Tell us a bit about what you do...

[Robin Carlton]

Happy weekend ladies!

I know this is not the time of the week when you want to think about "work", but in the staff forums this week, Lorie mentioned that it was "yogurt season" at her job and a bunch of us asked, "what do you do?" and her answer was fascinating. I truly loved reading more about her "day" job and if she wants to come share I think you guys would think it's neat too.

It got me to thinking that I actually find it fascinating to read more about things like that outside and away from digi-scrapping from all of you too. My recent hobby collecting thread is a great example, so I thought I would ask you to tell us a little about what you do for work.

If you're curious about me... SSD is pretty much it for me. I think I have the best "job" in the world and truly feel like I hit the lottery when it comes to doing what I love. I can't believe I've been doing this for almost 20 years now... it's truly crazy!

I've also sold wedding dresses, been a wedding coordinator, worked as a waitress for many years and my very first job was working at a fabric store as a cashier / fabric cutter (I even got to "manage" the craft supply department and place orders after a few months because I was that cool haha )

In any case, I'd love to hear what you do. Something you love about it. Something you hate about it. What other jobs you've had. Maybe your favorite job... tell me more!

<3

R

[kristalund]

I started as a hostess and then a waitress through HS and college. I loved that type of work- the fast pace and tips!!
I was also a swim instructor and lifeguard which made me change my mind about becoming a teacher. Although I still think I would have loved being a teacher- elementary school teacher.
I am in outside sales for a national food distributor. I love that it affords me the flexibility to be very present in my kids' activities.

[HavaDrPepper]

Retired.

But in the last 16 years before I retired in 2017, I worked as an accounting clerk in a textile service company. We rented uniforms to companies for their employees. We also rented table linens to restaurants. Another thing we did was process laundry for several small hospitals in the area. Another area we did was sell janitorial products (cleaning supplies and paper supplies) to our customers. In other words we were a huge laundry service. If you have seen trucks out and about for companies like Cintas, that is what we do. We had customers all over the state of Ohio and part of Indiana (and Cintas was a competitor).

Before that I worked in a CPA firm. Left there because I hated taxes. My previous jobs before that were all clerical in nature, mainly secretarial. So I've always been an office worker. It was also neat because I saw the progression of computers being used in the workspace over the years. My first job, I typed the accounts payable checks on a typewriter! Any computer work in that hospital was done on a main frame that a couple of girls in the computer department entering the information into terminals that connected with the mainframe in another city.

[lovely1m]

I am active-duty air guard in Security Forces. A couple of years ago though I got a promotion that allows me to manage programs and I get to work in the office now M-F during the day. It's way more stressful but I enjoy it. I retire next year though after 28 years so I will have to start a new job which will be super weird. At this point, I am probably going to teach social studies as that's the masters I am almost finished with.

Jobs I did a long time ago were cashier, department store sales, studio photographer, and customer service at a credit card company.

[SeattleSheri]

It's always so interesting hearing what people do outside of scrapping!

I am an insurance geek. My job title is "AVP, Product Strategy" ... what that means is that I lead a strategy organization within a Fortune 100 company. I lead teams of strategists, analysts and project managers responsible for delivering key strategic and operational programs/initiatives in support of domains such as generative AI, predictive modeling, vendor operations management, new client onboarding, talent development, process reimagination, resource optimization, etc.

I'm also the co-chair of a 600 member women's empowerment group (locally-based) and an advisor for a 1,300 member project management resource group (I stepped down as the co-chair last year to make things more manageable for me).

Unofficially, I'm also the caregiver for my mom.

[HeatherH]

I went to X-ray school right out of high school and have been working in that field for 37 years! I spent 28 of those years as the manager of Medical Imaging but I stepped away from the management role a couple of years ago. The healthcare world has changed so much since I entered it so long ago and not for the better, unfortunately. It's a dumpster fire here where I live in Maine. I'm counting the days to retirement!!

Many moons ago, I also worked in a fabric and craft store! It was kind of fun but didn't pay much. I also worked at a pool hall. I got pretty good at playing pool since guys would come in alone and need someone to play with. It was a fun job during my high school/college days.

[Vrielinkie]

Hi all!

I studied for being a tour guide and lived in Portugal for 6 months. Then I studied tourism management & consultancy with a specialization in sustainable tourism (Bachelor's Degree).

After I graduated I went on to work at a travel agency and at a tour operator that sold cruises because of there were not many jobs to be had back then, that's 20 years ago. Then I did a 180 and started working at a Uni, now in IT (I'm serious when I say travel is a hobby now haha).

I help students and teachers with problems they have using applications or programs that I manage. Right now that's a language e-learning platform, LinkedIn learning and I helped build a website that is a catalogue of all applications used within the University.

I work mainly from home since I'm not really good in all those open office spaces at work and I get migraines. And I love it!

[tjscraps]

I love reading about all of these, it's interesting to see what goes on in people's lives outside the things we scrap about!!

