Hello again....We've all become friends, and have gotten to know a little bit about each other on UM...So, my mind was wandering (as usual ) and I was wondering what career path did you follow in your lives...I started off, after high school, going to nursing school, but couldn't hack it...I was too emotional with patients and knew it wasn't the field for me...Then I got married, had kids, and became a stay at home mom...I loved to dance, so eventually I opened up a dance studio down here and I found that was what I was destined to do...I retired about 8 years ago, but loved working with the kids. Sometimes we have to jump around, until we find what we really want...Care to share.....

Well, i have done a few things, waitressing, vege and fruit picking, library assistans, truck driver off sider, cleaner but i settled for mortician hahahaha (yes really)

Wow...That is really interesting...Good for you, I know I could never do it...

Im a repairs Engineer, not what i set out to choose but it's not bad..........

The career path I choose was in the Legal Field, went to school, got my degree....but when I finished, there weren't any job openings in my choosen profession. So I end up working in the Health Field/Health Administration, been doing that for 11 yrs. I love it, I adore my coworkers and enjoy spending the majority of my day with 'em I also enjoy working with the community health programs that my dept oversees and of course the public.

In 1992 I was living on a remote island in WA state and bought myself a computer to stave off bordom. I taught myself how to use Corel and Photoshop and learned to build Web pages. At the time, almost no one was doing that kind of thing. I ended up landing a job as a "webmaster" for a large ISP. From there I went into all kinds of technical jobs. Network Ops manager, Web developer, IT manager, Web applications developer. I'm still in the industry, but the glamour has worn off (years ago).

I'd really love to be a jeweler but that will likely never happen. Although, next month, I am taking a class to learn how to cut and polish gems. Should be fun... but it will likely never be a career. But we'll see.

Before i was married at 16 i did a lot of berry picking,waitressing and worked on a chinchilla farm and even picked mushrooms. But after marriage i was a stay at home mom and a darn good house wife! Yet people would always come to me for massages! I was happy to help them to get rid of their stress and pain, as i myself was usually in a lot of pain i got a real satisfaction from taking others pain away! Lots of people told me i should get certified and do it professionally and make some money at it! But at the time i only wanted to raise my daughter and take care of my hubby and home. But people kept comming to me, and i met a woman who had spinal chord injuries and her doctors sent her to all kinds of therapists, they wanted her to get out of her wheel chair and walk more to strengthen her back! But she told me she only hurt more after they worked on her so she wouldn,t get up and walk because it hurt so much! So i worked on her for 20 or 30 minutes and for the next two days she didn,t need her chair at all, and she was amazed at how much less pain she was in! It,s odd but when i massage people, i close my eyes and it,s almost like i get a sense of where to touch and not to touch, my mom said i was able to do this from a very early age as i used to massage her when i was around 5 and continued through the years to do it for friends and family! Sometimes i feel like i go into a trance like state and feel the other persons pain and the relief they are getting as i,m doing it!
So if i ever get my own health and strength back i would love to get certified and become a massage therapyst!

Several years back after my Mom had a "Stroke" , I was her primary care giver, I just happened to be out of a 6 month Medical Office Management school course...I was able to be with her through all her re-hab...

I went into the medical field working my way up from receptionist to medical biller... I Love it.....

hmm.. before 10 i sell marbles in school, at 7 grade i sell tropical fishes, at high school i rent band equipment, at college i work at internet cafe, painting garbage cans for my town, and sometimes work on rice field, harvesting watermelon, cucumber. i like dirt.

now i'm trying to work for goverment.

It sounds as though your emotions and energy is being expelled when you do the massage...It's a gift, and obviously it works...Here's to you eventually getting certified, and doing what makes you happy...

Wow kenshinx, you sound like you were a very young entrepenour...Good for you...Hope your dream comes true...

I was a sailor (ship's nautical officer) first but decided to be a special education teacher after seeing the life at sea. When I finished College they did not need any special education teachers where I had chosen to live. On leaving the employment office I ran into a friend from the university times, who recommended that with my photographic talents I should go see his boss 'cause he urgently needed a photographer. His boss was the regional director of a major news agency. I have been in publishing since then, first as photographer, then as photo reporter, reporter/writer, editor and publisher.

