What sort of work do you do?

[Linda W]

Date: 6/26/2008 7:01:34 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
come to PS and give the ladies a bad time.

ha ha ha ha ha ha.

 

[pennquaker09]

I''m a daddy! Love it to pieces. I used to be a project manager for a home builder and I finished up my masters in curriculum an instruction this past May. Eventually, I hope, I will be teaching high school chemistry and/or mathematics. My future goal is the be a college counselor or maybe a professor of education. I want a Ph.D. with a concentration on gifted and talented students with a sub-focus on technology and minority students. There''s a lot to it.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 6/26/2008 6:37:05 PM
Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 6/25/2008 6:03:39 PM
Author: littlelysser
I was a lawyer until six months ago! I loved law school and did quite well...however...practicing stunk...so here I am...

Maybe jewelry designer? who knows!!!

Attorneys have such a high turnover rate - as a law student I am curious what exactly ''stunk'' about practicing?

Most likely trying to log 50 billable hours a week, while waiting 6-8 years to make partner.

 

[robbie3982]

Date: 6/25/2008 10:04:07 PM
Author: Amethyste
I do 3 things:

I am in the Insurance - I am an Underwriter assistant ( would like to be an Underwriter one day )

I am also a nail technician in the evening and in the weekend.

finally, I am also a vocalist - I record vocals for film, video games and solo artist That'' what I

to do

I would really love for you to come and visit me

My DH is very into video games. Can you reveal any titles you''re in?

I''m a Marketing Specialist. This is my 4th marketing job since graduating with a BA in Advertising in 2004 and I FINALLY have a job I like! I''ve only been at this job for 3 months, but I really like it and I''m hoping I continue really liking it.

I''ve done marketing for a cable tv channel (I used to get to read the scripts for the original made for tv movies before they filmed. I LOVED that part of the job!), a building materials supply company (involved a lot of event planning that taught me how to be super organized and came in handy when it came time for wedding planning!), a newspaper (nothing really cool about that one, crazy coworkers and boss, lol) and now for one of the leading companies that designs and manufactures mining equipment. Right now I''m in VA to shoot some photos of a piece of equipment that''s shipping tomorrow (I love that they let me play photographer!) and I''m supposed to be heading to Germany in a few months with some video footage (I''ve yet to have this shot but it will be of our equipment in action underground in a mine) to meet up with our corporate marketing department and put together a marketing video. I also get to do some writing for my current position. It''s way more technical than what I used to dream of doing, but it''s still really cool to pick up a trade publication and see the press release that you wrote (this happened today!!! They don''t list bylines, but I know I wrote it!)!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Right now I''m a SAHM.

In the past I worked first as an accountant (hated it), a teacher''s assistant at a college (loved it), and also as a pottery teacher in a pottery studio (loved that too!). . .

Not sure what I plan to do next! Within the next year, I''m hoping to figure out my calling. Whatever it is, it''ll be PT.

 

[littlelysser]

Date: 6/26/2008 6:37:05 PM
Author: Anna0499

Date: 6/25/2008 6:03:39 PM

Author: littlelysser

I was a lawyer until six months ago! I loved law school and did quite well...however...practicing stunk...so here I am...


Maybe jewelry designer? who knows!!!

Attorneys have such a high turnover rate - as a law student I am curious what exactly 'stunk' about practicing?

Hi Anna - I absolutely LOVED law school. Loved it. I made law review, published...thought I'd found my niche for the rest of my life! Ended up, I found practice to be totally different than the study of law.

I loved law school...thinking in the abstract about what would be the best result or discussing and researching why a court did what they did. I absolutely ate it up. And I was very excited about starting practicing. I ended up hating it. Deeply and profoundly!

I started working for one of the larger international law firms. I was there for three years. I found it to be very stressful. And also very rough on my self-esteem. I would draft a letter to a client and it would through 4 other drafts and finally make it out to the client. My words and effort were essentially worth nothing. It was not a positive atmosphere for learning and honing my craft. I billed 2400 hours one year...and during my review I was told that there were partners that questioned my commitment to the firm.

The work was also quite mind-numbing at time. Reviewing documents for hours on end...reviewing insurance policies and researching the impact that various exclusions could have on coverage relating to an industrial waste spill. Working for corporations that I was morally and ethically opposed to (I won't say any names, but it rhymed with Shmaliburton)...I loved law school because it was about analyzing what the law should be, not what is the best result for a client. I became very jaded.

