What is your occupation?

[Shedhand]

Shedhand
Retired
Government Minder
Member of Parliament
Ministerial Adviser
Industry Consultant
Union Organiser
Campaign Director (Politics)
Cab Driver
Unemployed
Hardware and Timber salesman
Self employed kitchen maker and installer
Uni Student (Adult)
Unemployed
College Student (adult)
Unemployed
Duct Fitter
Sheet Metal worker
Council Worker
Railway Ganger
Railway Fettler
Itinerant Fruit Picker
Butter Packer (don't ask)
Set Builder (stage)
Soldier
Proof Reader
Printing Apprenctice
Painting Apprentice

Hated all of 'em except my current one - Shedhand

With that work history you'd think I could find a casual job. Seems you have to be a single mother or be covered in pimples to get a job these days.

Cheers

[SPIRIT]

So Spirit, where in NZ do you come from?

look my dear old dad said hard wont kill you boy but why should l risk it

[arfabuck]

1. What you do for work
2. Do you like it
3. Why

1.Restore antique furniture - or make replica's when I can't get hold of an original to complete a set.
2. Wouldn't be doing it if I didn't.
3. The cook earns the big bucks and get to spend it on timber and tools.

Actually earnt enough farming and then 10 years with BHP to retire early and go back to my trade of Furniture Maker - NOT cabinet maker.
Big difference in the 50/60's. Cabinet making, turning, carving, gilding, marquetry etc. Nowadays they are all specialised trades - but I do admit that learning the new finishing techniques actually puts money in my pocket for a change. ( no pun intended ).

I particularly like meeting the old ducks who want granpa's old chair refurbished, especially when it is a Queen Ann original etc.. Usually developes into a lasting friendship.

Hate having to rectify previous bodge jobs that have virtually destroyed the integrity of the piece in question.

Love the detective side of discovering who the original craftsman was by the style of workmanship etc.

Highlights: Handling Grinlon Gibbons work, being able to authenticate certificates of origin.

Downside: Having to inform a client that their masterpiece is a fake or reproduction at best.

Love being in the position of being able to do what I want, how I want and when I want to. All it took was a different mind-set, ( and a bloody big leap into the unknown ).

Can recommend it anytime for peace of mind.

Art

[Harry72]

1. What you do for work
2. Do you like it
3. Why


1 Im a Metallurgical process technician... errr I work in a metal refinery!
Includes being a
1. crane driver
2. Rigger/dogman
3. Forklift driver
4. molding machinist
5. process assay assessor(custom alloy blend)
6. SAP R3'ist
7. Furnaceman
8. Skidsteer driver
9. Jackhammerologist
10. Sledgehammerologist
11. Putupwithdickheads'ologist!

2 Only during winter, nothing like a sweaty 40° night shift(about 60~70° on the job)working over a furnace... or swinging a sledgey next to a roaring trace heater(bonfire hot). This kind of work isnt for everone just silly fools like me.
3 See answer#2.

[Gingermick]

Civil Design Drafter

Often.

We do a lot of land development. I create a 3D model of what I want the subdivision to look like and then make all the services work, underground drainage, overland drainage for major storms, sewers etc.
I use 12D software now for my models and enjoy getting everything to come together and look good on a plan. Which the contractor will hopefully make look good on the ground. Happens often as well.

[Vernonv]

1. Software Development Manager for a small software company. Basically I develop software from start to finish - specification, design, documentation, implementation, testing, etc, etc.
Started out as an electronics/production technician and worked my way into hardware/software R&D, then into real-time application software development and project work, before this.

2. Most of the time.

3. I enjoy the challenge of creating a piece of well designed and usable software. I reckon software development (mainly "mass market" type software) is as much about art (look and feel), as it is about the maths and logic behind it.

[Wongo]

I reckon software development (mainly "mass market" type software) is as much about art (look and feel), as it is about the maths and logic behind it.

Your not wrong.

[rona]

I have enjoyed reading all the above, so now I had better add my few details.
Left school at 16, and started a Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship with a local building firm.Ended up building houses for 4 years and joinery work for another 7 years, then spent 1 year designing and building the first proto-type modular house for the firm, we then built about five houses 3 of which went to melbourne and 2 to Kambalda in WA, where I spent over 3months erecting them also. From there I applied for teaching in the Tech system and spent 25 years teaching Woodwork, Graphics, Solid Geometry and Carpentry Apprentices; All of this was enjoyable until some clown (we all know his name), decided to amalgamate the Tech and High Schools into one identity.
After 2 years of this stuff-up by the Government, I decided to leave as all the values and ideals that existed in the Tech system were thrown out the window over night by th High system. (it was the old story of the people with nothing and coming from conditions like the bronx, suddenly gaining power and being able to walk over everyone in the Tech schools). To add to this the existing Principal became the new principal of the combined schools; he was the next thing to 'Hitler' that I have seen............ a complete 'ar''ho'e'.
From there I went and worked with a mate of mine who owned the local Newsagency, i stayed there for 10 years, something that everyone should do.............. work with the public!, this was an experience also, however I enjoyed this 95% of the time. I also became a qualified Locksmith after leaving teaching and I turned to this for the next four years thrown in with an occasional building job. However 6 months ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a PSA reading of 1966, and bone cancer to 95% of my body.( I have written a thread re- Prostate Cancer approx four months ago), I am currently undergoing treatment for this and slowly managing to get back onto my feet for a coupleof hours each day. To help me with this steady return I convinced her worship that I needed some new machines in the workshop and have finally set this up so I will be able to spend 2 - 3 hours a day hopefully out there ( I purchased all my new equipment from Carbitec in Melbourne who were fantastic and gave me a discount of $8,000.00 discount for the $30,000.00 that I spent; Dean, the manager is A1 and I would recommend them to anyone for purchases.
I now enjoy reading and participating in the Woodwork Forum on my down times throughout the day.
I have rambled on enough for now, so all the best,

