Tell me about your job :)

[Miss.September]

What do you do? I'm SAHM, but before that I worked in a specialist childrens bookshop.

How long have you been doing it? I worked there for five years, before that had worked in bookshops for four years.

How did you get into it? Straight from school got into a Tafe course and did Professional Writing and Editing. Was full time for two years and it was supposed to cut time of a masters degree at uni. But by the time I finished the course, I was on study burn out mode and wanted to work full time (I was working casually while studying). I got a job with a city bookshop but over time realised that I didn't enjoy the head office politics (plus working until 10pm on Christmas Eve setting up for Boxing Day sales really sucked!), so I moved into the children's specialist store.

Do you enjoy it? I did. I loved being able to hand a child a book, explain what it was about, and have them come back a few days later and tell me they loved it. I enjoyed recommending books to primary schools for their literacy programs and libraries. Most daunting thing I had to do was speak to 100 teachers at a conference. I'm not a good public speaker and the microphone wasn't my friend!

If you could do any job in the world would you still do it? No. I had had enough by the time DD was born. I was doing more of the accounts work than selling by the end. I'd love to work for a publisher in editing, and I'd love to actually finish writing a novel. Plus being a SAHM is fun (mostly!!!!!)

[Kimbles01]

How did you get into it? Ummmm.....I'd rather not go into details. But, my latex allergy was one of the main reasons...

Haha, love it

[Frangipani]

What do you do? Customer Service in a Bank.

How long have you been doing it? Almost 12 years (with just over 2 years maternity leave thrown into the years)

How did you get into it? When I completed high school I went to TAFE (was doing a hairdresser course) but after a couple of months decided it wasn't for me - so I went around handing in resumes and applications to everyone and everywhere. I got something back that they received it, but it wasn't until about a year later I got a letter or phone call (actually can't remember now) asking for me to do an apitude test, 6 months later I had a interview and a few months after that I was given a position.

Do you enjoy it? Part of it - I love speaking to people, helping people and I love numbers - but I hate the targets and having the pressure to meet them.

If you could do any job in the world would you still do it? At the moment - no. It was ok at the beginning (my targets were achievable and I never had a problem meeting them) - now I just come home feeling stressed. At the moment it is all for the money unfortunately. As most - I too would love to be a SAHM - but money calls. Actually I probably would love to do my job if there were no targets or pressure to meet them - cause every other element of the job I love. So if I could work out what sort of job allows me to do that then thats were I'd much prefer to be (welcome to ideas)


Great thread BAL - this has been great to get to know people and also starting to make me think that maybe it is time to start to look at what other jobs I can do and how to go about it. cap on

[*Twinkle*]

This is so interesting!!

Nae-I can imagine there never being a dull moment working in HR! I take my hat off to you as I HATE managing people. Its so complex!!

[*Twinkle*]

What do you do? I'm an Aged and Disability Program Manager. Basically I manage two aged care programs delivering in home services so the elderly can stay in their own homes for as long as possible. And I manage two disability programs that assist people in the community to identify and find meaningful roles in the community.

How long have you been doing it? I have worked in this role for 2.5 years, but have worked in the disability sector (in community and government roles) for 10 years now.

How did you get into it? I was working in the finance sector and hated it, decided to change and it was actually my mum who said i should apply for a disability worker role in the community. I loved it and have not looked back!

If you could do any job in the world would you still do it? I love what I do. It has its challenges, basically managing 18 staff sucks balls, but it is so rewarding. I am also currently studying a bach of social work and a bach of law so ideally would love to work in an advocacy role sometime down the track.

[Kazbah]

What do you do? I work for Telstra as a Change Capability expert. Basically that means that I develop policies & processes for Change Management, train it, and ensure that other groups in the organisation follow them. I also maintain the intranet & document management system for our function, and the ISO9001 quality management certification

How long have you been doing it?This particular role for 3 years, although I've been with Telstra for 12 years now.

How did you get into it? I went to uni where I was studying science / software engineering and ran out of money - there was casual work going with Telstra in credit management, and I hated it, moved into full-time with mobilenet and from there down to melbourne as a communications chick for the operations centre. From that I moved into emergency / major event management and when that was taken over by another group hated it, so found a role that looked interesting ... and it is!


If you could do any job in the world would you still do it? It's never what I thought I'd do, but I really enjoy it. It suits my personality although I am looking for a different role within Telstra, either as an IT domain manager or project manager. I've done team managing previously, and it just isn't me

[Mad Scientist]

What do you do? I'm an embryologist at a fertility clinic

How long have you been doing it? On my way to two years but have been working in science for seven years.

How did you get into it? I did my undergraduate science degree, worked in a path lab for a while, then moved into quality assurance while doing my master in forensic science. Decided that there were no career prospects for me in Aus in forensic science. Had my DDs and found that commuting wasn't ideal when you had a family so started looking for work closer to home and found my dream job.

If you could do any job in the world would you still do it? I have found my calling. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. To help people achieve the dream of parenthood and play an active role in achieving someone's pregnancy and actually making these babies is such an honour. I am truly privileged.

[OceanPrincess]

MS - DH's cousin is an embryologist!!! Now I "know" another one!

[Traveller]

What do you do? I'm a student nurse/midwife

How long have you been doing it? since February

How did you get into it? I have wanted to be a midwife for 5 years, and since my local uni does not offer direct entry midwifery I took this as the only route into the job I want

If you could do any job in the world would you still do it? So far the course has told me I am on the right track with my career. I enjoy the nursing to some extent, but I wake up excited if I have any midwifery to do. I spend my spare time reading and researching. I honestly can't see myself doing anything else, but it is very early days in my career so far.

[Mad Scientist]

MS - DH's cousin is an embryologist!!! Now I "know" another one!

OP - I'll keep an eye out for him/her at the next meet up