What is the best job you've had?

[Wapsie B]

I've not really had what you would call a best job. Some have been ok at best. I've not had a job where I've felt like I was where I was supposed to be. But I know there are people even in this day and age who work in jobs where they were appreciated for what they did. The companies they work for truly encourage them to learn and grow as people and pay them well for their efforts. It's always been a fantasy of mine to have a job like that. But just like love it seems that other people can have that but not me.

[auntAgonist]

1. the best job I ever had

... two really. The best was working in a funeral home along side licensed funeral directors. I never did get into school therefore never got my own license. Too many younger kids applying to the very few schools that offer training.

The 2nd best job was driving semi across Canada and the USA, not very conducive to family life though. :(

[Wapsie B]

6. You were a trucker? Cool.

I don't know if I could deal with the funeral home although I have a sister who does.

[Allenberg]

2. The job I have now

I work in customer service for an insurance tracking service. I'd have never thought I'd like working in a call center, but after the first month, I really like it. It also helps my pay is decent, I have a really nice supervisor, and I'm on a fast track to promotion. :)

[Wapsie B]

7. That's good!

Yeah I'd be apprehensive about a call center. But doing a good job and being recognized and promoted because you've done a good job is very appealing.

[ShadesOfGrey]

69. Forest Service - CE Tech.

For three summers during my college years, I basically got paid to hike. I LOVED that job!

[Wapsie B]

71. I would love that too!

Walking is something I love.

[Heidi]

3. Artist.

Hands down. :thumbsup:

[Wapsie B]

8. Being able to live your life immersed in a creative pursuit

is something I lust for. Music School tapped some of that desire, but that wasn't quite right for me. But it's the closest I've felt to having an existence that I felt like I was who I am.
That's why I've been exploring more creative areas with words and ideas. Something tells me I may be on the verge of another revelation. :)

[ronnykmarshall]

65. Good for you Heidi!

Now if I could just get that gig as a back-up singer for Stevie Nicks, I'll be set!

[LeftyMom]

4. Full time mom.

The pay sucked, but life was a bit easier when I didn't have to balance LeftyKid's needs and those of an employer.

[Wapsie B]

10. It's great that you can devote your life to your child.

And that you love it. :)

[LeftyMom]

11. I have to work now

Single mommy and all. I work from home though, so I'm doing better than most in that respect.

[Wapsie B]

16. Yes you are.

You have the best of both worlds if you can balance your work and home.

[Wapsie B]

12. It's great that you can devote your life to your child.

It sounds like you're an excellent parent. :)

[jus_the_facts]

5. My favorite job was at a radio station....

...I was what was called a switcher back in the day at KMBS 1410AM...the station received a satellite feed from Chicago...big band music from the 40's with vintage country and rock from the 50's 60's and 70's mixed in...every 20 minutes we switched from the sat. feed over to local commercials..that's where I came in...I.LOVED.THAT.JOB...so much I eventually took over the dude's time that worked before me and would be there 12+ hours a day...the fringe benefits were I had the place all to m'self and the sound proof booth had like 8 amplifiers in it...durin' the feed I could listen to what ever I wanted to...as LOUD as I wanted to...'twas heaven with a paycheck...then they automated me outta my position with computers to do the job...but not better as there were sooo many times they had DEAD AIR because the 'puters wouldn't ever work as they should...never again have I had a job I loved like that one..heh or even LIKED as much for that matter...sigh. :nopity:

:hi:

[Wapsie B]

13. Maybe you should look for elements of that job

in another job or a total new area of work. I'm just tired of being in a non-creative area. And unless you're a nurse or administrator it doesn't matter how hard you work. Advancement is very hard. Do a great job and all they expect is more. No financial or personal incentive to do better. Just manipulation by guilt.

:hi:

[Ikonoklast]

9. I went to work for myself four years ago

Formed an LLC, bought my own tractor-trailer and leased onto another O/O that has his own operating authority. My (nominal) boss is a great guy, farms over 200 acres and trucks full-time, too. He and his wife treat me like gold. Absolutely the best job that I have had.

