# Poll: SDMB Careers. What do you do for a living? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282 "2003-01-22T20:18:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/41 "2003-01-23T00:17:41Z")
Ornithologist and tropical biologist. My current projects are biological surveys in Panama and in Gabon, Africa. I think I may have the worst commute on the Board. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/42 "2003-01-23T00:18:06Z")
I’m a software engineer in a small department of a large media company. ---
**Author:** ![Khadro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Khadro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadro)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/43 "2003-01-23T00:19:16Z")
Web dude for a small software company. And first line technical support. Until recently I was also the general shit kicker, given as I was the newest. Then we hired someone else, so now I just have to carry the buckets after he fills them. ---
**Author:** ![Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smashed_Ice_Cream)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/44 "2003-01-23T00:31:44Z")
I play the drums in a band 5 nights/week. [sub](I used to be a microbiology lab technologist, then a bartender, now this. I’m devolving, or something.) [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/45 "2003-01-23T00:39:28Z")
Puzzle editor. Work for company that publishes word-puzzle magazines (crosswords, word-finds, etc.). I specifically oversee the “variety” titles – logic problems, cryptograms, acrostics, etc., everything that isn’t a crossword or word-find. ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/46 "2003-01-23T00:43:03Z")
a lump on the couch…no really…that’s what i do. i used to be a productive citizin but i’ve been sick since 1996 so now i’m a waste of space… a stay at home wife ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/47 "2003-01-23T00:50:46Z")
In a former life: Corporate internal auditor Now: Graduate student in library & information science. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/48 "2003-01-23T01:03:15Z")
Hi All, Geographic Information System (GIS) Programmer/Analyst for a small County Government in a mountain community. Central Colorado. I’m also the web guy I guess. It’s fun, I love where live, but I spend a great deal of time trying to teach myself new code. See the HTML/JavaScript question in GQ. In other words… HEEEEELLLLLLP! ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/49 "2003-01-23T01:11:22Z")
Functional Test Technician for a large commercial airplane manufacturer. The pay is great but the BS makes a person wonder if it is worth it. I have worked on all the Puget Sound area built aircraft except the 767, I am currently assigned to the 737 program. ---
**Author:** ![banks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/banks)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/50 "2003-01-23T01:20:15Z")
I hope newbies count. I work in benefits. Health Insurance, 401(k), and Pension. My job consists mainly of continually making sure that benefit packages obey the vast array of federal and state laws and regulations that apply to them. Sometimes, I also get to speak with participants in plans, and answer astoundingly stupid questions. How did I wind up in this job with a degree in chemistry? Well, it’s got a lot to do with the realization, after having said degree for four months, and having three jobs in those four months, that I hated the jobs that come with a BS in Chemistry. This realization led me to decide to go back to school. To law school, in fact. I’m gonna be a lawyer. However, shortly therafter came a second realization: holy hell I’m in a lot of debt. So now, I work for my debt. When it is gone, I wanna be a lawyer. Someday. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/51 "2003-01-23T01:25:08Z")
Economic policy analyst. I work for the government. I’m also a law graduate. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/52 "2003-01-23T01:35:39Z")
I’m college adjunct faculty, teaching two classes at one campus and three at another–mostly composition, sometimes lit., sometimes creative writing. I also proofread, babysit, house sit, eldersit, and dog sit. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/53 "2003-01-23T01:41:28Z")
Publishing. I currently run the circulation and marketing for four advertising driven magazines. Someday I’ll run my own fleet of magazines. ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/54 "2003-01-23T01:42:47Z")
Well, I’m a **TVGuy** 🙂 What does that _actually_ mean? I run the engineering department of a great metropolitan TV station (well, actually, two of them - one Fox and one UPN) So, again, you ask - What does that _actually_ mean? I put in 70-100 hours a week doing pretty much anything that needs to be done at any particular moment. It means everything from paper-pushing desk work to transmitter maintenance to helping out with news to unplugging toilets to adjusting the thermostats. Mostly, however, it means directing others, managing projects and maintaining budgets. What it _REALLY_ means is that I’m in an industry that I’m so sick of, I would do just about anything else right now. ☹ (anybody looking to hire a really bright, creative hopefully soon-to-be-former **TVGuy**??) ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/55 "2003-01-23T01:44:54Z")
I sell auto parts. Retail hell. Once apon a time I was a line mechanic at different dealerships. I like cars. Some times I like the people who own the cars. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/56 "2003-01-23T01:55:55Z")
Hmm, myself and my immediate coworker are in the processs of renaming our department and our job descriptions so it’s kind hard to say. I work for a large custom cabinet manufacturer as an Order Editor/Technical Design Specialist/Expediter/Dealer Liason For a three state area. I’m also starting training seminars this year so I don’t have to keep correcting the same mistakes over and over and over. I check floorplans, create detailed prints for custom cabinets, give design advice, help with technical feasability questions, and answer all sorts of installation,and building code questions that relate to Kitchens, entertainment centers, bathrooms, and other areas where custom millwork is likely to be installed. Basically I’m being paid to be a nitpicky bastard:) ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/57 "2003-01-23T02:04:32Z")
I’m a cabinetmaker. Been doing that for twenty three years almost. I love it, it’s a passion. I feel sorry for people who don’t love their jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Lyra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Lyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyra)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/58 "2003-01-23T02:15:43Z")
I’m a mammographer. I love it, and feel as if I can really help people. I work at a state facility (charity hospital), so most of our patients are very grateful and appreciative. We do have a few patients that think they are owed healthcare and have enormous attitudes. But, hey, for the most part it’s a great job. However, you also have to be registered in radiography, so occasionally you have to work in x-ray (UUUGGHHHH!!!). They just started pulling my co-worker due to the shortage. I haven’t had the privilege of going to x-ray yet. But, I **DO NOT** look forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/59 "2003-01-23T02:27:28Z")
Regional Account Manager (sales) for a software company. We produce library automation software, so I hang around in libraries most days. I post from my office (at home) or from hotel rooms (too often). ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282/60 "2003-01-23T03:17:07Z")
Insurance adjuster. 25 years and still loving it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-sdmb-careers-what-do-you-do-for-a-living/150282.md?page=4)