I did what I always wanted to do since I was a kid. I became an artist. ( but of course , like all artists , am a jack of all trades)

I shoot people for a living, mostly kids...with my pentax k10d dslr camera.
I went to school to be an anthropologist and then picked photography up while living on the Navajo reservation. I learned from a guy who shoots models for calendars and fashion magazins and weddings. But I decided I like shooting kids the best. It's a challenge because they don't just stand there and smile. Calms seas don't make great sailors.
I try to capture a personality and a certain emotion, not a big fake smile. That's my style.

I wouldn't say I have done any career work as of yet. I worked in a nursery for a while because gardening is one of my many passions. Decided to go to school for medical transcription, I loved it..but didn't work out for one reason or another. I'm not doing any sort of job for money at the moment, but I do hope to one day become a freelance photographer; and teach English in South Korea.

I still don't know what I want to do, but mostly I am jack of all trades and master of none. lol

But seriously I use to be a stockman mustering cattle in the outback, then I went to livestock export ships and sailed to south east asia and the middle east, transporting mainly , cattle, sheep, goats, horses, etc. Anyway gave that up and decided to join the navy for awhile doing electronics mainly with navigational systems like radars, GPS, and sonars. I have left the navy now and work as a sub contractor fixing the same systems I use to work on in the navy, but better money and none of the military BS that goes along with it.

I think I will do my geology degree next and see what work oppotunities arise from that field of research. But all in all I do not know and probably never will now what I want to do with my life, but thats what makes life more interesting I suppose, trying new things all the time.

I've done quite a bit of schooling in my past 5 years but finally was able to settle on Law Enforcement. I wouldn't change it now for anything. I love my job, every aspect of it and I'm very happy I chose this path to go down!!

My dad got a job at the age of 17 at an aerospace company and worked their till he retired. A lifetime at one place is pretty rare these days.

I have done a lot of things. I started out workingat a liquor store at the age of 12. Lots of retail...computer sales...I worked for a gaming company.

Then I found my calling, which is firefighting. Better late than never...

Click to view attachment

I love the picture and I agree that to be a firefighter you have to have a calling...My brother (now retired) was a firefighter in the City, and everytime he went out on a call we would hold our breaths...Unfortunately he lost quite a few brothers throughout the years...It takes a special person to do what you do...

So many interesting jobs!!! And i fix cash machines! lol

Well somebody has to do it Your right though, reading what everyone does is very interesting...Your's beats mine...

Thanks, could be worse i guess. At least i get to spend numerous hours a day on UM!!!!

photography, I've loved it since i was a kid.

I knew at a young age that I wanted to do something in the sciences. I got my BSc and then a diploma in chemical and biosciences technology and now I'm a lab tech for Agriculture Canada. Basically I do all the fun DNA stuff that you see on CSI but on wheat. Not nearly as exciting as forensics! Maybe one day I'll get into a forensics lab...

Through my growing up years I worked in offices, babysitting, and warehouse stuff (ugh). Now I'm a self-employed entrepreneur and a writer.

Growing up, I had all kinds of jobs. I quit high school, went to work as a cashier, became a jack of all trades (cleaned houses, was a waitress, cook, babysitter, manual yard work, etc.). Decided I didn't want to break my back to earn minimum wage. Got married, went to college and got into nurtition b/c it interested me, graduated and found a job as a nutritionist at the local health dept. I finally found a job that I truly love, and getting paid for it is a bonus.

We were supposed to choose ONE!?

Nobody told me it was just one!!!

In high school I installed car stereos, satellite antennas (back in the 80's the days of the 12' antennas, and dug ditches, crawled through attics running wire (in deeeeeeeeep south Texas.. nice and toasty outside, so you can imagine what those attics were like )

I got a degree in Math and got a commission as an Army officer. I got out in the mid-90s because i had ZERO respect for the commander in chief, became a logistics manager for a major company, then a financial analyst for the same company, then I left the company and went into full-time ministry, and now I've got several different ventures going... I wish someone had told me we were supposed to choose one.

hahaha, Iamsson, sounds like me a little bit... now, because I've done it all and nothing seemed to "stick" , I'm the one thing that strikes fear into the heart of every middle management suck up on the face of the planet... I'm basically a

<prepare yourself here, nasty corporate word coming up>

A CONSULTANT.

