# What jobs have you held? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121 "2005-09-05T00:03:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/1 "2005-09-05T00:03:12Z")
I’ve held a lot of jobs. I’ve worked almost continuously since I turned 16, and have worked a pretty wide variety of jobs. My friends and family tend to joke about the fact that I have held a great quantity of jobs in a relatively short time span. So here’s my list: (I’ll try not to forget any) Stocking decorator/Ornament Engraver K-Mart Food Counter McDonalds Schlub AAFES Hot Dog stand Telemarketer (a few times, and no, I’m not proud) Teacher’s Assistant Cleaner Demonstrator Nintendo Demonstrator (that was a fun job) Sam’s Club Demonstrator Wal-Mart Associate Data Entry Clerk Document Prep (Document scanning company) Production Log Assistant (whatever that means) Legal Secretary Legal Assistant Office Manager/Cell Phone Sales Help Desk Administrator Database Developer SAP BW Reporting Specialist Business Analyst Project Manager 'Salotta jobs (some were held simultaneously). Thankfully, I can at least point to the list and show some definite upward progression - I take some pride in saying I really did work my way up, building on each previous job and getting something better with it. And my longest period of unemployment was 3 months, which felt like an eternity. Anyway, what have YOU done? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/2 "2005-09-05T00:32:54Z")
In order: Target puller at a two-day rifle competition Ski and binding technician Clerk at Magic Mountain Magician (in the same store) at Magic Mountain Cashier at K-Mart Data processor at Edwards Air Force Base Data Processor with a defence contractor CAD artist with Lockheed Data Management Analyst with credit company CAD artist for a gate company Videographer (not a steady job – becoming a partner in the business) In addition I’ve worked on a lot of films in various capacities. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/3 "2005-09-05T00:36:29Z")
hoo boy. I’ve been continuously employed since age 14, and have often held 2-3 jobs at a time. I’ve just gone over this for my law school applications so its fresh in my mind. In almost-chronilogical order: Babysitter Office intern/fileclerk Summer camp food service drone Summer camp counsellor Bank teller Worked in a University Library, in Aquisitions Worked in an archaeological Conservation lab (cleaning up the place, still photography, some elementary lab tasks) Follow-spot operator Theatrical production assistant (mostly lighting and props, but also carpentry, electric, scenic painting as needed) Toy store clerk Temp Telephone interviewer (academic research, not telemarketing, thank Og) Customer service rep Public relations/press release writer Internet Boom Jack-of-All Internet Person (writing, QA, updating site, etc etc etc) Fulltime writer & editor for Fortune 500 retailer Horseback riding instructor Telephone interviewer again (this time market research with recruited calls) Copyeditor I’ve never been unemployed (except by choice) since the age of 14. I turned 30 this year. next up: Law student ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/4 "2005-09-05T00:44:41Z")
Let’s see: Worked in a video store Various restaurant jobs Alamo Rent A Car reservation agent American Express Customer Service Marriott Reservation Agent Yamaha Motors Customer Service some short term customer service temp jobs went back to Alamo for a year as a supervisor The past 5 years have been spent with two standardizing companies, working my way up to trainer/supervisor ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/5 "2005-09-05T00:49:03Z")
I’ve had quite a few different jobs myself. Here’s my list in a somewhat chronological order: Dishwasher for restaurant Assistant camp counselor Camp Counselor Janitor Stock person for a toy store Grocery store check out clerk Mowed and trimmed parks for a municipality parks dept Park ranger Telemarketer (Sorry) Waiter Store clerk at mall electronics store Student teacher Freezer warehouse order clerk Data entry clerk Computer help desk tech Webmaster Computer technician Part time professional magician Assistant systems administrator Systems Administrator A few of these were concurrent jobs I held while in college, and the magician listing is one I am currently doing on the side. ---
**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:** [September 5, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/6 "2005-09-05T01:28:58Z")
Casting back the memory… lawn mowing burger flipper owned a high-pressure water cleaning system, and cleaned semis and gas stations general maintainance for a chain of drive-thru photo-shops, which I also helped build general manager of a chain of such shops in Anchorage camper shell manufacturer (“herb” sales part-time) photographer record store clerk general manager of a courier service automotive maintainence for cars for same high school teacher Been doing the last for going on 20 years now. How time flies… ---
**Author:** ![Kiminy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Kiminy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiminy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/7 "2005-09-05T01:34:13Z")
My list is short: Cashier at McDonalds Assistant English teacher at a French high school Teaching Assistant in French at a US university Short stint as a salesperson/engraver for Things Remembered Teaching Assistant in English at a French university Working at a retail computer store (cashier, stock, assistant manager) Teaching computer science courses at a private university I taught French for more than ten years, and I just started my fifth year teaching computer science courses. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/8 "2005-09-05T01:57:06Z")
