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.

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

What do you do (or did)? | BCNA Online Network

Sister
Member
7 years ago
Sounds good to me! Not sure what a librarian with half an active brain could contribute but you never know.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
I feel the same as @Romla on both those issues. I think it should be only available to members of this site. So maybe a private group. It's a lovely idea to support our community, especially as many have difficulties with work after diagnosis and treatment.
Romla
Member
7 years ago
As people have the choice to opt in or not it seems ok.Only query I have is will access be limited to members of the blog as currently any member of the public can read the blog
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
@Eastmum wrote
Hey @BCNA admins - I'm wondering if this thread might light the spark for a professional networking community on this discussion board? Maybe a new private group where people can 'out' their real identities in a safe place if they want to, and list their professional qualifications and/or skill sets if they're happy to offer their services in any way to other members? If for example I need a small job done by a graphic designer, I'd love to know if there was someone here that might be interested in doing the job? I would love to give the work to a 'sister' or 'brother' on these forums. Just might be someone out there who would welcome the distraction, or someone who is actively looking for some work?
Hello @Eastmum
Thank you for your post and what great idea. I have spoken with Marianne regarding the professional networking community and discussion board idea, just wonder what other online community members think?
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
Teacher 10 years, Multicultural Education Consultant 3 yrs (then funding cut), then realised a dream of doing freelance media - writing, producing, directing, some TV and corporate media as well as some print stuff, and part-time university teaching in media studies - 11 years; then projects fell away because of federal budget cuts; then accidentally fell into IT industry - training initially but gradually moved to project management - 13 yrs including eight years in Europe; back to Oz to build "grandma's house" and back into "corporate" media - producing DVDs for Fire & Emergency for two years until 2012 when incoming state govt of that time abolished all govt multi-media units. I was 69 and ADORED work. Took a long time to adjust. Writing a book (biography of an environmentalist/retired politician friend) saved my sanity for 4.5 years. Was working on a memoir when bc diagnosis hit. Shall get back to it.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
I think I shall let my imagination work that one out...! ;)
Sister
Member
7 years ago
I don't think you want to know but if you really do I'll pm you!
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Sister Liquid paper?!?!?! :o :o :o :D
Romla
Member
7 years ago
It’s interesting that the young don’t realise we were young once and enjoyed our lives.But guess I was the same about the previous generation.
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
No Kate. That would be unwise. I'd have to wait until a few people are dead and I'm too old too worry about the consequences. I'm not sure my son or partner would be thrilled to know what I got up to in my 20s and I'm trying to be respectable now :)