I am currently a 'People Services Coordinator' for a school division. That's a fancy term for HR I do job postings, contracts, onboarding of employees. I'm in charge of all our substitute staff (hiring, tracking stats, taking off inactive staff, dealing with complaints), and I manage the non-teaching staffing process for each school year. I also do sub dispatching, although I've just given that away to someone else (I'm still the backup), and manage all our sick leave. We have about 1300 regular staff and 500 casual staff, so it's a big job - but I love being busy!

Prior to this role, which I've been in for 5 years, I did payroll for the school board for 7 years.

None of this really uses my degree - B.A in Sociology with a minor in French language and literature lol When I left school my parents needed help in their business (a meat packing plant) and hired me as the office manager/payroll person, and I did that for 8 years.

The most interesting job I've probably had is being a 411 and '0' operator for 2 years while I tried to figure out what to do with my life following University. It was an interesting job, very fast paced! I've also worked at a few grocery stores (my parents owned one when I was growing up) and other retail (Sears...). Oh and I was a Res Life Assistant in University - that was fun but hard (I had to use my suicide intervention training more than once ... )

So really - a mixed bag!

[knittingbec]

I don't have a paying job right now. I stay home and homeschool my kids, and teach 3 classes a week at our homeschool co-op. I really enjoy it and I feel like I would keep on "volunteer teaching" even if I sent my kids to a school building full-time, haha.

My last paying job was in 2021-2022 when I subbed several times a week for half of the school year and then took over for the health teacher for the rest of the year-- I taught K-6 health 3 days a week, 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off and I loved that schedule!

Before that, I stayed home with my kids and before that, I taught every grade that doesn't end in "th" haha. Preschool through 3rd grade

I don't think I'll ever go back to full time teaching-- I love the students, but in 10 years, never found a sustainable work routine-- lots of working at home, late nights, going in early, spending all my money on my class, etc.

Best job EVER was working as a summer camp counselor! I think I did that for 7 summers and every summer, I long for that job again!

Originally Posted by KristinCB

- I had a very very boring job one summer in between 11th and 12th grade where I worked as a student doing data entry at the mine near my hometown.

I always say data entry is actually one of my dream jobs, LOL. Boring & quiet!

[laurabobaura]

Cool thread, Robin!

I work as an in home caregiver mon-fri while my 3rd grader is at school. Until a few months ago I was also working part time as wait staff in the cafe of a local assisted living facility. Before that I worked as a direct support professional (caregiver) to adults with developmental disabilities in a group home.

I have also worked as a librarian and was a volunteer youth soccer coach.

[Leablahblah]

I'm a stay at home mom right now but I should think about what to do next... probably soon... Even though I'm really enjoying the home life right now.

I started by being an au pair in Virginia near DC, then I got married and became a full time nanny when we moved near Seattle.

I also taught French in a private school for gifted children for 7 years.

And also went up the ladder to a cupcake baking job for a few years until I became a mom and stopped that. Then we moved to Baltimore.

I honestly don't know what I'll be doing, since I don't really want to work with kids again, but also don't want to teach and don't want to deal with people or answer phones... what does that leave me? Not much... lol

Maybe something in the food industry.

[Becca Bonneville]

So fun to read about what everyone currently does or has done in the past for work! An interesting way to peek into each others lives and get to know a bit more.

Currently, my main job is designing. Besides being here at SSD, I also illustrate for other craft companies. In addition to my design/illustration work, I home school my daughter (basically another job haha)

Previous to this I was a correctional officer for about 8 years for the State of Illinois. I did a short stint as a fingerprint tech for background checks (state and federal background checks) after that before fully staying at home. In my earlier years, I did things like babysitting, working at KFC, working at a grocery store.

When the day comes that I retire from designing, I am moving more into making my pumpkin patch my full time gig. Right now it is a side thing that I just love to do haha.

[laurabobaura]

I had no idea you worked in corrections, Becca! So interesting My husband was a police officer for about 17 years.

[littlekiwi]

Currently I am looking for work hopefully in the disability or adult inclusive education fields - my degree is in disability studies. I've been job searching & interviewing for just over 9 years.

Previously I've done various volunteer roles - I've been part of a funding moderation panel for funding for disabled people, been on the board for a disability community law centre, been a play volunteer at a local children's hospital.

Paid jobs - I've been an Election Day Official 4 different times, an research interviewer for a United Nations report on accessible housing, a community/neighbourhood house coordinator (I was acting coordinator while my mum went on holiday!), a customer service representative for Pizza Hut, a waitress at a dine in Pizza Hut, a stocktake worker at a local craft store & a kids out of school holiday program assistant

[nesser1981]

Oh Robin, what a fun thread!

Let's see, I'll go through them all, cause why not! LOL!

- I washed dishes, bused tables and waitressed in high school. I also worked at a Video Rental Store (similar to a Blockbuster) my senior year of high school. I loved that job!

- I enlisted in the Air Force 11 days after I graduated high school, and served on Active Duty for 10 years. I was a Signals Intelligence Analyst (sounds cooler than it was, but I use to copy Morse Code).

- When I got out, I went to school for photography and ran my photography business for about 9 years.

- I worked for non-profit for 3 1/2 years as a Parent Liaison, connecting low income families with community resources and holding events to help them become the "best first teachers" for their children.

