In a nutshell, I've been on and off these forums and now I'm back again, but this time it's because I got some work cut out for me. I am taking a Career Psychology course because I have no idea what I want to do, and an assignment is to do informational interviews. I'd be much obliged if anybody with a job they enjoy helped me out here. Thanks in advance!

This is just a starting point, but if you want some more in-depth information would be appreciated.

1. What do you do?
2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
3. Did you plan to work in this area?
4. Any requirements?
5. What do you enjoy about your work?
6. What do you dislike about your work?
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?

*Note* - Much obliged if nation is mentioned. Not much I can do if the outlook is good halfway around the globe!

Bonus question!

In your opinion, is there anything for an easily distracted, generally non-commitmental, whole-brained-thinker with misanthropic tendencies and too many interests?

To help you out I'll go ahead and pin this to the first page, hopefully you'll receive some useful information.

Okey doki I'll try and help!

2. Got hired as a temp which turned permanent (bit of luck I guess)
3. No I kinda fell into it and now it seem I am in for the long haul
4. Client interaction (telephonically and in person), helping clients out to the point where they understand what is going on.
5.Angry callers! Or clients who do not know what they are talking about but still want to make a point... all the admin behind the scenes...
6.I have lots of friends in this industry. (more than 10 )
7. Generally there is plenty jobs if you are experianced and can deal with clients properly.

1. Have you guessed yet? I am a financial planner's assistant

ok lets add those extra questions [reason for edit]

1. How did you get started in that kind of work?
On a fluke. I got interested in computers in the 80's, and bought my first Intel/Windows based computer around 1992. Luck would have it, I wasn't working and started tinkering with that and the Web. I found I had "knack" for designing usable timeless Web sites and and a strong natural ability to organize information.

2. What do you enjoy about your work?
It's creative, extremely flexible, independent without losing the fun of the team environment. It's a new and pioneering field.

3. What do you dislike about your work?
Playing corporate politics

4. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
For what I do specifically, which now has morphed into a consulting role, almost no one. Companies hire me to come in and fix their digital communication processes, develop communications tools, and set up processes to manage vast repositories of intellectual property.

5. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation general)
My employment outlook is excellent. It's a very niche but in demand field. I tend to stick with software or online commerce companies and mostly work in the Pacific Northwest with Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Blue Nile among others. The field does extend out into medical and scientific fields as well.

1. By accident, I was supposed to " become" a special education teacher but a friend pointed me into the right direction (with a useless diploma under my arm).

2. The relative independence. I can choose what I want to do within my line of work but no guarantee that it will be successful.

3. Mostly the second part of 2. above.

4. For example my wife, we even been each others boss at one time (she has been my editor and I have been/am her publisher). I would say know closely: more than 20, enough to recognize them from the crowd about 100.

5. It depends on me, I am a publisher now, which is as high as the food chain goes in publishing. There are a few things out of my control, like exchange rates, but the rest is based on how well/badly I make my day to day decisions. I am a print media publisher (books and periodicals).

Thanks Magikman! That really helps

Thanks also to Star_girl, MissMelsWell and questionmark for responding

If you don't mind, I've added a few more questions. Hope to get lotsa responses


EDIT: Hmm... Upon reflection a change of title might be helpful in getting more responses... I think.

Ok, lets do it over again:
1. What do you do?
I am a print media publisher (books and periodicals)

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
By accident, I was supposed to " become" a special education teacher but a friend pointed me into the right direction (with a useless diploma under my arm).

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
No, although my father seemed to think it would be the ideal job for me since childhood. (and no, I am not from a Newspaper/printing dynasty, only my father worked as a reporter for a major regional paper during his college years)

4. Any requirements?
You either need a lot of money (or chupze) to start your own company or experience as journalist/acquisitions editor. You must be able to understand the economical requirements to successfully run a company and have a general idea of themes that could be a seller in the near future. Having the nerve strength of a flea circus director is also helpful.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
The relative independence. I can choose what I want to do within my line of work but no guarantee that it will be successful.

6. What do you dislike about your work?
Mostly the second part of 5. above.

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Decision making and supervision of the senior staff.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
for example my wife, we even been each others boss at one time (she has been my editor and I have been/am her publisher). I would say know closely: more than 20, enough to recognize them from the crowd about 100.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
It depends on me, I am a publisher now, which is as high as the food chain goes in publishing. There are a few things out of my control, like exchange rates, but the rest is based on how well/badly I make my day to day decisions.
As to employment outlook: let me put it this way: I'd be very surprised if there are more than 3000 publishers required world-wide. Your chances double if you are aiming at assistant publisher and hundredfold if you are aiming at chief editor.

To the bonus question: Journalist would not be a bad idea if you are capable of working under stress and within strict time lines. The more interests a journalist has the more he/she will be able to understand the themes he/she is confronted with. But it is only for people who don't give up easily.

1. What do you do?
Electronics engineer (ret.)

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Long story. Always been interested in mechanical/electrical things. Original training in Navy was Antisubmarine Warfare tech, operator, airborne. Upon release, obtained a goon technician job. After rising to the top of that heap, decided to further my education, obtained BSEET, BSEE, MSEE. Since Vietnam had a hard time holding a job more than a year or two, so became a contract engineer, most contracts are short and well paid, and there are always many of those around. Final thing was to educate myself in investing, went day-trading (scalper), then switched to FOREX, my current play.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
No. Original plan was to work in airframes. Navy screwed me out of the school and I went electronics instead.

