# What is your profession? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 2, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685 "2004-09-02T01:05:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/101 "2004-09-02T17:49:23Z")
I troubleshoot peoples’ shorts for a living. I belong to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-Local Union 494 AKA, Journeyman Wireman AKA, Electrician. Ho Hum. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/102 "2004-09-02T17:49:31Z")
Man, some of you have jobs that I would kill for\*… Me, I’m an insurance broker. Most of my clients are moving companies (United Van Lines, North American Van Lines, etc.) and their agents. Although I do have some personal insurance clients who make my life [interesting](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=236970&) (shameless plug of past popular post). \*NOTE: Yes, I realize that with hard work I could actually have those jobs, but killing people is easier and takes less time. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/103 "2004-09-02T18:01:09Z")
Data Base Admonisher for a mid size company in Silicon Valley. ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/104 "2004-09-02T18:30:37Z")
I lead two _completely_ different professional lives: By day, I am a Construction Defects Litigation Cost Estimator. I help homeowners pursue their claims against huge developers for poor tract home construction. By night, I am a classical viola player in many different orchestras around Los Angeles. Three guesses which one pays more. And somehow I also have a li’l family all my own to attend to. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/105 "2004-09-02T19:38:45Z")
I’m an information security analyst at a pretty dang large bank. Been around pretty much since money was invented, so we’ve got a more Old West identity than the new upstarts with their abstract graphics. Ultimately, I’m keeping everyone’s money and identity safe. When I say “everybody” I mean it. There’s an amazingly large number of debit / credit card transactions and a blizzard of “ACH” transactions that flow through us every day. Also a staggering volume of home mortgages. My actual day-to-day functions are acting as helpdesk for about 16,000 (out of a corporate-wide total of 150,000) users that forget their passwords, and setting up these folks with access to this and that system. We’re working on migrating these relatively mundane tasks to a dedicated helpdesk in another state, leaving my workgroup free to tackle tougher problems and handle high-level policy issues. There’s more to life than bad passwords, so I’m being put through a training “boot camp” that might end up adding [“CISSP”](https://www.isc2.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi) to my name. This part’s still in the air, though, but I’ll at least be a high-level expert in info security come February. ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/106 "2004-09-02T19:55:46Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Another Prof. checking in. I teach Intro to Psych, Psych of Personality, Intro to Stats, Stats 202, Abnormal Psych, Environmental Psych, Interviewing and Counceling, Behavior Mod, and Cognitive Psych. I rotate in and around these every year. > > I’m also on the admissions committee, and own my own business designing eclectic habitats and work places… I literally cried through Stats when the university MADE me take it before I could graduate. I have zippo mathmatical abilities (thank the gods I can read charts and data though). Nothing against you, **Phlosphr** , but you couldn’t pay me enough to teach Stats. …not that I would be remotely qualified or anything… ---
**Author:** ![maniondl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@maniondl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maniondl)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/107 "2004-09-02T20:09:50Z")
Curse you, technical writer person who posted before me! Started out life as a playwright, but discovered I was 400 years too late to make a living at it. Now I get by with my three phrases: 1. Click OK to continue 2. Contact \ technical support for more information. 3. This configuration is not support by \ and we cannot assist you in configuring it. I live in fear of the day I’m replaced by a machine (or infinite monkeys) that just randomly bangs these sentences together to write books. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/108 "2004-09-02T20:26:08Z")
Currently I am a computing consultant, which actually means that I provide technical (and sometimes moral) support for the distance learning systems for my department here at the University. I also manage the department web sites and assist the faculty in making sure they are on the right side of copyright law when it comes to disseminating materials to students via the web. Prior to that, I was a graphic artist for a Navy training command. I’ve also been a PR/fundraising specialist and a newspaper reporter. And in high school and college I worked as a pharmacy technician for a hospital, waaay before there were cool things like robots, so it was one at a time, by hand, filling of Rxs. ---
