How many jobs have you had?

[Bruce Wayne]

The job for life ethos is largely passed so I thought it would be interesting to see how many jobs people here have had. I'm not talking part-time jobs to fund university or anything.

So, how many have you all had?

[jmjj215]

My first actual job was as a paper boy from 10-13, then as a flier kid for this guy that did blinds for new homes at 14. Then I actually started getting a W-2 for these...

1. Telemarketer @ 15 yrs old (told them I was 16)
2. Yogurt swirler @ 16 yrs old
3. Gym front desk person @ 17 yrs old
4. Balloon twister @ 17-18 yrs old
5. Health Food Store salesman/cashier/clerk/stocker @ 18 yrs old
6. Telemarketer @ 21 yrs old (for one month, then I got a job to be a...)
7. German Instructor @ 21 yrs old
8. Internal Auditor @ 22 yrs old to current
9. CPA is in the future...

I just noticed you said no part-time jobs. Well, eliminate 1-7 then And sometimes 8 is only part-time too...

[Bruce Wayne]

lol, hopeless bugger

[gakline]

Well I'm working at my 3rd in 3 years. All engineering, but still doesn't look good.

[BAGAGT1]

In total, I've had nine jobs, but if we are excluding the get me through school jobs, then I would say about 5.

1. Opthalmic Technician (I made eye glasses, loved the work, hated the pay).

2. Baggage Handler (Trying to get into a major airline so I could transfer to a Maintenance facility).

3. Service Technician (After being laid off from major airline, grew bored of it within 2 years).

4. Aircraft Mechanic (This was actually a part-time job where I put in full-time hours, loved the work, pay was good, then they laid me off)

5. Software Developer (This is where I am at today, like the work, love the pay)

[DivaJen]

I had one career (since we're not counting the high school/college jobs) and one parttime job now. My career was teaching, and I taught at 4 different schools - one while working on my masters, one middle school, and two different high schools.

Now I tutor. I guess that would come out to two different jobs.

DH has had two types as well - teacher and web developer.

[cicy33]

I am not going to list the ages at each job, just cuz I don't want to show my true age! lol Though I will say I started at 19. (I was a young mom and waited until my daughter was 2) All jobs were stayed at least 6 months to a year.
Uniform cleaners
McDonalds
Hardees
Dairy Queen
Plant Nursery
McDonalds again
Printing company
Rock Island Armory (through temp company)
Worked for Kelly Services for 2 years working many different jobs, none for more than two weeks each. Discovered I loved temping jobs!
Defense Law Firm
Monarch Restaurant (ok, this one was supposed to be part time for a small time, ended up working 40 hours a week for 4 years!!)
Vander Trucking (secretary)
Bernstein Decorative Finishes LLC (current for the past 1 1/2 years)

Apparently I have a short attention span. But the truth is I get bored easily.

[PrincessPerky]

Well if part time doesn't count I guess just one, teaching. Or two teaching and now mother. but the mother part doesn't pay.

[PennyPincher]

What happened to the days of 30+ years at ONE company?!?!? Wow.

For me... following college...

(1) Accounts payable clerk
(2) Back to waitressing, and continued for some time even while I was a:
(3) Teacher - 3 different schools in a span of 3 1/2 years
(4) Internet Sales Consultant - selling online advertising
(5) Development Associate - I now work for a developer

That's quite a bit for turning just 30 this year!

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by PennyPincher

What happened to the days of 30+ years at ONE company?!?!? Wow.

I think what happened is that companies no longer encouraged it, the benefits to doing that were no longer there. There aren't too many of those big companies left either. most are automated and some have people that can do the phone answering at home. Other reasons may be people have no idea what to do when they grow up. Me, I just couldn't work that many years in a job I couldn't stand so I would move on when I was bored with it, there are so many opportuntities out there.

[Fern]

Interesting to see everyone's career track.

Mine, after college:
1. Newspaper reporter at weekly: LOOKING FOR NEW ADVENTURES
2. Newspaper reporter/editor/columnist at daily: TIRED OF LIVING IN WILD BLUE YONDER, DECIDED TO HEAD BACK HOME
3. Writer/Manager of county non profit conservation group: FUN, BUT NEEDED MORE $
4. Writer/Comm manager at trade group investigating insurance fraud:VERY INTERESTING, BUT COMPANY RELOCATED OUT OF STATE
5. marketing writer at real estate company JUMPED SHIP BEFORE LAYOFFS
6. Marketing writer For financial services company: HI STRESS, BURNT OUT
7. Writer for financial newsletter: CO WENT OUT OF BUSINESS
8. Writer for financail management consulting firm LAID OFF AFTER 9/11
9. Marketing and PR writer for TV/radio PR company STILL HERE!