4. What do you enjoy about your work?
I was in control systems. There is infinite variety in that aspect of electronics, and it requires great amounts of study, skill, and knowledge outside the electronics area. Most systems are different, so a control systems person might work on motor control, weights and balances, automatic machinery (robotics), medical, or myriad other things. This provides an always-intense learning environment if the engineer is contract.

5. What do you dislike about your work?
People.

6. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
Hundreds of others, mostly employed; meaning non-contract. Their expertise is usually in one aspect of controls.

7. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally)?
Control systems will keep growing. Not necessarily more complex than it ever has been, but will grow. Most things are at least partially automated, and will become more so, and old processes will be replaced by new, providing an ever-changing environment for the contract controls person. Outlook has always been good, and will continue to be so.

Bonus question!

In your opinion, is there anything for an easily distracted, generally non-commitmental, whole-brained-thinker with misanthropic tendencies and too many interests?
Strange you should ask. Read the above on controls. The field is wide, expandable, and in contract work requires tremendous effort, thorough knowledge of electronics, plus the will and ability to learn new and different fields. In my time, I worked aerospace, automotive, telephone, industrial controls, environmental controls, manufacturing, process control, and others. It's an unending challenge. If one engages in this field, you will soon become NOT easily distracted, you will become committed to individual projects (but can sort of forget them once they are complete), and you absolutely must use as much of your intellect as possible, including the creative portion. Successful contract work requires out-of-the-box thinking, the ability to apply standard math (and an excellent working knowledge thereof), but needs to have originality, so the contract engineer can solve problems others cannot readily solve: this is why the job pays well. It's cheaper for a company to hire contract for three months at $150/hour than have resident engineers spend a year or two solving the problems.
And that is that.

My sincerest apologies, but I've added yet another couple of questions to the list. I promise this is the last time though

And now that I've some extra time, I'll ask some specific questions to specific people... If they'll consent to reply. This thread isn't getting as much attention as I hoped...

@Star_girl - What does being a financial assistant have to do with angry callers?

@questionmark - You said you're a "print media publisher (books and periodicals)". Are there different types of publishers? I don't know much about this field, but I was under the impression that publishing companies choose what they want to print from all the offers they get from writers and companies.

@RabidCat - That sounds interesting, but being in contract also sounds tough. Isn't it competitive?

Also... I'm suprised you answered the bonus question, that was kind of a joke, as I think it's highly unlikely I'll ever have a career. Nothing ever holds my attention for long, and I'm not just talking specifics, I'm talking entire areas. One day I could be interested in mechanics, in a span of a week or so it could be philosophy, science or drawing.

Yes there are, game publishers, greeting card publishers, ezine publishers, card publishers and I could go on and on. Print media restricts it to books, newspapers and magazines.

Now to the structure. In the good old time a "publisher" just was the guy who "owned" the company, which is still true in very few cases. Today the publisher is some kind of CEO and chief editor in one. That is, the person has to take (or delegate) all final decisions, both in the financial as in the "political/artistic" direction of the products, and has to elaborate the future strategy for the company.

As to content: the sources differ. In magazines most content comes from staff and very little (depending on the magazine type between 1 and 20%) from free-lance authors or agencies. A newspaper's content is mostly agency and about 20% staff, 1 to 5% from freelancers. Books are about 100% from external authors.

The decision process of what manuscripts will be purchased for books has also changed from what is the publics' perception. We all see it as a guy sitting in his office reading manuscripts until he/she finds something worthy of publishing, and when he finds it, drops his cigar and starts some kind of war dance. That has not been true since the 1930s. At about that time the profession of the "acquisitions editor" was created. This person partly reads manuscripts/proposal (in fact many just want you to send them a few pages, not the whole book). Once they find a manuscript that could be a match they meet with the financial managers, where the economic possibilities of the product are evaluated. If they agree the manuscript/proposal will be put on discussion at the editorial conference, mostly chaired by the publisher. As you see there is hardly any "artistic" leeway here (which is why best sellers are sometimes published by Lulu.com).

I see the question coming: what does the publisher do? Supervise the whole mess and occasionally override a decision or two of the editors and/or financial managers. And to the contrary of the former he/she gets an earful from the investors every time a product is not as successful as desired. When it is, the praise goes to the author and the acquisitions editor in case of a book or the editor in chief in case of a magazine. Best the publisher can get is a pay rise.

@RabidCat - That sounds interesting, but being in contract also sounds tough. Isn't it competitive?

Highly competitive. In electronics, the best way to compensate for this is to locate in one of the centers of high tech, such as Dallas, Silicon Valley, or Portland. There are others, but those come to mind as the largest. As in any effort, the field has ups and downs, and it's more difficult to deal with the downs.
There are ways to deal with the downside. I grew up in the field as the field grew up. Meaning that my schooling was primarily hardware with a small foray into programming. But since the field was growth, I had to learn the programming aspects also. This helped tremendously, and in more recent times my resume was met with amazement, since not only did I do hardware, I also did microcode, embedded code, and various higher level language coding. Some places actually tested whether I was telling the truth (and I was), and hired me in lieu of two or three engineers to do a job. In several cases, I was hired to do code, but helped with the hardware designs also. In one of those cases, I was hired to do embedded on a set of rack computers (redundant antenna aiming and other stuff), but when I started, I found the hardware was unusable, had never been usable. And so, that company switched me to doing the hardware. When the hardware was finished about three months later, I went home. Within a week I was called back there to do the original hire of coding the thing. That company also offered a job at the end of the second contract. I would have taken that but for the fact that the company was bought by Loral and disassembled, and that was of no interest.
And so another aspect of contract work is that you can sometimes find the company where you'd prefer to work for a long time, as in employee.