I make my own deals with the freight brokers/shippers/customers, go out when I want, go where I want, and eff off when I want. All the while making a decent amount of money.

[Wapsie B]

15. I've heard about the freight brokerage business

and was very intrigued about it. That's good that you love your job. That's what I want.

[Ikonoklast]

26. Don't be fooled by some of the b.s.

It's not as simple as it may appear.

There are literally tens of thousands of freight brokers af all kinds in this country alone. It is a very, very competitive, cutthroat business and what you did yesterday has no bearing on what you may be able to do tomorrow.

If you have an established relationship with a good freight-shipping customer, invariably another broker finds out about and undercuts your rates, at least until you are out of the picture.

There are a great many brokers out there that are not only just dishonest, they will actually steal with very little, if any recourse on my part. Of course, the government could care less, leaving them to fold one business when it gets too hot just to open up with the same people, office, etc., but a different name the very next day with no penalty .

I have a very good working relationship with a select number of brokers that know that our service, on-time record, and customer relations are worth the rates we charge.

[Wapsie B]

29. Thanks for the headsup.

I wondered if you could make that much $$ as a broker if there wasn't some kind of catch.

[RevCheesehead]

14. Ever since becoming ordained, every job has its good & bad.

But I will add that in every appointment, I have felt and believed that I was exactly where I was supposed to be at the time. That's a pretty big statement, especially when I was serving "the church from hell." But sometimes we're called to be the prophet's voice, rather than a popular voice.

It also helps to remember that ministry is a lot like planting seeds in a garden. It takes a while before you begin to see the fruit of your labor. In my present position, I am finally able to stick around long enough to see some of that taking place.

I love it here, and want to stay a long time. (but that's up to my bishop, not me.) O8)

[Wapsie B]

17. Of all the people here you have always seemed to be the one

who is in their right place. It's been the most obvious to me that you truly have been called by God to do what you do. :)


btw I hope you feel better. I know you were up late not feeling the best and having your Sunday thing ahead of you.

[RevCheesehead]

22. Heh - I think my addiction to DU is greater than

my addiction to Brazil Nuts!

Thanks, BWA. It took me a while to figure that out, but the words "trust" and "hope" have helped me believe that to be true. :)

[Wapsie B]

25. Oh god Brazil Nuts.

It's hard to think of those things as mere food items and not aphrodisiacs I hope you know. ;-)

You truly are meant to be who and where you are. And you give me comfort in knowing that there is some kind of divine being in the universe.

[Call Me Wesley]

18. Two, actually:

The one I have right now, being my own boss, in IT.

The one I had before, writing stories for a glossy magazine ...

[Wapsie B]

19. IT? cool

I am in IT as well, kinda anyway. Dealing with people with little or no computer ability seems to take up a lot of time.

[Call Me Wesley]

28. Tough job you have.

I'm not into support, really. But of course customers do ask me questions like, "Why does my printer not work?"

I mostly develop and maintain websites for corporate clients.

[Wapsie B]

31. Yes it is.

I have helped with the website at work and have wondered about developing websites for healthcare services.

[Call Me Wesley]

35. Go for it!

It's always good to explore something new! :hi:

[Wapsie B]

37. I'd like to.

But I wouldn't know where to start.

I'd like to pick your brain sometime. Don't worry Heidi, you can have him back. ;-)

Yes I need a whole new direction in my life in a number of areas. :hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

43. Do not overestimate me.

I came to the whole thing rather accidentally; it was just something I could do. This doesn't mean it's the job of my dreams but it helps paying bills and is somewhat easy. And I'm not a programmer; I hire some if needed. The work is more something from a viewpoint of communications/corporate identity, where we actually try to develop the whole internet/communications presence of a company.

