What do you do for a living??

[tmasman]

I'm just curious about this one.
What do you all do for a living (you know... what you do when you're not working on your cabs)
Whether it's still in school, college, intern, or slave to your PHB!!!

Me
Network Admin / Programmer (Mainly in AutoLISP, PERL, PHP stuff...)
Always looking for a better opportunity elsewhere.

ok... Your turn!

[Raleigh]

CPA - Auditor

[nighthawk2099]

Network Engineer

[said7]

Flash programmer/designer

www.said7.com

[bionicbadger]

Security Analyst.
Policies, DRP/BRPs, Virus, Firewall/Network stuff.

[Hoagie_one]

Lump on log

[hyiu]

web surfer....

errr.... I mean.... programmer...

[Frostillicus]

Graphic Designer

[DeathMonk]

Network Admin/Sorta Programmer...

[TheTick]

Right now? I get yelled at and wait for emails from Plano telling me they still haven't corrected the access problems.  

I'm waiting for everyone else to finish their crap... but as soon as they are done, everyone will be waiting for me to finish (guess what I'll be doing the weekend). I'm actually at work right now, waiting for them to say "We fixed it.... get started NOW!!!"

I work at EDS as a Middleware Integrator, and am currently on a high profile project providing SeeBeyond support. I'm supposed to have started installation 2 weeks ago, perfomance testing is scheduled in another 3 weeks, and everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off, to reach a launch date in November.

And some jerks at Sun and SeeBeyond keep calling my cellphone (which is already 340 minutes past the free airtime) trying to get me chasing stuff, when change management restricts the from doing so.

I need some sleep....

[Birdtales]

I work for the Government. As a Logistics and Technical Data Manager for all of the S-3B (Antisubmarine Warfare Aircraft) Publications.

[Nailz]

I install SAN/NAS (Storage, both through switches and network attached) hardware and software, networking, and work on customer servers as well, Win2K, Sun, IBM, HP....

We got a lotta geeks in here.... although I shouldn't be surprised by that I suppose  

[rampy]

Right now? I get yelled at and wait for emails from Plano telling me they still haven't corrected the access problems.  

I'm waiting for everyone else to finish their crap... but as soon as they are done, everyone will be waiting for me to finish (guess what I'll be doing the weekend). I'm actually at work right now, waiting for them to say "We fixed it.... get started NOW!!!"

I work at EDS as a Middleware Integrator, and am currently on a high profile project providing SeeBeyond support. I'm supposed to have started installation 2 weeks ago, perfomance testing is scheduled in another 3 weeks, and everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off, to reach a launch date in November.

And some jerks at Sun and SeeBeyond keep calling my cellphone (which is already 340 minutes past the free airtime) trying to get me chasing stuff, when change management restricts the from doing so.

I need some sleep....

I used to work for EDS, but I swear it was for the most retarded backwards client site ever...  I never saw any fast moving squirrels, or planes built in the air.

I'm currently a technology coordinator for a smallish non-profit in hartford.  I do a little bit of everything... but mostly web design, web application (php/mysql), network stuff, and arg the occasional desktop support thang...

*shrug*

rampy

[TheTick]

Uncle EDs hasn't changed much. This project has had the airplane commercial analogy applied cause we've been building some of the infrastructure without requirements in place (always a bad idea).

Still waiting....

At least they stopped yelling at me.

[3dmacman]

Graphic designer
www.slnewspaper.com

[ErikRuud]

Senior/Programmer Analyst for TransUnion LLC.

Originally working in COBOL/DB2/CICS on an MVS mainframe.

Now working with UDB, AIX, Java, JavaScript, Informatica Power Center, Brio Intelligence, Win2000, and WinNT

[jakejake28]

java, c++ and vb hacker, codecracker, slacker

[PacManFan]

C++ / VB / ASM / 3D software engineer programmer / staff scientist for SimQuest www.simquest.com
I also do some freelance c++/ and HW/SW design.

-PMF

[P-Funk]

Electronics technician in Deadhorse Alaska.

[SirPeale]

Stay-At-Home Dad

[MameMaster!]

VP National Sales

NYC Ad agency.

The MameMaster!  

[nighthawk2099]

I need that job, but my wife can't seem to find the right job to make what I make.... oh well....  I can dream..

[mrhowell]

Computer guy for a K-12 school system.  75 schools plus the local prison (the inmates always ask if they can have my screwdriver ). Right now we're trying to get VOIP and a huge wireless project going.  Low pay but great benefits.

[rampy]

Computer guy for a K-12 school system.  75 schools plus the local prison (the inmates always ask if they can have my screwdriver ). Right now we're trying to get VOIP and a huge wireless project going.  Low pay but great benefits.

I'm not sure what to make of a guy that works in a prison with "great benefits" ?? do they give you free soap on a rope?

(oh i'm just teasing... I've done the school support thing before and know's what he means) =P

Rampy

[Nannuu]

Mechanical Engineer.  Lockheed Martin, wire harness installation design on F-16.
Not nearly as interesting or fun as it may sound.
I guarantee routing wires in my cab will be a lot more fun!

[TalkingOctopus]

Computer Science Undergrad Student at the University of Michigan, (Next year will be my second year).

Right now I have an internship at Kraftfoods.

Unfortunately my cab will stay at parent's house when I go back to school  .  They live far away from school too.

[tmasman]

I was also seeing how many people would be answering this question while still at work... (Not that I'm inoscent or anything...) Hm... I guess I'm not the only slacker in the bunch surfing & posting to message boards while I'm supposed to be working.
Although lately this site is the only one I check up on during the day...
Ebay is one of the other sites I frequent at home... 2 guesses for what categories I frequent the most... gee, they would have anything to do with the topic for this forum would they??? hehe... this stuff is taking over my life! (Not that I'm complaining... this is fun stuff!)