As it went, I was seldom unemployed for much longer than I wanted to be unemployed. The sequence was this: I'd find a contract, work it to term (usually three to 9 months), then take a couple months off to recuperate. Contract is definitely high stress, and when working I carried a half dozen packets of Tums always. The hours are long, weeks are long, but the payment is very good, both economically and in pride. While the world may not know it, many of the things I worked on are now everyday life, and that, to me, is a source of pride. I don't usually say much about it, because most people don't believe me, but I know it, and that's enough.
Now I'm [more or less] retired and do my own interest research. I was floating around the countryside in a bus motorhome, but I'm going to try a fifth wheel (it seems a little more versatile). I play a bit on FOREX to make some extra money that I don't really need (but it's fun), and play on this forum just for kicks (and to annoy some people).
Probably the main reason for doing the contract work was that after Vietnam, I had a good bit of trouble keeping a job: I just couldn't tolerate most people after that crap, so contract work kept me moving around and quite busy.
There you have it.

Since you added another question I'll bite

What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?

Unfortunately, I can't talk about what I do in great detail because most of it is highly confidential... I deal in intelectual property.

What I can say is that currently I'm working with Microsoft on their next Windows release. And as you can imagine, there are 5,000+ people (everyone from developers, testers, business managers, lab admins, lawyers, to marketing folks) who work in that division and it's my job to collect, digest and communicate all the information about everything going on in the product development cycle. It's a VAST amount of information and it's my job to boil a lot of it down and make sure that the right people have access to the right information. I do this through a variety of methods, much of it involving creating and maintaining internal Web sites that are highly accessible, organized and usable. It's not as easy as it sounds when you're talking about the sheer amount of information I'm working with. Sometimes it blows my mind.

Honestly, after 17 years of working in this industry I'm a little burned out... I still enjoy what i do, but it's very high pressure and when I screw up, it's really clear that I blew it.

Over the years I've taken an interest in jewelry desgin and would love to try my hand at being a jeweler and/or gemologist. Shortly I'm taking a little trip to learn gem cutting from a well known artisan to see if I like it. Should be fun. I think I might have the nerves of steel to do this kind of work now.

When I worked Silicon Valley (high stress), I spent at least a weekend a month out panning for gold. Sometimes I just sat there drinking coffee the whole weekend. But I always found at least a few flakes.
You'll like jewelry or gemology (and I've never even met you) if you are good at your current job. More recently, I've taken up making some jewelry from time to time, very relaxing.

My way to deal with stress is that I mostly telecommute. I am here on a peaceful island and yet right in Frankfurt, London or NY as needed. Instead of going jogging or to the Gym I grow my own food and keep some bee hives. More useful than jogging anyway.

That is also an excellent method. One of my friends owns a 40 acre parcel in Oregon and telecommutes to Silicon Valley. Goes there once every month or two. Excellent deal.

Yep! If my eyesight is good enough, I think I might really enjoy the lapidary aspect of jewelry making, but we'll see. Currently, I'm trying to master silversmithing (haven't tried gold yet) and I think I've done some nice pieces and have received some positive feedback from friends who have received those pieces as gifts. Mostly I'm really really good with color, texture and form and enjoy needle and bead work and that led to a need to cast my own clasps and findings so my pieces don't look artsy fartsy or distinctly indian. Most of the pre-cast or ready made stuff is way too fussy or crafty for my taste. And so it goes... I keep expanding and learning, and maybe one day, it's something that can sustain my modest lifestyle. I think I'd rather live my later years creating custom wearable art for passionate people than yelling at passionate engineers to check in their code in on time for the reverse integration

1. What do you do?
Recruitment - Branch Manager for the World's biggest Recruitment Consultancy. I work in the UK.

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
I worked in sales (Finance Products) which is a pre-requisite for most positions in this industry.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
I wanted to stay in sales and found out that this was one of the best paying industries.

4. Any requirements?
Good communications skills, negotiation skills, ability to think very quickly. It's a people role in essence so there's no particular skill set required. Personally I have a degree in Psychology, a degree in Business and Administration and an MBA, but I would not need any of these qualifications for my role.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
Days are never the same. I split my time between the office and being out and about with my clients. I love to assist people in landing their next job and find it very rewarding.

6. What do you dislike about your work?
Not much really...

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Sales, picking up the phone to talk to my clients and speaking with potential new clients.. Interviewing, preparing CV's. Matching candidates to jobs. Speccing good candidates to companies. Responding to Tenders for Business. Managing 6 people and helping them achieve daily and weekly targets.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
I have been in the industry for 15 years so know a lot of people in my field. Other similar skills sets are used in real estate/house sales.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
The Recruitment Industry is the largest in the World and is the only industry which is present in every country. Skills are transferable between countries pretty easily so you can pack up and go do your job in another country relatively easily and sponsorship for Visas is readily available for people with industry experience. Jobs in my industry are very easy to find and once you have the skill set, you will NEVER be out of work. My industry pays exceptionally well with good basics and very attractive commission packages. A typical (UK) Consultant will earn around £35k per year, at Managerial level, this can be trebled. Big cities tend to have the most jobs available and as it's a candidate market, we can pretty much chose who we work for.

Bonus question!