I later went to another international firm, which had a smaller office in my city. I found the work to be more interesting and compelling, but I still was bothered by the hours I was expected to work.

I've canceled more vacations than I care to remember...

In addition to the hours, I was unable to let the work go. I couldn't get past the fact that an error I might make could cost a fledgling company millions of dollars or could result in someone losing their home or livelihood. Simply put, the job kept me up at night.

I also noticed the lives of the partners I worked with and quickly realized it simply wasn't a life that I wanted. Many had alcohol abuse issues. Or had troubled marriages. Or simply didn't see much of their children or partners. I knew of partners that were afraid to take long vacations (meaning a week or more) for fear of losing clients...I'm sure these problems are not limited to lawyers, but I couldn't help but notice the very very high number of unhappy lawyers at both law firms.

The only time I was happy was when I get my paycheck...and it very quickly became clear to me that my sanity and life were more than a big old check.

I later went to work for a judge, and although I found the hours better and the work more enjoyable, but I quickly realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life...so here I am...designing

I'll add that easily 90% of my friends from law school (most of whom were also law review, published, etc...) want to get the heck out of practice or have simply left.

It is a tough road to hoe.

Also tough, reading through this SUPER long post! I kind of went off there. Yikes!

Didn't mean to thread jack.

 

[littlelysser]

Date: 6/26/2008 10:05:28 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 6/26/2008 6:37:05 PM

Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 6/25/2008 6:03:39 PM

Author: littlelysser

I was a lawyer until six months ago! I loved law school and did quite well...however...practicing stunk...so here I am...


Maybe jewelry designer? who knows!!!

Attorneys have such a high turnover rate - as a law student I am curious what exactly ''stunk'' about practicing?

Most likely trying to log 50 billable hours a week, while waiting 6-8 years to make partner.

6-8 years for partnership would be a DREAM! At the big firms now partnership isn''t even considered until the 9th year or later! And even that isn''t a guarantee. Sooo hideous.

 

[littlelysser]

Date: 6/25/2008 6:44:11 PM
Author: Miranda

Date: 6/25/2008 6:03:39 PM

Author: littlelysser

I was a lawyer until six months ago! I loved law school and did quite well...however...practicing stunk...so here I am...


Maybe jewelry designer? who knows!!!

I was wondering how the jewelry designing was going! You are living most everyone''s (on this site anyway) dream!

The jewelry designing is going well! I am really enjoying it! I''ve come up with some ideas that I think are pretty good...and I''m working on honing my craft!!

 

[star sparkle]

I''m in my second month of working for the federal government.

 

[jewelerman]

Hey Littlelysser,
who or what inspires your jewelry designs?I worked for a gold/silver smith shop when i was a teen ager and created a small jewelry line that was displayed at a few stores in the tourist town i grew up in...I used elements from the ancient greeks and romans,the american indians and turn of the 20th century french and american designers in the collection.CONGRATS on making your dream come true.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 6/26/2008 10:05:28 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 6/26/2008 6:37:05 PM
Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 6/25/2008 6:03:39 PM
Author: littlelysser
I was a lawyer until six months ago! I loved law school and did quite well...however...practicing stunk...so here I am...

Maybe jewelry designer? who knows!!!

Attorneys have such a high turnover rate - as a law student I am curious what exactly ''stunk'' about practicing?

Most likely trying to log 50 billable hours a week, while waiting 6-8 years to make partner.

If you do some poking around on this forum, you''ll find a thread about the legal profession. I love love love my job, will likely make partner this year (6 years after being called to the bar), rarely work weekends, and spends lots of time with my beautiful boy (2 years old). And I still get a nice paycheque, enough to buy shoes at least!!!

 

[dockman3]

Date: 6/26/2008 12:26:56 PM
Author: canuk-gal

Date: 6/26/2008 12:20:14 PM

Author: dockman3

I''m actually finishing up my PhD in aerospace engineering, hopefully by May 09. Just one year left!

HI:


A rocket scientist--I love it!!

Madam Bijoux/Gabrielle--you are halir!!!


cheers--Sharon

Sharon- If only I worked on rockets!! My research right now if funded by a car company, so sadly, no rockets in my immediate future. I do like the work I''m doing, but rockets go faster!

 

[jcrow]

graphic designer here.

 

[jcrow]

graphic designer here.

 

[jcrow]

graphic designer here.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 6/27/2008 9:33:54 AM
Author: dockman3

Date: 6/26/2008 12:26:56 PM
Author: canuk-gal

Date: 6/26/2008 12:20:14 PM

Author: dockman3

I''m actually finishing up my PhD in aerospace engineering, hopefully by May 09. Just one year left!

HI:


A rocket scientist--I love it!!

Madam Bijoux/Gabrielle--you are halir!!!


cheers--Sharon

Sharon- If only I worked on rockets!! My research right now if funded by a car company, so sadly, no rockets in my immediate future. I do like the work I''m doing, but rockets go faster!

Cars!!! Even better than rockets!!! Can you tell us about your research???

 

[littlelysser]

Date: 6/27/2008 9:13:39 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 6/26/2008 10:05:28 PM

Author: purrfectpear

Date: 6/26/2008 6:37:05 PM

Author: IndyGirl22

Date: 6/25/2008 6:03:39 PM

Author: littlelysser

I was a lawyer until six months ago! I loved law school and did quite well...however...practicing stunk...so here I am...


Maybe jewelry designer? who knows!!!

Attorneys have such a high turnover rate - as a law student I am curious what exactly 'stunk' about practicing?

Most likely trying to log 50 billable hours a week, while waiting 6-8 years to make partner.

If you do some poking around on this forum, you'll find a thread about the legal profession. I love love love my job, will likely make partner this year (6 years after being called to the bar), rarely work weekends, and spends lots of time with my beautiful boy (2 years old). And I still get a nice paycheque, enough to buy shoes at least!!!

LG, you aren't in the states correct? I think the legal profession is quite different outside of the US. I know when my firms merged/bought out firms in Europe and Canada there was a real issue with figuring out how to make the hours worked in the US and those worked abroad to be a bit more equal...meaning that the billable requirement in a big firm outside the US is SIGNIFICANTLY lower than that in the US.

 

[dockman3]

Date: 6/27/2008 9:58:39 AM
Author: LitigatorChick

Date: 6/27/2008 9:33:54 AM

Author: dockman3

Date: 6/26/2008 12:26:56 PM

Author: canuk-gal

Date: 6/26/2008 12:20:14 PM


Author: dockman3


I''m actually finishing up my PhD in aerospace engineering, hopefully by May 09. Just one year left!

HI:



A rocket scientist--I love it!!

Madam Bijoux/Gabrielle--you are halir!!!



cheers--Sharon

Sharon- If only I worked on rockets!! My research right now if funded by a car company, so sadly, no rockets in my immediate future. I do like the work I''m doing, but rockets go faster!

Cars!!! Even better than rockets!!! Can you tell us about your research???

LC - Thanks for asking, and yes, I would love to! Obviously I can''t mention which car company I work for, but my project involves something called window buffeting. You may have experienced this at some point when you were driving along at speeds probably faster than 35 mph with either one rear window rolled down or just the sunroof open. You hear a very loud pounding sound, almost like a helicopter. It is extremely loud and you probably feel it more than you hear it. For the past 2 years I''ve been working to fix this problem. I have now figured out why it happens and how it happens and have just recently, in the last few weeks, tested a few ideas of how to stop it.

I''ll stop there with my explanation because I could go on all day about this. If anybody would like to know more (which I highly doubt) I''ll be more than happy to explain, but in a few sentences, that''s what I do. Its not that glamorous, but I like it. Thanks for asking!

I also wanted to say that I''ve enjoyed reading all of the posts from you lawyers here. I''ve got two good friends that are lawyers, both in their first year of practice, and so far one loves it and the other is starting to get burned out a bit, so its been great for me to see how you all are handling it. Its given me some advice for them when they call and complain. Thanks!

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 6/26/2008 6:09:30 PM
Author: wishful

Date: 6/26/2008 8:47:23 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl

Date: 6/25/2008 4:30:29 PM
Author: wishful
I am a buyer for an equestrian retail store. I purchase all the clothing...both for the rider''s competition and for everyday riding. Boots, helmets, breeches, hunt coats - all of that.

It''s really fun! I basically get to shop for a living!!!

Wishful, you have my dream job!!! I''m soooo jealous!!!

