Soo, what do you do for a living? (Would you recommend it?)
- Thread starter Mo-shi
- Start date
I study architecture. Architecture is a lot of hard work, not a huge amount of pay and clients can be horrible. That being said, if you're genuinely interested in architecture and society, it's extremely rewarding. I love it. It's putting a little of yourself into something that will stay there for a very long time. It's amazing.
That being said, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who was 'just browsing'. Unless you're passionate about it, you'll have a hard time making it through 5 years of school, and an even harder time thinking of new concepts and ways to improve the way people live. It's no cake walk. I haven't had a proper relationship in several years, I hardly ever see friends outside of school and most weekends I'm to tired to actually do anything other than zombie-walk around and play video games. But the feeling I get when I figure a difficult detail out, or when people understand where I'm going with my project, is the best ever.
I'm married to my work, but it's the best relationship I've ever had.
That being said, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who was 'just browsing'. Unless you're passionate about it, you'll have a hard time making it through 5 years of school, and an even harder time thinking of new concepts and ways to improve the way people live. It's no cake walk. I haven't had a proper relationship in several years, I hardly ever see friends outside of school and most weekends I'm to tired to actually do anything other than zombie-walk around and play video games. But the feeling I get when I figure a difficult detail out, or when people understand where I'm going with my project, is the best ever.
I'm married to my work, but it's the best relationship I've ever had.
I work for a company that sells equipment for greyhound and horse racing tracks and off site betting facilities. Originally I worked "in the field" where I got to travel around anywhere from the west coast to the east coast but since have taken over doing the book keeping/auditing. I still get to go out and do repair/sales work from time to time but not nearly as much as I used to.
I enjoy the hell out of it as I'm not trapped in the office. I can do my book keeping from my apartment and if I'm working on site I get put up in a hotel and get to spend my time in various parts of the country some of which are more interesting than others.
As far as my pay goes I make pretty decent money. My base is just under 60k a year but that goes up based on commission when I get a chance to do some sales work. Depending on the individual items I sell commission can be as high as 5000 for our top of the line equipment. On average though my typical commission from a sale is right around 1500.
As for recommending it, it depends on the type of person. If you are someone that doesn't mind spending large chunks of time alone it's a good job to have. If you like being around people and conversing and are a more social type of person it would probably drive you batty.
As for part time jobs I delivered pizza out of high school as I wasn't about to work in a factory or retail and pizza delivery was very low stress and it let me drive around and listen to books on tape and bring in pretty good cash for someone with no college experience and fresh out of high school. I gotta say if you are looking for something to just get by on and bring in some money you could certainly do worse.
Depending on your city and where the individual store delivers to you can make some pretty decent money doing pizza delivery. I was working about 30 hours a week and bringing home over 500 dollars between my tips and my checks. Averaged out that is a tad over 16.50 an hour for sitting on your ass driving around. Not a terrible gig really.
I enjoy the hell out of it as I'm not trapped in the office. I can do my book keeping from my apartment and if I'm working on site I get put up in a hotel and get to spend my time in various parts of the country some of which are more interesting than others.
As far as my pay goes I make pretty decent money. My base is just under 60k a year but that goes up based on commission when I get a chance to do some sales work. Depending on the individual items I sell commission can be as high as 5000 for our top of the line equipment. On average though my typical commission from a sale is right around 1500.
As for recommending it, it depends on the type of person. If you are someone that doesn't mind spending large chunks of time alone it's a good job to have. If you like being around people and conversing and are a more social type of person it would probably drive you batty.
As for part time jobs I delivered pizza out of high school as I wasn't about to work in a factory or retail and pizza delivery was very low stress and it let me drive around and listen to books on tape and bring in pretty good cash for someone with no college experience and fresh out of high school. I gotta say if you are looking for something to just get by on and bring in some money you could certainly do worse.
Depending on your city and where the individual store delivers to you can make some pretty decent money doing pizza delivery. I was working about 30 hours a week and bringing home over 500 dollars between my tips and my checks. Averaged out that is a tad over 16.50 an hour for sitting on your ass driving around. Not a terrible gig really.