In your opinion, is there anything for an easily distracted, generally non-commitmental, whole-brained-thinker with misanthropic tendencies and too many interests?
Being the Recruitment Guru that I am (lol), I would personally try to place you in the Goverment Body field, probably within a council or governing body. Definitely Public Sector... Possibly something like a Learning and Education Authority body or the Prison Service (Administrative not Warder)

1. What do you do?
Postdoctoral Research Associate

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Had too.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Not initially. My first two years of my under grad I took lots of physics, math, chemistry and biology. I could not decide which field I liked the best. I ended up with a BSE in physics and went from there. I started a masters in astronautical engineering. I did not like it after my first year, but stuck it out and finished. I got my 2nd masters in general physics, then was hit with the realization that master's in a hard science does not help you much (if you go with a hard science don't stop at a masters). Went on to get my Ph.d in physics, I focused on optics (actually the research group is entitled "Atomic, Molecular and Optical", but with some class freedoms I focused on optical).

4. Any requirements?
Mountains of school work. An appreciation for debt.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
Hmm, mostly at this stage I enjoy the laid back job environment and the lab I work in we get lots of freedom.

6. What do you dislike about your work?
Graduate school, I got burnt out on it. Oh, also defending a thesis is not the most pleasant thing in the world. And the oral exams, Oy vey!

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?

Research, I run some experiments of my own and help to oversee the lab. Also, I have become de facto helper for undergraduate research projects for undergrads in our lab.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?

Lots of people. I think research as a whole requires a specific set of skills and anal retentive attention to detail.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?

The employment outlook is good says the magic 8 ball!! At least here in the states. The pay, as Postdoc is not bad, not great considering the amount of debt you incur. Starting I make more than quite a few of my friends with business degrees.

@questionmark & RabidCat: Thanks for the explanation! Just goes to show there's more to working than they tell you at school!

@MissMelsWell: Microsoft?! Seriously? Awesome! Must be absolute bedlam though. I don't envy you that position

@Sassages: Thanks for responding! So you're a Recruitment Guru, eh? Hang on a sec...



That's interesting. Public Sector with misanthropic tendencies? How come?

@camlax: Thanks for responding as well! So you do physics research? Cool. Any chance of being the next Einstein?


P.S.

@Any mod: Well, I'm done with this thread for now, so it needn't be stickied, but I would like to have the title changed and see what people have to say about their jobs. I've a feeling I'll need the information.

Title: About your work


Thanks to all!

chaostrom

Oh yeah, it all adds up!

ALL the people at my local council HATE everyone, and anyone who goes in there is sent away more confused than when they started... and I'm positive they all get a kick out of it.

And the Prison Service would be an ideal place for someone who generally dislikes people as your 'client' base are usually the people you would have more of a reason to dislike, no?

If you do not like or distrust people in general, working for government/public sector would be great because you would not trust anyone making any kind of claim for benefits, help, problems or the like. That way, you'd not have to actually help them, thus saving your employer bags full of cash.

Simple, really...

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
part time , become full time
3. Did you plan to work in this area?
No
4. Any requirements?
Computer knowledge, LAN, stuff like that
5. What do you enjoy about your work?
meet lots of people, flexible, no uniform/ formal dress , copied lots of "information" from other PC
6. What do you dislike about your work?
get blamed if LAN connection go down, alltime ready for repairing, explaining same thing over and over again..stupid people
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
huh ?
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
IT people ?
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
heh ?

Hahaha

I reject the implication that having misanthropic tendencies means I am a bitter, anti-social, people-hater. Sure, I don't trust people unless they can give me reason to, but that's just being careful. And just because I don't like the way society is now doesn't mean I have anything against society itself, either

Hm, I guess people here don't like talking about work...

Unfortunately, I have to be doing more informational interviews for this course.

A little help? Please?

1. What do you do?
Dispensary/Compounding technician in a Pharmacy
2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
I did a little course which was the basics on what a pharmacy is etc and I applied for jobs in Pharmacies. Got hired
3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Yes It was a plan since High School I had planned to become a Pharmacist
4. Any requirements?
Yes. I have to complete an on job course like an apprenticeship for dispensing. I had to attend a two day course for Compounding
5. What do you enjoy about your work?
Every day there is something different to make. Meeting different People the excitment and the feeling that there is NEVR NOTHING TO DO
6. What do you dislike about your work?
There is NEVER NOTHING TO DO. Time constraints.
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
People hand in their scripts I get the medicine off the shelf and hand it to the pharmacist to check. I also Compound that is where special scripts come in usually for HRT (Hormone Replacement Theorpy), Suspensions (liquid medicines for babies) and vet products. Every day I am either dispensing. Or making stuff or serving customers. Thats not me its a co worker but its what i do
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?

If this questions means if I know anyone like friends and stuff then Yes I have a few friends in other Pharmacies.
If the question means are there any other professions which do the stuff i do then yes. Doctors mainly would work with compoiunding. One of the people I work with used to be a cook so similar skilss when making things are used.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
I can go to Uni and become a Pharmacist which would open up more oppurtunity. But gennerally at the moment because I am a compounding technician they arte in high demand around Australia so I could find work pretty much anywhere or just travel around and work at different places. I can even go overseas.

Should have sent a direct request via IM instead of putting it into the thread. I'll go ahead and change the topic title for you and I'll leave it stuck to the top of the first page. If you desire any other changes, send me an IM so I can help you quicker.

