How many jobs have you had in your life?

[Tsiyu]

I am a five foot tall, 45-year-old woman. Some might say that endows me with no more sense than a 12-year-old girl. And to look at me, you'd say-it ain't much.

But I started working when i was thirteen so i have done a lot of stuff. Some people refuse to believe it, but I can no more change my experience than I can become left-handed or change my eye color. It's who I am.

So how many jobs have YOU had? Which was your favorite? Do people ever tell you you're full of bullshit because they don't believe you?
or have you done the same type job always?


Just curious, because I believe anyone my age, given career realities over the last thirty years, would have many jobs the same as me.

[notadmblnd]

1. I began working when I was 16

I've only had one job (many positions in the company) but it was offshored this past August after 28 years. I'm currently unemployed, in fact I get my last unemployment check today. My husband passed away in Oct 2003 and we have a minor child so I qualify for Social Security suvivors benefits. So, I've decided that I'm going to stay home for the next few years and raise my son. When bush is out of office, perhaps I'll decide to open a business (looking into one now) or re-enter the workforce.

[Tsiyu]

2. Wow. That sucks. The offshoring, I mean

Are you glad to be away from that job or did you enjoy it?

What business would you start?

[notadmblnd]

3. I lost about 1200.00 a month by not working

but I'm much happier, absolutely no stress in my life right now, other that what an 11 yr old boy can cause. I do miss the interacting with adults but I enjoy spending time by my self.

I want to open a coffee shop. There is this empty building that I drive by everyday when I take my son to school, and it just screams coffee shop to me. I checked on the building and it is being forclosed on for back taxes. I tried locating the owner to see if we could work something out but so far have been unsuccessful. So now I'm waiting for the building to come up for auction in June. One of my former co-workers called me the other day and he offered to maybe go in as partners (he has experience in opening restaruants). I have to get together with him, he wants to see the building so he can get an idea of how much it will cost. We're thinking we can do it for about 50-80 thousand.

[Tsiyu]

11. I think it would be a delight to own a coffee shop

Good luck and enjoy that time with that baby. They grow up TOO fast.

[purji]

4. I've had 12

different jobs ,every thing from Social work to cab dispatcher to house painter.
I tried to stay home with the kids when they were little,but every so often I'd have to get a job for a while.
I start my 13th job on Monday working in a warehouse.

[Tsiyu]

12. 13, hmmmm. well WE aren't superstitious anyway

I hate starting new jobs. I always feel like such a dummy for a few days.

[madinmaryland]

5. Starting when I was 16:

(1) after-school high school
(2) summer jobs during college
(4) full-time positions
(2) stints as self employed.

[Tsiyu]

13. So that's nine

Do you wish you'd always done the same thing or are you happy for the changes?

[madinmaryland]

21. Since the first full-time position,

(which lasted two years), I have been in the same industry (telecommunications) for 20 years.

[Tsiyu]

24. You're lucky

lots of folks in that industry can't say the same thing.

You must enjoy it and/or do your job well.

Or you're sleeping with the boss....hmmmmm
Just kidding. ;)

[progmom]

6. I've had 5 jobs in my career.

If you don't count internships and the like.

I've been at my main current job for 8 1/2 years, the other (just a weekend gig) for 13. If I didn't enjoy what I do so much, you might think I was stuck in a rut.

[Tsiyu]

15. No, I am jealous

There were a few jobs I'd still like to be doing. I would love to know what long term employment feels like.

The last jobs I've held ( aside from a few $$$ from the band or freelance stuff ) have been with small businesses. I seem to have this knack for picking a job with the startups that are most likely to fail.

A telecommunications company, a bakery, an organic grower, a restaurant. All but one are now out of business and that one is sinking fast.

Arrghhh!

[bobbobbins]

7. My Jobs....

First Job was at a Coffee Shop

Second Job was a Movie Theatre Inspector

Third job was selling gutter covers in the mall

Forth job was at a book store

Fifth job was with an internet start up

Sixth job was in a rock band

Seventh job was in city government

Eighth job was with the DNC

And now im back in city government

I guess that makes 9 jobs total.

[Tsiyu]

16. Nice steady progression there

Which job was your favorite?

[bobbobbins]

22. The rock band...oh how i wish i could go back

but its hard to make a living doing it if you're not in a big tourist area, or are fairly well known.

mmmm...groupies....

