by Chris E.
Member since:
October 15, 2007

How Do You Make A Living?

June 09, 2008 08:11 AM EDT
views: 100 | comments: 59

I am always curious as to what types of jobs people have. I use to work years ago before I had my children and a part time job when they were young but I have not worked in probably 8 years. I like to work but I like being at home with my kids much better. I find it to be the most important and fufilling job I have ever had.

So what do you do to make a living and are you doing the job you want or it is a stepping stone to the job you really want?

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Comments: 59

I am an Office Manager of a Wholesale Plant Nursery

I really want to own my own business in Costa Rica....not sure if that will come to life or not.
jennifer b. Jun 9, 2008, 8:24am EDT
I am the office manager for a beverage wholesaler, and the IT person and the Human Resources Person....
Heather C. Jun 9, 2008, 8:29am EDT
I have been disabled since the 80's. I liked the different jobs I had before. I also have 4 children...3 grown and married, and I took care of my parents off and on for 10 years until they died. I tried to keep them out of nursing homes.
Spencer T. Jun 9, 2008, 8:33am EDT
Though mostly retired I still do some carpentry and home repairs which I have always loved.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Jun 9, 2008, 8:34am EDT
I'm a SAHM and I've been so for two years.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Jun 9, 2008, 8:35am EDT
I hope to be able to start on my own in a couple of years, when the boys are in school full time.
B F. Jun 9, 2008, 8:35am EDT
I work from home as in teleservices... I do mostly inbound sales and service... Currently I am looking at medical billing from home since the kids cannot make any noise at all with what I am doing now...
Marianne R. Jun 9, 2008, 8:36am EDT
Freelance business development.
Marianne R. Jun 9, 2008, 8:36am EDT
Oh and eBay, lol.
Nick Howes Jun 9, 2008, 8:37am EDT
I'm news director at WNSV-FM, in Nashville, Illinois, a small market station that broadcasts soft rock. I have a lot of fun with that and have about 20 years in the business. I supplement my income with used book sales on eBay. I was in the Army for ten years before getting into broadcasting. At 58, I am approaching retirement age and if forced to retire, I'll get into the internet fulltime.
Adelaide M. Jun 9, 2008, 8:45am EDT
I'm an assistant buyer for Macy's East, in womens shoes and accessories. Should my boss ever return from maternity leave, it will just be shoes again. I basically have the best job ever. I get paid to research designer collections and then buy shoes in large quantities with someone else's money. I can't think of many things I would rather do...
WS R. Jun 9, 2008, 8:54am EDT
I'm a mom and work at home. Hardest job ever!
John S. (arizona) Jun 9, 2008, 8:55am EDT
Well, I was a Sr. Operations Manager for a large aerospace firm, but now live live off of Social Security Disability for the last 3 years or so....
Lisa S. Jun 9, 2008, 9:05am EDT
Hazardous waste, but someday I will teach h.s. science.
Ashley B. Jun 9, 2008, 9:34am EDT
engineer technician, but someday, I'll be an engineer with my own business, hopefully.
Bill W. Jun 9, 2008, 10:06am EDT
Advanced concepts engineer (ret) -- I loved it the whole time except when I had a supervisor who wanted to manage me. I actually got paid to dream up stuff and then make them happen.
Donald Hawley Jun 9, 2008, 10:15am EDT
I worked mostly as both an architect and engineer, being very diverse in both fields. Worked overseas, domestic, private industry and government. Presently "retired" but still doing architecture and engineering when and how I want. Also write books and have for at least 60 years.
Rob Appell Jun 9, 2008, 10:23am EDT
I'm disabled right now but would rather be working, supporting myself and making more than I am on these hand outs. I've done many things; waiter, bar tender, delivery service operator, band manager, janitor, radio personality, retail salesman, retail cashier, retail store assistant manager, pizzeria/sub shop manager, soda fountain/game room manager, non-alcohol bar/club manager, hospital operating room cleaning crew, telemarketer, secondary phys ed teacher, sports coach...the list goes on. And I still don't know what i want to do when I grow up.
Amy C. Jun 9, 2008, 10:26am EDT
I work in finance. What fun! ( not) The hours are great 8-3:30 and I have my own desk and paid holidays, and good benefits. It is a great moms job.

