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What do you do?

Grew up in a car dealership, started work by mowing grass and washing cars. Moved on to a bicycle shop when was 12, when I graduated high school/ tech school (mason) I ended up working for a local plumber, (yup!) had a few stints in between but I've been back now 18 years, working in the office and specialize in radiant floor heat, but my job description is about 5 pages long, oh yeah includes plowing snow tomorrow! I'm also the Fire Chief for our local volunteer fire co....Ridge Runners to the Rescue! Have 26 years in the volunteer fire service. That one's not paying any bills! My wife Michelle is a legal nurse consultant and works from home.... yes I'm jealous! With all that we also are raising two fantastic kids, one boy/one girl. Just a plain old red neck family from Pa! :)  
 
adkboater said:
I'm also the Fire Chief for our local volunteer fire co....Ridge Runners to the Rescue! Have 26 years in the volunteer fire service.  
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Yes sir... congrats!!!    I was a volunteer firefighter in NJ for about 15 years... made it up to 1st asst chief before I moved to Colorado.   Those were some fun times. Lots of work and some scary fires but overall fun times.
 
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Started my career at 10 as a Cleveland Plain Dealer delivery boy.Kept that job till our family moved to Baltimore when I was 18. Always had cash in my pocket as a kid! Bought my first boat at 19 with some of that cash! Started in the home building industry at 19 as a way to pay for college and have never looked back. My wife and I started our Home Building company in 91 and figured we'd be winding down by now,except our son has now joined the business and I'm really happy for this surprise. Hopefully this will allow my wife and I to go away some and then come back to work. Because I never really considered my line of work as a job. Many of our clients have turned into friends and great clients! That's why our motto at the house is"Work Hard,Play Hard" That's where the boat fits into the grand plan!
 
lakeliving said:
I don't think this has come up formally so I figured lets get something started. I'm always amazed at all the different jobs and career paths out there. This will also be a good place to brag about being retired as well!


I'll start. I'm an Insurance Analyst for a large public gas/electic utility here in MI. My day to day includes securing, negotiating and handling insurance policies and their associated losses/claims for power generation, commercial auto, cyber liability and even some industrial banking exposures. It's exciting to get out of the office and see the various methods of power generation. My favorite is the old (100+ year old) hydro facilities on a river in northern Michigan.
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Great topic Andy! It is really cool to learn what all the great people on this forum have done during their lives other than own the best Boat in the industry!
 
Started out in 1988 working in a food wholesaling warehouse making good money till 1999 when place went under. While working there I bought a small farm in 1994 (55 acres) and farmed with my new wife until 2011 when we sold out we owned 400 acres and custom farmed another 600-700. From their we sold out and did a 1031 exchange in to (4) 16 unit apartment building next to the VA Medical center in our local community, it has been a great business with my wife and as investors and managers. We have been self employed since 94 and would not work any other way or for anyone else!!


 We are looking to retire in 3 yrs at age 50. Wanting to move to Arizona and ditch the Wisconsin winters..LOL
 
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After college spent years as a rep in the flooring industry whole selling carpet,  Moved on to AT&T selling business phone systems but in less than 5 years decided to go out on my own doing the same thing was just in the right place at the right time so was able to sell my business at 59 and have no interest in ever working again.  Agree with all who say retire as soon as possible. 
 
Purchasing Manager for a custom rotational molder where I have worked for 23 years. I mange 8 locations in the US and one in Brazil.
 
Alicedream said:
There are about 90,000 employees in North America, so when you think about it that way it's not crazy. Heavy regulated sector since financial crisis.
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Yup, nothing like perspective.
 
Started in Engineering as Product Development Supervisor for Flowserve a major petro, chemical and pharmaceutical valve and automation manufacture. Moved to Quality 10 years ago as Quality Engineer/Product Specialist. First job was at Bills Pier boat dock on Watts Bar Lake in Spring City Tennessee. Ran my own business for several years designing houses and commercial buildings. If I can make it to 59 1/2 I will be boating full time and retired. I am turning 51 in May.
 
Me:  :)


I am a high school history teacher and acting social studies department chair/curriculum person for my building.  I have been at it for some time, and am nearing retirement eligibility - I could retire in 4 years should I decide to do so (youngest kid graduates in 5 years, so we'll see).  As a teacher, I've done a tremendous amount of "side jobs" within the districts I've worked in over the years: coaching, advising clubs, etc...


