'm thoroughly intrigued by the work that people on this forum do (or did).  I read that people are wondering about continuing to work or not, have retired or are looking for work and sometimes they say what that work is but often not.
As for me, I'm a librarian by profession and, due to the logistics of having school-aged kids and living too far from anywhere, I'm working as a school support officer in the library at the secondary school that two of my kids go to.  Currently on leave without pay but can't wait to go back.  I love that my manager gives me my head to do the fun library stuff such as selecting material and reader guidance, and helping students organise activities, and I love working with that age group.

kmakm

For ten years I worked in the media, in film, radio, newspapers and tv, on the admin side. I worked in Australia and the UK.

One day towards the end of my last media job (about to go on maternity leave with my first baby) I was being yelled at (for something totally out of my control) about a 30 second promo for Deal Or No Deal. As the shouty man got red in the face I thought to myself, if I'm going to be yelled at, at work, it's going to have to be for something more important than an ad for a quiz show...

I left that job and that industry knowing I'd never go back. When the time came I followed a gut instinct and retrained in medical administration. So my last job was in a hospital and it was the happiest I've been in 18 years! Sadly it was a contract position, and then my personal life tsunami took over. The plan was to get back to work February this year. I'll try again next year.

AllyJay

I used to run the canteen on my old drop  zone in South Africa. I had a barter system going.  I'd cook a full breakfast for up to 40 hungry (and thirsty at the end of the day) skydivers, and a lot of the youngsters would pack a rig in lieu  of payment. Credits for their pack jobs then got me a free jump, so basically five brekkies got my knees in the breeze for free. I also packed for jumps in between on the Saturday. and spent the Sunday, (after breakfast) having free fun.

Kiwi Angel

I have been a Veterinary Nurse for the last 12 years and was in various admin jobs before that. Has been a little challenging going through chemo as have to be careful to not get scratched or bitten but when u are feeling down some furry cuddles and kisses are the best medicine. 

RachelG

I am a beauty therapist by trade and I have been teaching beauty therapy for the last 8 years (both in NZ and now Australia for the last 3 years). I still absolutely love my job, every day is different and I still get a buzz out of helping the students achieve their goals   

JoeyLiz

I am a Radiation Therapist (10 years). When I was 9 my nan was going through radiation for breast cancer and used to tell me about the nice ladies helping her each day so that’s I wanted to be (when I figured out I wasn’t smart enough to be a VET). I love my job and find it very rewarding. Through chemo I managed to keep working roughly 3 days a week though am meant to be 4 days as still on “return to work plan” after Mat leave. 

Hopes_and_Dreams

I’m a bank manager and have been in banking for over 30 years. I started out as a stenographer in the early 80’s but once I figured out there was no opportunity for advancement I moved into general banking.  I did private English teaching to 25 students when I lived in Japan for 4 years in the mid 90’s  but when we returned home, was back into doing what I do best

Hopes_and_Dreams

Lost the rest of my post! Blasted iPhone!!
I love leading a team and helping them grow their careers.  I also love working with our clients to help them achieve their goals.  No matter what job we do, it’s important that we feel we’ve made a difference in someone’s life.

Romla

I was a teacher -  initially secondary but latterly tertiary - but now retired. I miss the classroom but not the politics outside the classroom door .I do abit of volunteer work and tutor my twin boys who are in their final year of school.

Brenda5

As a young girl I was a dental assistant and receptionist. I threw it in at 21 and explored the north coast of Qld. I became a jillaroo training horses and mustering cattle. I picked watermelons for extra money then took up a job as a packer in a meatworks. I married, had two sons and started investing in fixerupper rental houses. I homeschooled the kids while I was renovating and my hubby was at his work. I have owned 28 houses but now only my own home. I cannot renovate any more.

Eastmum

Great idea for a thread @Sister! I'm a journalist by trade. I worked in electronic media - TV & Radio for a few years then moved into the conference industry. I now work at the school my kids went/go to, in communications/PR/marketing, which involves a lot of digital marketing, copy writing and developing creative content.  

Payne

I've been curious about that too @Sister.  I am a Registered Nurse, but haven't returned to that post treatment.  Have lost my confidence as not able to work for almost a year.  I now work for an  acupuncturist and loving it.  NO STRESS.  Soft, restful music always in the background. Also, no one dies!

Artferret

I was a primary teacher and like you Romla i don't miss the politics and the merry go round of the curriculum (my philosophy is if it ain't broke, don't fix it - terrible english for a teacher!) I did relief teaching for many years after having children and my daughter's friends used to love it when i had their class because they were allowed to call me by my first name. The funniest thing a grade 3/4 boy said to me one time was when i was riding my bike to school and he saw me pushing it through the school yard and said "I didn't know teachers could ride bikes!"  After that i worked at my husband's accountancy practice for 3 and a half years in admin...that was an eye opener but good fun learning new skills. Now i run around after my mum...

kezmusc

It is a great thread idea.

I did 15 years in retail in the auto industry, then went to a roadside breakdown company. (Admin) , That didn't last long.  Too much getting yelled at by broken down people.  Had my twin daughters.  I had always wanted to work for my self and run a riding school.  Only problem was...lots of cash needed.  I renovated and sold three houses that year to rake up enough money to buy a farm and start my riding school.  That wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be.  The kids and ponies were awesome but wow some of the parents! Eeeew.   Got divorced, nearly lost my farm, became a real estate agent.  Yuk didn't like that one either. 

Got a new husband (cute cowboy this time LOL) and ended up with a blended family of 5.  Changed tactics with the farm and started  running a boarding and training stables. 
 For the last 8 years as well as running the stables, training horses and teaching people to ride I have also worked part time in the local public hospital.  In the surgical ward, believe it or not.  Probably have to stay there forever now just to keep the super and life insurance (can't get that anywhere else any more).  
I enjoy my job at the hospital.  It's a bit different now though, sometimes I have to leave my desk and have a bit of a sob seeing the volume of breast surgeries coming through and knowing what lies ahead for these people. 

I love my farm and hope to be here for ever playing ponies. Think I'll be one of those old ladies that walks through the stables with her glass of wine in the afternoon just to smell the horses and hay.

Romla

Already knew you were an amazing bunch of people even more so after reading this - thanks for the thread @Sister

Nadi

I started out as a crisis counsellor while studying social work, then did 4 years in banking sector for a change of pace. Following that I got my Bachelor of Education and taught mostly Special Ed and English to years 7-12 doing a lot of relief teaching when my kids were very young. Left education when my youngest went to school and went into public policy. Currently I contract manage infrastructure programs which I really enjoy.