What Do You Do?

[DJ54]

Joined the Operating Engineers Apprenticeship program in '73. Also started as summer help at ODOT, until a job opened in Construction. Gas Embargo hit in '73, and pretty well shut down big construction for more than several years. Got on ODOT full time, but stayed in the apprenticeship for 3 years, but never on a job.

Stayed with ODOT for 32 years, the last 17 years operating heavy equipment in 7 counties. Retired at age 50 with full benefits. As I look back, glad I stuck with it.

Collected antique, and classic, mostly IH tractors, and David Bradley garden tractors, and a few Fairbanks-Morse throttling-govenor engines over the years.

Now in to trail riding horses, horsecamping, and volunteer maintaining bridle trails in State/Federal Parks & Forests.

That has been put on hold for the last few years, after buying the homplace where I grew up, and prepping to suit my needs now with all my animals, and toys...

Life is good..!!

[grnspot110]

I grew up farming, worked a few other jobs, then settled into being a full-time firefighter. After 29 years, I retired 6-1/2 years ago, nice to be able to work on my schedule (& the Dr's.)! ~~ grnspot

[gregfender]

I spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force...managed to get an MA in Education as soon as I got out and I'm enjoying my second career as an 8th grade social studies teacher. I spend my summers taking care of my own little slice of heaven in Western North Carolina.

[sam5570]

i was in the service station (full service) and convienence store business for about 18 years sold out small time farming on the farm i was raised on got bored and was spending alot of money so started driving truck been doing this for 12 years now works out good i work local 36 hrs 1 week and 48 hrs the next week.

[kebo]

After high school, I went to a two year tech school and got a two year degree in industrial electronics. Have worked as an electronics tech for about 27 years, but was promoted to a grade B engineer 4 years ago by my current employer. I did get certified as an EMT basic a few years ago, with thoughts of maybe changing careers, but decided to drop that and stay with what I had. Things are not looking too good at work now, but you never know what your chosen path will bring as you go down it. I still have a good dozen years or so before I can retire.

[JD230511]

I have been at my current job for going in two years now. I work in a paper mill. The paper we make is partition paper. For example, the divider in a case of beer... That's what kind of paper we make. It's a very good place to work, I like it there. I can work all the overtime I want.

[MossflowerWoods]

I have been a computer geek (hardware side) most of my life. I've got 30 years experience in my field. I've been is support, product development, marketing, and sales, pretty much always with something "technical" in my title and/or job description.

I've designed custom server systems from the ground up, defining the motherboard features, the sheetmetal chassis, plastic bezels, and even built the assembly line they got assembled on. But I cannot fix your email system or reset your password, or write decent code... I'm more like a mechanic hence "hardware" vs "software", but lately I've been doing more of both.

I currently work for the company that PROBABLY built the laptop or desktop you are using...

I'm very interested in turning my place into a real farm/ranch and starting up some form of agri-business or heavy equipment business, or ???

I'm thinking about change...

Be well,
David

[firemanpat2910]

I started right out of high school working for a printing equipment company.as the warehouse/delivery boy, That was 1985, i was paid $3.35 per hour. I am now the service manager for the same company. I have been to over 35 training classes over the years, can work on anything in a printshop. presses are mechanical,electrical,hydraulic,pnuematic,dark room equipment adds plumbing,plate makers ad networking and running cat 5 cables. we also do our own rigging, and delivery now, so thats hauling a 12,000 pound forklift around and moving machines that can weigh over a ton. I never know from one day to the next if I will be elbow deep in an old A B Dick printing press, or delivering a shiney new laser operated plate maker. my tool sets go from a 3mm wrench to a 2 inch socket and my boss promises if I keep working real hard, I will make it up to $4.00 per hour sometime soon !!!!

[Maxify55]

Chef and Maitre D for the Marriott Corp till '72.
Food Warehouse (Frozen) Mgr till '96.
Florida State Corrections Officer (Death Row) til '07.
Retired in '07
Fully Disabled @ 56.

Daughter (The Baby of 8) has a Horse Addiction.
Bought land and built a Equine Boarding/Breeding Facility.

Didn't take long to get addicted to Farm Life.
Seen more of humanity than a human is supposed to witness.
Guard my quiet life jealously.

[terry.dinerman]

Terry,
I envy you your job. I took an advanced first aid class in college that I found fascinating. Had it not been for the family business I think I would have become a Paramedic.
Hats off to you for helping other others.
Mark

Thank YOU Mark! I love what I do...

Next May will be 35 years since I earned my Texas License to serve as a Volunteer, and through all sorts of jobs that I have loved or hated, being a Medic has been the one constant...

After being "Down Sized" a while back, I decided I would never wake up another day doing a job I did not love and went Medic-ing full-time....

And now I get to do what I love and they PAY me for it...

Life has indeed, been GOOD...

Be Safe Out There....

Terry