I'm an artist. I work at a game studio as an environment artist. That can mean a few different things, depending on the developer, but at my job it's more or less a 3d general artist making props and whatever's needed.
I really like my job, in fact I can't think of a job that I'd want to do more than what I do. It sucks that I didn't actually get into my career until my late 20's. Before that, I was a linguist in the army, then spent a few years in college for fine art, and then went to grad school. So I still consider myself pretty entry level, and I'm working hard to catch up and get experience. I was in maybe a similar situation as you, not knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my career and having all of my best skills be things that aren't considered all that marketable when it comes to getting a good job.
This year my salary is around 43k, but I made over 100k total counting royalties for my stuff in TF2. I owed about 90k in student loans, and TF2 has allowed me to pay back over half of it so far. I got my payments down from a grand a month to $500, and I should be able to pay it all off within about two years.
It depends on the person. It's not an easy field to get into, it's very competitive and many studios exploit their workers in terrible ways. I pretty much gave up having a personal/social life for a few years to focus on my art, but I'm really happy with where I work now. It really depends on a lot of factors, such as family circumstances, if they're willing to relocate, and how motivated and serious they about it. If they are, then I'd be happy to recommend it and do everything I can to help them out along the way with advice, portfolio feedback, etc.
Where I am, more than many other places. In general, no, not the most stable industry by any means v: Getting laid off is a fact of life in this industry.
I was making a really stupid face at my desk one day when the president of Sega walked by and noticed. Can't really think of anything good, off-hand.
So I turn 21 soon and I work part time in a grocery store.
Trying to get into the Police Academy which starts in August and if I get in I go study otherwise I probably stay and work.
My plan is not to stay there since I'd like to do something else, preferebly Poilce officer or something with Psychology. But I wouldn't mind working there.
Trying to get into the Police Academy which starts in August and if I get in I go study otherwise I probably stay and work.
My plan is not to stay there since I'd like to do something else, preferebly Poilce officer or something with Psychology. But I wouldn't mind working there.
Hope that helps, at least for part time work I can reccommend working at grocery stores.Mo-shi said:
I am a telemarketer. *Raises flame shield*
I took this job because it was one of the only jobs an uneducated young man such as myself could get at the time. I needed work fast.
Do you enjoy it?
Yes and no. No, because I'm not good at it at all, and thus I don't make a lot of money.
Yes, because all I do every day is sit in a comfy chair, drinking coffee while I talk to people (most of whom are, contrary to popular belief, quite pleasant. I get _severely_ yelled at maybe twice a week, and that's just fun.)
How much do you make yearly?
As I stated previously, I am not very good, so I make around 41 000 USD a year. One of my friends who works at the same callcenter, selling the same shit as I do earned 12 500 in february, so there is potential for a good salesman.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate?
It totally depends on who. I have friends who would ace this job, and friends who would perform worse than I do.
Is it stable?
No, Income varies greatly from month to month.
Any embarrassing work stories? <;D
I called a celebrity once. A pop singer who is very famous in my country. Realized halfway through the conversation who she was and had to do a double take. She didn't buy anything.
I took this job because it was one of the only jobs an uneducated young man such as myself could get at the time. I needed work fast.
Do you enjoy it?
Yes and no. No, because I'm not good at it at all, and thus I don't make a lot of money.
Yes, because all I do every day is sit in a comfy chair, drinking coffee while I talk to people (most of whom are, contrary to popular belief, quite pleasant. I get _severely_ yelled at maybe twice a week, and that's just fun.)
How much do you make yearly?
As I stated previously, I am not very good, so I make around 41 000 USD a year. One of my friends who works at the same callcenter, selling the same shit as I do earned 12 500 in february, so there is potential for a good salesman.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate?
It totally depends on who. I have friends who would ace this job, and friends who would perform worse than I do.
Is it stable?
No, Income varies greatly from month to month.