1. What do you do?
I'm a Marketing Specialist

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Long, hard work to prove capabilities and networking

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Yes

4. Any requirements?
Yes. I have my BA from University of Maryland in Radio, Television and Film Production
I also have MBA from University of Maryland

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
Everything BUT I am currently accepting only selective consultant work with large companies or corporations for branding, image awareness and targeting heavy-users for their products or services and creating annual marketing plans. ((A ton of research based on product/service, environment/geographical markets, different uses of mediums...blah, blah, blah...))

6. What do you dislike about your work?
Time consuming/ Ton's of research/ Must be TOTALLY buttoned-up; no loose ends for final proposal's (I like to play too much )

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Example: A company would hire me to increase revenue in a certain area (could be any area from direct response to branding -loyal repreat customers; namely retention or repetative buying- to aligning with the proper charity to increasing regional business/sales... and so forth. Okay I think I sound confusing. Say the product is an automobile. I research the specific make and model, define the heavy-user, find what that heavy-user actually "looks like" to the client, research deeply into where and what makes that heavy-user "tick" and then create an elaborate marketing plan based on all mediums available (television, radio, newspaper, internet, direct mail, magazine...and so forth) ALL based on how much money the client has allocated annually and typically geared towards a selective geographical location or locations. Okay that's as nutshell as I can get with that.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
A very long list of people actually!

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
Highly competative based on track record.

*Note* - Much obliged if nation is mentioned. Not much I can do if the outlook is good halfway around the globe! USA

Bonus question!

In your opinion, is there anything for an easily distracted, generally non-commitmental, whole-brained-thinker with misanthropic tendencies and too many interests?

Yes, the Creative, Brainstorming Aspect for SURE!! A trypical creative-type has ADHD; jumps from idea-to-idea; and is able to blurt out absolutely outragious but also new and exciting ways to capture an audience. The setting for "brainstorming sessions" tends to be relaxed...lots of big marker pens, pads of paper, CANDY, squeezy balls, toys... anything to get creativite juices flowing.

I just posted most of this on a similar thread. Hope this helps you out!! OR you can look back on my reply in the "credentials" thread.

Jody ((( or PM me of course..lol!)))

1. What do you do? Photography

2. How did you get started in that kind of work? Been taking pictures since I was a kid

3. Did you plan to work in this area? Yup

4. Any requirements? They say you should have degree, but that is BS.

5. What do you enjoy about your work? I get to see what everyone else does for a living, I take pictures of everything, so i get to see everything

6. What do you dislike about your work? the guy that sits in the other room is annoying as hell

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis? taking pictures and retouching them in PS

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? My boss

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)? Looking pretty good

oh, I'm in the good old USA

and in regards to your Bonus question!

you could become a hermit and fish all day

1. What do you do?
Musician
2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Taught my self guitar, put myself through music school.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Yes, like any kid i was gonna be a rock n roll star, lol,
4. Any requirements?
You must know how to play an instrument an understand music. and get very lucky.
5. What do you enjoy about your work?
Travelling, diverse people, creativity.
6. What do you dislike about your work?
Not much. waiting around can get boring.
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Organizing up coming shows, writing, logistics,
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
Most of my friends, you tend to live in a community of musicians, work in music is very life consuming.
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
mine is ok, as im self employed with good contacts an got lucky young financially, but for most it wont work for them. but if they play for love, they will have fun.
Im Irish, living in the Nordics but mainly work in Europe.

Ah, my bad. Thanks Magikman!

@She-ra: Hmm, brainstorming? I'll look into it!

@Ciraxis: Photography? Nice. What do you take pictures of? People don't just buy any photos, do they? For that matter, who are your clients?

Being a hermit would suit me too I suppose, except I'd miss the internet too much (especially these forums!)

@louie: A musician! Well, isn't that interesting. I received the results of the "Strong Interest Inventory" in class today and the number one career candidate it gave me was musician! What kind of musician are you? Local band? National sensation (I promise not to tell )? Or part of an orchestra? Can you spare me any details?

Much obliged if the extra questions are answered! Thanks!

If you are thinking of becoming of a musician, my advice is practice practice practice, you are up against some really truly talented people an you have to be as good or better to get the work, unless a band your in srikes it lucky, and thats a very small percentage.The stats say that only 1 in 5 actually stick at learning thier instrument an the reality of making a living from the instrument is a lot smaller.
My best advice is, if your not playing an instrument all ready, concentrate on your education, work in music can never be gauranteed. i know lots of starving artists. an if you plan on being a family man, its hard as you will be away from home a lot. ive seen so many divorces because of the nature of the work.
there is a lot of work behind the limelight in music. Session musicians, theatre, film. selling songs. You also need to make good contacts, agents, promoters, and that alone is work building thier trust, etc etc.
im pretty well known in my field, but the general public wouldent know me.i like being able to walk down the street and in to a bar.lol.
As i said, im Irish but i live in the Nordics and do most of my work in Europe.
is that ok.
bonus question.
see if any of your intrests could possibly make a profit for you, eg, i buy an sell guitars as a hobby, i buy fron ebay an sell them on musician sites.
Think wich of your intrests may be viable.
Good luck in the future man, i wish you the best.

1. What do you do?
Credit Controller for a telecommunications company

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
I learnt the accounting system while working as a reservations manager for a touring company.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Oh hell no. I just happened to know how to do the job from years of experience in tourism.

