What do you do for a living? (Page 3 of 4)

I'm an I/C (instrumentation and control) engineer at a nuclear facility, hoping that soon I'll be known as a "retired former engineer at a nuclear facility".   When I started working there 41 years ago we were at the height of the Cold War and most of our "product" was for defense use.  Now we've come full circle. After the Soviet Union split up, an agreement was reached to buy some of their nuclear material to keep it out of the hands of unstable countries that supported terrorism.  In a "Swords-to-Plowshares" effort we have converted 16,000 former warheads to fuel-grade material for use in nuclear reactors to produce electricity.  It's been a nice way to wind down my career.

I used to fish with an Army officer who had a degree in nuclear physics and was working on a project to develop short-range, small, nuclear weapons for battlefield use. He was the only real "nuclear rocket scientist" I've ever met.

DE

Looking back I've done a lot in my time.  Medical records clerk (18 years old and working with 33 women - I learnt a lot!!), small business advisor, customer service rep for Vodafone, purchasing spares for the Royal Navy, purchasing manager for a conservatory company, teacher of IT to adults, teacher of English to foreign nationals (mainly Libyan and Algerian), and for most of the last 10 years a computer network technician and installer of servers and IT systems for small and medium sized companies.  I also dabbled in computer multi media systems providing information systems in a variety of companies such as airports and sports stadia.  I really loved the hands on computer stuff but my employer decided I was no longer useful.  Due to changes in Health and Safety legislation I am not allowed to install network cabling, server cabinets and routers.  In the UK now you need to be a qualified electrician to install cabling of any kind.  I couldn't believe he refused to allow me time to retrain for something I am already expert in.  Currently looking to get back into training as this is something I really love doing.  I have also been registered to provide First Aid in the Workplace for many years.

Bolleauxp, I hear ya man!  On this side of the pond you are required to have an electrician change light bulbs (in a commercial setting) and a Limited Energy License to run optical fibre.  It's a sad state of affairs when you have a plumber install a water heater and he has to wait for an electrician to do the wire connections so he can check the unit and adjust the t-stat.  If I ever have to take out a permit to replace a cracked switchplate, I'll leave the country!

Take Care;
Doug

Taxman! I'll get my coat..

I am now a Trainer/lecturer in Community Service Work which is pretty much where I have been employed over the last 40 years. It's a great job, pays well and has lots of paid holidays. I hope I can retire into it over the last years of my life, great for life long learning. Thinking about learning enough Neil Young and Beatle Songs to keep my fellow inmates of any Nursing Home or retirement Village I might end up in if I can stop noodling and practice more.
Cheers all

Well I have two Full time Jobs.
  1st...28 years working on the water as a Launch Captain.
  2nd..14 years working as a facility Manager at a Car Dealership.

  DANG thats 42 years of work... WHY AM I STILL WORKIN !?!?!?!

Oh yeah....got a house full of teenage Wimmin...  I'm BROKE !!!  hehehehe

We're a bunch of misfits... that probably are all intelligent enough to have been doctors, lawyers, and rocket scientists!  LOL!  I *almost* went to school for Vet Medicine... I considered law school.  ALMOST doesn't count tho!  ha ha!
to quote mekidsmom.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      this is why i feel fit in! i spent 10 yrs as an operating theatre technician(anaesthesiologist nurse,in the usa,i think)got a taste for all the sweets in the sweet shop tho',if you get my meaning.just a humble bakery worker/frustrated musician now.ho hum!!

I quit my job as a carpenter for a pool company after 22 years and went out on my own doing interior painting,
drywall and carpentry work, I tell my wife I'm on safari, safari so good. Been busy with clients as my name is getting around. Don't miss the old company with all the headaches and bitchin that one worker was getting ahead of the other. Don't miss the crew I looked after and did most of their work. I pride my self on doing top
quality work and love being my own boss. I took the leap and am so glad i did, it was a long time comming.

happy again......  badeye   

Chemical Engineer here.  Currently an Associate Director of Process Safety for a large chemical company.

I'm the Export Manager for an international relocation company.  You want to move overseas, I can assist or lead you in the right direction.  We have partners in every corner of the world.
It's a great job.

I buy and sell commercial catering equipment. In this climate second hand stuff is all the rage for new restaurants and fast food outlets. We recondition all our stuff so it looks like new but at half the price. We are doing all right but January and February are always slow. We also sell new stuff for the ones with plenty of cash. There are at least 100 restaurants we have installed their kitchen only to empty them within 1 year, and then sell their stuff to the next owners. The ultimate recycle job.

cheers

Sinkybhoy