Any embarrassing work stories? <;D
I called a celebrity once. A pop singer who is very famous in my country. Realized halfway through the conversation who she was and had to do a double take. She didn't buy anything.
Hello, fellow girl! We seem to be so rare on here.
I work in a virology lab as a grad student at my university, and I hope to work for some sort of pharm company once I graduate. I'm a full-time student but I work part-time in my lab. I LOVE it, but that's not surprising since I wanted to be a scientist ever since I was just a little kid. It's good work if you like tedious, repetitive tasks and problem-solving and discovery! I can't say about its stability since it's only until I graduate and then I'll enter the "real" workforce.
Embarrassing work stories... well working in a lab, everybody breaks a piece of glassware at least once, and it's loud and makes you feel dumb and awkward. I managed to break a graduated cylinder when it slipped out of my hand. Also there was a coworker who forgot basic physics/chemistry and screwed a lid on a rapidly expanding gas and the pressure built up and then BLAM the lid shot off with a gunshot sound and scared the crap out of everybody.
I work in a virology lab as a grad student at my university, and I hope to work for some sort of pharm company once I graduate. I'm a full-time student but I work part-time in my lab. I LOVE it, but that's not surprising since I wanted to be a scientist ever since I was just a little kid. It's good work if you like tedious, repetitive tasks and problem-solving and discovery! I can't say about its stability since it's only until I graduate and then I'll enter the "real" workforce.
Embarrassing work stories... well working in a lab, everybody breaks a piece of glassware at least once, and it's loud and makes you feel dumb and awkward. I managed to break a graduated cylinder when it slipped out of my hand. Also there was a coworker who forgot basic physics/chemistry and screwed a lid on a rapidly expanding gas and the pressure built up and then BLAM the lid shot off with a gunshot sound and scared the crap out of everybody.
I'm 17 years old, so not super career started as yet. I'm on the verge of finishing my A-levels, having done started a year early due to a silly school policy. I'm studying English Lit, Physics, Biology and Maths Mechanics, expecting to get CABB respectively. This should set me up to go to university and study Prosthetcis & Orthotics.
In terms of a current job, I work at Mcdonalds. I put in 13-15 hours a week at £5.50, so it's pretty good pay. It's also very low-stress, there are plenty of employees to cover for me if I mess up and I get a half hour break. During which I bust out a home made salad. I hate Mcdonalds food.
In terms of a current job, I work at Mcdonalds. I put in 13-15 hours a week at £5.50, so it's pretty good pay. It's also very low-stress, there are plenty of employees to cover for me if I mess up and I get a half hour break. During which I bust out a home made salad. I hate Mcdonalds food.
So, yeah. What job do you have? Part-time, full-time, whatever.
I am a System Administrator /Helpdesk Tech. I help manage the company's servers and computers in the building. The company is small, about 150-200 employees. so I am the only Helpdesk Tech.
Do you enjoy it?
With any job, there are good and bad days. This job has mostly good days.
How much do you make yearly?
Honestly, not a lot. That is mostly due to the area I live in, nobody is paid very much for any field where I live. its enough to live comfortably on.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate?
Absolutely.
Is it stable?
As long as you can keep yourself current with technology. One problem with this field is people get set in their ways and refuse to learn anything new. those are the ones that tend to get let go.
Any embarrassing work stories? <;D
First day on the job I went into the bathroom and I felt water dripping on my neck. i looked up to realize in horror that it was poo water from the upstairs bathroom.
My best subjects are Socials and English. Unfortunately, the jobs in those fields usually pay low and are few.
Both of those subjects are useful in just about any job.
BEING AN ADULT SOUNDS HARD.
there are days when I wish I was 18 again. Not having to worry about bills or anything like that. But being an adult is not so bad. A little scary at first, but once you get into your own rhythm things just sort of fall into place.
I am a System Administrator /Helpdesk Tech. I help manage the company's servers and computers in the building. The company is small, about 150-200 employees. so I am the only Helpdesk Tech.
Do you enjoy it?
With any job, there are good and bad days. This job has mostly good days.
How much do you make yearly?