**Author:** ![mlerose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mlerose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlerose)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/109 "2004-09-02T20:27:34Z")
I run a school-based Medicaid program for the State. Basically, after schools bill Medicaid for services they provide to kids, I tell them what they can do with the reimbursement money they get back. I also sometimes teach beginning knitting classes at Michaels’. In three years, I hope to have an MLS and a job very similar to **Lsura’s**. ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/110 "2004-09-02T20:28:24Z")
I’m a freelance artist: Pay me and I’ll draw it. Now how I make money: Rental Agent for a music store. I get some of the most _wonderful_ musicians for customers. :rolleyes: Somehow it’s always _my_ fault when _they’re_ late. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RainGrowsBrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@RainGrowsBrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainGrowsBrite)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/111 "2004-09-02T21:32:47Z")
I am a retail buyer. I work for a surf/skate retail chain (25 stores). I personally buy sunglasses, watches and men’s accesories for the company. The surf/ skate industry rules- i work with a bunch of laid back beer drinkers. My goal in the future is to become a waitress/ bartender/ hostess/ busgirl. Seriously! In the next two years I plan to find a job like that and move to Grand Cayman Island and veg out for a year or so. Then i’ll come back and resume my career. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/112 "2004-09-02T21:40:02Z")
I am the “coordinator” in the office of an industrial/commercial general contractor. I have seven people who can tell me what to do at any given moment. I am the accounting, sales, and purchasing assistants as well as the only receptionist/secretarial person in the office (there are two other ladies who will answer the phone if necessary, but it’s my job). In my free time, I am a Mary Kay Consultant. (If you have any questions about that, ask it over in MPSIMS.) ---
**Author:** ![moonstarssun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@moonstarssun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonstarssun)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/113 "2004-09-02T21:53:39Z")
I’m a copywriter and graphic designer with a medical malpractice insurance company. I try to buy back my soul by painting and drawing and writing the occasional short story. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/114 "2004-09-02T22:14:30Z")
I’m a Naval Flight Officer, which means I fly in Navy aircraft (P-3’s and variants of it) all over the world and help with navigation while running whatever mission we’re doing. Fun stuff, usually, but I’m getting tired of all the traveling. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/115 "2004-09-02T22:16:10Z")
3L almost done, hoping to work for the SEC or IRS ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/116 "2004-09-02T22:54:58Z")
I’m a legislative and regulatory analyst for a government relations/legislative research firm. I’m putting my political science degree to work! ---
**Author:** ![meathead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@meathead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meathead)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/117 "2004-09-02T23:13:03Z")
Basically, I’m a manufacturing manager although my official title is “Product Owner - Cylinder Assemblies”. I’m responsible for all aspects (production, quality and reliability, inventory, financials, labor planning, safety, etc.) of cylinder and sub-component production for diesel locomotive engines. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/118 "2004-09-02T23:40:28Z")
I manage a team of software developers. I used to develop software too, but my current management feels that my management skills are so very valuable that I musn’t waste my time merely doing development. (Yes, I’m a little bitter and yes I miss development! 😃 ) I attend a lot of meetings, I remind marketing and product that the feature they want wasn’t in their original requirements and therefore is NOT a bug, but instead an enhancement. I mentor the junior programmers, I sympathize with the senior programmers on just how very bad the old code is. I catch a beating from upper management when things are late, and I fight for proper requirements so that I can start my projects on time and not be late. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/119 "2004-09-03T00:17:14Z")
I sell auto parts. On the phone a lot. ThankyouforcallingAdvanceAutopartsandbatterysBooker57here. Really should learn to slow that down. I have been in and out of some segment of the Automobile biz. for nearly Thirty years. To think in High School I wanted to be a Nurse. ---
**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685/120 "2004-09-03T00:43:54Z")
I’m a property tax agent and also a operate a consulting company that does paralegal negotiation of commercial real estate leases. And I’m an aspiring writer. And I’m in the early stages of putting together a multi-family property investment syndicate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-profession/262685.md?page=7)