It's not always exciting, but considered that I come from a place way foreign to these things, it's an accomplishment, I think. ;)

[Wapsie B]

45. Well like I tell patients

if I wanted excitement I'd be a Paramedic or ER nurse. lol

Accidentally happening is the way love is supposed to happen too. Still, in order to start anything I want a good outline of what I want and what I need to do, step by step. I'm at the grandiose idea stage.

[Call Me Wesley]

46. Start small,

and expand later, if needed. Keep yourself somewhat secure, reagarding how the economy is right now. Work your way through, and it'll get better. Include 'time' in your plans, too.

Of course, being an ER nurse is much more exciting. So I'm told by a simple Google search:

[Wapsie B]

47. I'm just wanting to find what steps to take first.

Nice pic btw. *drool*

[Call Me Wesley]

49. Look around,

and perhaps you'll find someone you can help with a website or show what you can do - specializing is always good, but I think most people want to see what you can do.

[YankeyMCC]

20. Working in a Deli

it was part of a supermarket but still that is the job I think of most fondly.

I work in the IT industry now and make a good living but truthfully it sucks...if I could figure a way to open my own deli I would (part of that is lack of courage but I think there's some practical basis I mean there's already a lot of delis in the area it would be pretty incredible to actually succeed with a new deli business around here I think)

[Wapsie B]

23. A business of my own has been my dream.

But the courage thing has held me back too, and not knowing exactly what that niche should be is another hinderance. A food business would be nice. I've thought about a BBQ shack of some kind.

[YankeyMCC]

38. mmmmm...bbq...mmmm

:)

[Wapsie B]

42. Yeah.

Going to a BBQ school then having a nice bbq shack somewhere. I love that type of cooking.

[Left Is Write]

21. Radio announcer/music director.

[Wapsie B]

24. Cool.

There's that creative bent again. I've been told I've got a voice for radio but that wasn't exactly what I where I'd want to use my voice.

[Burma Jones]

27. My Current Job...........

I am a rented brain for the USMC.......

I had the most fun when I was either an (front of the house) Oyster Shucker and Line Cook. I would spend three hours every weekday shucking oysters, keeping the food bar stocked and drinking beer with the customers......

[Wapsie B]

32. A rented brain?

Sounds interesting. The oyster bar thing sounds cool.

[B Calm]

30. Deck hand on a tug boat out of Miami. Towed barges to the

Bahamas. Did this for about 6 months after I got out of the Navy.

[Wapsie B]

34. Bahamas, nice.

Hard work but nice scenery.

[B Calm]

73. Really, it was pretty easy work. Soon as we were out to sea

we drank all the way to Freeport.

[Left_Winger]

33. High School Teacher

I've had a variety of jobs in my life before finding this one. The impetus toward this job came after I was laid-off twice within three years. Back then I was a computer programmer for two banks, each of which were bought by larger banks so those of us who were deemed unessential got the pink slips.

As a teacher I only have to work 190 days a year, I have wonderful students, I get to take them on trips to Europe (all of my expenses are paid) and I totally enjoy watching them learn new things. In many cases I end up "playing games" with them as part of the lesson plan; and I get paid for this!

In order to complete the renewal of my license I will be taking a three week class in Wittenberg, Germany this summer. :woohoo:

[Wapsie B]

36. Damn I wish I had a teacher like you.

It's great that you love your job. So many go into teaching and burn out.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

39. Flight instructor.

The money sucked but it sure was fun.

[Wapsie B]

41. I knew about yours.

That did sound like a great job. I woulda thought the pay would be better, at least that of what a regular pilot would get. :)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

50. LOL!

Nope, flight instructors don't get paid diddly squat, even though you're pretty much risking your neck every time some beginner student pilot decides to stomp on the wrong rudder and spin the damn thing. Still, it's great fun. I work for an airline now, and I like that a lot, too, but basic flight instruction in a little Cessna is (most of the time) about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.