[Dave_K.]

Software Engineer at IBM Research (currently working in large scale text data analytics and soap/webservices).  And yes I'm stealing a couple cycles while catching up on BYOAC.  

[AlanS17]

I'm a Computer Information Systems student at the University of Texas - Pan American (graduating in December).

I also work for a local EDC (economic development) taking care of their network. Only problem is that if nothing is wrong then I don't have much to do. At this rate I'm going to work myself out of a job just in time to graduate.

[Hoagie_one]

I'm humbled by teh careers presented here.  I feel in adaquate

[AlanS17]

Well my major is in computers, and I like to think I know what's going on. However, when I see some of the resumes here I'm like... "uhhh... yeah ok". I can hold my own, but I'm certainly not at the top of this list of technically-minded people. My experience is limited to Microsoft PC/servers, basic programming, and some networking.

However, everyone has their specialty. I've found that I really hold my own in these forums in regards to my experience with woodworking, tools, and all things physical.

It's almost difficult for me (a computer professional) to accept that there are SO many more people out there better qualified, but I'm still learning. In the meantime I've got my own tricks up my sleeve. You gotta look at things in perspective. People are usually their own worst critic and you probably don't give yourself enough credit.

(I probably give myself too much credit cuz nobody else will.)  

[tmasman]

Lump on log

I feel in adaquate

Well...
I'm sure you work hard, and I bet you are quite the impressive lump on that log.
I bet that log never had such an impressive lump.

OK... OK... I'll stop...

[Mike]

Title: MIS Manager
what I do: Fully responsible  for network and phone system, developing ERP addons and full systems in VB, C++, and Progress and Modifying erp systems, Hardware consultation for customers, ERP Implementation and training for customers, Purchasing manager, and Database Administration. Basically I try to stuff a gallon of crap in a one quart bucket.

[SNAAAKE]

I am a pimp !
(wait a second,I used to be one)
Now I go to college(part time).Major in computer science.
I just started and its a long way to go .

I wanna be a graphic designer though..just like frosty .
Wonder what I have to do to be one.....

[Luxury]

Animator/Designer

[SirPoonga]

Are there people who AREN'T programmers, designers, admins, or electronics here

Current doing nothing
WAS a systems enginner for IBM and a software developer for a startup.

[AlanS17]

Are there people who AREN'T programmers, designers, admins, or electronics here

Current doing nothing
WAS a systems enginner for IBM and a software developer for a startup.

Think of our hobby. Now... what do you think?

[Smack]

Geriatric Case Manager

[TheTick]

It's almost difficult for me (a computer professional) to accept that there are SO many more people out there better qualified, but I'm still learning. In the meantime I've got my own tricks up my sleeve. You gotta look at things in perspective. People are usually their own worst critic and you probably don't give yourself enough credit.

I know exactly how that feels. At my last job I was the "Techno Pimp" (or IT God if you please). Now I'm the little ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- that always says "What!?"

Keep in mind you're coming out of college and working with guys that have been doing this for 20 years. Just learn what you can from them and go from there.

[spidermonkey]

I was a tig welder for ten years for a company that designed prototype aluminum and magnesium racing wheels. Had to stop as directed by my eye doctor because of gradually deteriorating eye site. Since then I have been an overhead door installer and now I am a  troubleshooter for electronic problems with commercial and residential electric door openers and infared photocell sensors. Pretty boring job as homeowners AND "professional" installers call and ask the stupidest questions.

[AlanS17]

I was a tig welder for ten years for a company that designed prototype aluminum and magnesium racing wheels. Had to stop as directed by my eye doctor because of gradually deteriorating eye site. Since then I have been an overhead door installer and now I am a  troubleshooter for electronic problems with commercial and residential electric door openers and infared photocell sensors. Pretty boring job as homeowners AND "professional" installers call and ask the stupidest questions.

I've had bad experiences with overhead dock doors. An electric door got stuck open in a HUGE warehouse we have where I work. I was the one onsite and everybody else had gone home. So I was stuck there to watch the thing until someone got there to fix it and bring it back down. I was there til 10pm.  

(OK I know that was way off topic, but I've got ADD and I'm special so i can get away with it.)

[Spinch]

Well, I'm not going to break the trend of geekery.... I'm a tier-2 tech, supporting an ancient piece of dental software... an idea of how old it is? Coded entirely in COBOL. And they refuse to redo the codebase from scratch. Not that I could do it, since I can't program.

And yes, Work = Plenty of time to wish I was in front of my cab, although the dead motherboard within kinda sucks.

[Magnet_Eye]

Part-Time Web Developer  

Part-Time Rock Star

[crashdmj]

I am psychology major finishing my last year for degree then onto grad school (yeah more school   )
Derek

[Apollo]

I'm can't really say but it is in the foreign affairs/diplomatic sphere.
It's very interesting work and I have seen a lot of the world and met a lot of interesting people.

[kspiff]

Read the latest Penny-Arcade.. there I am (even the likeness is scary )

[RacerX]

I'm a programmer/analyst for a bank.  I mostly design and code web based systems and front-ends to interface with our mainframe and/or that have a MS SQL backend.  And I write lots of reports using Crystal Reports and MS SQL.  I much prefer the former.

[SirPoonga]

Are there people who AREN'T programmers, designers, admins, or electronics here

Current doing nothing
WAS a systems enginner for IBM and a software developer for a startup.

Think of our hobby. Now... what do you think?

Exactly, cabinet building is about the furthest thing away from computers

[Odonadon]

Senior Customer Support Representative @ IBM.