- Since 2019 I've been working for MSU Extension as a Community Nutrition Instructor, providing hands-on Cooking & Nutrition classes to limited resource parents, teens, and children. I went into the schools and other sites, typically holding 6, weekly lessons. I served Kindergarten through High School and parents raising children.

- In November I was promoted to the Training Coordinator for the entire state. Now I'm on-boarding new staff and helping to teach other instructors how to the job I was previously doing. I love working for Extension, I loved being an instructor and I I know I'm going to love this new role.

[carrie1977]

I'm an administrative assistant in the technology department for one of our local school districts. I've been in this position since 2006 but have worked for the district since 1999 in a few different capacities. I love my job, the people that I work with and our school district.

Before this job I worked for an insurance broker for about six years. I worked for Longs Drugs. I also worked at Sweet Tomatoes (salad bar buffet...RIP) and Long John Silver's (my very first job).

[JillW]

What a fun thread!

Thankfully, I'm retired, but it took a lot to get here - lol.

I started my first job while going to college. I worked for the same company for 42 years (gasp). "Back in the day" the company offered changes of positions through job postings, so I was able to secure different jobs quite often, each step being a promotion. I started off as an HR assistant, then to a Customer Service specialist, to an Inventory lead to a Warehouse supervisor finishing my career as a Logistics / Warehouse manager (which was a fancy name for all of the different tasks I had - lol).

[Becca Bonneville]

Originally Posted by laurabobaura

I had no idea you worked in corrections, Becca! So interesting My husband was a police officer for about 17 years.

Yes! It was a lifetime ago it seems now haha. That is awesome about your hubby! I always have a soft spot for LEOs!

[EvelynD2]

It's so much fun to read all of the interesting posts! I retired from teaching in 2020. I taught lower elementary students for 33 years. I then worked for our daughter making things for her Etsy shop. I currently take care of our little 2 1/2 year old granddaughter.
When I was a college student I had some interesting jobs! I worked in an ice cream shop, a sub sandwich shop, washed dishes for a restaurant and was the secretary at my church. However, my most interesting job was as a dog washer! I was paid one dollar for every dog I washed!

[jacinda]

I joined the Army straight after High School, and worked as a medic for the next 15 years. I got out when we started having kids.

Once the kids were both in school, I went back to work part time as a teacher aide for local kindergartens.

About 7 years ago I was invited to be the Secretary for a small NZ military charity. Now, I work mornings at the kindergarten as a special needs support worker, and in afternoons I work from home doing the secretary stuff. Together they equate to 40hrs per week.

On top of that I'm a primary counselor at my church, in charge of singing time for the kids, and I also have my Sugarbabe responsibilities.

[Robin Carlton]

See! This is fascinating!! I looove reading about you guys. It's like we see all these faces for years and years, but I always wonder what your real life is like beyond just moms and mom stuff and scrapbook pages. It's really cool to read about your careers!

Corrections?! So many of you serving in the military. Lots of us waitresses out there. Evelyn... a whole dollar per dog?! Stop!

[Robin Carlton]

Also, I don't actually have any bridezilla stories KCB! Maybe I got lucky, or maybe I'm just good at what I do

In all seriousness though, I actually really sincerely believe in how special a wedding is so I always worked really, really hard to make it magical for the brides and grooms and families I worked with. It's a really big moment in people's lives.

And EVERY bride is beautiful so helping a bride find her perfect dress is probably my favorite job besides this one. I'm a massive sap if you guys didn't know that about me haha

[eve11ne]

It's so interesting to read everyone's job and makes me feel my job is very boring lol
Currently, I'm doing temp job, after working as data entry for 10 years (unfortunately the company is closing down)

Before that I've been moving too many places to hold a long time job
I worked in finance after I finished uni then we moved to Singapore, I worked as customer service in retail (Carrefour) then as admin in a research company then we moved to New York, I worked as maitre'd in restaurant then we moved again to Florida where I stayed home with the kids until we moved to Australia. After we settled in Adelaide I worked in small property company as admin and after that company closed down, I got the data entry job.

[carrie1977]

Originally Posted by eve11ne

It's so interesting to read everyone's job and makes me feel my job is very boring lol
Currently, I'm doing temp job, after working as data entry for 10 years (unfortunately the company is closing down)

Before that I've been moving too many places to hold a long time job
I worked in finance after I finished uni then we moved to Singapore, I worked as customer service in retail (Carrefour) then as admin in a research company then we moved to New York, I worked as maitre'd in restaurant then we moved again to Florida where I stayed home with the kids until we moved to Australia. After we settled in Adelaide I worked in small property company as admin and after that company closed down, I got the data entry job.

Where are you from originally? Is your husband's line of work the reason for the many moves? (sorry...I'm totally nosy. )

[eve11ne]

Originally Posted by carrie1977

Where are you from originally? Is your husband's line of work the reason for the many moves? (sorry...I'm totally nosy. )

We are from Indonesia but we wanted to move overseas so we moved to Singapore first, but then we got opportunity to move to the US.