[Wapsie B]

55. That just floors me.

With the kind of responsibility you have that's amazing. I would have a tough time getting over the fear of flying in something that small.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

40. The one I have now

I decided to start my own business as a computer repair geek. I love it. It's a chance to stay out in the world, meet new people, and actually do some good.

I had a new client just yesterday afternoon, obtained by what they said was a highly enthusiastic referral from another client. I fixed two computers for them, and they were practically dancing when I left. Now THAT feels GOOD.

[Wapsie B]

44. Yes that would feel good.

I'm happy for you. That's what I want in a job.

[ThomWV]

48. Electronics Installer On Boats

Radars, fish finders, auto pilots, things like that. Challenging at times and always the kind of relaxing experience that custom labor alone can produce.

Then it was back to making some money.

[Wapsie B]

59. I would think you'd make a lot

of good contacts with a job like that. There'd have to be people appreciative for a job well done.

[midnight armadillo]

51. The one I have now

I'm a physicist at a small R&D company. Great pay, great co-workers, health care isn't even charged to us, lots of flexibility and freedom. Oh, and we're employee owned!

[Wapsie B]

58. That's what I need in a job,

flexibility and freedom, as much as financial rewards.

[SeattleGirl]

52. This is more hobby than job: Flower arrangements

I do wedding flowers on occasion, and Mr. SG and I do wedding cakes. He actually does the cake, and I do live flower arrangements for the cakes. My "real" job has so many laws, policies, rules and regulations I have to follow, that working with flowers allows my artistic side a lot of freedom.

[Wapsie B]

56. That sounds like a good hobby to have.

The creativity would be appealing.

[SeattleGirl]

62. Here's one we did last year for a friend's wedding

[Wapsie B]

64. OMG.

And those are real flowers too? That is absolutely beautiful. Your beauty is also in your work. Wow.

:thumbsup:

[SeattleGirl]

67. Thank you!

And yes, the flowers are very real.

[Oeditpus Rex]

53. One of my sportswriting gigs

Though the reason it was so good was a combination of things, mostly that I owned my home outright. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to live on what I made.

But it was at a respected paper, and my editors respected me. Plus, it wasn't the same old high-school football/basketball/baseball stuff every day; I did a lot of feature stories, some of them pretty off-beat — like the woman who played underwater hockey (yes, underwater hockey) and the one who held, at the time, the world record for consecutive footbag (Hacky Sack) kicks — more than 13,000. I also interviewed Hall-of-Famer Orlando Cepeda and an Olympic gold-medal wrestler.

Oh... and through a story contact, I wound up driving cars into the tent for the Christie's auction at the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. I drove a '48 Cadillac V-12, a '53 Mercedes-Benz, a '36 MG with right-hand drive and a badly slipping clutch and a '72 Ferrari GT4. Right in front of me was the Ferrari that Raul Julia drove in "Gumball Rally."

[Wapsie B]

57. That sounds like a dream job.

Cool.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

54. Greenhouses.

[Wapsie B]

61. Too bad I'm allergic to dirt.

Growing things does have a certain appeal.

[trof]

60. Cargo pilot.

After 20 years of passengers, I went cargo.
About 90% less stress.

[Wapsie B]

66. All those boxes won't put up a fuss will they?

Good you found a job like that.

[trof]

70. It was (comparatively) nirvana. Possibly Utopia.

It was so laid back, I spent most of my time in the full horizontal mode.
;-)

[Wapsie B]

72. LOL!

Auto pilot time.

[ronnykmarshall]

63. Towel boy at a gay bath house.

A little hard on the knees, but I really became very "flexable" in my work.

[Wapsie B]

68. LOL!

:rofl:

edit: I'm assuming your joking.

[Porcupine]

74. Instructor at a massage school.

I actually really did this for about a year.

First the veiw is great; and yes your massage therapist DOES look. (just looking BTW, see below)

Second, the people were fascinating.

Third: mandatory daily free massages.

Fourth: the unmentionable fringe benefits of being a 26 year old straight male teaching massage. (I never, EVER, asked. It was more a matter of fending off)