Before you became a SAHM, what did u do?

[BekZ]

I was a hairdresser for 9 years. Ended up hating it. I then got a job in a Financial Adviser's office as a junior office chick. At this stage I went to uni and studied Commerce and worked my way up to Office Manager. Although I was really good at this job I hated it and the stress was too much. I hated working with old cranky men and listening to boardroom bull.

Now I am at SAMH who has no idea what she is going to later on. I have considered midwifery, but am unsure if I can spend the time doing anothee degree.

[bumbly]

I worked in PR

[Willow]

Bek - I've been meaning to ask you for ages if you used to be a hairdresser

[Janie]

I was a dental nurse, have been for 12 years. Worked in general, endodontic, and orthodontic practices. Working one day a week in a general practice these days, it's a fantastic place! I'm very lucky.

Have always, always wanted to do nursing though, and am definitely thinking about trying to get in to uni down the track . Maybe even Mid, if I can get in.

[BekZ]

Bek - I've been meaning to ask you for ages if you used to be a hairdresser

Yep I was (still am) a hairdresser!! I have always been thankfull that I did my apprenticeship because I have skill that I can always use.

[mbear]

Yep I was (still am) a hairdresser!!

...your girls are going to love you for this !!!

Did 1.5 years at uni in social work....but realised at 20 i had some growing up to do before i started counselling others..so dropped out....did temp work, worked in UK....upon return i landed a job as a public servant.....worked for the NSW Fire Brigades as the Alarms Adminstrator, responsible for the alarm networks within NSW. I loved it (twas where i met my DH....)...great paying job, and i loved the people there, and the work, but having kiddies and working - i just couldnt get the balance right, so one had to give.

[~Trish~]

I used to manage a retail store, then I went back to study and got into IT. I worked in a call centre (technical support) and then moved into an activations team. I loved working with all men, it was a nice change after working in a b*tchy retail environment! The IT company has since collapsed though, glad I got out of that sinking ship LOL!

Luckily all my previous job skills helped me with my current small business I run from home

[~Kim~]

me, I'm an about to resign policeman....when they've finished the 70odd weeks that I'm entitlted to be paid leave for.
Before this I was (still am) an RN specialising in paedi transplants and ED.

[Bathsheba]

I was a student (Fine Art at Monash Uni, graduated when I was pregnant with my 2nd child) and I worked as a teacher's assistant for 5 years. Also worked in hospitality, chef's assistant, office receptionist and a sales assistant at a fabric store. All gave me great skills as a SAHM, my most challenging career by FAR!!!

[littlelara]

Wow, this is fascinating.
Bk I did office work - 4 years in an ISP doing reception, accounts enquiries, sales enquiries etc etc, then 4 years for a telecoms co doing bits and pieces, where my favourite role was PA to the GM. He was a lovely, lovely man and he taught me a lot. I was proud to work for him, it was a bit like being a paid mum and I even got to organise his retirement.
I can't imagine going back to that environment though, so am thinking of getting my celebrant's licence and studyIng counselling so that I can do pre-marriage counselling (and post if need be)
I like the idea of completing such a personal circle. Mind you, I'm not exactly sure how my idea will translate in the real world, will just have to wait and see, eh?
If anyone has any thoughts....?

[Liz]

I was part-time secretary/bookkeeper for an accountant for about 9 years. When GST came in I started doing bookkeeping for local businesses. Left my job just before having DS, and stopped bookkeeping umm... can't remember! LOL.. think it was when I got pg with DD. I was slowly dropping each client anyway with the view to shutting up shop. I just help out a couple of friends with their books now, and do the admin work for the hosting business.

[Patooties]

I got my degree in Primary and Early Childhood Education and worked in a Bakery!!!!
Then I worked as a Preschool Teacher, and a Director of a Child Care Centre.
It's been 7 years since I worked, but I figure being a Mum is giving me lots of Professional development

[MamaBones]

I sold my art and spent the majority of my time travelling and surfing....

[Rach75]

I was a chef actually quit to be a SAHW after many years of TTC I went back to work and while I absolutly love the interaction etc, finally getting pg and having Jack has been my best job yet, I dont think I will ever go back to cooking unless I could get a day time job when the kids are in school

[BrightSparkles]

I was a behaviour management teacher (in Brisbane) - I worked as the liaison teacher at a school for students (mainly boys) who were struggling to cope with mainstream schooling due to behaviour difficulties. I did case managment mainly but worked in the classroom one day a week. My job involved lots of liaison with principals, psychologists, family and other professionals involved with our students. I ran parenting programs, assisted in reintegration of students to mainstream schooling, put together info for referrals and diagnosis and did a fair bit of counselling with each student.
.

Ohhh now i know whos ear i can chew. I'm a youth worker and currently A) working with these kids and B) doing research in how to engage them better!

[Winter]

And I was an HR Officer for a mining company .... working onsite. There were about 5 women and over 300 men .... but don't miss the patronising, misogynistic mindsets with that amount of testosterone in that particular workplace.

I find that so interesting Sequoia - I too worked in mining and found it really easy to be a woman onsite. Never encountered any discrimination or had a hard time. I found the blokes really easy to work with and the women friendly - we tended to band together and support each other rather than the *****iness you hear about in other workplaces. I'm sorry that you didn't have a good experience.

[paradise lost]

During Uni i was a barmaid, a cleaner, an accommodation office administrator (contracting student halls rooms out to new students), and a welcome desk worker and then coordinator (the first point of contact for overseas students arriving for the new academic year where we got them organised for matriculation and got them into their accommodation, and were there making sure they have everything they need from pots and pans to books and pens, and also acted as a go-between for those who needed help/translation with officials and a shoulder to cry on for those who werehomesick or lonely in those first difficult days - i really enjoyed it, the second year i ran the desk too so i managed the staff and got to work the desk 8 hours a day, which i LOVED). Then i graduated and was a project administrator on an epidemiological project looking at safety in Europe. Once that project completed i did a series of temp jobs - typing for a menal health charity, holiday cover or a social services department in a large hospital, mailroom worker for a rail company, receptionist for a global bank (hated that, very sterile environment), i think i've probably missed a bunch! When i got pregnant i had been working for about 16 months as a project admin on a pharmacy based smoking cassation programme. It was boring in some places, great in others, ultimately the project was deemed a success and rolled out nationally, so it was good to be a part of that kind of success, though it wasn't rolled out until i was already out on maternity leave.

I knew when i got pregnant i wasn't going back, as i have always known SAHMing is how i wanted to parent. It is definitely harder than working full-time, but i think i find it easier than a lot of other SAHM's do, and for that i am grateful.

Bx

[Sterla]

I was at uni (still have some units to do), but also had a couple of sales assistant jobs along the way.