I'm thinking about getting out of tech support hell and maybe getting into photography. I know it would be a struggle, but it would let me express myself creatively instead of feeling trapped in this job of fixing other peoples problems. I'd like to maybe fix computers on the side for extra money, but writing and photography are what my real interests... Just curious what you guys do and how you like it?
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02:20 PM
PFF
System Bot
Shiner Member
Posts: 899 From: Riegelsville, PA, USA Registered: May 99
Right now I am working at an italian restaurant, doing prep work, cleaning, washing dishes, and cooking. I freakin hate it! I also fix computers on the side, since I get paid $40 an hour for it. Fixing comps is alright, it's not my favorite thing to do, but I can stand it for the money. I have the exact same problem as you: I don't feel like I accomplished anything unless I can use creativity, or actually MAKE something. I feel like a zombie at work; there is no need for higher-thinking or creativity there. A damn monkey could do my job. The only escape I have is making music. I am joining a friend's band, and making new bass lines for the songs they have, which is really fun for me. The band PROBABLY isn't going anywhere, but I don't care
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04:08 PM
RFMike Member
Posts: 255 From: River Falls, WI Registered: May 99
I'm an architect, and most days I love it. It allows the creative part of me to coexist with the problem solving part of me. Took me a long to get here, though. My advice to you is to figure out what you like to do more than anything else in the world, then figure out how to make a living at it. If what you do for a living seems like play to you, you'll be good at it, and make a decent living, too. In the meantime, keep your tech support job, and work toward getting the qualifications for what you really want to do. Most people can succeed at something if they are willing to work harder than anyone else. In photography, that means you may have more darkroom time, more field time, and more time trying to make the right contacts. That's right, you need to meet people that can help your career along. If you have figured out what you need to do, do it, and don't look back. Good luck.
[This message has been edited by RFMike (edited 03-25-2000).]
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06:57 PM
Monkeyman Member
Posts: 15809 From: N. Wilkesboro, NC, USA Registered: Nov 1999
Currently I'm an asst mgr in training at the local Village Pantry (C-store). I love interacting with the customers, but I'm not real fond of the "busy work". Hopefully, I'll be a "real" asst mgr (then mgr, then President--oops...not enough meds!) in a couple of months. More paperwork duties and less face-to-face interactions with the customers, but more $$. (Anything's better than $5.50/hr!) I'd love to do what interests me irregardless of the $$, but there are bills to pay! (I do have some things up my sleeve, though!)
RFMike--Is your last name Brady?? Just wondering as your first name (I assume) is Mike and you're an architect.
I left a company last year, after 8 years of service, to go to a large corporation. I am a import/export and logistic specialist. I felt insecure with the small company because it was family owned and I was afraid of being 59 years old and being replaced by the nephew or grandson. Well the large company merged with another, and I am losing my job as of March 31.
Good news, however. I was offered a position by the largest customer of my old company. It will pay more and there will be more oppertunity to advance. Their business is in wholesale welding supplies and they want to expand their international business. This is the industry that I know and love. To make a long story short, the downsizing of my current company, is giving me the funds to do my upcoming 3800 II S/C swap. I will have about 3 weeks off before I start my new job. So, the moral of the story is, dont burn bridges when you leave a job. You never know if it will come back to haunt you. I am thankful, I didn't. If you are reading this and are single or under 30. GO TO SCHOOL AND GET YOUR DEGREE. You can then write your own ticket.
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08:41 PM
Carolina 88GT Member
Posts: 134 From: Pikeville, NC, USA Registered: Feb 2000
I work for a private company that develops financial software along with hardware and internet solutions for credit unions. I build and support NT computers, networks, printers, software, installtions, rebuilds, troubleshooting...hmmmmm....just about everything you can imagine. Im currently getting them interested in live streaming audio and video for training sessions. I love what I do.....course I had thought about taking correspondance courses to be a brain surgeon.....hmmmmm...or better yet, maybe a NASA scientist...after all you get to spend billions of dollars on projects then make statements to the press like "We didnt expect it to work anyways".
In no way am I gloating but I love my job. I am a doctor. Like any job, it has it's annoyances, but overall it's a blast. I am trying to pace myself so that if my health holds out I can be doing this up to about 70 years old.