What that means:
Tier 1/2/3 support dude, and currently, a project manager.  Kind of an odd combination, no?  

Odonadon

[APFelon]

I WAS a route tech for a coin-op company here in Minneapolis... until I quit in order to go back to school.

[SirPoonga]

Senior Customer Support Representative @ IBM.

Software Engineer at IBM Research

And me all IBMers (well, ex-IBMer for me).  Crazy.

[)p(]

i am currently a fulltime student again in art history.
Background is in social and cultural theory.
(yeah programming is just a hobby for me...and my fe is the first program I wrote since highschool... )

peter

[)p(]

Are there people who AREN'T programmers, designers, admins, or electronics here

Current doing nothing
WAS a systems enginner for IBM and a software developer for a startup.

Think of our hobby. Now... what do you think?

uhm...with my background...uhm...search for a new hobby  

peter

[Sprucemoose]

Switch Technician/Network Technician for small telcom startup

[Brax]

Nuclear Quality Analyst.

[CitznFish]

http://disney.go.com
http://familyfun.go.com

[Brax]

http://disney.go.com
http://familyfun.go.com

You work as a cartoon?

[paigeoliver]

I will break the trend.

I am a hotel night auditor. I sit behind the counter at night, answer the phone, and (pretend to) look over the paperwork from the previous day.

[tuckerpup]

CPA-2VP of Cost and Budget Reporting for Fortune 500 Insurance Company.

I get REAL ANAL about what my cabinet is going to cost  

Actually I think this is a great question.  As I have been revewing this site and the cabinets I often think to myself "man, this guy must be a graphic artist or an engineer".  Turns out in many cases, he is!

[xar256]

Another geek, <and IBMer> to add to the pile.

IT Specialist at IBM.

Xar256

[Pixelhugger]

VFX for commercials

[CitznFish]

http://disney.go.com
http://familyfun.go.com

You work as a cartoon?

No, i work as a slave to the mouse.   I create/update those sites.

[Xphile]

what a great question!

lemme see...when I'm not at work, I fix and build new computers (with legit software! :-) for enough people that PDQ I should be getting a business licence and paying taxes...

at my day job I am a cabinetmaker. (yes, a cabinet maker..but not that kind of cabinet:-)  I make custom built-in cabinets (anything but kitchen:-) with matching custom mantels...kinda feelin' inferior to all the nuclear physicists in here, but here's what I do..:-)



(I did everything but the staining/clearcoat/decorating with nic-knacks...:-)

[SirPeale]

Are there people who AREN'T programmers, designers, admins, or electronics here

Stay-At-Home Dad

[Bill_S]

Mechanical Engineer working on design changes to washing machines.
I wash clothes for a living, but I'd rather have Peale's job  

[Zapper]

Graphic Artist and Freelance Cleaner

[Lumpy]

I read this board....oh yeah and inbetween that I take care of my company's network.

[DarkKobold]

I guess talkingoctopus and I are rivals-
I'm a Computer/Electrical Engineer with a minor in Biomed Eng.  at Michigan State.

(No cow school jokes!)

[joeblade]

Computer Engineer (B.E. from Newcastle, Australia).

Currently working for a telco but have put my notice in (4 weeks to go !!) and am going to Raytheon, a defence company.

Mostly just design and cut code, but like tinkering with hardware aswell, when I get a chance.

 

[pathdoc2]

I'm a pathologist.  I spend most of my day looking through a microscope.  I've built 7 or 8 arcade machines.
http://home.swbell.net/hebert11/index.html
I'm starting another which will be solid wood and made to match a very fancy gameroom.  Pics later.

[rockhopper]

Another Mechanical Engineer here too.

[Malachai]

I run IT Dept. at a bank here in Dallas, and install networks in dental offices.  Just lump me in with all the other IT people here.  

[Nailz]

I forgot to mention......  I am also a porn star, I go by the name "Buck Naked"    

[1UP]

When I'm not doing visual effects for film, I write scripts and try to figure out how to buy more stuff for my cabinet without my wife noticing...  

[SNAAAKE]

When I'm not doing visual effects for film, I write scripts and try to figure out how to buy more stuff for my cabinet without my wife noticing...  

LOL !

More stuff ?
What other stuff can you possibly add ?

[1UP]

When I'm not doing visual effects for film, I write scripts and try to figure out how to buy more stuff for my cabinet without my wife noticing...  

LOL !

More stuff ?
What other stuff can you possibly add ?

A real arcade monitor for one...a DOT up/down spinner would go well with my Tron sticks...a faster computer so I can play Cruisn'...not a lot, but there are a few things left!  

[BobA]

How's this.  

Retired Electronic Controls Eng.

HeHe

BobA

[Odonadon]

How's this.  

Retired Electronic Controls Eng.

HeHe

BobA

Oh, BobA, you ain't that old

Odonadon

[BobA]

How's this.  

Retired Electronic Controls Eng.

HeHe

BobA


Yup I am.  I guess you can say I do what I want when I want now.

 

Oh, BobA, you ain't that old

Odonadon

[hyiu]

hee hee....

you don't need to be old to retire....

you just need to be rich enough to retire...

right ??

 

[dhansen]

Network Engineer, add me to the pile of geeks....

[Jakobud]

Playstation 2 Game Dev

[jakejake28]

Playstation 2 Game Dev

whoa, cool... is that commercial stuff? i did a bit of DC homebrew, but it was way too hard. i always wanted to do game dev, but i just went towards business software

[SNAAAKE]

Playstation 2 Game Dev

WOAH ! !
....
For which company though ?
I am just curious.
What are the requirements ?

Now you have an interesting job ! !

[Howard_Casto]

Yet another network/ information technology guy.  That is WHEN I'm working.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am available.  Call me I need the work!