4. Any requirements?
Accounting back ground and knowledge of some or other accounting package.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
I enjoy dealing with people, and get a kick out of seeing money come in

6. What do you dislike about your work?
I dislike having to get tough with people sue to non-payment. Oh, and office politics

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Invoicing, debt collection, phoning, being nice

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
I know plenty of people in my line of work.

(1. What do you do?)
Automotive Technician/Trainer

(2. How did you get started in that kind of work?)
Basically my father taught me the basics, and it went from there!

(3. Did you plan to work in this area?)
No, originally I wanted to get into computer technology!

(4. Any requirements?)
Lots of training, and patience!

(5. What do you enjoy about your work?)
Guiding a crew of well educated yet comical people!

(6. What do you dislike about your work?)
I have to work in all kinds of weather conditions!

(7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?)
Everything from answering difficult questions about charging systems, to fixing a flat tire!

(8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?)
I have gained quite a few friends over the years who are in the same field that I'm in!

1. What do you do? Activity Director for Alzheimer's assisted living
2. How did you get started in that kind of work? I was promoted, I started as a caregiver
3. Did you plan to work in this area? no
4. Any requirements? Yes you must have a class on activity directing, if you do this in a nursing home you must be certified
5. What do you enjoy about your work?dealing with alzheimer's residents
6. What do you dislike about your work?everything
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?dealing with alzheiner's residents
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? Activity directors for cruise ships
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?not good in the US, jobs are few and far between, pay is terrible, working conditions worse

1. What do you do? I am a one of a kind doll artist in North Carolina ( USA )
2. How did you get started in that kind of work? Already being a portrait artist, I started to collect Barbies....then I started doing the celebrity one of a kind Barbies - and restoring vintage Barbies or making them into one of a kinds.
3. Did you plan to work in this area? I knew I would end up being some kind of artist.
4. Any requirements? Artistic talent is always a plus.....and patience.
5. What do you enjoy about your work? Being able to be as creative as I like...I also like to push myself to come up with something that may even suprise me
6. What do you dislike about your work? You get torn between what other people want ( dolls that sell well ) and what you personally like ( which may or may not sell well )
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis? Always thinking of new ideas...doll themes....or cool celebrities that would make great dolls.
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? I havent met anyone locally....but I met many artists at the last doll convention I attended in Vegas this year ( and I know many via the internet )
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)? One of a kind dolls will always attract the doll collector that wants something different and unique. The economy does have an effect on sales though....

I'm looking into diplomacy, but I'm not finding much. Can anybody help me?

Thanks again for all the replies as well! They're a great help!

I did this for ages and really enjoyed it. Except it was in a home for the disabled, it was privately owned and very well funded so we had a lot more to work with than at most facilities.

1. What do you do? Pre-Processing Specialist at a newspaper and printing company.

2. How did you get started in that kind of work? I was ready for a change, and this one was very favorable for many reasons.

3. Did you plan to work in this area? Yes and no, I'm using a lot of the skills from areas I did plan on working - if that makes sense.

4. Any requirements? Knowledge in most of the major software programs used in offices, especially Quark and Photoshop, computer repair is very helpful, sometimes I take classes or work with company reps to learn about new software or (negative/plate/printing) machines.

5. What do you enjoy about your work? Keeps me busy and moving, always learning new things.

6. What do you dislike about your work? Long hours get old sometimes.

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis? Preping publications to go to press, fixing any problems with the files or machines that transfer the files to press. I also alter photos for editors, make ads, or pretty much do whatever needs to be done.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? One person at another newspaper.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)? I always thought print was dying until I started working at this place. One big press can print papers several towns away, and there will always be a need for local news and classifieds.

1. What do you do?
When I don't have mono, Special Response

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Was in the army and my mos was Military Police, was getting out and someone recommended I'd try it out

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Eh, so so

4. Any requirements?
Background in Law Enforcement or Military

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
The pay is absolutely crazy. You choose your assignments, if you do not feel like working when called, you don't have to.

6. What do you dislike about your work?
When choosing an assignment, it is 7 days a week, 12hours a day. The most I worked was 3 months in a row, which was around 90+ 12/hr days in a row. FUN. Not

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Depends on who hired us. Could be providing security for a Nuclear Power Plant, could be security for labor strikes, etc.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
A lot of guys that i was in the Army with. It is a sure thing with excellent pay.

1. What do you do?
Retail Worker

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Needed a Job

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
haha heck no

4. Any requirements?
Well not really unless you want to be a manager then still no.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
I get to fart around all day and call it "work"

6. What do you dislike about your work?
I hate people. All of them.

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Dealing with people

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
My Boss

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
I'm still wondering why I'm still working there. The pay is horrible and the hours suck. It's almost like having a job at McD's: anyone can work there. But I like it mostly because it allows me some goof-off time (as manager). I believe that it is a nationwide but I heard that my company isnt in Oklahoma, yet its in Ohio so I really can't be certain.

1. What do you do?
I work as production supervisor for a metal works company - spare time i tattoo people.
2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Just a job, been there 20yrs this year - tattoo is my first love, always been able to draw, saw tattoo as a logical extension of that.
3. Did you plan to work in this area?
Metals NO - tattoo only dreamed, but making it a reality.
4. Any requirements?
Metals job always on courses and learning new things daily, tattoo i learn something new every time i ink up.
5. What do you enjoy about your work?
Metals nothing - tattoo everything, especially peoples faces when they see the finished tattoo.
6. What do you dislike about your work?
Metals everything, tattoo nothing.
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Metals organising people to the work required, setting machinery, working on machinery, health and safety officer,purchasing manager.
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
Metals the other toolsetter.
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
Metals compertition is so strong now with metals prices globally being as high as they are, with a constant right on time delivery, 100% in quality and delivery counts being paramount.