The 9 years of college after high school, and 3 years of residency training, weren't a blast. Not starting to earn an income until age 31 wasn't a blast. But it's all paid off now. It allows me to get a Fiero and hopefully complete a v8 conversion. It may take me forever because I want to learn from a friend of mine how to do it (I have never even changed the oil in a car, but I'm not letting that stop me. I've learned other stuff, it's not too late to learn this).
Oh yeah, getting the Fiero has allowed me to meet a great bunch of guys on the forum. I've really enjoyed it.
Student at UIC, its in illinois. Studying computers, going to get a BA in math and computer science, i get both degrees cause the requirements for computers requires 5 math classes. I want to be a programmer, but it isn't something i do obessivly. Computers is like a hobby for me,and programming is part of it. School seems to be a drag because i only have taken 1 programming class in 3 years. So school does seem like a waste of time. Next semester i will be taking another computer class and calculus II, if im lucky wont be closed due to the class being filled with students. Which happened several times to me and messes up my plans. I do like programming, so far i have learned C in dos version. I also learned pascal in highschool, and basic on my own. Some aol hacking on my own time. Programming is challenging sometimes, because you have to think on how should the problem be solved by computer language. I believe i shall enjoy it in life, and i know i will love the salary, i have heard its great pay. One of my dreams was going to microsoft, but im not sure if i want to leave Illinois. Some goals in life is having my own replica of jay lenos garage, and owning all fieros, all vw beetles and super beetles. The different years of course. Keeping my hobbies, rc flying, motorcycling, rc cars, cars, puters,etc...
I know work does suck, i have worked as a part time cashier, good pay after a few years. I worked at my dads work, wrigley gum, hes been there for 30 years i think, he use to be a machinist, now head of the parts inspection, for the gum machines. I only work there during my breaks from school, 40 hours a week 6am to 230. I do feel bad for the people that i do work with, cause some hate their jobs, and they are always looking for something better. I know some people, like in the posts above, that jobs will give bullsh*t to the workers, and ive seen it. Supervisors cutting hours or doing whatever they want to make themselves look good or kissing up to bosses above them. Guys, find what you like to do, so you wont come home too tired to work on your fieros. Sorry if this post is way long.
The Mike Brady thing really took me by surprise... funny as usual
88,
loved the **** star line..
lobe,
great to hear that someone actually likes their job!
What do I do? Well, currently I have provided myself with the title of senior Cad Monkey. I have been formally trained as a Mechanical Engineer with an Automotive specialty. Unfortunatly my present company neither uses me as an engineer nor is related to the automotive industry. I work for a CMM manufacturer and my duties primarily consist of drawing, drawing and drawing... oh wait I guess all that I do is draw.
Since I always have to be long winded and share more than I am asked to... I will outline a few jobs that I have held in the past. So far I have worked at a golf course, as a landscaper, at a car wash, installing farm fences, selling christmas trees, as a handy man, as an automotive detailer, at Circuit City, at a cafeteria, as a general laborer, bailing hay and possibly as a few other things. I really love to work. I actually have loved each of the aforementioned jobs. Every couple of years, I would just have the need to experience something new.. and the best way to learn for me is to be paid for doing it.
I have always loved cars and solving problems. So naturally I decided to enter the field of automotive engineering. I worked my @$$ off to pay for the exorbitant tuition. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find an engineering related job that I enjoy. I am on my 3rd company in 5 years. Each one has been happy with my work, but I soon grow discontent with my situation.
When I look back on all of my odd jobs, I realize that I had more fun working them than in my career related jobs it is very disheartening. Anybody else feel like this? I realize that I am still young and new to engineering and most importantly I keep a positive attitude about the situation. The real kicker for me is that I am getting married in the fall. I truly hope to be able to support my wife, but can't imagine being discontent in the workplace indefinitely... Any comments/suggestions?
William T. Thorn, III
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01:59 AM
PFF
System Bot
stimpy Member
Posts: 8197 From: Salinas, CA Registered: Jan 2000
It is always interesting to me to see the paths some have taken to gey yo where they are now. It really blows my mind when people have the same job for 20-30 years. In my time I have been a security guard, hospital orderly, hotdog vendor, massage therapist, delivery driver, worked more temp jobs then I could possibly name. Currently I am a staffing coordinator/payroll administrator for Adecco- (words largest staffing firm- shameless plug) and I do enjoy the variety of it. Every day is a new challenge. But if your work doesn't allow you to be happy- LEAVE IT! Life is way to short and jobs far too plentiful to put up with being miserable in your job.
