What is the best job you ever had? And why?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

When I got out of the military, I was required to take a course called JOTAPS (something like Junior Officer Transition from Active duty to the Private Sector, like that). Even though much of the course (how to do job interviews etc.) wasn't really relevant to my situation, it was pretty good.

This question was asked during the course, with respect to what was my best job ever in the Navy (which was my whole career up to that point). Sitting down and really thinking about it the answers are often not what you might think at first glance.

I'll give my own answer later in the thread (heading out) if this thread stays alive. Interested in your stories.

Keep thread alive!

[HEyHEY]

1. Hard call

I like what I do now. But I'd say the job I was happiest with was my first job as a busboy. It was simple, kept money in my pocket and was kinda fun.

In reality though, I'd still rather do what I do now.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. musician

for the Dances of Universal Peace. This is not a paid position, but a spiritual practice, and one that gives great joy. The Dances are really body prayers, using movement and sacred phrases from the world's spiritual traditions. We lead the Dances nearly every weekend somewhere in the NW AR area. If you are interested, check out our website at http://www.ozarkdancecircle.us

[graywarrior]

3. A minimum wage shuttle drive job for Appalachian Mtn Club in NH

I drove completely around the White Mountains picking up and dropping off hikers at various trails. I drove 150 miles a day gazing at mountains, catching glimpses of bears, moose, deer, encountering sever weather and meeting some crazy people from all over the world.

I loved that job.

[asjr]

4. Business manager and copy editor at a

literary magazine. Absolutely loved it.

[LoZoccolo]

5. Working checkout in the business library in college.

I started during the summer when there were not many people there at all, but even during the year it wasn't a big deal because people don't check out books so much as they do research. And every two hours I'd make a run around to put paper in the copiers. I got a lot of homework done while I was getting paid!

[ScrewyRabbit]

6. Video game designer

[BlueHandDuo]

13. How long ago?

Did you ever go to GDC?

[madrchsod]

7. shipping/ recieving at a steel mill

work 30-45 minutes during the hour
one and a half hours for breaks and lunch
got paid really well
second and third shift options-
play cards
sleep
got to blow things up
light off fireworks
steelworkers union
draw backs-hotter than hell in july and august
colder than the south pole in jan and feb

[GingerSnaps]

8. Front Desk Clerk

Empty rooms was a perk :evilgrin:

[Sporadicus]

9. PC Tech

but it was a temp job at a major insurance company. The pay wasn't bad and the working conditions were great.

[Droopy]

10. Truck Driver

And my current job doing that has been the best. I get home every night. I only work 48 hours a week which is low for a trucker. I'm making more money now than I ever have. I've got good benefits. Things can always be better, but for now this is as good as it gets for me.

[LibLover]

11. My present job

I work for a law firm (25 attorneys plus staff) and I handle their billing. I'm set up to do this from my apartment and as long as I get the job done I can work any hours I want. You'll see me posting here at all hours because I don't have to get dressed to go to work every morning.

I get paid well to work in my pajamas!

[Wcross]

12. Porn film stunt man...and you had to ask WHY it was a good job?

[sbj405]

14. Worked for a ticket broker

Work wasn't that hard (answering phones and making sales), the pay was pretty decent, and I got great tickets to all sorts of concerts and sporting events.

[GingerSnaps]

15. Fluffer

:evilgrin: I bet you thought I meant something else.

I use to make fluffernutter sandwich's for preschoolers.

[tech3149]

16. Definitely Dictaphone

I got talked into interviewing for a field service position. I stayed with the company for seven years. Their commitment to serving their customers and honoring the value of their employees was the best I've ever seen. They made their reputation by providing the best benefit to the customer. They allowed their employees to operate freely and provided the training and support to do it effectively. Since then, I've only seen companies that consider labor as an expense not an asset. If I were to try and pin down the blame, it would fall on the use of MBA's and business majors running the companies. When I was younger, most companies raised their executives from their particular industry. These people knew the goal of the company wasn't just profit and loss or return on investment. They understood their customers needs and the importance of serving those needs. If you understand that you can build a strong business with long-term prospects. It may not be the most profitable this quarter or the next, but it's the best way to build a sustainable organization.

[FreedomFry]

17. Advertising copy and design for educational film company

I was old enough to be respected, young enough to feel like one of the gang. Everybody had a great sense of humor, and there was a lot of camaraderie. It was on that job that I got to evolve from cut-and-paste to computer-based design.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

18. My best jobs: Tie between 4th year medical student, intern, and

physician at a teaching hospital teaching residents.

A lot of medical training is grueling and punishing to both the body and the psyche and ego. But for whatever reason the end of medical school, and internship, which was the beginning of my becoming a doctor, was a great time for me despite the punishment aspect. I was embarked upon a great adventure. It also helped that I was physically in great shape during those times, getting a lot of exercise and socially very active, dating a lot etc. It was like my whole life was firing on every cylinder.

The teaching thing was extremely enjoyable for me too, but the intensity of that time made it so only a brief 1-2 year part of that time was enjoyable and the rest was a major downer.

I have easier hours and make more money than during those times, but the experiences don't compare to those old days. It's still an adventure, but not like before.