I went to school after my divorce for a double major in theology and psychology. 4 years after getting remarried I am back in school getting my MA and eventually my PHD in Family Counseling.
I have taught Ballroom dancing since 1995.
I owned 2 dance studios.
I owned a Ballroom/Latin nightclub.
I had 2 mini-strokes and retired from teaching Ballroom and closed the studio.
I run Bible studies. I teach Sunday school. I am attempting to become bi-lingual (Spanish and English).
I am tired.

Wow, Fluff --

Is that really you? 'Cause there's a lot of hype about hot firemen, and I've never seen one that's a patch on you!

--Jaylemurph

I'm an activity director and second in charge of a certified Alzheimer's assisted living facility. I didn't exactly chose it, but it's what I'm doing fr the time being.

I started in Nursing. Hated it. I also ran health clubs for years. Loved it but the money wasnt that good. I am in new home real estate now. When the market was good, I made incredible money but it just about killed my marriage because of hours(3 weekends off in 6 years). I would have the eventual goal of having my own business.

Wow. You look way to young to have any form of strokes. Did it run in your family?

I am working towards owning my own business. I can't stand working for people, because I am always right. Seriously though, I have known for a long time that I wanted my own business, but I didn't know in what field. But I finally figured it out and I am working towards developing the finances to get it going.

yepp... is not fun when somebody always told you what to do ! that's why i always try owning my own. atleast i can always blaming my employer

That is me...the adult...

Metals basher and part time tattoo artist.

I found my bliss in counseling, and later became a neurotechnologist. I incorporate both in my practice now, geared towards solving physical, mental & emotional challenges, as well as increasing the individuals potential. I utilize cutting-edge neurotechnology that creates new neuropathways in the brain, reinforced with counseling. In a nutshell, I retrain the brain. It's a very rewarding profession.

WOW, that sounds fascinating IS. I do envy people who have such rewarding work.

--------------------------

Me, i haven't settled on a particualr career. I've had a small independant record label, dabbled in import/export, crane operator and side-loaders, I'm trained in several trades, qualified bricklayer, part p qualified electrician, i've worked on oil rigs and for several engineering companies. I'm currently renovating a house and i've no idea what path i'll take next..

As you can probably tell, i get bored easily and have to learn something new

Good for you....There's something new to learn every day...All your jobs sound interesting...

Hi Inner Space...What a wonderful profession you chose...I can imagine that seeing the results of your work must be very rewarding....Hats off to you.....

Wow Goalie...I am really touched by your kind words. Thank you!!

Your very welcome...No need to blush Anyone who works towards the achievements that you do is very special...

Thanks I left school at 15 so i've been working on and off for about 18 yrs, only 32 to go, hopefully i can carry on chopping and changing and trying new things (money permitting), failing that i'll have to grow up and join the real world

Actually, I wasn't blushing...I was saying "I love you" ...to you!!! You, dear lady, have such a gift of making people feel good. I think you're the special one.

Yep!!!

Are we sappy, or what?

omg...I got my smiley's confused...I just left you a little comment...Figured if we keep this up, we'll have 100 posts on this thread...

Hahaha, funny, I confuse smileys too.

Well I will start the university soon, not very shure on what to pick yet........... but I might go for a medical career, even better if it is a vet, I love animals, but I don't know if they pay any good to vets.... other than that I might choose another medical career..... but certainly not nursing.

I started off with wanting to do teeth since high school. I love what I do. The harder the case, the more I love it. I know....almost everyone hates to go to the dentist, but our Doctors make it fun and they love to hear about what I read on UM,lol. My patients do too!

I was a Mechanical Engineer all my working life and enjoyed every moment.
If I had my time over,I'd still do the same again,but also include Psychiatry as well,which I find it fascinating.
Divide my time equally between the two.
'Inner Space' my hat off to you.
Must be such a great feeling of personal satisfaction, to be able to turn someones life around for the better.

Thank you kind Sir.