Whooooo Are You? Who Who Who Who? (Occupations)

[gracie82159]

Out of the conflict over the last few days here, I really think we have to look at the positive things that have happened. I think a lot of us got to know each other a lot better. We probably talked with people we have never talked with before, and forged some new relationships on this wonderful board.

We could get to know one another even better...it might be nice to know what we all do in "real life", and what we've done in the past. I will start...

At various times in my life I have worked at a large insurance company, I was a draftsman doing office space planning (loved that job but got laid off when the company "downsized"), managed a food co-op, managed a convenience store, worked as a customer service representative and did computer data cleanup for a propane company, worked for a short time as a service advisor in a car dealership's service department, and am currently an administrative secretary for the school district (district administrator's secretary). I served for nine plus years on the school board here in my town. I am a calligrapher and still do some of that. Of course I am a mom to my two pretty much grownup kids (stayed home with them doing the calligraphy stuff and did art fairs when they were smaller.) And my "real" occupation, the one I love the most...I'm a singer and songwriter and self-produced a CD of mostly my own music a few years ago. I would love to get back to some playing out again. I was in several bands before I had kids. The necessity of having a job that has insurance puts a bit of a damper on some of that, but it should get easier as time goes on.

So who are all of you? I'd love to get to know you all better!

Kathy

[lurkyloo]

I worked as a waitress at "Bob's Big Boy" while in college! After that, I got married and had two boys. (One is a 3rd grade teacher with twins and the other is in college) I was a legal secretary for the State of California until I realized that I did not have enough time to be with my kids! (Then Kindergarten and 2nd grade) so I quit and was hired to be the attendance clerk/registrar at an Elementary School. (Coincidentally, it was at THEIR Elementary School which worked out just great!) This way I had the same vacations times off as my kids and got to spend lots of time with them! I got a divorce and then met and married Mario, the man of my dreams! We had a surprise baby when I was 36 - Ryan is now 14 and is in high school!

I have been working at schools for over 20 years now and have never regretted making a career change that brought a significant loss of pay! Instead I gained time for my kids - the most precious commodity there is! Plus, I really love my job and working with kids is the best! The staff I work with now are just the best ever so all in all I feel pretty lucky!

[Debbiefix]

I worked for 9 years in the mortgage department of a bank in New Haven, then quit to have my kids. After my kids were in elementary school, I started working there as an aide in a second grade classroom for 14 years. I also worked at a large musical theater near my home, but now with the lymphoma, I can't work in the school or at the theater because of all the sickness and germs. And that's my story.

[connie0812]

Good idea Kathy!

This was my occupation and it's something I hope to get back to because I really enjoyed it.

I worked for the Bureau of Labor for 6 years, I also did some time at the Public Employees Retirement System. My forte is writing procedures (user instructions) for all the software systems we were running. I was also part of a 2 1/2 project to help design and implement a new database for all wage claims and complaints received. I also spent time throughout the year traveling and training a staff of 40 in all software programs. I really enjoyed it and hope the chemo brain will settle down so I can go back to it!

[rmg75]

I think above all I have decided I must be the most boring person on this board. lol For the past 31 years I have worked at the same office. Although is different capacities, if that counts. Starting as file clerk and working my way up to office manager. I then quit for 2 years to stay home with my son. Started back part time until he started school working my way back up to full time. Mainly doing front office duties and minor insurance claims. Now that he's graduated, I'm back to 4 days a week and loving it. Not very exciting, but I've enjoyed working with the public for so many years.

[Large B]

What a good idea, Gracie. I was a mortician for over twenty years. I was also involved in creating the first residential hospice in the state of Minnesota (I was on the board for 15 years), I then worked in various position in hospice for a couple of years. I then got interested in the development aspect of a non-profit. So, I then worked in a non-profit organization as the Development Director for almost five years. During that time I was diagnosed with NHL and tried to go back half time, but that wasn't working either. I've been retired for three years now on disability. Currently, I volunteer once a week at a local hospice.

[Miss Priss]

I worked in retail sales as a cashier and sales clerk when we lived in Florida. Then when we moved to Arkansas I worked at Taco Bell for 9 years. I was a manager before I left anf now I have been at FedEx Freight for the last 5 years in the claims dept.

[Jenn H.]

Wonderful idea!

I started my working career with a local radio station that started a fund for a local High School shooting. I pretty much helped them build the fund and did a little bit of everything with it! They sold Lapel pins in memory of the 13 victims to raise the money and I did so many jobs there I can't even name them all!

I then went on to work for Mervyn's, retail stinks, I would never do it again. I just did basic floor stuff there. I started working there the summer before college and stayed there for about 2 years. I worked my way up into the management there, but the money in retail management stinks.

I started work for a trucking company afterwards in their office as a basic customer service representative. After a year and a half I was promoted to what is called the OSD clerk. Basically it means that I deal with every single problem shipment that comes through the system. Doesn't sound very attractive but I love it, even though I do get a lot of nasty customers. I've been there for a little over 3 years.

I also in the middle of this had my son who is now 2. I'm currently on leave from work, trucking companies are not the most sterile of places.

[JudyK]

I was a secretary t the vp of personnel at Aetna before kids. I took 18 years off to be home with the kids. During that time I was president of three different PTO's chairman and president of two separate educational groups, 13 year volunteer, room mother, library aide, tutor, chaperone in elementary school. I was team mom for base ball and basketball, and then I moved up to high school band chaperone and went on hundreds of parades and competitions. I was a friendly visitor to the elderly and a big sister. I went back to work in 1998 and was office manager for a small family owned aerospace company and then moved on to be the office staff/manager of a small slaughter house. That was really the job I loved the most because I had no boss and made my own rules. Then the beast came calling and now I am on disability and don't plan to work again, except to babysit 2 or 3 days a week when the grandbaby is born so my daughter in law can go back to teaching. I've had a good life so far, and look forward to lots more good stuff.

[tmorgan]

I originally thought I would be a teacher and basketball coach. I went to school and found I liked it so much I stayed until I completed two master's degrees. I really planned on being a professional student but, being a student didn't pay very well, so I thought I should go to work. I grew up working for my dad in his construction company and found that it was what I really loved. After working for a couple of large construction companies in Indiana and Ohio I decided that I could do it myself. I started my own business 10 years ago and located in Indianapolis. We are an excavating and site development contractor and also do a significant business cleaning up evironmentally contaminated sites. Our market area is anywhere east of the Mississippi River. We are the site development contractor currently for the new NFL Colts football stadium and the new midfield terminal at the Indy airport. We also have an office in Pensacola, Florida and are currently building a new Super Target Store in Titusville, FL. We have grown until after ten years we are one of the larger environmental companies in the country and were involved in the hurricane Katrina clean up in New Orleans.
I still love school and education. To stay involved, I have been on our local school board for 12 years and have just started another four-year term. My wife and I have been married 30 years and we have two great kids, a son 28 and a daughter 20. Our first grandson was born this year and he is now 5 months old. He is my joy. I can't believe I haven't posted his picture to this site yet! I will do that soon.
I am also my family's historian and have given lectures to the Virginia Historical Society about my gggg uncle, General Daniel Morgan of the Revolutionary War. I am in the process of writing a book about my family as well. With a name like Terry Morgan, I am obviously mostly Welsh, but also 1/8 Cherokee, and of all things 1/4 Asian Indian on my mother's side. How's that for a mixture?!
I am active in my church and place my faith 100% in God.
Terry