Adults in the real world (out of high school and/or college): What do you do?

***Steven*** · #1 03-03-2007, 05:55 PM

I've seen threads asking about High School activities, and we see one now asking about current college students' majors/minors.

Anyway, if you're done with High School, and you're done with college, what do you do to make a living? We don't need to know how much you make (cuz that seems to depress others when we're all trying to make ends meet).

I am an IT consultant in Nashville, Tennessee. I work with some famous clients (musicians, production firms, entertainment lawyers) and some not so famous clients (utility contractors, truck and trailer sales and service, run of the mill lawyers, real estate agents, etc.). I have an office on Music Row (17th Ave.), but much of the time I'm out on site. I fix some stuff, but I also advise clients on purchases and maintenance for their IT. Much of what I do is handle network and server infrastructure, though I still deal with fixing those desktops, laptops, PDAs, and stuff.

**Brian F** · #2 03-03-2007, 06:36 PM

I'll play: I'm an industrial maintenance technician. My current job is in a mail order distribution center. Essentially, I am a mechanic, electrician, computer tech, welder, machinist, fabricator, plumber, roofer, carpenter, and babysitter.

It's fun!

Sir Willow · #3 03-03-2007, 07:30 PM

Currently I'm working as a youth pastor at a local church, and am also working as a photographer at Walt Disney World to help bring in a bit of money that the pastoring isn't able to. Between the two I'm working my dream jobs at this point, and absolutely love it. Biggest goal at this point is to grow the church enough that they can pay more and I can cut the Disney back to part time. The rate we're growing, I'm optimistic that'll happen by the end of the year.

In the past since I've graduated I've worked at various other times as a teacher (substitute at the high school level, and full time teaching high school drama and elementary school computers), youth pastor, grocery store cashier, photo processor, bookstore assistant manager, and stay at home dad. I also worked at BGT as a Rhino Rally driver for almost a year more for fun than anything else.

**Jimmy B** · #4 03-03-2007, 11:01 PM

In the past several years, as a research meteorologist, I have been on temporary/seasonal assignments conducting atmospheric research projects. My work has taken me to Atlanta, Georgia in 2003 and then to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2004-2005.

In Atlanta, in addition to touring this great city all throughout my stay there, I was appointed to a very special project monitoring the effects of different ground soil on the daily temperatures. In Oklahoma City, I was on a Mesonet assignment doing wind pattern tracking and analysis. And here in Corpus Christi, I've relayed forecast reports to our Int'l Airport for airlines and flights. Most of my shifts here came overnight so I usually worked from 2 AM until 10 AM and sleep during the afternoon.

Just last year, my parents, being hotel owners/management, have acquired via partnership, a few newly built hotels in Corpus Christi and are having me temporarily run one of them until they can find a manager to hire full-time. So I'm currently putting my meteorology career on hold for the time being to give them a helping hand.

For leisure, I love taking long-distance road trips alone, by myself, to go see places and visit people. Many times in the past years, I've driven 1,200-1,600 miles in a span of about five-six days. It's always a perfect release to the stress of everyday life.

I'm also a bowler in a couple of local leagues, one which meets every Monday night and the other every Thursday night, both nights from 9 PM until Midnight. I bowl an average of 154, but my scores can range wildly anywhere from about 120 to over 200. My personal highest score was a 243 game bowled almost exactly a month ago, which I happened to bowl while battling with a flu and a 101-degree fever.

Until the spring of last year, I had a couple of great roommates, who I've hung out with. Now that they've left, I am living alone in a single bedroom apartment, which I'll probably continue living in even during my brief venture in the new hotel, since that is not that far away at all.

By the way, the profile pic of me was taken in the map room of the weather center in Oklahoma, where my office was in.

Sandy W · #5 03-05-2007, 07:59 AM

I like these topics. I have written somehere else on here to be sure. This will be a repeat.

I do product demos for many companies. I audit customer service for businesses. I give them a grade on how well they are serving the public. I also schedule other demonstrators during the holiday season and other peek times. I place the people on location throughout the US. My job is very fun but can also have its days. It can take me to hire say 4-5 people before I get one person to show up and cover an assignment. Multiply it by having to place about 100 persons and it equals about 500 emails and as many phone calls. I'm glad right now its not peek season. I travel also around OH to service the related client accounts. It keeps me hopping.

**Wes** · #6 03-05-2007, 03:05 PM

I am currently an implementation advisor for one of the big Charlotte-based banks (the colors are red and blue, you can probably guess the one).

Basically I work with businesses to set up their credit card program or cards. Some people are your mom and pop type deal and some are a good bit larger.

It's a unique pace for sure, some weeks are slow and some are busy. You can usually tell when we're slow because I'm out on TN all day. lol

In a world where large corporations like mine lay you off at the flick of a pen, I feel very fortunate that I'm approaching my 16th year with the bank.