[jakejake28]

Yet another network/ information technology guy.  That is WHEN I'm working.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am available.  Call me I need the work!

you don't interact w/ any costumors or anything, do you?

for some reason that reminds me of that scene in office space where the job consultants are interviewing the guy who takes the consumer feedback to the programmers... hah

[Howard_Casto]

I interact great with the public thank you very much.  You guys aren't "the public"  last time i checked.  

[jakejake28]

I interact great with the public thank you very much.  You guys aren't "the public"  last time i checked.  

aww,cmon, i wuz jost jokin' man...  

[eitt]

i write software and i love it very much

see what i am doing now http://www.moderal.com

[Spaced Invader]

Government employee...nuff said.

[abrannan]

Security Engineer.  Been getting a lot of sleep these past few weeks

[IceCold]

Student in 9th grade.

[Shieldwolf]

I work in the film industry. Hey 1 up which fx house are you with?

[Jakobud]

I work in the film industry. Hey 1 up which fx house are you with?

I'm curious as to which house both of you are in.  Considering my job, that stuff is right up my alley.

[Krynos]

Art Director.

- Krynos

[Howard_Casto]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

[SNAAAKE]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

I am willing to help !
Hack pads,build panels,artwork..anything.
Test games..animation..errr...

[Shieldwolf]

I don't actually work in an fx house. I'm in production  I work on a lot of movies as an Assistant director, but am slowly trying to make my way into directing

[Odonadon]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

I'd say that's one hell of a good idea.  But somehow, I foresee the end product looking like E.T. for the 2600...

Odonadon

[CitznFish]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

because working for you would drive us all to murder/suicide. Maybe if you worked for me it'd be different.

[SNAAAKE]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

because working for you would drive us all to murder/suicide. Maybe if you worked for me it'd be different.

This one killed me...LOL ! !

[jakejake28]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

then we'd be even cooler than the people who dress u[ as hobbits for the lord of the rings premiers

[Jakobud]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers.  

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

Well if you need someone who is an expert in 3d modeling, animation and motion capture, I'm your man.

[Homebrew]

     Keeping with my theme of catching up with all the old topics i'll add on to this one.  I' working as a clerk at local grocery chain will i'm working on my CIS degree.  Only 9 months to go thank god. I wish i had stayed in college and finished my degree the first time, but live and learn.  

     Some advice to you guys that are still in high school and i know you've heard it before, start making plans for your future.  The job market these days wants better and better qualifications even for the lower jobs.  Its getting more and more important to have a secondary education.  I'm still young (25) so i'm not that bad off, but it would have been nice to be like some of my friends who had good jobs by 22/23 and now own their own homes and such.  Eventually you're gonna have to do some kind of secondary training the way things are going, so you might as well plan ahead and get started.  Just my $.02 from my experience.  

-Kevin

*This has been a public service announcement, we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming already in progress*

[GamingGreg]

Full-time Java/Web Developer & Full-time Dad.  I fit MAME stuff in when I can.

[Edgedamage]

Where I work I do one of two things.
#1 Conversion of television shows NTSC 30fps to PAL 25fps

#2 Create audio masters for 5.1 dolby incoding for sound tracks for DVD releases.

[Odonadon]

#2 Create audio masters for 5.1 dolby incoding for sound tracks for DVD releases.

How about hooking a guy up with some custom DTS encoded sound track for DVD releases?  There are so many DVDs that are lacking DTS.  But it sounds so good!  

Odonadon

[HeadRusch]

Business Intelligence Programmer / Designer and DBA for a Boston based software company.......
Wait..this ain't for some F@($ing Government List is it!?!?!

On the upside, I work from home in CT....
On the downside, its not uncommon for me to not leave the house for 7 straight days...

Thank God for Mame, and all my little invisible friends and squirrels.....
...
...
..who command me...to burn it down...
BURN IT...BURN IT ALL!

[Zakk]

Are there people who AREN'T programmers, designers, admins, or electronics here

Current doing nothing
WAS a systems enginner for IBM and a software developer for a startup.

I'm a real estate agent... and before you start throwing things at me...it's not THAT bad!    

Hey!  Who threw that?  

[menace]

Civil engineer working under contract for the FAA.  My job is to make sure that the buildings that house the electronics that controls the planes stay solid (or in south chicago--bullet free)

[null]

Dough Mixer for a local bakery!

[tiggertoo]

Layed off electronic technician here. Currently studying to be a cisco network engineer.

The company that layed me off built some products for Williams. Some of the light bulb displays for pinballs and we built the mainboards for Area 51 and Maximum Force. Also some opto boards. And, no, I don't have any... very secure.

[JoyMonkey]

I make signs.

I guess technically I'm a vinyl production manager/graphic designer.

It comes in handy sometimes when putting a cab together.

[Bones]

Old thread I found and thought it might be worth a bump (it lacks bacon).

I work in the engineering/maintenance department of a well known soft drink company as a purchasing officer & inventory controller.

[geomartin]

Trojan Condom field tester

What?  Don't believe me?

Alright I'm a machinist/tool maker.  I run the R&D department at a large contract shop.

Geo

[LPZ]

Machine operator here--(machinist)

[picasso]

Nuclear Physicist.


Well,  it sounds good anyway.  I am another geek.  Network admin.  I have been doing it for 10 years and I am now ready for something different.   Thought about starting my own business or buying a franchise or something.

        Paul

[AlanS17]

This sums it up:



I work on multi-tiered software from front to back. On any given day, I'll use any/all of the following:
SQL
XML
XSLT
HTML
vbscript
C#
VB

Do I sound like a nerd yet? Cuz my skills are a joke compared to some people in here.

