# It's 2019 - what do you do for a living, and how has that changed since Y2K? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 7, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173 "2019-06-07T17:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/61 "2019-06-09T16:52:24Z")
In Y2K, I worked for a corporation that manufactured consoles for medical labs to do blood panels and urinalyses with. My job was basically quality assurance (configuring software, testing functionality, and then cleaning up and sending the unit out for shipment). Today, I work for the USPS, in a mail processing and distribution facility. Whichever processing/sorting system I’m assigned to each day, I mostly sit around and wait for the operators to let me know that there’s a problem; then I go and fix it, so they can get back to processing the mail. Sometimes, I can tell something needs fixing without being called, just by changes in the sounds coming from the machine. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/62 "2019-06-09T16:55:38Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > IIRC, Forensics = debate. Figures you’d know that, being from Wisconsin (home of the headquarters of the National Forensics League in Ripon). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/63 "2019-06-09T17:57:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Figures you’d know that, being from Wisconsin (home of the headquarters of the National Forensics League in Ripon). I was in the Debate club back in high school, buty I did not know that about Ripon. All I knew about that community is it claims (credibly) to be the birthplace of the Republican Party, and of course, the home of Rippin’ Good Cookies (sadly no more). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/64 "2019-06-09T18:46:34Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Figures you’d know that, being from Wisconsin (home of the headquarters of the National Forensics League in Ripon). Sadly, the headquarters of the National Forensic League (now the National Speech and Debate Association) moved a couple of years ago to West Des Moines, Iowa. _Definition of forensic (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate a lawyer’s forensic skills 2 : ARGUMENTATIVE, RHETORICAL forensic eloquence_ ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/65 "2019-06-09T19:59:59Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Same job, new desk, better computer. > > Better parking spot. Same job, same desk, marginally better computer; some of my work needs to be entered on the computer which wasn’t the case in 2000. More available parking spots (my department had 100+ people in 2000 and now we’re down to 58, and other departments have had comparable declines) ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/66 "2019-06-09T20:23:26Z")
In 2000 I was a mechanic in the army. Since then I’ve done delivery and installation of fitness equipment, worked making custom fitted marine textiles mainly boat covers and tops, with a smattering of other small cut n sew jobs for flavor, took a stab at turning civilian wrenches (not at all like being a military mechanic and I hated it) janitored for a few months just to keep thr income flowing(ladies, wtf is with the floor drips in front of the toilets?) Stayed at home to Dad while the Mrs went to Iraq for about a year and now I’m a mover. So, the jobs have changed but the basic nature, working with hands/labor hasn’t. Makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/67 "2019-06-10T14:11:06Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Is it the same company?! Ha, no! The mom-and-pop will always be a mom-and-pop because the owner is an extreme micro-manager. There is a limit to how big one can grow a company while maintaining absolute control over every aspect of the business. That limit is very low. It took me way too long to figure that out. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/68 "2019-06-10T18:17:38Z")
In Y2K I was managing a group that supported EDA for ASICs that we used in our computer servers and workstations. Today, best job ever: Retired. Before that I had moved into microprocessors, and I was writing more code and dealing with vendors less. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/69 "2019-06-10T18:28:03Z")
In 2K, I helped to develop tests for grades K-12. In 2019, I help to develop courses and tests for accountants. Less stress actually. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/70 "2019-06-10T19:42:13Z")
2000: working in drug regulation (licence application and maintenance) in a largish Pharma company. Everything we did, everything submitted to government authorities was on paper. 2017: retired after 13 years of self-employment as a consultant in drug regulation, both true freelancing (servicing client companies) and also associated with a consultancy group. By 2017 this was the group that took over the group that took over the group that took over the group I started out with. Everything submitted to government authorities was e-published by specialist e-publishing departments (which, incidentally, made true independence as a consultant next to impossible. A good time to retire). In 2000 I worked exclusively in an office. In 2017 I worked exclusively from home; I had an office address for the work with the consultancy group, in a building I had never seen and could not have found on a map. j ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/71 "2019-06-11T16:18:44Z")
2000: I was a margins analyst at E\*Trade Securities 2019: I’m the volunteer coordinator for a wildlife rescue How has it changed? Drastically! ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/72 "2019-06-11T16:55:38Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Before Y2K: I was a programmer making peanuts, and my company thought I couldn’t go anywhere else and make more. > > Y2K: My company found out they were wrong. > > After Y2K: I am still a programmer, with a different company, but a lot more peanuts. > > Regards, > Shodan Delete the “Regards, Shodan”, and that’s my answer, too. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/73 "2019-06-11T17:00:46Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Automotive engineer. hasn’t changed, I’ve been doing this my whole career. actually, I should correct this- while I still work in the same area of automotive, in Y2k I was working at a Tier 1 supplier. today I actually work at a car company. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/74 "2019-06-11T17:04:20Z")
Y2K: just started a new job with a small civil law firm after years doing criminal defense. Personal life in shambles, financial life not much better. Now: second in command at the firm, which has grown five-fold since I joined (not that I get _all_ the credit). Personal life great, financial life great. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/75 "2019-06-24T13:55:30Z")
In 2001 I was an internal auditor for an apparel company. In 2002 I left that job, went back to grad school and became a librarian. Now I manage librarians. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2019, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/76 "2019-06-24T14:17:04Z")
In 2000 I had just left the military and was doing construction work. That would last for about 3 years and then I started working for the gubmint, and I am still. I started as a civilian in law enforcement and now I’m a regulatory investigator at the DOT. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/77 "2019-06-24T15:30:02Z")
In the year 2000 I was a high school student in 10th grade wondering how I’d make a living in the next little while. I loved music and wanted to work in the music field. I later studied music at McGill, starting in 2003, and graduated in 2007. These days I’m a professional composer and music arranger. I’m fortunate to work in my field, and to be able to have work that I can fit around my numerous health difficulties. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/78 "2019-06-24T15:36:09Z")
I was a college student back then. Since then, I had a ten year teaching career that I decided to forsake for a career in IT. I am still working in a school district and serving education, just in a different capacity. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/79 "2019-06-24T18:03:31Z")
\*\*2000 \*\*-- I was a technical writer (_waves at **Spoons** _) for a mid-sized government contractor. I’d graduated from college in 1993, but spent 5 years temping and doing contract work. In 1998 I got a job as a technical writer. \*\*2019 \*\*-- I’m a proposal manager for a large government contractor. I have a master’s degree now. My salary has increased by 216%. [ul] [li]_1998-2011 Technical Writer_[/li][li]_2011-2016 Proposal Writer_[/li][li]_2016-present Proposal Manager_[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173/80 "2019-06-24T19:41:48Z")
In 2005, I was a generalist artist for game development in Austin, TX. In 2019, I’m now a specialist in VFX for video games, and I’m now living in Edmonton, AB. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-2019-what-do-you-do-for-a-living-and-how-has-that-changed-since-y2k/835173.md?page=3)