You guys have done it all. I'm just on my third job. I am going to school full time to get my bachelors in CIS. So far, the school part is pretty boring. The highschool I went to was pretty advanced, leaving me way ahead of the rest of my classes in college(general knowledge and computer field). Although it is nice to already know the material, it is quite boring to sit there and do busy work. Durring highschool I learned C, C++, Java, basic, some COBOL, HTML, and visual versions of some of the aforementioned. Some I learned in school, some on my own time. I like to program, but I can't see myself enjoying it for 10 or 20 years. I have one MCSE certificate for WINNT, but don't have any use for it yet. This is still my first year in college, and I see two more after the first one, I hope I get some real computer classes sometime.
[This message has been edited by fiero56 (edited 03-26-2000).]
I have done many different things, but the job I have now is the greatest. I teach second grade in a lower economy community. There is nothing as rewarding as looking at those kids when they "get it". I love my job.
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09:15 PM
bHooper Member
Posts: 4156 From: greensboro, nc Registered: May 99
One year I had around 12 different w-2's! Since high school, and through colege, I have had the folowing jobs: clean up person for a car and van rental co, 2 warehouse jobs, wood chucker for a chair company, bouncer, barback, cell phone sales and installer (I really enjoyed that job), server at a banquet hall, 2 other server jobs, stock broker (2 different firms in 2 years), car stereo sales, food sales (via the phone), worked for a large national electrical parts distribution company, ran a textile sales company in NYC for one year, but have been involved with textiles for 6 of the last 7 years. As for temp work, I did Auto Cad for 2 company's; an enviromental company and a company that did schmatics for nuclear power plants! I had no prior Auto Cad experience! Scary, isnt it?
I studied alternative energy in college, but have never done anything with it. I enjoy what I do now, but it is not what I want to do for the next 30-40 years of my life!
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11:31 PM
fieroshop Member
Posts: 648 From: Palm Harbor, FL. Registered: Jun 99
Well I guess I'll add my $0.02 worth. Born in China lived in about a dozen countries speak four languages and am a retired diabled veteran and too young to retir I am having a ball fixing Fieros. Also am the newsletter editor for our club. Yes I've done other things like run an auto dealership and my service station when I was 20. Worked for Pac.Bell, been a lingerie wholeseller and god only knows how many jobs I've had. Too many to remember. Buty now the fun starts and will continue for a while.
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11:38 PM
Robert Member
Posts: 433 From: One gallon East of San Francisco Registered: May 99
I run a medium size printing plant 6 blocks from my house (temp gauge doesn’t even move during my commute) and I love it. I started my “real” working life one year after returning from Viet Nam in 1971 (needed some time to get my head straight). There was a posting on the wall of the unemployment office for a helper at a printing company. My first check was $.15 (yea 15 cents) more that I was getting on unemployment. Since then I have worked for 5 other printing companies, with a short break one year as a Hod Carrier (plasterer helper, heavy lifting, no brainier work). Now at 51 I have it made. I make a good living, stress is within reason, and my weekends are free. What I have enjoyed most about printing is we create something new every day. Even when I was a pressman, I liked the fact jobs didn’t repeat themselves more than twice a year. I love it when a customer picks up their job and says “Wow, this looks great!”.
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11:44 PM
Mar 27th, 2000
cobra427 Member
Posts: 207 From: Cape Cod, Ma. Registered: Dec 1999
My philosophy on work is: Work is only work when you'd rather be doing something else. Been painting for 30 years along with doing other things in and out of those 30 years. Hope I can make it for another 5 years. Then I'm qualified for retirement. Yeah right!