1. What do you do?
I am an Industrial Maintenance Technician, I fix manufacturing machinary in factories.
2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
Applied for and was accepted to a 2 year training program, an apprenticship.
3. Did you plan to work in this area?
I was drawn to it because I was raised by a very mechanical father, he was a tool & die maker.
4. Any requirements?
Now you are required to have a 3 year Maintenance Technology Certificate, In my day a 2 or 3 year apprentiship was the norm.
5. What do you enjoy about your work?
I still get a thrill out of being able to walk up to a piece of equipment that is either not running or running poorly and being able to cure its problem and bring it back to proper operating condition.
6. What do you dislike about your work?
It is dirty, hot, and for the most part unappreciated.
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
General repairs or modifications on equipment. Breakdown repairs which are by far the most stressful, if the machines stop the plant is not making money. So managment gets nervous and the pressure mounts quickly.
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
My brother, my brother-in-law, a few of my close friends.
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)?
As long as man makes machines to do the work, someone will have to repair them so I have never been out of work unless I just took time off between jobs. At least here in the states that is how it is. All I have to do is post my resume and the offers roll in from all over the United States.
I hope this info helps you and if you need anything further just e-mail me here.

I am a nurse, and I work in long term care.
I got started in nursing when I found out it was a short program and when I graduated I would make a decent wage.
Before I went to school I was a computer operater, before that a cab driver ( a job I was crazy about ) I wasn't even sure what nurses DID prior to taking the courses, and had no dreams off saving a life or soothing a tortured soul, I just wanted to take something that was fast, cheap and half decently paid.
These days in Ontario you have to take a four year university program and get a BScN degree to even start handing out aspirin. but when I took the course, it was nine months of condensed learning. After I graduated I took extra courses in med administration, injections, surgical asepsis and a lot of other stuff that wasn't included in my original course.
I enjoy nursing because ( in the area's I work in) I am in charge of the entire floor, the patients and the medications, the treatments, the other staff, and have to always be on high alert in the event of something going wrong, sometimes very quickly. You have to be organized, independant and confidant, and you have to be able to complete your work in time and with many, many interruptions.
The downside to nursing is that there is far too much gossip and some of the people who work in nursing SHOULD NOT be doing so, they don't care, they are abusive, the are nasty. Unfortunately, unless you have stone cold proof of these monsters doing their ugly things, they usually last at it longer then the non-monsters!
On a day to day basis, I will have to ensure that 32 people are in good condition and if they are not I have to continually monitor and assess them to ensure they are not deteriorating. I have to ensure that the nurses aides are doing their jobs, kindly and properly, and settle any problems that come up between them. I have to deal with the Doctors ( who are usually alright) and the families ( who are usually fighting amongst themselves and require counselling on the fly from nursing staff ) I give every one their medications, including narcotics and injections and I fill out the paperwork to prove that I did all of these things to all of the right people. I re-order mads, contact MD's if needed, arrange appointments and do paperwork necessary to track the condition of every resident every day.
I would imagine that the amount of responsibility in this field is on par with police and fire fighters, paramedics and similiar jobs that are human health and safety oriented.
Here in Ontario Canada, I can get a job ANYWHERE, because EVERYWHERE is hiring. I can't imagine this changing any time soon due to the world's population aging.
I don't know what you would like to do, but whatever you wind up doing should make you happy even when it is a really BAD day.
Good Luck!!!!

I am a nurse, and I work in long term care.
I got started in nursing when I found out it was a short program and when I graduated I would make a decent wage.
Before I went to school I was a computer operater, before that a cab driver ( a job I was crazy about ) I wasn't even sure what nurses DID prior to taking the courses, and had no dreams off saving a life or soothing a tortured soul, I just wanted to take something that was fast, cheap and half decently paid.
These days in Ontario you have to take a four year university program and get a BScN degree to even start handing out aspirin. but when I took the course, it was nine months of condensed learning. After I graduated I took extra courses in med administration, injections, surgical asepsis and a lot of other stuff that wasn't included in my original course.
I enjoy nursing because ( in the area's I work in) I am in charge of the entire floor, the patients and the medications, the treatments, the other staff, and have to always be on high alert in the event of something going wrong, sometimes very quickly. You have to be organized, independant and confidant, and you have to be able to complete your work in time and with many, many interruptions.
The downside to nursing is that there is far too much gossip and some of the people who work in nursing SHOULD NOT be doing so, they don't care, they are abusive, the are nasty. Unfortunately, unless you have stone cold proof of these monsters doing their ugly things, they usually last at it longer then the non-monsters!
On a day to day basis, I will have to ensure that 32 people are in good condition and if they are not I have to continually monitor and assess them to ensure they are not deteriorating. I have to ensure that the nurses aides are doing their jobs, kindly and properly, and settle any problems that come up between them. I have to deal with the Doctors ( who are usually alright) and the families ( who are usually fighting amongst themselves and require counselling on the fly from nursing staff ) I give every one their medications, including narcotics and injections and I fill out the paperwork to prove that I did all of these things to all of the right people. I re-order mads, contact MD's if needed, arrange appointments and do paperwork necessary to track the condition of every resident every day.
I would imagine that the amount of responsibility in this field is on par with police and fire fighters, paramedics and similiar jobs that are human health and safety oriented.
Here in Ontario Canada, I can get a job ANYWHERE, because EVERYWHERE is hiring. I can't imagine this changing any time soon due to the world's population aging.
I don't know what you would like to do, but whatever you wind up doing should make you happy even when it is a really BAD day.
Good Luck!!!!