I''m a certified paralegal and I work for a small law firm (only five attorneys). I mainly work with the attorney in our firm who does civil litigation, criminal law and family law. (I also do a little bankruptcy work for one of the other attorneys.) I''ve been there for almost nine years, so I guess I must like it! LOL!

I also teach horseback riding lessons part-time, just because I love it.

ETA: Wishful, do you mind if I ask which retailer you work for? I''ve probably bought something that you bought for me to buy! LOL!

Irishgrrrl - I work for Mary''s Tack and Feed (been there for 12 yrs)- located in Del Mar. Do you live in Southern Cal?
I teach lessons too!!! On the side for fun. (well for money..

but as an extra job)

Awwww . . . nope, I live in southcentral PA.

Do you guys have a website? I get most of my horse stuff online, since there are hardly any decent tack shops in our area. Some of my favorite sites are SmartPak Equine, Dover Saddlery, and Equestrian Collections.

 

[LitigatorChick]

I''m in Canada. I generally bill about 45 hours per week and take 4 weeks vacation. So I bill about 2000 per year, with about 300 non-billable hours. Don''t know how that compares to the U.S.

 

[Clio]

Author: kcoursolle

Clio, can you teach me the tricks to the grant application process?

kcoursolle, the most important thing is to get in touch with the granting institution! We provide applicants with sample proposals and, in most of our programs, will read and offer feedback on draft proposals. You''d be surprised how many applicants don''t ask for that kind of help, which we will provide for anyone. You''d also be surprised how many people don''t read the program guidelines carefully.

Of course, the level of help will vary by institution, but many do offer similar types of help, and virtually all grantmaking institutions that I know of will at least have a conversation with you to determine if your project is a good fit.

When writing a proposal, clarity is key!

 

[Phoenix]

I work as a Director at a "Big 4". I love my job (technically I am very strong and I get on very well with my colleagues and clients - or so I've been told). The long hours (esp, these past three weeks) are beginning to get to me though. I would like to be able to work 9am to 7-7.30pm but lately have not been able to leave the office before 9pm and today I left at 10.30pm (yes, on a friday night, and that sucks). I have far too many clients (at the last count, it was 20 or so), and although I have some great colleagues, the level of technical expertise amongst *some* of the managers (the people who report to me) is not as strong as I'd like it to be and to protect the firm, I (along with my peers) have to spend an extraordinary amount of time making sure that the work is up to scratch.

I hope that in time, once the managers and staff get to know me better (i've been at my current job for exactly 6 months now), they will know that I am a stickler for detail (have to be in my profession) and will try harder and smarter before they hand over their work products to me for my review. Hopefully then, I'll have a better quality of life!! [SIGH]

*IF* we ever won the jackpot (sadly I only buy lottery tickets once a month or so), I'd LOOOOVEEE to be a diamond dealer YAY!

) and/ or a professor at a university (academia is my FIRST love - I LOOOOVEEEEED schools, at all levels, and never "bunked off" - not even once! I know I am a nerd, LOL. What can I say?!!

). When some people snuck off to smoke **** or "whatever* LOL, I was busy studying and aiming to be top my my class (which I frequently was, he he)!!

 

[risingsun]

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor at a hospital based therapy practice. I see individuals, couples, and families for a wide variety of mental health concerns. My co-workers are great and we provide a lot of support and feedback to each other. Given the nature of our work, this is a necessity!

 

[icekid]

I can finally say... I''m a doctor!! pretty exciting for the time being, but will be far far less exciting next weekend when I have to work some odd 42 hours over 4th of July weekend

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 6/27/2008 1:47:19 PM
Author: icekid
I can finally say... I''m a doctor!! pretty exciting for the time being, but will be far far less exciting next weekend when I have to work some odd 42 hours over 4th of July weekend

Congrats, Icekid!!!

 

[wishful]

Date: 6/27/2008 10:22:24 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl

Date: 6/26/2008 6:09:30 PM
Author: wishful

Date: 6/26/2008 8:47:23 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl

Date: 6/25/2008 4:30:29 PM
Author: wishful
I am a buyer for an equestrian retail store. I purchase all the clothing...both for the rider''s competition and for everyday riding. Boots, helmets, breeches, hunt coats - all of that.

It''s really fun! I basically get to shop for a living!!!

