What do you do for a living?

[jackiomy]

I am turning 50 on October 20th. I am an adult with Attention Deficit Disorder and Dyslexia so school was very difficult for me. I got married at 15, dropped out of school and divorced by 16. Spent a couple of years on the street and at 18 landed a job as a kennel worker in an animal hospital. I worked the next 10 years as a receptionist/animal
health technician making just enough to survive but it gave me valuable knowledge and an unquenchable desire to learn anything I can about animals. I loved it! At 28 by a weird slip of fate I started driving a school bus, then a charter bus, and now I am (big title, means little) "Assistant to Operations" basically a dispatcher which is really fun, at the company I have been employed at for 20 years this year. So you never know what life will bring you. Some people study for years and still struggle, and other people struggle for years and then find their calling in life. Good luck and remember, if you try, you can overcome any obstacle life throws at you.

 

[snoopy65]

I am 43 and now a stay at home mom! I have 3 children, the first is 22 and lives several states away from me. The younger 2 are a daughter 7 and a son 3. I also have 2 Black Labs, 1 Beagle, 52 assorted fish, 2 hamsters, and 1 ginea pig. I now get paid in hugs, kisses, licks, and the occasional "fleaing" nibble. I would NOT change it for the world!

I use to be a Training Supervisor a major shipping company and climbed the corporate ladder. I missed too much of my oldest daughter's life and chose not to do the same with my younger two. As far as what I made, with all of the economical changes the actual dollar amount is irrelevant, but I have to say that no matter how much money you make, if you are not content in what you do, it will not be enough. Take your time and make sure you like what you do. Do not worry about changing your mind! It is statistically proven that on average people who enter college change their major 3 times in a 4 year program. It is also statistically proven that the average person will change career paths at least 2 times in their life.

 

[chucke]

I say join the Army. As a Military Intel or linguists learn Arabic go to college while you are in the army. They will pay for most or all of it. Then look on usajobs.com or any other government jobs you will be a perfect person for FBI, CIA or any government work. I am 24 no college and I make 42,000 as a Construction cost estimator I did construction in the army and got networked into this position, it pays to know people!

And like he said no matter how much you make if you bite off more then you can chew, you will always be over your head. Like me.

Just do not join the army as a grunt or something that you did not research to make a lot of money in the “real” world

 

[captaincaveman9]

Military trainer (I'm a civilian), specializing as a Urban warfare expert and Convoy defense and counter ambush instructor. Looking for a position that keeps me in the country though

 

[Diann62]

I'm 46 and a critical care nurse. This job certainly has its ups and downs but my salary has served my family well. It's a very stable profession to get into, but can be emotionally draining. If you saw what I see..............

 

[247Plants]

Military trainer (I'm a civilian), specializing as a Urban warfare expert and Convoy defense and counter ambush instructor. Looking for a position that keeps me in the country though

Freakin Awesome....

 

[john_auberry]

I make Doritos and Fritos, I'm 24 and make about 42k a year. Go into heath care my wife makes twice what I do.

 

[JohnSmith]

Ya' know, the youngsters coming along come from a different world than I did. If you did good in school, if you were "upstanding", if you were dependable--probably in high school, someone would give you an indication they were interested in you and help you with a bit of college. If not, and you went to college (they were almost free back then), someone would give you an indication that they would be interested in interning you, and help a bit with education costs.

How the world has gotten into this shape, I don't know.

It is like winning the lottery; sure, you can find a number of rich around, a few middle class, a whole lot of lower class--and lately, enough homeless to make this country start looking like a 3rd world nation than I am comfortable with.

I hate to say this, but looking back, I think us old timers had it easy. I cringe when I see some very nice and decent people struggling so much and getting no where. <frown>

I hope this system falls apart and we get back to where we worry about people here in the USA--and ALL of them!

Regards,
JS

 

[murraycod]

Greg here. 48 year old Australian. Suffered a cerebral bleed at 15 and didn't get to finish year 10. I dropped off the radar for a number of years working on a farm for bed and board. I was quite unwell and was happy just to live quietly alone.
A friend caught up with me at 30 and helped me gain self confidence and perspective. Through friends I found work in the construction and art departments of TV/film production companies; I worked with contractors at The Art Gallery of NSW, The Sydney Theatre Company and others.
Lots of long hours and the stress of working to contract, but in hindsight, very satisfying and when my health failed again two years ago, I had enough to buy a run-down little house in a little town, buy and sell a few shares and garden and grow fish in the backyard. My little Eden.
My advice, have a plan which includes giving yourself time to work P/T and understand what it's like to have to fend for yourself financially and personally before committing to a career path; believe that pensions and the notion of civilised social support for the aged and infirmed is, irrespective of societal good will, an abstract concept due to low birth rates.
You will live a long life as health provision for those who can afford it, develops in ways we can't yet fathom. Imagine what gene techs will exist in 50 years....when you'll start to need health care/pharma. But don't wait to save. Save every week on the assumption that things might not improve financially. If and when you do have extra money, invest. Learn about simple investment and analysis. Listen to your folks financial advice and then get professional advice, because intergenerational experience is often obsolete. In part demonstrated in the mortgage problems here and in the US.
Do something you love, respect yourself and develop holistic independence.
Good luck with your exams.
Greg

 

[Poecilid]

Please state your age and what you do..
And better yet, how much you earn weekly or yearly
Not to be rude asking what you people do, because I just graduated from year 12, and about to sit for a state high school test..

And wondering what I should do after this, I know I should have planned my career goals ages ago, but as my life progress, I tend to change my career perferences.
Once again do not take this thread offensive, as I know alot of people don't like to share their wages/pay.

Peace

Aged 51 - I build companies (mainly software/internet). Earn a lot. Entrepreneurship rocks!