1. What do you do?

I am self-employed as a plasterer/builder/joiner/general household repair bloke.
2. How did you get started in that kind of work?

College & night-school. I left school & did 8 yrs of Butchery.Got sick of butchery but

Didn”t know what I wanted to do. I”ve driven busses, worked in factories &

Warehouses, & hated it all.I chose to learn building skills because that”s whats in my heart.So, off I went, & learnt those skills. I laboured on building sites whilst going

To college/night school.Eventually, I could venture out on my own, doing what I wanted to do.
3. Did you plan to work in this area?

No.

I think it was an inborn pre-disposition. Just took me a while to realise.
4. Any requirements?

Yeah! Skills. Know what you are doing & always remember that you are working in someone else”s home. Respect It.
5. What do you enjoy about your work?

Variety. Being my own boss (although I always think of the customer as my boss).
6. What do you dislike about your work? Not a lot.
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?

Too varied to say.A lot of hard physical work, whilst also helping customers to plan out work that needs to be done.Bouncing ideas of each other & coming up with ideal solutions to problems.
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? Many.
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)? OK. England. Theres enough work to go around. My outlook is good because I”ve built up a good reputation.Others will fall by the wayside, because they don”t give the same quality of service or are just in this business for a quick buck.

*Note* - Much obliged if nation is mentioned. Not much I can do if the outlook is good halfway around the globe!

Good Luck, Deck.

1. What do you do?
I'm a welder, Steel fabricator and Millwright

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
I lied about my experience.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
No, But after serving in the Army I found myself eating beans and fried potatoes and unable to pay my light bill. So, i took whatever I could get.

4. Any requirements?
Not to many when I started. To many to list now.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
I enjoy being able to build the things with ease that 98% of my fellow employees wouldn't even know where to start. I like the math. It pays good.

6. What do you dislike about your work?
My fellow employees who treat knowledge like a dirty diaper. They don't want to touch it. Getting burned all the time. Catching new clothes on fire. Working overtime and weekends.

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
Building things out of steel and then going out to install it. All kinds of repair work in the mining industry.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
Lots of people. I've been doing it for 25 years.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field
Its getting so high tech that the old school way is on its way out. We'll always need a good welder though.

1. What do you do?
tour guide,i'm in china and i'm a chinese but basically work for an American travel agency as a national guide

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
my major was english in the colleg,after graduated i became a tour operator in a chinese TA,and sometimes i also did some translation jobs canse i was one of the few guys who spoke english a bit,and i found that job is quite interesting then i just got started.it's been 14 years.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
i already in.

4. Any requirements?
nothing special,don't speak chinglish,don't put a fire on your boss's ass.

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
i enjoy dealing different kind of ppl,traveling arroud free of charge.

6. What do you dislike about your work?
complacated Interpersonal relationships,only chinese understand.

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
pretending u r happy even u r not

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
u mean in this forum?no,in real life i know a lot.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field
as long as we have peace tourism will stay growing.

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
i already in.

sorry for this question,i didn't catch.
i was going to be a cop when ia was in college,but some reasons i picked up my current job without trying to be a cop.

1. What do you do? : I am a student and I work as a Technical Writing for the computer department at my school

2. How did you get started in that kind of work? I was a former technical writing major and I handed in some writing samples.

3. Did you plan to work in this area? I did.

4. Any requirements? Writing ability.

5. What do you enjoy about your work? It's very relaxed.

6. What do you dislike about your work? There isn't always a lot to do, so I get rather bored.

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis? Checking the wiki for new posts/edits, editing articles on the wiki, researching computer related stuff..

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? My co-workers.

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)? Well I have switched to creative writing and plan to get my masters degree and teach at a college.

1. What do you do?
I do product recall cost analyses for an automobile company

2. How did you get started in that kind of work?
I was just searching for a job and ended up here

3. Did you plan to work in this area?
not at all

4. Any requirements?
good math and economic skills

5. What do you enjoy about your work?
high payment

6. What do you dislike about your work?
it's boring

7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis?
A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.

8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills?
noone

9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field?
my company is a major one, and if the other ones do this to, the outlook is pretty good

1. What do you do? PART TIME DRIVING INSTRUCTOR/PART TIME PEST CONTROL BUSINESS
2. How did you get started in that kind of work? WELL WHEN I LEFT SCHOOL I WORKED AS AN APPRENTICE PANEL BEATER/COACHBUILDER, ALWAYS LOVED CARS/DRIVING
3. Did you plan to work in this area? YES
4. Any requirements?4 EXAMS
5. What do you enjoy about your work? MEETING DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ENJOY TEACHING PEOPLE
6. What do you dislike about your work? COLD NIGHTS, TRAFFIC JAMS AND THE LIKE
7. What does your work involve on a day-to-day basis? TEACHING PEOPLE, BEING PROMPT, AND BE UNDERSTANDING
8. Who else do you know who does similar kinds of work or uses similar skills? MY PARTNER (WHO HAS HIS OWN PEST CONTROL BUSINESS)
9. What can you tell me about the employment outlook in your occupational field (with a particular firm, locality or nation generally*)? AS I WORK FOR MYSELF, EVERYDAY IS DIFFERENT AND I WOULDNT CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD.