So what have YOU done?

[magster65]

Re: So what have YOU done?

It started with residential construction,school, <br />then commercial construction (more money), <br />then back to residential (my own company),<br />then welder / fabricator (my hobby),<br />now I work with the district waterworks.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: So what have YOU done?

At 13 My frist job for 3 or 4 months out of the year was grounds keeper for the little league field... Mowed the grass, leveled the dirt, lay the foul lines.. It was a cool job for a 13 year old.. Thats the job that financed my first boat, a little 12footer with a 5hp gamefisher... Kept that job for 3 or 4 years...<br /><br />Mowed some more grass for a lawn maintinence company for a summer...<br /><br />When I was 16 I went to work for my Pops in the family screen printing biz.. Few years ago he made me a partner in the biz and now 14 years later I'm still there but only a couple days (and a few nigts) a week now.. Pop's wants to retire here pretty soon, and I don't really want to screen print anymore, so thats up in the air, sort of... We'll see..<br /><br />A few months ago a good friend of mine from way back who just recently got his biz started called me and asked if I'd like a job doing general marine repair, mostly electrical and plumbing, but some engine work too... Ah-ha! Good pay and get's me out of the print shop 4 days a week (or more)... So, thats where I'm at now.. I like it and I hope to stay there for a quite a while.. But this time of the year it's dead slow..

 

[aspeck]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Family owned a Carwash and New Car Dealership (Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles) in small town. Started "workin' at the carwash, yeah" at age of 10. Graduated to the wash bay of the dealership before dear ole dad told me I had to work for someone else before I could expect a career with him (real good fatherly advice). Went to work as a gas jockey at the local marina at 15. Went on to helping out there and captianing their tourboat.<br /><br />Went to Wheaton College, just outside of Chicago, and had a cushy job whenever I needed spending money - pounding together plastic filing systems with a rubber mallet. Paid $15 an hour, got paid from dorm dorm door to dorm door and overtime was time and a half. Could easily put in a 18 hour day, which in 1980 woud give me enough spending money for the month!<br /><br />Worked the marina in the summer, did a little bass guiding on the side. Then retired from marina work to go into business with Dad. Helped out in parts and service then went to sales, then sales manager.<br /><br />We (Dad, one brother and I) sold the business which allowed me to go into full time volunteer ministry. Have several rental properties, am administrator of a vocational and bibilical training school in Prampram, Ghana, West Africa, and assisitant pastor of a small church in rural PA. When stateside I am also volunteer member of fire depatment and emergency medical services.

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Lets see,<br /><br />I started delivering newspapers in the late '60's when I was 13, with 740 papers delivered everyday.<br /><br />At 15 started workin for my nieghbor, installing oak flooring . Did that throughout High School until I joined the Marines.<br /><br />After the Marines, worked at an Auto Parts store, rebuilding engines .<br /><br />Then I got my first defence job, working at a small electronics firm making aircraft antennas for Cesna's.<br /><br />Then went to work for the Raytheon Corp (Sedco Systems) were I assisted in the development of antennas for the B1-B bomber.<br /><br />Then worked as a truck driver for 2 years.<br /><br />After I got tired of that, I finally got hired by Grumman Aircraft Corp. Started building test equipment for their military aircraft at their facility in Great River , until I got transfered to the Calverton Naval Weopons Industial Reserve Plant , where I began working as an Avionics Installer , Fuel Systems Installer , Hydrolics Installer and Structures on the A6-E Intruder and EA6-B Prowler aircraft, which lead to working on the X-29 Advance Technology Demenstrator Aircraft (#2), which in turn lead to me then working on the F14-D Tomcat , until the end of the 1st Gulf War.<br /><br />After Grumman, life became difficult, with three and a half years out of work, (3 defence company's went out of buisness within 4 years in this area, Republic Aviation, Sperry Aerospace, and Grumman Aircraft, 160,000 jobs) before starting work in construction , but that didn't last long, about 2 years, so I began installing alarm systems in homes , but I could not stand the guy I was working for so I got a job at Symbol Technologies as an assembler , building those handheld scanners they use at dept. stores.<br /><br />After a couple years of that, a freind of mine got me a job as a dispatcher for the New York State Dept of Transportation H.E.L.P. (Highway Emergency Local Patrol) Trucks, which assisted stranded motorists here on Long Island.<br /><br />Then I took a position as a System Operator , for the State of NY, for their Gowanus Expressway Reconstruction Project, where I was essentially "Big Brother" of the highways, watching the roadways for disabled vehicles and accidents.<br /><br />Then the company I am employed by, decided to move me to their NYC offices, where I work now, as a Sr. Technicion , analysing traffic intersections.<br /><br />I am also a member of our local volunteer Fire Dept. and work part-time there as their dispatcher.<br /><br />Hope your still awake after reading all that!<br /><br />Kenny

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: So what have YOU done?