[Franco]

< CNC Programmer/Machinist

[Daniel270]

In a nutshell...

I'm a stay at home husband with WAY too much time on my hands and more than enough project ideas than I could possibly fullfil in a lifetime.  I've been "off" from work for almost 7 years and am about to re-enter the low pay end of the job market sometime early next year. (Gotta earn money to start affording some of these projects I have in mind.)

I guess, if I had to specify tho, I'll probably be in the hotel clerk position for the majority of my working career.

[Goz]

I am a software engineer building custom communication packages to connect hospitals to suppliers.

-Goz

[monkeybomb]

Teacher

[DaemonCollector]

About to go into Freshman year for a Video Game Design major

[Dexter]

IT guy for Irish civil service. Kinda hop between hardware support and database stuff with SAP and Oracle.

I moonlight as a DJ/producer but not as much as I used to.

Will basically have a go at anything and have had a wide variety of jobs in my 30 years.

[Stingray]

I'm a slacker.

-S

[DemonBrew]

IT Security Analyst

[Effayy]

VB Developer.

Too lazy to learn C++ / Java 

- FA

[ChadTower]

That's pretty lazy, considering Java does 90% of the coding work for you.

[Jabba]

Hair Wig Salesman...

Edit: OK. No one bit! Thought I'd get a comment from at least DK or BB...

Actuall, I'm a C/C++ Software Engineeer and Business Development.

[M3talhead]

Network Sys/Admin: USAF

[Effayy]

That's pretty lazy, considering Java does 90% of the coding work for you.

hahah Yeah, I know, I'm the height of laziness at times.

It shouldn't be too much of an issue for me to make the jump to Java, but I just need the motivation first.

- FA

[chasmosis]

Unix System Admin 

[Harry Potter]

Print shop manager. Sometimes I moonlight as a graphic designer.

[Stingray]

Print shop manager. Sometimes I moonlight as a graphic designer.

So you've totally got the hookup for printing your own artwork. Nice.

-S

[Raleigh]

CPA - Auditor

Same job, new title and office.  Haven't quite embessled saved enough yet to retire. 

[Q*Bert_OP]

Still in School
Game restoration/conversions-part time

[Wadeduck]

I am a designer for a manufacture of heavy off road construction equipment.
which means I sit at my computer all day drawing purdy 3D pictures all day.

[shmokes]

Computer geek, but working on getting out before jobs start disappearing en masse, which I think is coming very soon.  Gonna be a lawyer.

[Harry Potter]

Print shop manager. Sometimes I moonlight as a graphic designer.

So you've totally got the hookup for printing your own artwork. Nice.

-S

Guilty 

[ChadTower]

Computer geek, but working on getting out before jobs start disappearing en masse, which I think is coming very soon.

[shmokes]

Agreed, but what I do is network administration.  I'm strictly a hardware guy.  I make cables and set up fileservers and troubleshoot operating systems and hardware and applications.

Networking is moving into the mainstream in a big way.  For it to go into the living room, companies have to make me obsolete.  Networks have to be self-configuring and self-healing.  The day-to-day need for me is disappearing with every new networking technology to hit the market.   I won't be surprised if when I leave my current job I am replaced, not with another person, but with a large firm that will come down and get everything set up and then do 99% of the administration remotely from 150 miles away.  They will run incremental backups on every workstation every night and if there's a problem they can't figure out they'll just reimage the machine remotely.  When its determined that there is a hardware problem that needs fixed they'll just contract with someone local to take care of it.  All of this will mean an enormous reduction in the number of people like me it takes to keep the networks around the country going.

So the demand for me is going to go way down.  But at the same time, the supply of me is skyrocketing as everybody and their dogs are flooding into universities and trade schools because they think that computers are the future and they will be ensured high-paying jobs for the rest of their lives with these skills.  High supply/low demand is not a friendly market to be in.

I'm good at what I do and could get a job working for one of these big firms (although with a pay-cut due to the supply/demand stuff), but I like what I do and have no desire to sit in a cubicle, in front of a screen all day with a headset on troubleshooting problems remotely for any one of the 100 networks that the firm is responsible for.  I like the relationships I have with my users.  I like the fact that I spend less than half my time sitting in my office and get to sit around and chat with co-workers while I fix their computers.

I'm okay with it.  I'll make more money as a lawyer, and my Info. Sys. BA degree and certifications will position me well for a high-paying job as a corporate lawyer with a Microsoft or Cysco.  I doubt that I will quit working in the industry altogether, simply because my current skills will probably still add a lot of value to me.  I just won't be in the infantry anymore.

[ChadTower]

Oh, definitely in Networking, but my point was that you don't have to stay an IT admin... you could easily move into Development and do protocol layer programming, taking only a few classses and applying your existing networking knowledge.

[Avery]

Biochemist

[picasso]

Agreed, but what I do is network administration.

[ChadTower]

I have to disagree.

[picasso]

I can see that is a good possibility.

[RayB]

Hi. I work for a living.

[shmokes]

Or a rural Health dept. like mine, with not much more than 100 employees and workstations who only employ one network guy -- me -- who will probably outsource the entire IT dept. when I leave.  QOS, VPN, Firewalls.  All that stuff just gets set up once and from then on it just goes, with periodic tweaking required, but nothing that can't be done remotely.

Network admin jobs will not go away entirely, but the number of them will shrink dramatically as technology allows non-humans to do the work humans used to do.  Already the ubiquity of the internet and the existence of technology like PC Anywhere allow someone from anywhere in the world do the same thing that I used to have to be physically standing in front of a machine to do.  In the past you had to have a physical serial connection between your laptop and all that Cisco equipment you're talking about to make changes to it.  Now you can make those changes from a cafe in Paris.  It's a one-two punch.  Intelligent networks make some of my skills obsolete, and remote administration capabilities make outsourcing and economies of scale possible with network administration.