We moved around basically because of the job opportunities and the condition at the time His work (he is a fire system engineer) came handy because after the 9/11 incident, all commercial buildings requires updated and maintained fire systems so he can find job anywhere basically.

One thing lead to another and we ended up in Australia and even though I love living in the US (we almost flew back after our first year here) but the last move was so hard and exhausting so I'm not going anywhere and done with moving

[wendyp]

It is soo fun and interesting to ready what everyone is doing in real life. You are all awesome!!

In my younger years I had part time jobs in professional green houses for cucumbers, tomatoes and belly peppers. This was really fun.

Than when I graduated I was pregnant of our eldest, so after she was born I decided to be a stay at home mom. This turned out to be for 15,5 years and in the mean time the younger two were born as well. While being SAHM I found out about scrapbooking and this quickly changed into designing as well. But I think many of you noticed I still love to scrap...

But after these 15,5 years we felt in 2023 financially everything changed due by the war and corona etc, like everyone did I think. So we decided that I need to take a day job as well.
So since 2023 I work 15 to 32 hours in a ladies fashion store, every week is different and I love to be among the people and chat a lot. And I also love how my taste of fashion changed for myself as well. I mean when I was only a stay at home mom it didn't really bothered me, kids and hubby when first. But now I think more about myself too.

[HeatherB]

This is so fun learning more about everyone!

Over the last 8 years or so, I am a technical writer and a quality assurance analyst for a computer software firm. Before that I spent nearly 25 years as a software engineer and had some very interesting projects over the years. There was always new projects coming along so it never got boring!

During university, I worked as a teaching assistant for statistic class (doing the computer side of things) and also a math paper marker. Unpaid work in university included research assistant for 2 summers (I reverse engineered a MIDI interface for the computer department's electronic synthesizer - that was way before there were computer programs able to control them, haha, and one summer I had a national sciences and engineering research grant to work in machine learning with applications in robotics and AI).

In high school I had a very brief job working at McDonalds (hated it). During junior high and high school I was a piano teacher.

[Brendazzle]

I'm currently homeschooling my mini me while my mom keeps hinting that I really should get a degree in education. Had I managed to finish my undergrad degree in Environmental Studies (had to drop out for medical reasons/disability), I already had a spot saved in the Environmental Education master's degree program - complete with my pick of houses in the woods, as long as I helped clean it out first. It helps that I was interning at the facility where the Enviro Ed students got to live I spend a lot of time humming the Indiana Jones & Jurassic Park themes while taking a machete to vines trying to overtake the trails, uprooting invasive plants bigger than me, chasing down errant gopher tortoises, and occasionally doing GIS analysis and writing blurbs for various research grants.

My last paying job was copywriting and search engine optimization at a neutraceuitcals company. I was brought on because the head of SEO though telling beauty bloggers that they had wrinkles would make them want to review our wrinkle creams. The facepalming was neverending. Our biggest seller, pun FULLY intended, was a male enhancement supplement so I spent a good amount of time just making dick jokes with coworkers. When we went international, our in-house translator and I would try to find the most filthy euphemisms we could in every language we needed them in. It was uh... quite the job.

I've worked at summer camps, a combination KFC/Taco Bell, some retail, and as a staff photographer for the university's newspaper. I tried running a photography business but I don't want to run a business. I got to photograph a few friends' weddings though and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

These days, I write product descriptions for a few different scrapbook designers. It's so much more fun than writing about male enhancement, wrinkle creams, or diet pills *and* I'm still allowed to make terrible puns.

[HavaDrPepper]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

In high school I had a very brief job working at McDonalds (hated it).

I also was a McDonald's worker. Had a great store to work in. I worked there spring/summer of my senior year of high school. They let me work over Christmas break during first year of college. And, I came back for the summer following that first year of college. After that I went to summer school so no more working.

Forgot to say in my original post that my first job was in an ice cream place (like Dairy Queen) that was owned and run by a couple. They worked through the week and hired 2 girls to work a few hours on the weekends. I made a whole $3.25 for the day.

My next job was as a waitress and I hated that one. Actually, McDonald's was much better since I was in the back and not serving customers.

[carrie1977]

Originally Posted by eve11ne

We are from Indonesia but we wanted to move overseas so we moved to Singapore first, but then we got opportunity to move to the US.

We moved around basically because of the job opportunities and the condition at the time His work (he is a fire system engineer) came handy because after the 9/11 incident, all commercial buildings requires updated and maintained fire systems so he can find job anywhere basically.

One thing lead to another and we ended up in Australia and even though I love living in the US (we almost flew back after our first year here) but the last move was so hard and exhausting so I'm not going anywhere and done with moving

Ooooh....gotcha. Very cool though that you've been able to experience life in so many places!

I've lived in the same town my whole life and unless I can move all of my people with me, I don't see that changing.

[jaye]

I am CYW/CYC aka a Child Youth Worker/Child Youth Counsellor in our local high school. I work with students who require support due to mental health/behaviour/learning/social needs. I have been with the school board for 35 years, with prior experience in a Young Offenders Facility and working with children/youth in specialized foster homes. I have elementary and secondary school experience.

I also work part-time in a camera store and love it. I hope to transition to the camera store in July by retiring from the school board(cross your fingers this can happen). November and December saw me working 44-62 hours a week between the two. With the holidays over I am only Saturdays at the store on top of my Mon-Fri at the school.

Past jobs include: bus person/server in a restaurant and picnics at an amusement park, jewellery clerk in a department store, parking lot attendant/office help for an exclusive island community

[Kiana]

This thread is super interesting. I love reading more about what we all do outside of SSD....rofl...

Previously I've done a gamut of things, from fast food to clerical to collections....until I became a SAHM for my 2 kiddos. (now young adults though...lol)

When DH's health turned and he went into kidney failure (2018) I had to rejoin the workforce full-time. I took a temp job that led to my position now.

Fancy title they gave me: Sales & Product Specialist
What that means: I do a ton of crap that everybody relies on, but they don't want to pay me more for

Officially this is my job description:

*Implement, support, and preserve/audit database integrity of third‐party vendor products, including new product set‐ups and maintenance in ERP/CRM.

*Analyze, implement, and maintain cost & pricing structures of third‐party vendors ensuring accuracy and time sensitive implementation.

*Implement and maintain proprietary pricing & cost structure of Company manufactured product for both (domestic) and (global) entities, ensuring accuracy.

*Maintain the strategies & SOP, implementation, and entry of advanced pricing.

*Assist in the special pricing program initiatives for efficiency and accuracy.

*Perform routine reporting and auditing intervals crucial to integrity of all product data, costing, and pricing data.

*Translate and facilitate internal processes and data retrieval from cross‐department structures (Purchasing/Strategic Alliances/Portfolio Mgmt) and Vendors for cost/list pricing updates.

*Working with vendors and internally on assortment of duties required for efficiency and accuracy.

*Provide sales, customer service, and internal support requests & questions for product knowledge, costing, &
pricing data.

[SweetChar]

I've enjoyed reading through this thread. So many impressive jobs and accomplishments throughout.

I don't have a career/job. I've homeschooled Nathan since first grade. He's in 9th grade now. Not sure what my plan is after his high school. Can I homeschool his college years? lol J/K

My first job was in high school. I think I started my senior year. It was at Sports Mania in the mall. Selling mostly hats and clothing with team logos on them. After a while, they switched that store to one of the company's other stores called Surf n Ski. I thought it was kind of silly in our region. Not much real surfing at the nearest beach (Tybee Island) and no snow around for skiing. lol People DID buy snow pants and snow suits and such before going on trips though. And we did sell plenty of bathing suits. The other attraction in the store was skateboards. As if I was some expert on skateboards. Some guy did seem to be totally fine having me apply the grip (sandpaperish stuff) to his new board. Fun times. They finally closed that location and the manager moved me down to the bigger store in the mall called Sports-a-Foot. A regular sports store as far as shoes, hats and apparel. I was the assistant manager there for a year or two while I was in college.

I was taking courses for engineering while in college but only took 2 years. I got married and didn't finish.

Then my 10 year run with Publix (supermarket/grocery store) began. Started doing odd jobs for them. Painting posters at first. lol Then cashier, then "back office" as we called it. Counting the cash & checks, making deposits, etc. Took on the payroll at the store I was at before becoming the "back door receiver." Did that for 5-6 years. I'd go in early in the morning (like 5:00am) and check in the vendor's products. I loved being back there at the big back doors by myself. lol Wasn't around customers or other employees all day. Just the vendors when they came in. I think I started going in at 4:30 and some of those vendors "loved me" for it. Let them get going earlier to their next stop and... let me go home that much earlier. Worked there until Ethan and Hunter made their early appearance at 30 wks. I did go back and work a few hours a day when Ethan and Hunter were in prekindergarten.

When Nathan was an infant, I was a product designer (scrapbook kits) at the (now closed) scrapbook site I was involved with. Once he got to be very mobile and wasn't sleeping at various times throughout the day, as infants do, I didn't feel like I had time to design anymore. He's 14 now so that seems like a lifetime ago. lol

There you go. More about me and my jobs than anyone might want to know.

[Tracie Stroud]

Besides designing, I'm also a homeschooler, which feels like a full-time job. Our autistic middle kiddo attends a local public high school in one of the special needs classrooms, but I've homeschooled the oldest and youngest for the last 12 years. Our oldest is a graduating senior this year, which is just wild to me. She's also planning to go into an art field, likely animation.

I was a public school teacher before she was born and always knew that we would probably homeschool at some point. I loved the teaching part but hated the administrative behind-the-scenes stuff and all the behavior issues, so homeschooling has been the perfect path. It's been a lot of fun and also very difficult at times, but I wouldn't change it. When my youngest graduates in a few years I may offer private schooling in my home for just a couple of students (which our state allows under our current homeschool laws).

[MamaBee]

This has been a great thread!

Well... As of the last almost 17 years I've been a trophy wife (that is what I tell my husband, lol)... homeschooling my kiddo, but he graduates in May, ugh!! I have no clue what so ever what to do after this... I know I need to do something, kiddo's college won't pay itself.

Jobs over the time...

High school - took care of neighbor's cats when they would go on vacation - and they went a lot... helped my mom clean the post office (she was a letter carrier)...

College - Summers I worked at a Cheese Store... I worked mostly in the store part and then one summer in the bakery. At school I was in Computer Installs - worked on fixing computers of staff and professors. I also was a campus tour guide.

Adult life... I worked for a Fortune 500 company as an IT Training curriculum developer and trainer for all areas of the corporation (from plant maintenance through the ranks to being the primary trainer for our CEO on new computer system roll outs)... there was a time I switched teams to be in FDA Validation - really disliked that job, I'm not great with "gray areas...", luckily my boss from the training department was married to the manager of the FDA Validation team and after pleading with him that his wife is crazy... to let me come back... haha. Thank God, he did let me come back... then I added another position on my plate as Site Prep (I would travel to the mills to see what training needs they needed for our next big roll outs) and team resource manager. Loved, loved that position that I carved out... but kiddo came and I decided to stay home with him. Out side of corporate - I also was an Open House Hostess for a local realtor.

Other things while homeschooling is I worked in our co-op as a science/art coordinator, then a tutor... had a scrapbooking for other business for a short time - but I wasn't getting my stuff scrapbooked so closed that business... Sold Sticky Learnings here at SSD with Heather Roselli for a bit - that was fun! And now I do more volunteer work... parent rep/roadie for my son's youth symphony... was on the board for our local homeschooling group...

[lizziej]

Robin, what a great post! It's so interesting to read about everyone's jobs!

When I was a junior in college, I had to get a job because I ran out of money. It was my first job. I worked part-time at McDonald's and soon became the S.T.A.R. - Store Activities Representative. I was in charge of promotions (I was working there when Chicken McNuggets came out!) and the birthday parties. My boss knew I was going to college and had aspirations other than working in the fast food industry. But when I turned him down to become an assistant manager one time too many times, he cut my hours.

Then I graduated from college with a music degree. I wanted to go to grad school, so I had to save up a bunch of money.

I then got a part-time job at Sears working in the shoe department, and I earned commission. Then my supervisor transferred me to the plumbing department where I sold plumbing parts, water heaters, and window air conditioning units. I got great commission, especially in the summer, and then it turned to a full-time job. That job wasn't quite paying the bills and allowing me to save money, so I found a full-time job as a legal secretary. That changed everything.

I worked at that legal job for 7 years. After 5 years, my bosses sent me to paralegal school and paid for everything. It was a 24-hour graduate-level program that I attended at night. I had to quit Sears because the legal research class I was taking took up a lot of time. After I got my certificate, they knew I would be leaving, and I left about 6 months after that to become a full-time paralegal.

I've worked as a civil litigation trial paralegal for over 37 years, with a total of 43 years in the legal field. I loved being a trial paralegal, especially sitting through and assisting at entire trials, including helping pick the jury, but now I don't want to do that. I don't mind preparing for them, but I hate that it takes up a lot of time. Right now I work at a job which is probably the best I've ever had, I have a fantastic boss (I've had a few horrible ones) who recognizes my abilities and challenges me, and I hope to retire from there in a few years. The commute is very nice - I can count on it taking me the same amount of time going to and from work almost every day. I don't like that we don't have enough experienced staff to help pick up the slack for me when I am preparing for trial.

As for my music degree, the voice lessons I took in college helped me become a member of the official chorus of the now-defunct (which happened 20 years after I left - so sad) San Antonio Symphony. During the time I was a member, the chorus made its Carnegie Hall debut. That was a fantastic experience! My degree also helped me get paralegal jobs that required a bachelor's degree.

[tgmousechick]

I have LOVED reading all of your adventures!

I have spent my career in Biological Sciences- I majored in Genetics and Microbiology in college, and later earned my Master's in Bioveterinary Science. I intended to get my PhD in Biovet, but the right match never happened.

- Reference Librarian Assistant at a medical library between undergrad and grad school
- Customer Service Rep at a biological supply company right after grad school and moving to Columbus, OH

Since 2000, I've worked in academic research as a lab tech. Started at Ohio State and moved to Nationwide Children's in 2002 (where I am now). I've been at my current post for 5 years- I maintain Dr. Chiang's research lab. Bench research (lots of tissue histology and microscopy imaging), the mouse colony and the animal protocols, lab safety, technical writing, scientist and student support (I'm the lab's den mom).

Our objective is to design a suitable scaffold to use for tracheal reconstruction. Turns out there aren't many options to repair a trachea if a decent section of it is damaged or not functioning- so we study a lot of tissue. What the different cell populations are and how they behave, do they prefer to grow on some materials and not others, how to restore blood circulation, how to maintain the structure so it's not floppy, can we make a transplant tissue that won't be rejected?

I love my coworkers! We get along well, support each other, and work hard. I'm really proud of the work that I get to do.

[LeeAndra]

I've had several different jobs over the years but for the last 4 1/2, I've been working in the medical education field as a specialized PM. My employer creates the continuing education that your doctor, nurse, etc. needs to take in order to keep their medical license. My particular part in the process is securing funding for that education.

[AmieN1]

So fun!