You guys have a way more interesting work history<br />than mine, but any way, did the paper rout thing <br />when I was 12. Then worked in a pizza joint for <br />about a year. Then got a job at 16 working at the<br />local Ford dealer sweeping the shop floors, after<br />a couple of months that turned into a mechanics<br />apprenticeship for 4 years. Had my ticket at 20.<br />Spent 7 more years as an autotrans specialist, and<br />general Ford auto repair. After that got a little<br />old,I didnt want to be wrench'n when I got to be<br />50'ish so I made a move to the vehicle selling<br />side of the business. So I have been selling Fords<br />for the last 18 years.Which has grown over the<br />years into a great job with huge flexibility that<br />allows me lots of time to spend chasing the other<br />passions I enjoy, fishing and family.

 

[catfish1]

Re: So what have YOU done?

kenny i'm not asleep, to bad those three defense companys went out of buisness sounds like to me that is what you liked to do!<br />my favorite job was the remodeling sears stores, i worked with a bunch of good guys, the boss was cool, we had fun! when i hit the job market again, i wont be looking for how much it pays, i will be looking for a job where i will be happy. even if i have to relocate!

 

[catfish1]

Re: So what have YOU done?

no sleep, thats what i'm talkin about! sounds like a great thing.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: So what have YOU done?

My first job age 14 was a Candy Striper, and then I was promoted to Dietary Aide. After I graduated, I went to work in a shoe factory as a stitcher.<br /><br />My first husband left when our daughter was 6 months old and I desperately needed a job. I helped my Mom out at her bar and restaurant bartending until I landed a job on construction. I was the first girl in Upstate N.Y. to work construction as a flag girl and part-time oiler. When the season ended, I sold cars. I was also the first woman in Upstate NY to sell cars. From there I worked for two newspapers selling and laying out retail advertising.<br /><br />Move to Texas, had a couple of executive secretarial jobs. Then Vice President of commercial real estate development company. Work for a Capital Corporation managing a wealthy man’s portfolio and Joint Ventures and Partnerships. Then as manager for a Banking Information Services Corporation.<br /><br />After our move to the island where jobs and money were less than Houston, I found a job as Operations Manager for a local developer. And held the same position at a Broadway Musical Theatre.<br /><br />Now I run a private non-profit whose mission is to prevent blindness through early detection and treatment.

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Yes catfish1,<br /><br />I did enjoy those jobs.<br /><br />Nothing like seeing a pile of parts come together, over a period of about 4 months, and fly off into the skies.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Kenny

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: So what have YOU done?

I guess it is not too surprising how much we all have in common. Started working young. Handy. Hard working, etc...<br /><br />Ladyfish, executive secretarial job = the person who really runs the place so I can see how you moved from that to a Veep...<br /><br />I spent a few weeks at the Univ of Texas Medical Center there in Galveston doing research for a medical equipment mfg. I remember at the time they were one of the few hospitals in the country doing liver transplants.<br /><br />Anyway, I always wanted to ask, why is the water so brown there?

 

[LadyFish]

Re: So what have YOU done?

LMAO. Its not always brown Ralph. The wind is stronger in the summer months out of the south and the water is moving so fast the sand dosen't have a chance to drop out of it. In the winter months the water is a beautiful blueish green.<br /><br />I am working very closely with UTMB on a very large fundraiser right now. We are honoring its President in October. Did you know they have a biochem lab, the only one in the county right now.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Burger King (HS)<br /><br />Silk Screen Printer<br /><br />Intern: Dutchess County, NY County Executive<br /><br />Intern: WV Secretary of State<br /><br />IBM Floor Supervisor (Worked on computers for the early Space Shuttle)<br /><br />Deck Hand / First Mate: PA Denny Sternwheeler, WV<br /><br />Waiter<br /><br />Rowing Coach Dowling College<br /><br />Current Position for last 15 years: Art Director

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: So what have YOU done?

I didn't but it does not surprise me - there were some very fine people at that hsopital. I spent a lot of time in the OR there and enjoyed the people very much.<br /><br />One picture sticks in my mind when I think of that place. There was a dad and his young son walking from the parking lot to the hospital. They were dressed exactly alike in high cowboy - boots, jeans, big belt buckles, western shirts, hats - pure Texas & fatherhood - it was great. As you know, we Yankees don't see things like that very often.<br /><br />Thanks for clearing up the water question. I was there in the summer (obviously) and was kind of taken aback by it. I thought it had something to do with the oil rigs I could see in distance.... glad to know it is a natural thing

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Hey kilgore,<br /><br />I would have to presume that you must know the Connetquot River pretty well.<br /><br />That is the river I dock my boat in, Vanderbilts Wharf.<br /><br />I grew up in the neighborhood surrounding Dowling College, although it was called Adelphi College at that time.<br /><br />Knew the tunnel system at the college pretty well too!<br /><br />Kenny

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: So what have YOU done?