Software developers have it coming too.  It'll be quite some time before software can write itself, but outsourcing is already starting.  That's one problem I have with the outsourcing trend that's going on right now.  The argument used to be that we outsourced textiles and manufacturing, which caused us to lose those jobs for unskilled workers, but that it benefited us economically in the long run as our kids focused on education and got better jobs because of that education.  But we are now outsourcing jobs that require advanced education.  CPAs and auditing work are being outsourced.  Electrical engineering is being outsourced.  This stuff requires advanced degrees.  How are Americans supposed to compete.  To make matters worse, Taiwan and Korea are beginning to seriously close the gap between America's technical superiority over other countries.  India isn't going to be far behind.  They have an enormous populous that is becoming very well educated, and they're starting to put out products on par with what IBM and Cisco are doing at a far lower cost.  Sucks for us.

At least it is unlikely that some guy making $10/hour in India will be able to do what I do as a laywer......I hope

[mccoy178]

I build swimming pools for a living, and have a decent amount of mechanical ability.  I wish I knew more about software.  I feel like my parents with the VCR.

[coasternuts]

So we have a collection of special effects men, artists, network engineers, programmers and game developers. 

Tell me why we haven't joined forces to make the ultimate online, multiplayer, old school, arcade-like, game yet?

I'd say that's one hell of a good idea.  But somehow, I foresee the end product looking like E.T. for the 2600...

Odonadon

Would that be so bad?   
<------Look! 

Senior Software Engineer, UGS.  I write application software for CAD.

At least until the next wave of layoffs, outsourcing, restructuring, or my latest favorite, best shoring.   

[M3talhead]

Funny, nobody mentioned "p0rnstar" for their occupation yet.

[ChadTower]

Network admin jobs will not go away entirely, but the number of them will shrink dramatically as technology allows non-humans to do the work humans used to do.

Nonhumans like tommy!

[GGKoul]

I'm a Sales Engineer for a large ASP.

[RayB]

I'm a Sales Engineer for a large ASP.

Where the **** have you been, Sales Engineer!

[Patent Doc]

I'm a former viral immunologist.  Got a job as a patent agent several years ago so my wife (also a viral immunologist) could stay employed in the same city.  Went back to law school to become a well paid whore. 

Schmokes, regarding more money as an attorney, right now my billing rate is $225 an hour.  IF I make partner, my billing rate will be in the neighborhood of $375-$450 / hour.  However, that isn't what you make, that's what you are billed out as.  Typically, attorney salaries are 30-50% of the billing rate.  So, if what has been said is true and you could bill out at $250 as a designer and you get 100% of that...you'd make more.  For me, viral immunologist...so little cash its embarrassing considering the degree and time spent working.  Patent agent does better.  Patent Attorney, same job more cash (ie., high priced whore)



Patent Doc

[danny_galaga]

I'm a former viral immunologist.

[danny_galaga]

I'm a slacker.

-S

BROTHER!!

[Raven..]

Therapeutic Optometrist (and former Forensic Chemist) 

[kickngas]

Teacher

[nostrebor]

My official title is Technical Sales & Estimating.

I actually do the following:

Project Coordinator, Estimator, Photographer, Computer hardware repair and network babysitting, Salesman, Graphic Designer, website development, etc., etc., etc.

All the above for a Prestressed Concrete company. The most interesting part is helping owners/developers/designers figure out how to frame structures during early design development.

[crashwg]

Machinist for a company that makes high-temp vaccum furnaces for the likes of NASA, the US millitary and others for all of their high-temp vaccum furnace needs. 

We make furnaces that produce fibre optic cable and ones that have been used in testing of the ceramic tiles of NASA's shuttles for instance...

[toolaa]

VP Operations of Fiber Optic Cable Assembly plants in Maryland, Mexico, Morocco for 13 years.

[missioncontrol]

I work the graveyard shift in textile manufacturing we make industrial printing products...........

during the day I'm a student working towards an associates degree in information technology systems..........

[btoddkelley]

College economics professor.
Anyone want to know the opportunity cost of building a cab? 

Todd

[AlanS17]

College economics professor.
Anyone want to know the opportunity cost of building a cab?

[psik0tik]

I own a painting company

[btoddkelley]

About 70 cases of beer (or a happy girlfriend/wife/partner).

Should say:
 About 70 cases of beer AND a happy girlfriend/wife/partner!


Todd

[MnMCaputo]

I'm a radar tech for the FAA
I make sure all the little bleeps squeaks and meeps show up on the screen  lol

[Santoro]

I work for a large outsourcer (*gasp*.)  I am the global desktop support lead for one of our very large customers who makes very thin cell phones.   

Before the pouncing begins, I have not offshored one job.  Outsourcing is very different from offshoring. I wish the press would use those terms properly.

BTW there was a similar thread a while ago:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=16586.msg131105#msg131105

[Havok]

Male Gigolo...


 

[ScoopKW]

I have three jobs: reporter, brewmaster, real estate agent.

I also train parrots for fun and profit.

Do I win the award for weirdest combination?

ScoopKW

[vornar]

Steel mill production worker with internet access....

[HaRuMaN]

I'm an Aerospace Engineering student.  Can't wait to graduate and get a job... then maybe I can afford this hobby.   

[toolaa]

VP Operations of Fiber Optic Cable Assembly plants in Maryland, Mexico, Morocco for 13 years.

[Granger]

Power plant operator.

[paigeoliver]

Hotel auditor.

But I am considering creating a fake 19 year old girl persona and selling crappy drawings of unicorns on ebay!!