[Tsiyu]

29. It's not really like work, is it?

At least when the mojo's going.B-)

But loading and unloading gear makes up for it a little.x(

[XNASA]

8. 12. Not counting jobs I had in high school.

Then the answer would be 15.

[Tsiyu]

17. Okay, I am afraid to count mine

( sort of like admitting how many ex lovers you have).

but so far you win.

:)

[Jessica]

9. A few ...

I'm 24 & began working at 16. 1 - babysitting; 2 - gas station clerk; 3 - motel cleaning lady x(; 4 - office assistant/receptionist; 5 - waitressing; 6 - waitressing; 7 - waitressing; 8 (now) - governmental public relations.

[Tsiyu]

18. Love the mad smiley!

Another person who has steadily climbed higher. Good for you. Do you think you'll stay where you are for a while (barring a termination, i mean)?

[11 Bravo]

10. I had a paper route from ages 12-14.

Worked in a fast-food restaurant from 16-18.
Light weapons infantryman, U.S. Army from 19-21.
College student and construction worker from 21-23.
School teacher from 23-54 (present).

[Tsiyu]

19. A career teacher, eh?

You must enjoy it to have stayed that long. By now you no doubt have grown students remembering your influence.

Thanks for doing that tough job. And the ones before it, too.


:toast:

[Blue-Jay]

14. I think about 15, if I count my grad assistantship.

Could be more, though.

[Tsiyu]

20. oops, a tie for first! n/t

:)

[rbnyc]

23. Starting at age 15 (Will rate on scale 1-10, 10 being coolest job)

Grocery Store Bag Girl -5
Switchboard Operator -7
Shoe Salesperson -1
Market Research Telephone Interviewer -2
Dishwasher -5
Line Cook -5
Waitress -6 (8 different restaurants over 12 years)
Hostess -7 (4 different restaurants)
Bartender -7.5 (2 different bars)
Front of House Manager
Box Office Girl at Avant Music Club - 6.5
Information & Referral Specialist for LGBT Center -8.5
Administrative Assistant for breast cancer non-profit -8
Development Coordinator for breast cancer non-profit -9
My next job -10!! :)

That's 20 jobs in 21 years. That seems weird because I was at some of these for 3, 4 or 5 years, but many times I had 2 jobs at once.

EDIT: I forgot 2 jobs. I worked in a coffee shop in AZ for a few weeks and hated it. I worked in a coffe Shop in NYC for a few weeks and hated it. Oh crap. I was also a clerk for a wholesaler for a couple months. That was dismal. And I was a temp for a risk management company in the World Trade Center--Total Hell. Anything else??? I think that's it.

[yellowdogintexas]

25. since my first part time job in college: 18 all together, I think

my favorite was the research assistant position for a couple of doctors in Evansville Indiana. I did data extration from medical records for a clinical study and thin put the data in the computer. The docs were the best bosses to work for and the job was so much fun. It was a funded grant and we used up the last of the money about a week before my daughter was born. I did a couple more things for them off and on then within 2 months all of us moved to different states.

I liked all my positions in medical insurance claims, but that can really be grunt work too. My favorite position in insurance was as a customer service correspondent for Medicare claims; I got to research problems sent to me by beneficiaries, resolve them if possible and explain why the claim was correct (if it was)


Now I am learning Mortgage banking, and it is interesting plus it is customer service, but I will always love medical stuff. I just could not find a job doing it that did not involve a long long commute in really horrible traffic.

[HEyHEY]

26. 15?

[mark414]

27. 8

and i'm only 19...ha actually that's alot for someone my age

[Alenne]

28. I've been working since I was 28.

I started my first job in November.

[nevergiveup]

30. I started out counseling in Juvenile corrections and spent 10 years

before buying my own business........been there ever since and am approaching 60.....ouch!

[Shanty Oilish]

31. Zero

Never earned an honest nickel yet, and never will. Past me prime at 50something.

[pauliedangerously]

32. I've had close to three dozen jobs....

I've been working for over twenty years now. I've been fired six or seven times for unruly behavior, I've told a few of my bosses to "fuck off," and I've just quit fifteen or so because I thought it was time to move on.

I've had blue-collar and white collar jobs, and I've only been layed off once. I have a wide range of skills, I don't take crap, and my loyalty has a price.

I'm 39.

[Strawman]

33. lots...oddest was as inflatable Panda

for some promotion.