One day I want to own my own little coffee &tea shop. One day... if that dream ever comes to light
Amy C. Jun 9, 2008, 10:26am EDT
oh yea I also do ebay
Kimberly Ripley Jun 9, 2008, 12:15pm EDT
.......doing what I don on Gather.......I'm a freelance writer and author. I also sell eBay on the side.
Kimberly Ripley Jun 9, 2008, 12:15pm EDT
"do" not "don!"
Janet "Jax" B. Jun 9, 2008, 1:00pm EDT
I use to teach college...then middle school...now I'm home with the kids.
Sammie B. Jun 9, 2008, 1:18pm EDT
Psh, I don't have a job. Been looking like crazy, but still can't find one. Right now Gather is my only income.
Austin Cushing Jun 9, 2008, 2:27pm EDT
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations, and check out our Triple Trouble Special Feature!
I'm a SAHM.
Bridget ♥ Jun 9, 2008, 3:28pm EDT
I'm a SAHM as well!
heather "chickenlips" g. Jun 9, 2008, 3:46pm EDT
I wish I was a SAHM! I am an assistant for an insurance agent.

I don't really know what I want to be when I grow up...maybe something in the medical field.
Chris E. Jun 9, 2008, 4:23pm EDT
Thanks everyone for your comments. You all have some very interesting jobs. As I was reading all the comments I was thinking that not only was I seeing different job but I was learning a lot about everyone who has responded. It is nice to get to know the person behind the screen name.

Phyllis- A lawyer? lol Sorry to laugh but that just fits you. It really does!

Rob - I still don't know what I want to be when I greow up eiter. When my youngest graduates from highschool I will be 52. So I guess I have a little while to think about it. I would love to be able to work from home in the meantime. I just have to find something that I enjoy that would allow me to do that.
Susan S. Jun 9, 2008, 4:27pm EDT
i work in accounting, it's not bad, lots of sparetime to gather!
Carla B. Jun 9, 2008, 7:10pm EDT
Up until a little over a year ago, I cut hair. My last job was in the barber shop on base. I liked the job, but not necessarily the people I worked with (well, I liked all but 2). I had already cut back to just Saturdays (so we didn't have to pay daycare), so when we decided to move off base, I quit working, and now stay home full time with Elliott! I'm not sure that I will ever go back to cutting hair, but I'm keeping my license just in case. I really did like it, but I want to stay at home until all my kids (I only have one, but would love to have at least one more) are at least in high school!
Kim M. Jun 9, 2008, 7:31pm EDT
I work customer service for Transcore (operates EZPass/Fast Lane) with an inbound callcenter environment. While taking calls I process applications and correspondence among other things. We have a walk in front desk and my department alternates working at the desk as well. This week is my week. It's a nice break from the phones. Prior to this I worked for the photo finishing division of Kodak, again inbound callcenter. My first job was Ames Dept Stores, for 11 yrs with a couple month blip when I went to Wal Mart. I high tailed it back to Ames where they knew how to treat employees the right way!
Chris E. Jun 9, 2008, 7:57pm EDT
Kim- My step dad worked for Kodak for over 20 years.
JoAnn C. Jun 9, 2008, 10:40pm EDT
I am a Sr. Client Services Liaison for a print/mail vendor (we print bills, financial statements, EOBs, etc). I've been there for 5 years. Before that I worked for Ames Departments Stores for 12 years (I remember when Kim became a traitor and went to Walmart LOL). I had various store and corporate positions (mostly in HR) for Ames.
Cathy N. Jun 9, 2008, 11:10pm EDT
I'm an electrical engineer and technical writer. I am doing what I want to do and love my new job.
Jill~Sexy Back~ V. Jun 10, 2008, 3:46am EDT
thanks for posting to It's 3X the points, 3X the rewards!
Patty H. Jun 10, 2008, 5:05am EDT
Sometimes I wish I could work again. But right now I cant. For 5 years I was a store manager for a gas station chain. After I was layed off from there I was a photo specialist for close to 2 years, until I rehurt my back. Now im a SAHM, I love it, but it dont pay the bills. I sometimes take calls for my hubby, for our locksmith buisness. I use to help with the books, filing, making sure all the bills were paid. Then he messed it all up and I will not help him get it together, so now its his job as well as the lock jobs are. LOL
Charles Temm JR Jun 10, 2008, 11:30am EDT
retired Army, so that contributes a fair penny to the budget. Work for Walmart in a warehouse making 18.75 an hour and until last term, also went to college. I hope to be teaching full time next year.
Diana B. Jun 10, 2008, 1:17pm EDT
Currently, I am a domestic goddess (aka stay at home mom/homemaker) as I like to put it LOL. I have been working during the holiday season the last several years to get some additional income.