[GameOver]

GREEN SCREEN programmer (think War Games...)

[Todd H]

Teacher for a local technical college.

[daveg2000]

PC/Network Tech for a manufacturer of stainless steel
kitchenware for the foodservice industry...

Not my true ambition though.... someday I'll own my own
business.  Something in the gaming area, but not quite sure
'what' yet...

[M3talhead]

Still doing the military IT thing.....

[ChadTower]

For the non computer folk, "applications developer" usually equals "install store bought software, reset client computers when they lock up."

[Stingray]

I sell propane and propane accessories.



-S

[ChadTower]

You can't grill like a pro without the pane.

[Stingray]

Welcome to Strickland Propane. Taste the meat, not the heat.

-S

[ChadTower]

Add that last sentence to your sig.

[Stingray]

Add that last sentence to your sig.

Why would I do that?

-S

[WTB]

Private Security in the music industry. (lol I'm lazy, so right now I really AM just a bouncer!  )

Haruman, where are you studying? I was an AE student years ago.   

[Zero_Hour]

My Bussiness Card says I am the Coordinator, for Training and Development, for a Branch Campus of the University of New Mexico.

This is why I hate bussiness cards.

What my job boils down to is one part technology trainer, one part jargon translator, one part AV tech (we do 2-way videoconferencing over IP, and someohow that job fell to me), one part PC tech, and a varying amount of BS artist. I also teach some entry level IT classes part time.

[Ed_McCarron]

I'm a control electrician/programmer, working mainly in the water/wastewater industry.

I build big control panels to make all the stuff that the real engineers design play nice together.

And, yes, from my point of view it all pumps the same.  Whether the water is clear or brown is of little import.

[Zakk]

 .

[JoyMonkey]

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be anymore, but it's something to do with architectural signage. And boobs, I think.

[Timoe]

Construction Manager, Husband and Father to a mangy mutt

[sodapopinski]

finishing carpenter

[pointdablame]

3rd year college student studying Business and Technology, hoping to get into the financial field after college, or perhaps real estate.

Also, currently treasurer of my school's record label, an incorporated LLC --- resume building ++

And a bowling alley attendant at my school's bowling alley.....

[Scott84]

Student for Human Resource Mgmt.

I plan on Managing the Resourcing of Humans some day! 

[shmokes]

...and Father to a mangy mutt

That's creepy. 

[Jess--]

current job.... coder (pretty much any language needed for the job) + running own hosting company / servers etc
previous jobs.....

electrician (desiging / installing boat wiring looms)
service engineer for 3 arcades
carpenter
electrical engineer (tv repair / custom RF controls)
Tech Support geek (8000 customers 1 me)
engineer (mainly lathe / milling work)
Welder (TIG / Mig and MAG) prefer tig

plus a few more that I have forgotten

[ChadTower]

Student for Human Resource Mgmt.

I plan on Managing the Resourcing of Humans some day!

[JoyMonkey]

Holy crap, people go to school for that?  Most companies I have worked at have had the least competent people they could have possibly found, beaten them into lower competence, and then made them HR reps.

So that's how you got hired!

[ChadTower]

That would be funny if I were an HR rep.   

[toolaa]

That would be funny if I were an HR rep.

[ChadTower]

But, alas, it is not the good HR people you get to deal with as an employee.  You get to deal with the lowly $20k just off the lobotomy table HR rep.  Last month I sent email to three separate HR reps with a very clear question about our health insurance.  I got three different answers, two of the directly contradictory of each other and the third was about 401k.

[fredster]

Really good companies hire really bright people for their top HR positions and they expect great results. 

ROTFLMAO

HR people are all snakes. They smile when they hire people and smile when they fire people.

SNAKES I tell you. SSSSNNAAKKEESSS

[Stingray]

Really good companies hire really bright people for their top HR positions and they expect great results. 

ROTFLMAO

HR people are all snakes. They smile when they hire people and smile when they fire people.

SNAKES I tell you. SSSSNNAAKKEESSS

There you go again saying something that I agree with. What's the world coming to?

-S

[shmokes]

I agree too.  I hate HR people.  I think they get a kick out of the power they hold over people's lives (generalization, I know).  I remember when I was 19 I worked in a rental shop at a ski resort and had to wear my hair (which was a couple inches past my shoulders) up in a beanie.  It was kinda lame, but I didn't really care.  But I mentioned to my boss (manager of the rental department, not like the general manager of the resort or anything) that I thought that it was completely arbitrary, not to mention unconstitutional (I was 19, remember) to forbid guys from having, or displaying I guess, long hair but letting girls do it.  A month or so later I almost got fired because my manager brought it up with the HR director just to be cool.  I didn't ask him to do it....he just agreed with me and thought it was lame that I had to put my hair up in a beanie.

Anyway, the first words out of the HR director's mouth (with a big smile on his face according to my boss) were, "Well, I'm firing him."  My boss was like, "Don't fire him!  He's my best employee."  He actually had to sit there and argue with the guy to convince him that it wasn't even an issue.  I already neww the guy was an ---uvula---, but that's when my true hatred for HR people developed.

Another thing this guy would do is random blood alcohol tests at 7:30 - 8:00 in the morning and any amount other than 0% meant automatic dismissal.  A guy got fired from the rental shop for some crazy amount like 0.0012 or something.  It might have even had another zero in there between the decimal and the other numbers.  According to him he had been hanging out with friends the night before and probably had a six-pack of beers.  At any rate, it was WAY to low to suggest that he had been drinking at work (as if there had even been time yet) or even that morning before he came to work. 

[toolaa]

"Well, I'm firing him."

[RetroJames]

I am mostly involved in non-profit pursuits,

I do alot of work with unwed mothers....