My Job History:  :huh:


I substitute taught coming out of undergrad, got a shot full time after two years at my first school district while earning my graduate degree, and then moved on to a high performing school district where I have been ever since.  I have also taught a few college level TE classes at Michigan State University on the side when younger (and may return to as a side gig if I retire in a few years).  I also currently continue to work with MSU's pre-teacher candidates (mentoring, hosting student teachers, etc...). I was even the history teacher of the year for Michigan one year, and served on some panel groups and boards for awhile thereafter.


Prior to my "career" positions, I did a variety of your run of the mill high school and college type jobs in predominately service industry businesses as I put myself through college.


Mrs. Vikingstaff:  :p


My wife and I have been together since early in college. She is an accountant by degree that has found a professional home in the medical field.  Her current position is with one of the largest national, but private, hospital chains.  Her specific position title is something like "Revenue Consultant".  She has really worked her way around in the field as an auditor/accountant, policy compliance person, etc...over the years. She is in a very specialized and high demand area in regards to medical provider finance.  She is also on the board of directors for two different medical and finance organizations.  Not sure if it shows, but I continue to be amazed and impressed with her as a professional business woman!


I am sure like everyone else, when I think about our careers, I wonder where we have had the time to raise our four kids.  Somehow we continue to find it, and now our oldest will graduate with his undergrad degree this spring from MSU in Chemical Engineering.  He will have a specialization in alternative energy and bio fuels, and a math minor.  I am adding this one in here in case anyone out there has any job leads in that field I can pass along to him.   :rolleyes:
 
Been  a commercial door installer for the last 12 years. (wall partitions, dock levelers, overhead doors, industrial doors, etc.) A bit labor intensive and fast paced but I love that im doing something different every day. Some long and cold winters here in North Dakota though!
 
Been in aviation since 1991. Student pilot to flight instructor to flying cancelled checks in a crappy old airplane to a regional airline to a corporate flying gig I have now. I have 15 more years till I retire. I  look forward to sitting on my boat with reminiscing about the beautiful sun rises and sunsets I have seen over my career. 
 
Retired after 23 years in law enforcement now working in a fraud investigations unit of a large financial institution.  My wife works at a local university and we are currently strategically planning our escape from NY to NC once the kids are through college.  
 
Dev75 said:
Retired after 23 years in law enforcement now working in a fraud investigations unit of a large financial institution.  My wife works at a local university and we are currently strategically planning our escape from NY to NC once the kids are through college.  
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Don't wait, you won't regret it.
 
BulldogsCadillac said:
I'm a courier. So I have no discernible skills other than I know how to drive, and can read an address. 
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Bull Sh?#. It,s always the guys that say they know nothing, that has the common sense experience that everyone depends on! I only wish that I could find more people like you in the building industry. :angry:
 
1Blderbob said:
Bull Sh?#. It,s always the guys that say they know nothing, that has the common sense experience that everyone depends on! I only wish that I could find more people like you in the building industry. :angry:
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I could not a agree more.  
 
1Blderbob said:
Bull Sh?#. It,s always the guys that say they know nothing, that has the common sense experience that everyone depends on! I only wish that I could find more people like you in the building industry. :angry:
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I second that!! Finding employees like yourself are few and far between nowadays! 
 
Haha, well I guess I also show up everyday and be as friendly as I can too!


When I was finished high school all those years ago I had at one time thought of being an electrician, but by that time I had two car loans, big Visa bills from being at the bar all the time, so just couldn't afford to quit working full time to go to school. Fast forward 20 years and I still haven't learned my lesson!  Except now it is boats and credit lines, credit cards and a mortgage!  Keep hoping for my lottery tickets to pay off, definitely a sound financial plan!! Hahaha 


I will agree that it's amazing to see the lack of common sense these days, especially in the younger generation!! 
 
Married to my high school sweetheart at 21 and graduated vocational school in electronics. Had TV repair business at 21, self taught. Landed a job with GM as a technician working for the Delco Electronics division at 25. While at Delco went to college and got my Engineering degree. Left Delco after 10 years and lost everything from my pension due to their bankruptcy. Found my current job with Panasonic working as an Engineering Manager and I love this company. My retirement is delayed but I want to keep working another 10 years. Need to stay active. I did learn marine upholstery and canvas about 6 years ago and have a shop to play. This will be my post retirement extra income. 
 
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