What do you all do for a living?

[divaindubai]

Yes you! Just curious what all the members do when they are not here at ADBB! Paid or unpaid work (such as homemaking), what is your profession or current position?

And was this position / profession something you planned when you were younger to do? If not, what is your ultimate plan for a profession one day?



I guess I will start to get the ball rolling a bit

I am a Legal Secretary for a local law firm (commercial and corporate law), I am working for one British lawyer, one Iraqi/American lawyer, and one Lebanese lawyer.

Do I enjoy this work? Well it is paying the bills at the moment, it is okay for now, getting experience here in the UAE which is a good thing but not planning to do this kind of work the rest of my life, not really up to being at someone's "service" either, but nonetheless, I am gaining good experience.

I did not plan to do this profession. When I was in university in Canada, I had planned to finish my teaching qualifications after graduating with a B.Arts, so at this point I'm contemplating whether to finish with my teaching goals, or else concentrate on Business (Human Resources / MBA, etc).

I'm also trying to get into freelance writing as well. I've joined a writing group here, with mostly American and western expats, and its interesting. I just have to make time to write and keep up my pace! Maybe I will try to get something published one day!

That's my two cents worth!

[Brook]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

What a cool thread!

Commercial and corporate law. Cool!

I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. LOL

I'm a full time mom of 3, a life skills counselor in a group home for dual diagnosis disabled adults, and co-owner of a commercial trucking/snowplowing company.

Kids: Been a stay at home mom for the last 9 years. There are three of them (we're outnumbered!) and they're 14, 9, and 5. The bane of my existance some days and my sunrises and sunsets every day

The company: We've been in business now for over 13 years. He's built from one truck, one skidsteer and one man to now having about 70 guys that work for him and being a recognized name in commercial snowplowing in the Twin Cities (Can ya tell I'm proud of him? ). I'm the timekeeper/payroll/errand runner/letter writer. I guess you could say I'm an executive assistant. lol

Group Home: I started working full time in March '05 for an ICFMR (intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded). There are 6 men that live in the house I work at. They're all mentally retarded (not down syndrome), and they all have some form of mental illness/mental "deficieny" that ranges from schizophrenia to profound infantile autism. 4 of them are seizure prone too, and that's always...... interesting.

I have no degree, no nothing except 5 1/2 years of experience in handling, loving, and managing someone with special needs (my youngest ). Scarily enough, that was enough to get my foot in the door, LOL and I really love what I do. I work the overnights, so my shift is for the most part pretty low-key. I do two med passes on my shift (always fun when they don't want to take them, lemme tell you!) are showered and dressed appropriately for work, help them make themselves breakfast (I keep a well fed breakfast crew!), do our morning group meeting- day goals session, and get everyone on their buses to work. I perform the occasional exorcism (long story), soothe bad dreams, give tons and tons of hugs and hold hands, and in short...they make my heart smile and have taught me tons about ..everything! It sounds easy....but it's a full scale circus some mornings and I adore them, even when it's a little scary.

Life long career ambition? To be one of those women who spends her days salon and mall hopping with lots of laying by the pool being served by some hot guy, preferably named Guido.

~Brook

[LC_Dave]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

Wow that sounds awesome!

Nothing like me,

I work for an Insurance Broker in suburban Melbourne. Doing Commercial and Domestic Accounts.

Come on,... ask me more..... you all wanna know because it sounds so enthralling!!!!!

[addyosu]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

what is your profession or current position?

Currently I am student at Oregon State University. I am studying and graduating this June with two bachelors of science degrees in Marketing Management and Fashion/Merchandising Management. After graduation and a week in Mexico, I have an executive management position working for Target Stores.

Do I enjoy this work?

I do enjoy this work. I love being a manager! I love retail. I love customer service. And I especially have loved my experiences at Target.

was this position / profession something you planned when you were younger to do?

