Members Fire88 Posted December 14, 2017 Members Report Posted December 14, 2017 I'm a firefighter and paramedic for my pay the bills job. I used to be a finished carpenter and cabinet maker and have gone back to it on and off as part time work, now I drive a truck part time/full time hauling heavy equipment (dozers, excavators, boom lifts) and anything else that'll fit on the trailer or I can get a permit for. Got into this crazy craft by chance making radio straps for the guys at the firehouse. Now I'm trying to learn as much as I can so I give it ago as part-time work. Quote
Members Sheilajeanne Posted December 14, 2017 Members Report Posted December 14, 2017 Gosh, I've had SO many different jobs in my life... Started working at 15 in a factory at $1 an hour. Had a number of factory jobs in the summer while I was in H.S. Hey, anything to earn a bit of green! Also worked security (crowd control) at major public events in Toronto while in school, then spent a summer as a P.I. (loss prevention in drugstores.) Eventually got a science degree, but couldn't find a job, so bounced around doing temporary secretarial work (those Grade 9 typing classes sure paid off!) for the university and the government of Ontario. One of the more interesting jobs was working at the Best Institute at U of Toronto. I got to meet Dr. Best, the co-founder of insulin, and actually typed a letter for him once! Eventually wound up getting my teaching certificate, and teaching for a number of years. The only part of it I really enjoyed was teaching outdoor education during the summertime! I finally got tired of playing traffic cop to kids who really didn't want to learn, and decided to get my nursing diploma (R.N.) Eventually got the job I really wanted: doing visiting nursing. Then my life kind of fell apart when my husband was diagnosed with cancer and heart disease. He suffered a stroke in January of 2004 and died in November. I also lost both my mom and dad during a 10 month period from May 2004 - March 2005. After the estates were wrapped up, I tried to continue my nursing, but my heart wasn't in it anymore. A friend was wanting to try running a dog kennel, so we went into business together. She dropped out after a year or so, and I kept at it until I sold the business in 2015. I continued to work for the new owners for about a year, until we got tired of each other, and went our separate ways. Now I'm 64 years old, unemployed and wondering what the heck to do with myself! I let my nursing license lapse, and getting back into it would be extremely difficult and expensive, and take at least 2 years. Just not worth it at my age, but I don't feel ready to retire either! So, dabbling in leatherwork, and hoping maybe to make a few bucks with it. May run an ad in the local paper, and see if there are any seniors out there that could use a retired nurse to help them with their daily lives. Not really interested in going back into teaching. My next door neighbour is a teacher, and tells me stories of students coming to class high on drugs. Don't care to deal with that sort of nonsense at may age! Quote
Members HaloJones Posted December 19, 2017 Members Report Posted December 19, 2017 Done a few jobs; out of school went in to retail: 1st job was in the local Tandy (of the Radioshack type & not the leather supplier) then jumped about for a couple of years, ended up running a Scaffolding Yard for 8 years until I decided to go to Uni & get a degree - now a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (you don't have them in the US - its a construction manager who deals with the commercial & contractual side of building projects) leather work is hobby for me as I can't see it paying the bills Nice to meet you all Quote
alpha2 Posted December 20, 2017 Report Posted December 20, 2017 Eons ago I was a Radioman in the U.S. Coast Guard. Morse code, radioteletype, various crypto gear. All of that is obsolete now, and for some time, so I had to find a new gig. Fell into dental equipment installation and repair. Mostly have done that since, with occasional excursions into commercial aviation and flight instruction. I'm retiring in 9 days from the dental business. I spent the last 15 years or so in the digital radiography/3D CT and intra-oral photography end of the business. Keeping dental equipment running was a breeze until they decided to hook it up to computers. BAD idea. I'm an FFL, (for those across the ponds, Federally licensed firearms dealer), and firearms instructor. More of that in my future for sure after retirement, in 9 days, did I mention that??? Quote So much leather...so little time.
garypl Posted December 20, 2017 Report Posted December 20, 2017 Spent 3 years in USMC from 69-72, then 35 years in corporate marketing/project management. Retired in 2007 and started a wholesale distribution company, sold off part of the company in 2014 and now work part time for the majority share older of the company and I still run my own small distribution business. I am finding that leatherworking helps reduce my stress levels and I can tune out everything else while working on it. Starting to get some commission orders now - don’t think I want to turn this into a business, but will be nice to sell a few pieces to support my hobby. Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Members AdamPCain Posted January 24, 2018 Members Report Posted January 24, 2018 Its cool to see what everyone does 9-5 daily grind. I am 41 and have been a registered Tool & Die maker in the state of NJ. I live in PA but its only a 25min drive over the bridge to Allentown, NJ. Before that I worked in a book bindery. Tool & Die work isn't what it used to be, I pretty much push buttons all day. CNC has taken over. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.