Wishful, you have my dream job!!! I''m soooo jealous!!!

I''m a certified paralegal and I work for a small law firm (only five attorneys). I mainly work with the attorney in our firm who does civil litigation, criminal law and family law. (I also do a little bankruptcy work for one of the other attorneys.) I''ve been there for almost nine years, so I guess I must like it! LOL!

I also teach horseback riding lessons part-time, just because I love it.

ETA: Wishful, do you mind if I ask which retailer you work for? I''ve probably bought something that you bought for me to buy! LOL!

Irishgrrrl - I work for Mary''s Tack and Feed (been there for 12 yrs)- located in Del Mar. Do you live in Southern Cal?
I teach lessons too!!! On the side for fun. (well for money..

but as an extra job)

Awwww . . . nope, I live in southcentral PA.

Do you guys have a website? I get most of my horse stuff online, since there are hardly any decent tack shops in our area. Some of my favorite sites are SmartPak Equine, Dover Saddlery, and Equestrian Collections.

AKKK Dover nooooooo! (hahhaaa..j/k - they are our main competition!

)
yes we have a website it''s marystack.com and we can ship you anything you need!

 

[WishfulThinking]

I am so impressed by the diversity and general coolness of the people on PS!

All of your jobs sound so interesting, and it''s nice to hear that so many of you really love what you do.

I am finishing up my undergrad this coming year, with a major in politics and gender studies. I absolutely ADORE being a student... I wish I could be one forever.

I''m making it last, though- I am applying to law schools in the fall, looking at combined degree programs so I can get a JD and another degree simultaneously. I prefer PhD programs, but I will enroll in a masters if none of the PhD programs want me.

In law I want to focus on women''s issues, and issues pertaining to other "minority" groups, such as the LGBT community, and people with disabilities. For the masters and PhD programs I am looking at a number of things: women''s studies/gender studies, social justice, public policy, political science, and kiiinda social work programs, although I am not sure that that route will get me where I am going.

I really want to work in non-profit legal advising, or for legal non-profits. Eventually, I hope to be able to work my way up in the ranks, which is what the katrillion degrees with maybe help with. And I hope to be good at what I do, of course! It will also leave me the option of being a professor, which might be my dream job after all.

My senior honors thesis is a great start for the work I want to do... I babble a ton about it in the PS thesis thread in hangout.

Sorry to write you a novel about what I study- As a full-time student I guess what I study IS my "job."

 

[Dogmom]

oops! Double post.

 

[Dogmom]

I''m in charge of fundraising for a non-profit animal welfare organization.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 6/27/2008 2:01:36 PM
Author: wishful

Date: 6/27/2008 10:22:24 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl

Date: 6/26/2008 6:09:30 PM
Author: wishful

Date: 6/26/2008 8:47:23 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl

Date: 6/25/2008 4:30:29 PM
Author: wishful
I am a buyer for an equestrian retail store. I purchase all the clothing...both for the rider''s competition and for everyday riding. Boots, helmets, breeches, hunt coats - all of that.

It''s really fun! I basically get to shop for a living!!!

Wishful, you have my dream job!!! I''m soooo jealous!!!

I''m a certified paralegal and I work for a small law firm (only five attorneys). I mainly work with the attorney in our firm who does civil litigation, criminal law and family law. (I also do a little bankruptcy work for one of the other attorneys.) I''ve been there for almost nine years, so I guess I must like it! LOL!

I also teach horseback riding lessons part-time, just because I love it.

ETA: Wishful, do you mind if I ask which retailer you work for? I''ve probably bought something that you bought for me to buy! LOL!

Irishgrrrl - I work for Mary''s Tack and Feed (been there for 12 yrs)- located in Del Mar. Do you live in Southern Cal?
I teach lessons too!!! On the side for fun. (well for money..

but as an extra job)

Awwww . . . nope, I live in southcentral PA.

Do you guys have a website? I get most of my horse stuff online, since there are hardly any decent tack shops in our area. Some of my favorite sites are SmartPak Equine, Dover Saddlery, and Equestrian Collections.

AKKK Dover nooooooo! (hahhaaa..j/k - they are our main competition!

)
yes we have a website it''s marystack.com and we can ship you anything you need!

Sweet!!! I''ll definitely have to check you guys out the next time I need some "retail therapy"! LOL!