Oh and by the way, most people assume that bank employees all work at branches. Surprisingly most don't. I'd say 80% of bank employees work in "back office" environments. I work in downtown Charlotte in a highrise.

Jimmy you and I have two things in common. I love road trips too, and I used to be a league bowler as well.

My personal best game was a 188. Not great, but better than my average around 120. The smoke go to be too bad for me to take and I dropped out because of all the smokers.

Coaster Freak · #7 03-05-2007, 03:24 PM

I'm an aerospace engineer with a company here in Toronto. Our company develops modifications for aircraft being used for special purposes...we deal a lot with various worldwide government departments, military and private owners. We do some work for airlines but its not our primary focus. My specific responsibilities revolve around structural and mechanical designs. It is a lot of fun!

Diesel · #8 03-05-2007, 09:14 PM

I'm a CPA. Google it if you don't know.

I make financial statements and kick people's asses for making stupid entries into the general ledger.

I just got someone fired today after I stumbled onto her embezzlement habits. 22 years with the company - all gone for $1145.82.

How come no one posted a salary yet?

Sir Willow · #9 03-06-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel

How come no one posted a salary yet?

Because most of us don't feel a need to brag about how much we do or don't make?

Seriously, for me the money I make is almost irrelevant. It pays enough to cover my needs and a few extras, but I don't do what I do for the money. I do it because I love it.

I can say this- I make almost as much money as a full time Disney photographer as I did as a public school teacher, and with pretty much none of the stress, dealing with pain in the neck parents, and a bunch of great perks.

jimhamblin · #10 03-06-2007, 10:32 PM

I'm an engineer and have worked int he auto industry for several years. However, I've recently left the auto industry for greener pastures. Don't get me wrong the auto industry has been great but I feel my career has run its course there and I like to have new challenges in my life to keep it interesting. Not to mention that I would definatly like to work in a business that is closer to my interests.

I now work designing play grounds and play ground equipment. It's a lot of fun and a lot less stress than the auto industry. I love the process of beginning with a blank sheet of paper (or computer screen in today's age) and watching my designs develop. When things eventually get built, there is nothing like the feeling of seeing something in real life and having the thought that the first place it ever existed was in my head. There is something magical about that feeling.

In the future I would like to steer my career in the direction of a safety and reliability engineer for the amusement industry. I spend a lot of my free time studying the design of rollercoasters and amusements. I can spend an entire day in an amusement park just analysing the function of an an attraction. If anyone has any advice for me I'd love to hear it.

Coaster_holic24 · #11 03-07-2007, 11:05 AM

I am a medical secretary at a hospital. I transcribe Doctors orders into the computer. It was tough getting used to some of the Doctors attitudes and let me tell ya they DO have attitudes. I have been working there for 4 years now, not long I know but then again I'm only 25.

**Wes** · #12 03-07-2007, 11:28 AM

You must be a mind reader too. I don't see how anyone can read their handwriting. lol

I can tell you all about the medical field, my mom has been a nurse for about 40 years.

**Brian F** · #13 03-07-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster_holic24

It was tough getting used to some of the Doctors attitudes and let me tell ya they DO have attitudes.

Yeah, most of them think they are God, are totally motivated by greed, and use the mindless trust that most have for them to cash in BIG time. Personally, I regard doctors about as highly as I regard lawyers and politicians, and for the same reasons.

Johnny Upsidedown · #14 03-07-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhamblin

I spend a lot of my free time studying the design of rollercoasters and amusements. I can spend an entire day in an amusement park just analysing the function of an an attraction. If anyone has any advice for me I'd love to hear it.

One of my favorite things in the world is studying how things work.

Anyway what does Johnny do, I guess I am an adult. You would think by 40 I would be one.
So I am in the construction industry. I am a form carpenter/concrete finisher. I work for a small company of about 6 guys. My work is in residential home construction. I can do all phases of concrete work as in laying the concrete, finishing the concrete also preping the jobs to get filled with concrete. My job is to build the forms that hold the concrete. So I read blueprints and build the fondation out of lumber. I do basically all parts of the work but my main job is getting the stuff built so others can pour.
Really nothing exciting, its a job and what I am good at. Pay is okay not great but thats life..

Diesel · #15 03-07-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Willow

Because most of us don't feel a need to brag about how much we do or don't make?

Wrong - "With God, I don't need a salary" was the correct answer. The materialism on this board is frightening.

Sir Willow · #16 03-08-2007, 08:56 AM

^ Umm, what was that? A joke, a slam, or some other incomprehensible babble? You totally lost me on that one. Besides, something tells me that it's not necessarily an appropriate response on this thread anyways.

***Steven*** · #17 03-08-2007, 09:41 AM

True, Sir... of course, his statement about the materialism on this board is frightening rings true.

**Wes** · #18 03-08-2007, 10:33 AM

^^ George you know now that you're not supposed to be spiritual on the boards. It's all the "seperation of church and state" thing (which isn't in the Constitution anyway).

Diesel is just being himself.

**Jimmy B** · #19 03-08-2007, 02:17 PM

Diesel and I, along with Steven, do share a common interest in meteorology and weather. I think Diesel informed me that he once studied it at one point.

Steven and I constantly keep each other up to speed on our respective local weather patterns. During severe weather, when one of us goes out storm chasing, the other montiors the NOAA radar, the diagram charts, and the advisories on a computer. And we'll be in continuous phone contact throughout the pursuit. That's how "into it" we are. One time, Steven actually called me while he was inside his car in the middle of a hailstorm, and I could vividly hear the ice pelting on his car roof even over the phone; it was an outrageous moment.

Diesel · #20 03-08-2007, 08:53 PM

You remember correctly. I was in my second year when I got booted for my GPA of sub 1.0. It wasn't the meterology - it was the englishes, the chemistries, the calculi, etc.

Don't you hate when people confuse sleet and hail?

slipknot8527 · #21 03-08-2007, 09:10 PM

I'd be awesome to be a weatherman for FLorida.

"Today....SUNNY....with a chance of scattered showers. And old people."

***Steven*** · #22 03-08-2007, 11:10 PM

... and what a hailstorm it was.

That picture was taken about 30 mins after the hailstorm, about 6 feet from the ground. There was also a tornado about a mile from where I lived. To the north and east, we had tornadoes kill about 12 people.

I hate it when sleet and hail are confused.

***Katie*** · #23 03-09-2007, 08:17 AM

Ok. I will join in.

I work for Lifetouch. It's a photography company throughout the United States. We take photos in studios, schools and churches. I work in the studio division. We take pictures of babies, familes, communions, senior grad pics, engagements, pretty much anything but weddings. (I do that on the side for some friends-freelance) I have been in 2 different studios in over 5 years. I started out at one, when it closed I moved to where I am now. Oh yeah, I work in a Target store (not for Target).

I have now been trained at JCP (JcPenney's) as well. We might be the same company, but they are totally different studios when it comes to registers, pricing and so on.

Besides my real job. My other 24/7 job is Matt. He is almost 6 years old (will be in May). Goes to school for half day kindergarden. He also has about 20 hours a week for in-home therapy. I have three therapists come in during the week to work with him one on one to boast his social skills and other things he doesn't know.

Yes that is part of my job as a mom. If Matt starts getting violent, I have to try to control him. It isn't easy when he is over 4 feet tall and over 60 pounds.

I also own my own website which takes up some of my time as well as do stuff for TN.

Ok....done yapping for now.

Diesel · #24 03-09-2007, 08:21 PM

That's a ton of hale 30 minutes later. What was the time of year? April?

**Jimmy B** · #25 03-09-2007, 09:51 PM

I think it was around April or May when he called me during the hailstorm. Steven probably has a better idea of that day.

And I especially hate it when people get freezing rain and sleet mixed up.

***Steven*** · #26 03-09-2007, 10:26 PM

April 7, 2006...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_6...rnado_Outbreak

**Jimmy B** · #27 03-09-2007, 11:01 PM

^ That's right, now I remember, it was a Friday afternoon.

And he might remember this, but I wasn't home when he called me -- I was at my parents' house, where I briefly stopped by for lunch; so I didn't have my computer with me at the time to track the storm, and all I could do was watch the Weather Channel on their TV, and later my phone batteries ran out on me. So we didn't get much accomplished that day.

MaGnUmKeLly · #28 03-13-2007, 09:44 PM

Right now i am done with cedar point(after 7 years). I am in school to become a emt. I also work at a pizza/gyro shop at the moment as a cashier/driver to help with money. I graduate here in may.

slipknot8527 · #29 03-13-2007, 11:54 PM

I am going to school full time in a motorsports degree. I'm learning how to build a racing engine from the ground up, how to set up different chassis, carbon fiber making class, welding, aerodynamics...basically everything I need to get out of school and get a job on a high profile race team.

But until then, I work at Chili's. Ugh....

Jason19 · #30 03-29-2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel

I'm a CPA. Google it if you don't know.

I make financial statements and kick people's asses for making stupid entries into the general ledger.

I just got someone fired today after I stumbled onto her embezzlement habits. 22 years with the company - all gone for $1145.82.

How come no one posted a salary yet?

Don't you own your own firm? I could've swore you had your own business. If so, I'd like to see your salary.

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