Not exactly, I knew I would always go into business and go into some kind of management. I actually for a long time wanted to attend cooking school and get into restaurant/hotel management. However, that didn't work out when I realized the hours, dedication, and no matter what they start at the bottom of the food chain. Literally. So I switched to business/corporate management which led me to OSU. I added on the second degree late my sophomore year and I absolutely love it. My personality fits with retail so well and I've worked in customer service for as long as I can remember.

what is your ultimate plan for a profession one day?

The more and more I look into it... I am becoming more interested in Human Relations and Recruitment. I love people and I love talking about life situations and passions. So I think my job whatever I do will always be a passion and it comes naturally to convey great messages and get people excited about opportunities, jobs, etc. So... just something I am looking into.

[divaindubai]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

I'm a full time mom of 3, a life skills counselor in a group home for dual diagnosis disabled adults, and co-owner of a commercial trucking/snowplowing company.

My Gosh Brook! How the heck do you find the time to do all of that in one day or one week even! And you still have tons of energy it seems, that is so awesome!
You must have awesome time management skills I am sure, something that I'm still trying to master.

Your company sounds interesting. I know this woman back in Canada and her husband, they started a touch up business, where the car dealerships give them used cars to touch up the paint and things on them (I believe their service is a mobile one, where they drive to the car dealerships to do the work), and they started off with just one truck and when I knew this woman about 5 years ago or so, their company just flourished! Next thing I know her husband bought her a brand new mint green Jaguar! But the business just really took off.

That's great that you have few different pockets of income coming in. They say its always a good idea to have a few baskets of money coming in (businesses, jobs, etc), in case the market takes a turn for the worst and then at least you have something else to fall back on.

The law firm I am working for is interesting, some of the clients are pretty "high up" in the ranks in the country and its interesting to see all the business transactions going on not just here but in and with other countries around the world. If anything this position has really made me a much more organized person, and also given me insights into different areas of business, even for my own personal gain (such as investments, etc).

[divaindubai]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

Currently I am student at Oregon State University. I am studying and graduating this June with two bachelors of science degrees in Marketing Management and Fashion/Merchandising Management. After graduation and a week in Mexico, I have an executive management position working for Target Stores.


I do enjoy this work. I love being a manager! I love retail. I love customer service. And I especially have loved my experiences at Target.




The more and more I look into it... I am becoming more interested in Human Relations and Recruitment. I love people and I love talking about life situations and passions. So I think my job whatever I do will always be a passion and it comes naturally to convey great messages and get people excited about opportunities, jobs, etc. So... just something I am looking into.

Hey Addy! I have been to Target stores before so I know which one you are talking about! The stores in Washington State (Bellis Fair Mall and others). They are a good line of stores.

Sounds like your university degrees are hitting your interests right on the spot and at least your position with Target will be what you studied in university! That is really cool.

Like I said in my post, I am either going to further my studies in teaching or in business, I find that the work ethics here in this part of the world, aren't always the best, and the lack of work ethics in some areas really drive me nuts. I find myself coming up with ideas in my own office of how to improve relationships and make the office run more smoothly. Even the Managing Partner has seen this about me, and apparently we are supposed to have a meeting together soon (been trying to meet with him for the past 2 months.... ). I mean my office doesn't evne have secretarial or lawyers monthly meetings! Every place in Canada that I've worked for, always have meetins. So I think my experience here in this part of the world will also benefit if we ever move back to Canada for good, because I can say that I've seen a different side to management and work ethics (or lack of ).

Recruitment is also interesting as well. I could see myself as a recruitment person as well, since I love meeting people and also assisting people.

Who knows eh?

interesting post though!

[divaindubai]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

Wow that sounds awesome!

Nothing like me,

I work for an Insurance Broker in suburban Melbourne. Doing Commercial and Domestic Accounts.

Come on,... ask me more..... you all wanna know because it sounds so enthralling!!!!!

Hey Dave!

Spill the beans !

lol

[yemenitegreen]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

I've been working as secretary and personal assistant, went to university (geography as a major) but didn't finish with a degree for various reasons, got a multimedia producer diploma from a technical college, worked as an IT geek of all trades in several companies... was knocked off my feet by two mobbing wars in two companies in a row and decided to call it quits.