[Stingray]

I do alot of work with unwed mothers....

...just helping them get their start.

-S

[dmsuchy]

I'm a stamp monkey.

[ChadTower]

I lay the stamp on unwed mothers.

[GameOver]

I do alot of work with unwed mothers....

Did that before I got married.  Didn't exactly consider it 'work', tho...

I'm a stamp monkey.

Huh?  Post office?  U lick the stamps?   

[dmsuchy]

I work for CBP which used to be INS and inspect all arving passengers entering the states. It's a term we use on ourselves, just wanted to see if anyone here knew it.

[GameOver]

I work for CBP which used to be INS and inspect all arving passengers entering the states. It's a term we use on ourselves, just wanted to see if anyone here knew it.

So why are you called 'stamp monkeys' if you inspect all arriving passengers?  I don't get it.  Where do stamps come into play?

[ChadTower]

Passports.

[dmsuchy]

The "admitted stamp" that we stamp in the passport. If ya ever went to Mexico you know what I mean.

[dmsuchy]

Chad ya beat me! Trust me talking about it is boring, unless you need to goto sleep.

[ChadTower]

Eh, fun is where you see it.  I was just giggling about the thought of teabagging someone's passport, leaving a stamp pad scrotumprint.

[Stingray]

Last time I was in Mexico was before 9/11. All you needed then was a valid driver's liscence. Still, the customs guys always pull me out of line and rummage through my carry on bag. Guess I look like a smuggler.

-S

[GameOver]

Chad ya beat me! ...

Ya have no idea who yer messin' wit...

Eh, fun is where you see it. I was just giggling about the thought of teabagging someone's passport, leaving a stamp pad scrotumprint.

Ohhh...I get it.

[dmsuchy]

You sure you also didn't need a birth certificate? I bet ya did. This December passports are mandatory, so don't forget.

[Stingray]

No, I thought I would, but a few inquiries revealed that a DL was all that was needed at the time This was back in '93 iirc. Good thing, because I haven't seen my birth certificate since about 1979 or so.

-S

[dmsuchy]

Just wondering but did you fly or cross the border? At the land border all you need is a photo ID, which dosen't make sense because they give illiegals IDs anyway.

[ChadTower]

Passing out food stamps upon crossing the Mexican border?  That sounds about right.

[Stingray]

Just wondering but did you fly or cross the border? At the land border all you need is a photo ID, which dosen't make sense because they give illiegals IDs anyway.

Flew. It was some third rate Mexican airline, the plane was a little scary.

-S

[ChadTower]

He sat on a beanbag chair that was leaking dried tea leaves or something.

[Stingray]

Dave's not here, man.

-S

[ChadTower]

Dave is just a gigolo, and everywhere he go, people know the part he's playing.

[GameOver]

It was some third rate Mexican airline, the plane was a little scary.

-S

Headless chickens?

[ChadTower]

Worse... bodyless chickens.  Heads only.

[Stingray]

The airline was called something like Aero Ejectorseato.

-S

[97thruhiker]

I went to the University of Florida and got a degree in Forest Resources and Conservation.  I am currently a land manager with the Florida Division of Forestry.  I'm in charge of Jennings State Forest just outside of Jacksonville.  Jennings State Forest is just under 24,000 acres in size.  We a multiple use forest which pretty much means we do everything from timber management to ecological restoration to recreation.  Here's a link to our web page if your interested:

http://www.fl-dof.com/state_forests/jennings.html

[Bones]

Cousin Jeffrey?

[ChadTower]

I went to the University of Florida and got a degree in Forest Resources and Conservation.

[97thruhiker]

Yes Chad its a great job.  I originally went to school to be a lawyer.  I graduated with a degree in political science and was accepted to the law school at UF.  I took a year off of school before starting law school and thru hiked the Appalachian Trail.  After spending six months backpacking the last thing I wanted to do was go to law school so I went back (it sucked going back to school again) to get a second undergraduate degree.  Best thing I could of done.  Its great to be able to go out and perform a prescribed fire one day, put a trail in another day, canoe the creek, etc.

[ChadTower]

That is awesome.  What type of salary does someone doing that make?  I've always managed our finances in a way that has us able to take a major cost of living reduction at about 45, when we plan to have the mortgage and any other debts paid off.  That is about when I figure I could easily drop out of my career and change life direction.

[97thruhiker]

It depends on what part of the country you live in.  Its a state job so the pay is not that great (great retirement and benefits though, as example my family health and life insurance plans are free, dental and vision for family is like $20 a month).  You could expect anywhere between $28,000 to $50,000 entry level pay straight out of college.  The more experience you have/get the higher the pay.  Like I said it really depends on where you live (cost of living, taxes, etc.).  A job in New England would probably pay more.  The biggest thing about this job is not so much the pay but the job satisfaction.  My stress level is almost zero.  I actually enjoy going to work.  If you didn't want to go back to school there are plently of opportunities for positions such as park rangers and forest rangers but the pay is significantly less, $20,000 to $30,000 to start.

[ChadTower]

Well, for me to do that, without selling our house, I'd have to wait until it is paid off.  That won't be for another 15 years or so.  I don't want to uproot my kids and make them live that close to the US poverty level, which is where $30k gets you in Massachusetts.  By the time the house is paid off, the kids will have moved out, so it all works out to about that time.

[97thruhiker]

I sorta figured that considering where you live.  My father's side of the family is from New England so I know how expensive it is to live up there.  In Florida $28,000 to $50,000 a year will take you much farther (no local or state taxes, low property taxes, etc.).  I wouldn't move if I was in your situation either.

[ChadTower]

Not yet, but I will at some point.  Email me, we'll talk about your job.