My first job was a nanny for my younger cousins during the weekdays during the summer. When I turned 16 I worked for at McDonalds- it was so easy & fun! Once I went to college I had a few on campus jobs- admissions assistant (we cold called a list of potential students in the evenings a few days a week) and Eagle Entertainment PR- we brought all the entertainment to on campus events- super fun job- included lots of advertising type of duties as well as contract negotiations & budget management. I also worked at bath & body works thru most of college, as well as when I came home in the summer & winter breaks- I worked for our local county road department as a flagger. I actually loved that job too! Our county was very rural so there wasn't much "flagging" work- mostly driving county roads & getting to be outside in the nice weather!

After graduating college in 2004 with my bachelor of science in dental hygiene & passing all of our board exams- I found a job right away as a hygienist. I worked full time (4 days a week) up until my son was born in 2011 then cut back to 2 days a week. A few years ago I also did a remote job from home verifying dental insurance benefits but it was a lot more work than I wanted with still working a "day job." I'm starting to think about "retirement" from clinical hygiene but will still do something else- just to sure what yet.

[lorigaud]

So fun to read everyone's story!

I'm in the midst of year 37 teaching 6th grade - my degree is in Zoology, so I started as a science teacher, but am currently teaching math (which I never wanted to teach but is now my favorite lol!)

Looking forward to retiring after 2 more years, when I will focus on my side gig selling crafts. I currently do this part time but am excited for the day when I can leave teaching and just create. Thankfully I have an awesome team and great school community, but it's changed a LOT over the years, and once I'm done, I'll be done. No substituting teaching for me.

I worked part time at a gym (front desk) for about 10 years, which was awesome because it gave me a free membership and a little extra cash when they boys were younger. I mainly worked Sunday mornings and then covered shifts during my school vacations.

[craftytam]

What an interesting thread, Robin! I love learning more about everyone!

Most recently, I retired from being a stay at home/homeschool mom. lol

Currently, I am a caregiver for my mom and mother-in-law.

Previous jobs I've done were retail, clerical and managing an insurance licensing office.

I've thought about becoming a VA, but right now brain power is limited

[LJSDesigns]

So interesting to read what everyone does.

My day job is as a Production Planning Supervisor with an international Fruit Prep Company. Basically we make the fruit that goes into yogurt, ice cream, etc. We also make the caramel for SBUX and are about to launch a new line of Boba Balls. My job is to plan the schedule for the different lines, equipment, etc. To do that, I keep track of orders, deadlines, etc while maintaining an overview of the future and its demands.

Yogurt season is what I call the time after New Year when everyone is trying to eat better and lose weight. It is our busiest time and of course, it is also when the powers that be decide to launch new lines and products and update systems.

I like my job; it suits me as I like to organize and control things. LOL

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

Originally Posted by lizziej

Robin, what a great post! It's so interesting to read about everyone's jobs!

When I was a junior in college, I had to get a job because I ran out of money. It was my first job. I worked part-time at McDonald's and soon became the S.T.A.R. - Store Activities Representative. I was in charge of promotions (I was working there when Chicken McNuggets came out!) and the birthday parties. My boss knew I was going to college and had aspirations other than working in the fast food industry. But when I turned him down to become an assistant manager one time too many times, he cut my hours.

Then I graduated from college with a music degree. I wanted to go to grad school, so I had to save up a bunch of money.

I then got a part-time job at Sears working in the shoe department, and I earned commission. Then my supervisor transferred me to the plumbing department where I sold plumbing parts, water heaters, and window air conditioning units. I got great commission, especially in the summer, and then it turned to a full-time job. That job wasn't quite paying the bills and allowing me to save money, so I found a full-time job as a legal secretary. That changed everything.

I worked at that legal job for 7 years. After 5 years, my bosses sent me to paralegal school and paid for everything. It was a 24-hour graduate-level program that I attended at night. I had to quit Sears because the legal research class I was taking took up a lot of time. After I got my certificate, they knew I would be leaving, and I left about 6 months after that to become a full-time paralegal.

I've worked as a civil litigation trial paralegal for over 37 years, with a total of 43 years in the legal field. I loved being a trial paralegal, especially sitting through and assisting at entire trials, including helping pick the jury, but now I don't want to do that. I don't mind preparing for them, but I hate that it takes up a lot of time. Right now I work at a job which is probably the best I've ever had, I have a fantastic boss (I've had a few horrible ones) who recognizes my abilities and challenges me, and I hope to retire from there in a few years. The commute is very nice - I can count on it taking me the same amount of time going to and from work almost every day. I don't like that we don't have enough experienced staff to help pick up the slack for me when I am preparing for trial.

As for my music degree, the voice lessons I took in college helped me become a member of the official chorus of the now-defunct (which happened 20 years after I left - so sad) San Antonio Symphony. During the time I was a member, the chorus made its Carnegie Hall debut. That was a fantastic experience! My degree also helped me get paralegal jobs that required a bachelor's degree.

I worked as a certified legal assistant as well. I mostly worked in personal injury mass torts. Wondering if I know the law firm you work at? I was at the Levin law firm in Pensacola, FL.