Honestly, not a lot. That is mostly due to the area I live in, nobody is paid very much for any field where I live. its enough to live comfortably on.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate?
Absolutely.
Is it stable?
As long as you can keep yourself current with technology. One problem with this field is people get set in their ways and refuse to learn anything new. those are the ones that tend to get let go.
Any embarrassing work stories? <;D
First day on the job I went into the bathroom and I felt water dripping on my neck. i looked up to realize in horror that it was poo water from the upstairs bathroom.
My best subjects are Socials and English. Unfortunately, the jobs in those fields usually pay low and are few.
Both of those subjects are useful in just about any job.
BEING AN ADULT SOUNDS HARD.
there are days when I wish I was 18 again. Not having to worry about bills or anything like that. But being an adult is not so bad. A little scary at first, but once you get into your own rhythm things just sort of fall into place.
I'm a freewheeling philosopher, hedonist, and bard. I make social connections, seek new sensations, love life, and believe only the most boring among us define ourselves by our career.Mo-shi said:
EDIT: I do recommend it. I love my life.
I'm in the US Navy. Yea, I'd recommend it. Decent pay, good benefits, people respect it... I mean, it's not for everyone, but even if you aren't gung-ho about serving your country (I'm not) it's still something to consider.
Or if you're not so bright, try the Army. Or if you're fairly lazy, go Air Force. Or if you're a psychopath, try the Marines. Plenty of options.
Or if you're not so bright, try the Army. Or if you're fairly lazy, go Air Force. Or if you're a psychopath, try the Marines. Plenty of options.
I'm really lucky - I could always draw and knew I wanted to do something with that. I remember a brief time when I didn't really know what I wanted to do, and I just avoided thinking about it. The more you stress, the bigger the problem gets.
I'm a trainee English teacher. I'll be qualified in June.
Do you enjoy it? Mostly, yes. It's retardedly, monumentally stressful but I think that's more the trainee part than the teacher part. Passing on knowledge is great and if you have a good raport with the kids then lessons are really fun.
How much do you make yearly? In the UK teacher start on £22,000 and it goes up by £2000 every year for 6 years and then you get reassessed and it keeps going up until you hit just under £40,000.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate? Yes, provided you can stomach paperwork, deadlines, crowd control and discipline.
Is it stable? As jobs go, I'd say yes.
Do you enjoy it? Mostly, yes. It's retardedly, monumentally stressful but I think that's more the trainee part than the teacher part. Passing on knowledge is great and if you have a good raport with the kids then lessons are really fun.
How much do you make yearly? In the UK teacher start on £22,000 and it goes up by £2000 every year for 6 years and then you get reassessed and it keeps going up until you hit just under £40,000.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate? Yes, provided you can stomach paperwork, deadlines, crowd control and discipline.
Is it stable? As jobs go, I'd say yes.
I actually work at Gamestop which is a branch of EB Games. I've been there for...about 2 years now.
Do you enjoy it?
-I really do! But the problem with this situation is that it is sooooo dependent on different factors. I can't just tell you that because I love it, you'll love it. I can break it down like this: The best thing you get to do is talk your favorite games with your customers and co-workers. The worst thing you will ever do is...well, everything else. You'll have quotas for various things, you have to talk to people that you REALLY won't want to and you'll have to be forced into situations that will make you very uncomfortable. I am a very passive guy and some of the more "douchey" customers will pick up on that and try and take advantage, be it returning a game after the return date or trying to get me to give them more money for they're trades. You have to be able to take a hit to your confidence. I've had people insult me for telling them that I can only give them 15 cents for their Guitar Hero I copy. I've gotten sob stories about needing the money for rent, sick child, etc., etc. You have to be able to say "No, I can't do that. Take it as it is, or take it somewhere else." and that can get to me. The other, most important part about the job is: IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VIDEO GAMES. Your knowledge of games is only helpful to give people recommendations, and troubleshoot. There is nothing that you will be required to be able to do or know game wise that will guarantee you a job there. It's a retail job. You have to be able to sell. Most of your time will be spent typing at a register, dealing with children, alphabetizing the games, printing stickers, placing stickers, alphabetizing the games, fixing stickers, checking prices, dealing with the occasional scammer, and alphabetizing the games. Everyday, whole shift.