[Snoopy2645]

As an adult only 2 but before when I was in hs & stuff I had lots but as an adult I worked at Gateway for 6yrs & now work as an independent contractor for the last year I have been doing this. I consider it my job it is only really PT but I can work as many hours as I want.

[marjorie]

I have no degree of any kind, so presume we should include most/all jobs

age 12 childcare- worked til i was 16, ended up going to England on savings

17 telemarketer- lasted 2 hours!
17 Carrols- dating myself! Short term
17-21 department store. They wanted me to go thru retail management, would have paid my way. I figured for the hours I'd make $1.35 an hour, so passed...
Parents both died while I worked dept store.
21 worked for Skagg's drugs, part time until an opening came up. Wanted to sent me to a management school, would have had to be away from newlywed hubby 8 weeks. He vetoed, I got pregnant. Also walking 6 miles to/from college classes in "family living" or some such thing.
22 had baby, started an OCETA program (soemthing like Onondaga County Education and Training Act). Basically learn a skill so you don't go on welfare. Learned data entry, including what data entry involved the day class started. Hubby already not working, kid 3 months old.
22 After training went to work for county that trained me. Also had child 2. Single parenting for 23 years. Now have 25 years in at county , and am a shift supervisor for computer operations. Still no degree.

Alos during this reign have worked:
luxury goods store, 2-3 years part time
Hallmark store 2 years, part time
Babysitter, full time, worked full time nights also
crafts- part time selling stuff made during lunch hours
temp work, as needed
tax preparer for nationwide firm 5 years of "seasons"
mystery shopper, 5 years part time, also merchandising, temp work as $$ needed


I love it when my kids tell me I don't do anything! LOL

[Bruce Wayne]

Some great replies so far guys. Keep them coming

[akaivyleaf]

Well I might have to change my poll vote.... I've had 1 job for 16 years and counting. But my job isn't the industry I've been in ALL MY LIFE. I volunteered as a youngster, was paid in high school, but it was only part time. And I go to the industry and get paid a percentage of the profit as an adult and will continue to do so until the day I die. So does that count as two jobs or one, according to your poll.

Sharon

Oh yeah, the job I go to every day, I'm looking to make it to 34 years with. I'm one of those people who intends to stay at one job for a career.

[34saving]

Excluding part-time stuff, just one. Got a teaching job right out of student teaching. Stayed until dd. Now I'm home with her. Maybe that's two jobs . . . Anyway, looks like we teachers stay put!

[karnic3881]

I have had 12 jobs total, a bunch of them being pt jobs I had while still in high school, in addition to pt jobs I held in addition to my regular ft jobs. I have been with my current employer for 2 + years I plan on staying there, I am very happy.

[obi_positive]

I've had about 5 real career positions over the past 19 years. Some overlapped with freelance/small business and a regular 40 hour position. Major fields working in retail, graphic design, television production. (About 14 jobs total including part-time/temp work.)

I grew up watching employers down-size and fire long-term staff. Also experienced many 60-80 hour work weeks. I like to keep my work experience diversified like a portfolio so I can transition easily within a company or out to another if necessary.

[kashi]

Not counting part time jobs or jobs to support college, I've had only one. I've been at the same place for four years. I'm not going to call it a career, though, because it's just a job.

[tomkat]

Held the following jobs after college graduation in '95:

1) Legal Assistant at a law firm. This was a part-time job I had during college, and went full-time after I graduated (while looking for job in my field). Firm laid me off after three months full time, because of budgetary constraints; however, the lawyer recommended me to a position at a real estate firm, which leads to...

2) Real Estate firm receptionist. Worked here about 3 months, until I found job in my field.

3) Computer Systems Analyst for a military contractor. Stayed 10 months. Contract ended.

4) System Engineer for a big military/State government contractor. Stayed with company 8 years (6 years working on military contracts, 2 years on a State contract). Was laid off . Got decent severance package, though, and was out of work for only two months (I was very blessed, for I know people who were out of work for many months, and at least 1 person who was laid off with me is still looking!!!).

5. Software Engineer with another military contractor. Currently working this job, been here for 7 months.

Also, I do part-time/freelance work as a church/wedding musician. Been doing this since high school.