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12:38 AM
zebrex Member
Posts: 48 From: jasonville indiana usa Registered: Mar 2000
For the last three years I worked in a surface coal mine. The money was real good but hated it. Then as I got more interested in computers I started pursuing my M.C.S.E. Now I work as a network administrator for an isp. I hope to move up to bigger and better companies in the future but as of now I really love my job. (and it doesnt hurt that my boss is great looking and a super flirt)
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04:46 AM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40686 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Okay, I'll jump in, here. I provide NT desktop support for the corporate office of a utility company. Been doing it for three years, and I'm already bored $#!+less. Before that I did radio and broadband (microwave, fiber optics, T-1s and T-3s etc.) for about five years, for the same company. Was a lot of fun but I got woke up in the middle of the night a lot. And before that, I worked 10 years for another company (which shall remain nameless), maintaining a (huge) police and fire radio system. The work was really interesting, but the pay sucked. And I STILL got woke up in the middle of the night.
If I had it to do over again, I'd have gone the additional two years and gotten the degree, instead of just a Tech Certificate. All you young guys. Are you listening? I know you're in a hurry to get "out there". Take just enough time to do this. I have never, in my entire life, heard anyone say, "Damn, I wish I would have quit school, sooner."
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 03-27-2000).]
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11:19 AM
PFF
System Bot
GT Bastard Member
Posts: 2243 From: Rapid City, SD Registered: Sep 1999
I have been a firefighter/emt for the last 4 years. It is what I have wanted to do since I was a little kid. It is amazing that I actually get up every third day and am glad to be going to work. Each day is pretty much different, plus I don't have to wear a suit and tie to work.
Well... Im in Texas and well, umm.... I sell hats. For a company called Lids. Fun job pays OK (Keeps the Fiero going) But ill be damned, my boss is ruining it for me. Im about to snap into a slim jim and break something. Anyway. I like my job...
Michael "loki"
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09:13 PM
olympic Member
Posts: 544 From: Saskatchewan,Canada Registered: Oct 1999
After high school I didn't know what to do. 4 years of university scared me so I took a two year business admin course at a local community college. I was named most outstanding student in the first year so I decided to try university. But, like a dummy I took Electrical Engineering instead of accounting(which I knew I was good at). I squeeked by on the first year and totally bombed the second year and I never went back. Since then, I've worked a few jobs in pipeline construction and surveying which I really enjoyed but the work is just too seasonal here in Canada. One winter I was desperate for work so I took a job as a cab driver in my home town. It was easy, clean work(small town) but the hours sucked and the boss was the biggest S.O.B you'd ever want to meet. A few of us hated him so much that we decided to try and put him out of business. We started our own cab company 2 years ago and things have gone pretty well. I wasn't sure if I could run my own business but it wasn't that bad(my education helped). We've taken most of the local business and many small contracts from our competitor.(even most of the local people hate him) He still has a huge contract with the local railroad which is keeping him alive. If we can score that contract next year he'll be out of business and we'll be homefree. Anyways, like many have said here before, its amazing how life can twist and turn to get you where you are today.
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10:13 PM
jhogans Member
Posts: 258 From: Lawrenceville, GA USA Registered: Sep 1999
I'm a Software Engineer. I do Windows NT software development using Visual C++/C++. I love the job and the work. I currently work out of my house. I have a completely furnished network with 2 NT Workstations, 1 NT Server, and ADSL all provided by the company. They don't even mind if I moonlight That's what the owner told me. Now I have lots of time to spend with my kids. Plus it allows my wife to go back to school to get her BS in Computer Science. The other good thing about the job is that it pays GREAT!!!!!
I was originally a Mechanical Engineer out of GA Tech. GO JACKETS!!!!!! I didn't really like but decided to finish up. The only jobs that seem to be around were Plant Management jobs. Therefore, I went back to school and got my BS in Computer Science. I have loved it ever since.
I'm currently working on starting my on Company, Riot Inc. Anybody has any ideas on some products please throw them my way. Like I said I do Windows NT development. I've been doing Internet Software development with my current company for the past 3 years. If you have any Internet ideas, I'm all about hearing about them.
My turn, I'm a Cadillac service tech. Been doing it for one month shy of ten years now. ARG, hard to believe.... I enjoy the challenge of the electrical and driveability problem the Cadillacs toss at me. On an average I fix/work on six cars a day, and it's rarely the same thing twice. I still enjoy fixing cars and I don't dread getting up every morning and driving to work. When the ride isn't fun anymore, I'm getting off!! I'm exploring other paths I might be taking in the future with a business partner/friend of mine, but right now it looks like I'll be wreching on cars for at least a year or so more. Dan-O
I'm currently working as a web/graphics designer ( http://www.digitalfusion.on.ca/ ) but my real interests are in research & development.. I've been inventing stuff since I was little, and experimenting with various things all my life.. I'll never forget the time I tried to see what would happen if I attached some wires to an AC/DC adapter and plugged it in.... BIIIIG spark.. (well, less than half an inch long.. but still...)