-mowing yards, wait - i gotta go back a little more. making/selling potholders on sidewalk while mother was in grocery shopping <br />-hauling hay, picking tomatoes, strawberries & okra, also scooping out, refilling 4" sawdust layer in chickenhouses during summers.<br />-grocery store, bagger, late night stocking crew<br />-gas station clerk, register, cleaning,stocking<br />-residential roofing, mobile home repair, burglar alarm installs, picture framing, painting, concrete work, remodeling, deck & garage additions<br />-assmbly line & fork/polelift driver -carpet mill<br />-indust plant maint, machine work<br />-automotive starter/generator/alternator rebuilding, then ignition/starting/charging rewiring specialty shop, muffler shop installs/ pipebending, welding with oxy/arc/mig, light body repair/fabrication<br />-ran 3or4 diff paper routes<br />-dockworker, qualified yard driver, hook/drop rigs for roadway express<br />-electronics tech, pager/radio repair, 2way radio/cell ph installs, fcc lic, printer/terminal repairs, unix/linux/windows systems installs, IT help desk, tech support<br />- boat repair (personal) <br />-dad

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: So what have YOU done?

In 91, sleep apnea nearly killed me, (and in all honesty, ive had it since at least 1980, wondered why I was constantly tired, didnt slow me down any tho!) I was hospitalized for over a month, I was going into congestive heart failure, thank god my doc is a progressive, nosy sorta guy and was researching apnea, had them check me for that and bingo, I was pulling "events" of 300 seconds, blood oxygen levels in the high 20 percents, doc said there is no way someone should be alive with that, no WAY in hell, I wondered in moments of lucidity if it was because my body was shutting down like a drowning persons body does, shutting down peripheral circulation into the extremities ... (it was a pulse ox sensor, yanno, the fingertip thing)<br /><br />but whatever, I didnt die, I was finally, for the first time in probably 15 years, actually SLEEPING, so my strenght came back, and I began walking, 20 feet, 50 feet, high fiber, low fat diet, began hitting the weights again <br /><br />by 97 I had dropped 450 pounds, and started college, <br />studying psychology with focus on nutrition, my goal is to become a pediatric obesity specialist, turn off the fat when they are young, so they can have a life, so they can climb trees and run and play on monkey bars, and later on, date and go to dances and ... and just be young, you only get one chance at it<br /><br />Hey, if I can save one kid from the hell I went thru ... JUST ONE ... then all this torture will have been worth it ... <br /><br />and oh yea, last night when I was rattling off the various jobs, there was also stints at Sunoco, BP, running a bait and beer beer shop out on cape may harbor in my 14 footer with the 4.5 gamefisher block of ice and a few liters of gas, good to go all day, lol)(I errr, almost went to jail over that, it stopped, lol, but what a great idea, grrrrrr) there is a nasty ramp in stone harbor that was forever having people get stuck on, I would throw crab traps in and wait for someone to get stuck, and yank em out my "tips" ranged from 5 to 30 dollars, not bad for a few minutes hooking up the J hook and 10 seconds of 5.13 rear hauling them out, couldnt miss the big red Super Hook<br /><br />I am doin ok Ralph, some days the back really hurts bad, but percocet knocks it down to manageable, thank God I have an insanely strong "life drive" I never ever ever give up, much to the amazement and frank disbelief of those around me, hey, that which does not kill us DOES make us stronger ... LOL, if Atlas gets tired, ive got some big shoulders, Ill hold the world for a while!<br /><br />My mom has a shirt which I love, shes had it for about 25 years, its a picture of a heron, and dangling from the herons mouth are the legs of a frog, and arms reaching down to strangle the heron ... and the words, Never, EVER give up!!!!<br /><br />When things get bad, I think of that, and laugh<br /><br />and go onward<br /><br />

 

[JJ57103]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Unloaded milk trucks from age 14 to age 16. <br /><br />Worked several positions at a beef packing plant from age 16-22.<br /><br />Worked in the Chevrolet Garage as a body man until I was 30.<br /><br />I then did parcel delivery for 30 years until my full pension was available.<br /><br />I'm now an unpaid South Dakota Walleye guide for one very demanding customer - Me <br /><br />Also, going to be "camping guru" for a 7 year old grandson and 5 of his friends Saturday night... should be interesting.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: So what have YOU done?

Oh... The one I forgot... I was (for about two weeks) a professional killer, a hitman, an assassin... <br /><br />Pest control, exterminator...

 

[catfish1]

Re: So what have YOU done?

jj i know of that beef packing plant! i lived in sioux falls. i think just about everyone there has worked at that place at one time or another, i cant remember the name of it though. my bio father lives there, you probably have heard of his name, david peterson. most of my family lives in yankton, anyways i like sioux falls, and i am actually thinking of moving back there next summer! there are jobs a plenty and the cost of living is excellent.

 

[Specks n Reds]

Re: So what have YOU done?