So right now I am amidst two book projects, basically homemaking, and earning a little money with some freelance writing and translations, and the possibility of translating a children's fantasy book in the near future (from English to German).

yemenitegreen

[Swimmom]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

Right now, I'm a homeschool mom of 1 precocious, beautiful, brilliant 10-year old future Olympic swimmer and certified Narniac and a devoted wife to a super-handsome career military man. I'm also working on getting my Group Exercise Certification back up to current status. It lapsed back in 1995 when I had my dd and we've moved 6 times since then (4 in the last 5 years) and I just couldn't ever get it back up to speed until now. I'm also hoping to take my Personal Trainer Certification exam in April.

Was homeschool mom/military spouse/group fitness instructor/personal trainer what I had planned I was going to do? Not at all. I don't really know what I was planning to do with my English degree. But, I feel I lead a very fulfilling life. Much more so than when I was an instructor for a home-based Scrapbook company which I did for seven years. That was a lot of fun, but I didn't feel like I was making any kind of an impact on the world, kwim?

When I finally grow up (I mean, dd leaves for college) I'd really like to get my Master's in Library Science (or become a Certified Fitness Professional and work with corporate executives). I've got about 7 1/2 years to decide!

[divaindubai]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

I've been working as secretary and personal assistant, went to university (geography as a major) but didn't finish with a degree for various reasons, got a multimedia producer diploma from a technical college, worked as an IT geek of all trades in several companies... was knocked off my feet by two mobbing wars in two companies in a row and decided to call it quits.

So right now I am amidst two book projects, basically homemaking, and earning a little money with some freelance writing and translations, and the possibility of translating a children's fantasy book in the near future (from English to German).

yemenitegreen

That sounds intereting Yem! Are you of German origin, or an expat? My father is German from Bavaria (Ruhpolding to be exact). We are hoping to travel to Germany this summer for a visit.

Good stuff! And where did you get your user name from? been meaning to ask you that hope you don't mind! just curious!

[snowlily]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

I'm currently a stay at home mom of 3. Do I like it? yes, it has its advantages. And disadvantages, like I've become more lazy !


Is this where I saw my life when I was younger?

NO WAY! I had planned on being a homicide detective! I even took the police exams at 19. Now, I have 3 wonderful children and a DH who says that kind of career is not for a mom. Then wonders how I can sit and watch all the detective shows. He just dont get it!

[divaindubai]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

When I finally grow up (I mean, dd leaves for college) I'd really like to get my Master's in Library Science (or become a Certified Fitness Professional and work with corporate executives). I've got about 7 1/2 years to decide!

That's cool Swimmom! Master's in Library Science would be an interesting field no doubt! I've thought of it myself too!

[wannabethintoo]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

I'm a partner in an IT company. I do everything from bookkeeping/accouting, accounts payable/receivable, invoicing, budgetting, human resources and what I actually went to school for...programming.

I have a bachelors degree in Math with a minor in computer science, a master's degree in computer science and a teaching diploma in high school math.

My dream job was to become a teacher. This was my goal from a very young age. Originally I was going to be a fine arts teacher but switched to math when I realized that I didn't fit into the "fine arts" group of people in University. I ended up teaching high school math for 2 years but had to give it up because I sucked at discipline. If you can't discipline, you can't teach...I was way too young at the time (almost the same age as the grade 11 kids I was teaching) and they didn't take me seriously.

I left teaching and joined Nortel where I worked for 8 years in various IT departments. In 1996 I left Nortel with a group of co-workers and we formed the company that I currently work for.

I love my job most of the time....as long as I'm not doing too much programming which I have come to hate.

[Heidi3]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

registered nurse (mainly urgent care) and wannabe author
I love both ...most days

[Richt]

Re: What do you all do for a living?

I work for a Training consultancy company, as their marketing guy. Its new to me, but is fun.

Rich