How much do you make yearly?
-Not enough to be proud to post in a forum for people to see.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate?
-If they meet the qualifications and don't mind what I've already stated.
Is it stable?
-No. Unless you can get a mangers shift, don't count on stability.
Any embarrassing work stories? <;D
-Well I was late for my shift and had only just woken up 15 minutes prior, but when I got to work I sold what I thought was an M game to a small kid by mistake, (Huge no no) so I had to pretty much trick the kid into coming back so that I could return the game and give him back his money. When he got upset we got into an argument and he got really sad. I then explained to him that I was sorry but I could get into a trouble for selling him an M game, so I convinced him to grab a different one, after looking he brought t up and paid for it and was about to leave. It was then that another customer pointed out that the game he originally wanted was actually rated T. Totally mortified and putting my pride behind me, I caught up to the kid, explained I was totally wrong and sold him the other game. I had to chill in the backroom for a while because the whole incident made me feel like such an ass.
Do you enjoy it?
-I really do! But the problem with this situation is that it is sooooo dependent on different factors. I can't just tell you that because I love it, you'll love it. I can break it down like this: The best thing you get to do is talk your favorite games with your customers and co-workers. The worst thing you will ever do is...well, everything else. You'll have quotas for various things, you have to talk to people that you REALLY won't want to and you'll have to be forced into situations that will make you very uncomfortable. I am a very passive guy and some of the more "douchey" customers will pick up on that and try and take advantage, be it returning a game after the return date or trying to get me to give them more money for they're trades. You have to be able to take a hit to your confidence. I've had people insult me for telling them that I can only give them 15 cents for their Guitar Hero I copy. I've gotten sob stories about needing the money for rent, sick child, etc., etc. You have to be able to say "No, I can't do that. Take it as it is, or take it somewhere else." and that can get to me. The other, most important part about the job is: IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VIDEO GAMES. Your knowledge of games is only helpful to give people recommendations, and troubleshoot. There is nothing that you will be required to be able to do or know game wise that will guarantee you a job there. It's a retail job. You have to be able to sell. Most of your time will be spent typing at a register, dealing with children, alphabetizing the games, printing stickers, placing stickers, alphabetizing the games, fixing stickers, checking prices, dealing with the occasional scammer, and alphabetizing the games. Everyday, whole shift.
How much do you make yearly?
-Not enough to be proud to post in a forum for people to see.
Would you recommend your field to someone you don't hate?
-If they meet the qualifications and don't mind what I've already stated.
Is it stable?
-No. Unless you can get a mangers shift, don't count on stability.
Any embarrassing work stories? <;D
-Well I was late for my shift and had only just woken up 15 minutes prior, but when I got to work I sold what I thought was an M game to a small kid by mistake, (Huge no no) so I had to pretty much trick the kid into coming back so that I could return the game and give him back his money. When he got upset we got into an argument and he got really sad. I then explained to him that I was sorry but I could get into a trouble for selling him an M game, so I convinced him to grab a different one, after looking he brought t up and paid for it and was about to leave. It was then that another customer pointed out that the game he originally wanted was actually rated T. Totally mortified and putting my pride behind me, I caught up to the kid, explained I was totally wrong and sold him the other game. I had to chill in the backroom for a while because the whole incident made me feel like such an ass.
I work part-time for one of the local EMS doing ambulance stuff while studying. You probably have to be a special kind of person to enjoy that but seeing as I'm going for a doctor of medicine it's about right...Mo-shi said:
The work is stable as in there's a lot less people than would be needed but on the other hand you never know anything in advance so you can pretty much forget any day planning.
As for embarrassing or other work stories... I've got at least a small book of them. Getting bloody stool on yourself or having to entertain a (diagnosed) lunatic for half an hour during a transfer ride are just two nice examples.