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

Oh, I've loved reading about all the things you do when you're not scrapbooking!

I went to university where Olivia now works from 1990-1993 and got my degree in English Education. I did my student teaching and discovered THEN that being a teacher was not for me. LOL I graduated out of my normal class by a semester because while I was at uni, I fell and injured my back. I had surgery in 1992.

While in high school, I worked in a little dress shop for a few months in the spring and early summer of 1988, and then I became a fine jewelry sales associate at Service Merchandise at the end of the summer following my HS graduation. I worked at that job from 1988 to 1993 while I was at university. I also worked during the summers at Champion International under a program that hired employee's children (both my dad and stepmom worked there). Because of my office skills, I was given a data entry position and then a position in administration during my last summer there in 1992.

In 1993, I got a job at a law firm. My cousin worked there, and helped me get the job. At first, it was just going to be a way for me to make it until the school year started again and I could apply as a teacher, but the more I thought about it and realized I wasn't going to enjoy teaching, and that I was making more than I would as a teacher, I decided to stay on.

I worked as a data entry clerk at the beginning, then as a secretary to an associate, then as a certified legal assistant. I took a two day exam similar to the bar exam to get my certification as a legal assistant. I was a new client intake coordinator, so I was on the phone constantly taking information about people's injuries. My last position was as a mass tort project lead legal assistant. I oversaw the processing of more than 2,000 potential claims, management of more than 200 active claims, including organization of medical research and multi-district litigation pleadings, as well as supervising two secretaries and two file clerks.

In July 2001, I was burnt out and needed a change, so I moved to a defense firm where I was the certified legal assistant handling a variety of cases including personal injury/wrongful death, commercial litigation, and premises liability. After six months, I took a sabbatical because defense work wasn't for me and I needed to think. I ended up staying home with Olivia from December 2001 to 2003.

In 2003, I was a billing specialist for a retina specialist, completing entry of medical services and billing codes, as well as resolving unpaid claims for a variety of insurers, including Medicare. I stayed there until 2005, when I was placed on bed rest with my pregancy with Daniel. After that, I never went back to work outside the home.

After 2005, I did part-time work from home for a few attorneys/firms and I sold jewelry for Premier. I also did transcription for an online company. I still type about 70 wpm with almost 99% accuracy.

I started selling my templates in February 2010 and have created products on an almost weekly basis for that time. I love creating new and beautiful things! So far, this has been my most loved and rewarding job I've had!

[StacyLynn]

Oh my gosh!! I am loving this thread!! So interesting hearing what you all do outside of the scrappy world!

During middle school and high school I babysat, cleaned houses for elderly, and then worked in a clothing store.
In college I worked the clothing retail, extended care programs at an elementary school and got my job at Shop Rite as the Sign Coordinator. (that's a fancy title for working in the scanning office hand wrtiting all the sale signs for the store and replacing tags throughout as prices changed.)
In November 1994 I started my first teaching job. I've taught in NJ and PA (Preschool-Kindergarten).
Then in 2012, the school I was at decided that they wanted to be open all summer and winter break and my own children were no longer allowed to attend when their school was closed. I also got all the children that had issues since the other teachers couldn't handle then... spent the last two years trying to keep one student from harming the others and myself - he broke my nose that year. (we also found out that her was removed from 4 other schools and mom refused to get him help) I also had a child that I had to stick him with needles every hour and measure out all his meds since the director refused to get a nurse or someone to help me, while keeping 18 others out of harm and teaching... it was a little bit of a hot mess. Also during this time our director cut hours, took away all personal and all sick days. The other prek teacher got mad because families (and staff) were requesting me for their little ones and told the director that they would pull their child if they ended up in her class.... (she actually stood outside my classroom door, bad mouthing me to others, while I was in my room working.)
So one thing lead to another and I left and started a small child care/preschool out of my home. I have been caring for, teaching and loving littles for over 30 years...
I have done some small side gigs along they way... photography, designing scrap kits n templates, designing educational materials n games, crafting

[stephc777]

Love this thread!

I worked in jr high & high school in the office of my Dad's tool supply business doing accts payable & receivable. In college, I worked in the library shelving books, tutored accounting students & graded tests & papers for the business department. During my college summers, I worked as a temp doing office admin stuff - I actually worked for TaylorMade (the golf club maker) as a temp worker one summer.

My first job out of college was working as a CPA for a major accounting firm doing auditing. It wasn't a super great fit for me and I ended up working for one of their clients as a cost accountant. I worked for them until I had my first son. I was blessed to be a stay at home mom for him and my 3 other kids when they came along - my kids are pretty spread out - my last one went to college in 2023. My husband had/has a very demanding job and didn't have a lot of bandwidth to help me with the kids/house, so it made the most sense for me to be home. I've done some bookkeeping on the side all along and worked for a CPA a few years ago as an assistant.

Now I have one client whose house I drive to twice a month to help her with her bookkeeping. I am also a Bible Study Fellowship administrative leader - I handle the tech for recording our lecture for later broadcast for our satellite groups and do other administrative stuff with a wonderful group of ladies =) Love it!