I am hoping to pursue a career in law enforcement or law since that is what my degrees are in, but depends on what happens with my son. Thought about going back to school eventually, too, to further my education in one of the two fields I am interested in.
Denise E. Jun 10, 2008, 5:13pm EDT
?? I'm a housewife. Was a secretary. Now I'm a Gatherer! =D
Ang, wandering aimlessly, G. Jun 11, 2008, 6:54pm EDT
I'm a SAHM but before that I worked at a hotel at the front desk. I was also a manager for DQ at the age of 17.
Monica H. Jun 11, 2008, 11:13pm EDT
I am a full time Mom, and I also work part time (3 days a week) as office assistant in the home health care field. My husband is in factory work. I love my job. I will probably go back to work full time after both of my kids are in school. They are four and two years old right now.
Sandra T. Jun 12, 2008, 1:22am EDT
For a little more that one week I will still be a shoes goddess for a HUGE retailer. As of June 21st I will be switching to Health and Beauty (i.e. shampoo, hair color, toothbrushes, bar soap, deoderant). I've been a shoes goddess for almost 8 years so this will be a major change for me 8)
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Jun 12, 2008, 1:59am EDT
I write...but I proofread much more carefully at work than on gather : )
Suze P. Jun 12, 2008, 2:07am EDT
I do medical transcription. ..for the past 14 years. Before that, I was a parking garage attendant and worked here and there in different retail jobs for a few years. I don't miss that!
Mary G. Jun 12, 2008, 2:44pm EDT
I own a business selling pond plants.
Tiffany G. Jun 12, 2008, 5:09pm EDT
Gather.. thast it.. lol j/k.. my husbnad works in the elevator trade.. makes great money and can retire from this! we have been blessed with this job and everything him and I ahve together!
necee t. Jun 12, 2008, 8:07pm EDT
cool jobs... it is fun to see what y'all do... i used to be a secretary before my disability. ... Blessings to every one of you...

thank you for all your nice comments.....
happy extended triple points...
woo hoo... Blessings...
(Jasper,(Disciple for Christ. w. Jun 21, 2008, 10:11pm EDT
Well I was a gofer Man for a co. one time, they would say go for this and go for that, and then i was transferred to research, I was put in charge of searching for a left handed monkey wrench, then I got put on the advisory board, the company called a meeting and i proceeded to tell them how to run the co. and the President of the co, told me , If I need your help I will advise you. and that's about.
I am retired now but I was plant manager for a stain glass co.
Mary M. Jun 21, 2008, 10:17pm EDT
Part time nanny for three amazing, beautiful children! One is 3 1/2 and her twin brothers are almost 18 mos. I can't imagine doing anything else!

I spent 25+ years in the "corporate world" and just didn't have the heart to go back. I'm so happy to actually get paid for spending my day with kids:-)
dark faery Jun 21, 2008, 10:18pm EDT

I am a "Residential Instructor" in a group home for the developmentally disabled.

What that really means is I cook, clean, bathe, change depends, help with toileting, drive, listen, talk with the residents. I do whatever they can't (or won't) do for themselves.

I love my job but it doesn't pay much. I used to work in the factories. But thanks to out-sourcing, those jobs are in Mexico, India, and Brazil.
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Jun 22, 2008, 9:58pm EDT
I'm an accountant. Right now I'm working for a small CPA firm and love it. The firm I am with now has minimal overtime and my boss is great. I like making money for him :)
Patty H. Jun 25, 2008, 5:08am EDT
Send my husband off to work. LOL
(Jasper,(Disciple for Christ. w. Jun 26, 2008, 12:33pm EDT
Thank you Chris for the comment on my article, you are right there are too many
Mary Ann S. Jun 26, 2008, 1:59pm EDT
Teaching English
Ellie !. Jun 28, 2008, 11:46pm EDT
Writer. That's probably why I don't write much on Gather. Love writing. But lately I've been writing out all my creativity on the job.
April H. Jun 29, 2008, 2:24am EDT
Currently I am home ,I hae been a naturalist & A Child Care Director, and taught in an environmental setting to studentds ANd I lovee teaching Environmental Ed to kids

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