I've been accepted into an electro-mechanical engineering program at Humber college in Toronto, ON. and currently am considering starting a business in about 5 years with a friend from the USA. (any fiero clubs in the Seattle area?) Anyway, to answer the question.. I own my own business, and get to keep whatever hours I choose.. the pay isn't bad, ($15/hour contract, $25-$50/hour freelance) but it's not exciting anymore. I'd much rather be studying physics and engineering, which is why I applied to that area instead of an arts course.
jhogans, I don't run WinNT (I use win98) but a windows program that I think a LOT of people would like is an instant messaging program like ICQ (including real time chat, messages & file transfers) that used PGP encryption. I've been discussing this with a couple of programmer friends, but neither of them are skilled enough to pull it off. There's a few things about the proposed protocol that need to be worked out, but I think I have it figured out well enough to get a rough idea of what needs to be done. unfortunately, I'm not a programmer.. I'm more of an idea person when it comes to things like this.
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01:40 AM
Ed Member
Posts: 431 From: Sacramento, California Registered: Dec 1999
I grew up poor and wanted to go to college, so I joined the military for the GI Bill. After my hitch, I worked full time and went to school part time for 10 years. After graduating with a geology degree, I still couldn't find a good job, so went back to school and got my master's degree. Now I'm an "environmental scientist" (my official job title) working in the exciting field of groundwater quality. I loved my job, I run my whole program by myself, have enough field work to get out of the office once in a while, and really felt like I was doing my part to protect the environment...until about 3 years ago when everything got super political (I work for a state agency that probably should stay nameless). I still like my job, but I'm much more cynical now. They may still censor my reports about who is polluting the groundwater, but somehow info seems to "leak out" to the Sierra Club and other environmental groups periodically...
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02:38 AM
PFF
System Bot
RossT Member
Posts: 3038 From: Bismarck, North Dakota Registered: May 99
I sleep all day, and mix very expensive drugs all night long. My most expensive mix runs about $4,000 a dose!! And this is all done legally. Actually I like my job as the "the night pharmacist" at a local hospital. There is a big demand for pharmacists, thus the pay is pretty good. Working nights means that there are no bosses running around telling you what to do. I am somewhat my own boss. We also have ISDN internet access, so I can visit the forum whenever I want. I work 4 ten hour shifts and have every weekend off!!! That means three day weekends.
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05:15 AM
Standard Member
Posts: 4667 From: St. Cloud, MN Registered: Apr 99
This month marks my fourth year working as a mechanic for Bennett's Cycle. It's also my first job, I've worked there since I was 14. I love it, even though the store manager's can be downright idiotic sometimes.
Wrenching is just in my blood, even though I was raised around computers. I've been using computers since I was 5, and I know I could make a killing doing anything computer related.. but I couldn't handle sitting at a desk staring at a screen all day. too sterile and boring. I like to get my hands dirty. That's why I'm going to Tech school this fall for auto engine rebuilding and machining... well, that and to get a rebuilt 2.8... hehe
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06:11 AM
DJRice Member
Posts: 2741 From: Merritt Island, FL USA Registered: Jun 99
I graduaded in '98 with a BSEE - Computer Design Specialty. After several months of job hunting I found a job with Boeing at Cape Canaveral AFS, FL. I am a Video systems design engineer. There are alot of aspects of this job that are pretty cool, but I am a bit annoyed by the political crap at higher levels that causes problems down at my level. The likelyhood of finding a job with no political garbage to deal with is highly unlikely so I just deal with it.
A Bachelors Degree will get you in the door. After your in, you can do with it what you will. Most companies want to see that you stuck it out in college, and will train you to do what they need you to do.
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10:12 AM
BOILERMAKER Member
Posts: 1334 From: Indianapolis, IN, USA Registered: May 99
I always feels good to submit your two weeks if its a job you dislike. I loved giving my two weeks notice to my first job, my second just wasn't dishing out enough $$$. My third, is just a job I do for the money. Can't see muslef staying ther more than a year or two.