Kind Regards,
Ron.

[bfx]

Winemaker. (I own a vineyard and winery.) Previously I was an accountant for a mining company working and Africa, South America and various parts of Oz.

I love it - winemaking that is. Selling the stuff is a bit more difficult but overall I'm following a dream and loving it. Did I enjoy my previous vocation. Definetly. I specialised in underperforming companies that needed to be turned around so I got a lot of position in far off places and a real sense of satisfaction when we got the companies back into shape. But I prefer to be winemaking (and changing the shape of timber for a hobby).

Chau

Bill

[Poppa]

1. What you do for work
2. Do you like it
3. Why

1. Trade the share market.

2. Love it. Be nice to make some money as well, but can't have everything...

3. I like puzzles and games. The markets are the biggest puzzle on the planet. Plus I get to stay home and be with my kids.

[Hafgan]

1. What you do for work
2. Do you like it
3. Why

1. Veterinarian
(previously barman, cocktail waiter, wardsman, cleaner,....whatever would pay the bills....)
2. Yes now, no a few years ago.
3. Because my job now is challenging, interesting and changeable. I have been involved in responses to fire, flood, drought, fruitfly, anthrax and something else (that is going on at the moment) this year, along with my normal 'day job'. I have no idea what any day is going to bring, where I am going to end up and what I will be doing.
And I am appreciated, better paid and given more responsibility than I had before. That helps!
Now I just have to keep SWMBO happy - usually means a bottle of Bolly on the way back....

Cheers

[Wild Dingo]

Well someones diggin up memories eh?

1. What you do for work
2. Do you like it
3. Why

1) started looking again today... been of since Feb with the bung knee COMPO SUCKS BIG TIME... REHAB SUCKS WORSE!!... so Ive decided to hell with their crappy workers comp system and their rehab bitches who dont know their friggin earholes from there a... hem holes Im goin back to friggin work!! ENOUGH of morons who wouldnt have a bloody clue trying to control what I damned well do when I bloody do it and threaten to bloody cut your compo of if you dont perform like a blasted performing friggin seal!!

2)... see above


3)... see above


I am now about 75% right in me knee and me others about 85% right so between the buggars theres a bit over 150% good knees... thats enough!! Back to bloody work slacker

Now go on ask me "doin what?"


And the answer is... I HAVE NO FLAMIN IDEA!! theres no way in gods green kingdom that Im going back counselling no way Im going back to career guidance no way... well I would go back into training that would be right up my alley just no employer seems to recognize that even though the experience and qualifications are there hey their loss like I give a shyte no way Im going underground again NOT A CHANCE!! and Ive been given the dictum "no more fly in fly out" so presently Im looking around Bunbury for something that befits me age good looks interests thats steady EASY not slack but easy is partly inside and partly outside has benefits and lurks beyond just bein "a job"... not necessarily with wood nor boats (unlike my last post back in Feb)

Anyway its all good!

[Sebastiaan56]

1. What you do for work
2. Do you like it
3. Why

1. I own and run a print shop franchise. So briefly

Managing director, shareholder commitee chairperson, marketing director, sales director, director of external complaints, director of internal complaints, IT and network guru, engineering director, purchasing and supply director, logistics director, director of cleaning staff's nappies, director of first and second impressions, debt recovery director, director of directing legal counsel, director of health and hygiene, environmental director, director of resolving petty staff issues, social director, fair pay director, etc,

How did I get here, 30 years of stuffing around trying to make ends meet. Everthing from Ship's cook to Corporate Enviornmental Manager.

2. When its going well.....

3. Because Im the boss!, at the end of the day its my own stupid fault if we fly or drown. No overpaid pimply faced MBA theorist telling me how to run things when any fool could see that the problem is overpaid pimply faced MBA's.

That said Im working on the Sunday of the long weekend, when there's work to do......

[Tonyz]

Dingo either a Pollie or journilist. Course could try and sell cars

[Glen]

1. Firefighter

2. Nearly finished my 18th year, will decide if I like it after another 12.
(can't be too bad a job, I reckon 99% retire from this job, very few resign and move on.

3. Everyday is different.