Oh man, I could be here all night. I spent a lot of time as a musician, not working in the cement beehive, so when there was no music gig, I couldn’t get hired anywhere for lack of experience. So I worked a lot of temp jobs. I might forget some, let’s see what I remember about jobs which were non-music (of those, I’ve been a bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, sound engineer, roadie, techncian, Chief Engineer of Herbal Technology, and other stuff): TV Guide delivery New car detailing Dishwasher (a couple of places) Short Order Cook (two or three places) Mover (dozens of places) Warehouse worker (dozens of places) Club DJ (off and on for a decade) Radio DJ and Productions Manager Record store stock clerk (three places) Factory worker (dozens of places) Telemarketer (for maybe three days? I walked out.) Lifted frozen sides of beef off a transport truck. For one day. ::cringes at the memory:: Bank filing clerk Operated a jackhammer (for half an hour. I didn’t weigh enough to dig into concrete with it) Office cleaning crew Parking attendant (three years, year-round, Exhibition Stadium, Toronto) Guard, Prince’s Gates (same as above, three different years) Hardware dept. replenishment, Sears and back to Radio announcer, sound engineer, assistant Operations Director I’ve been on the last one for 4 1/2 years. If I can stay until I drop, I will. I haven’t been unemployed since the same week I got my Green Card, and I’m in a good place now. Coming to the USA was a _good thing_. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/9 "2005-09-05T02:02:14Z")
Whho-eee… what a long strange trip it’s been! -Parking lot sweeper -After-hours cleaner for a hair salon -Security guard -Delivery driver for a potato chip company -Semi-Pro Football Player -Summer Camp Counsellor -Magician/Juggler -Drummer for a few rock bands -Civilian contractor on a military base -Airline ramp agent -Airline station manager -Hotel front-desk clerk -Travel Agent/Coordinator/Manager ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/10 "2005-09-05T02:03:37Z")
Editor’s Assistant Theatrical Carpenter Video Store Clerk Research Assistant/Editor Motel Desk Clerk Videographer Receptionist Restraunt Hostess Photo Assistant ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/11 "2005-09-05T02:05:59Z")
Janitor Teacher Archivist Political Canvaser Computer repairman and a few others I can’t remember right now. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/12 "2005-09-05T02:06:26Z")
My list is also short: Babysitter (should this count?) Waitress at a diner Walmart “associate” Bookkeeper/receptionist in a garage Data entry clerk Cashier in a craft store (part-time) Bagger in a university book store (temporary, ended yesterday) Nothing right now. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/13 "2005-09-05T02:10:30Z")
McDonald’s drone Actor Stage Hand Stage Carpenter Stage Manager Factory Worker (made golf grips for two weeks) AV Tech/Library Assistant Pizza Delivery Pizza Management Youth Counselor Anger Management Instructor Juvenile Jail Guard/Staff Mental Health Counselor Technical Director Scenic Designer Cpommunity College Teacher ---
**Author:** ![rorty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@rorty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rorty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/14 "2005-09-05T02:20:15Z")
I’m still in school so my resume is not so impressive. Maintenance Technician (janitor!) Youth Leader for Summer Youth Program Assistant Teacher at Alternative High School (amazing job btw) Crew Scheduler for an International Airline (stressful job btw) Data Entry Drone (lots of these) ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/15 "2005-09-05T02:30:03Z")
Between ca. 1983 and today… Piano player Seasonal department store worker Historical museum tour guide Writing tutor Proofreader Composition teacher Secretary Website coordinator Copyeditor Technical writer ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/16 "2005-09-05T02:30:51Z")
Ooh boy, let’s see… librarian lawn maintenance fast food worker (various locations) deli clerk cashier at a liquor store cashier at Hallmark sewing factory (various jobs) administrative assistant Doesn’t sound like a lot, but I worked at a LOT of fast food joints. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/17 "2005-09-05T02:32:35Z")
Oh, and I also assembled necklaces in my home for a short time. Funny thing was, they were sold in the Bahamas as local crafts. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/18 "2005-09-05T02:41:37Z")
Let’e see… Agricultural worker/field hand (aka strawberry picker) Babysitter Sales clerk - retail - several, including JC Penney, Macy\*s, and Hickory Farms Bakery Manager Teacher’s Assistant Several Temp jobs, including Banquet Server, Envelope Stuffer, and Accounting Clerk Data Entry Clerk Accounts Payable Clerk Executive Assistant to CIO Purchasing Coordinator (current) And along with just about every one of those jobs I also held down what is without a doubt the hardest job I’ve ever had - Mom. ---
**Author:** ![Stinkum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Stinkum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stinkum)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/19 "2005-09-05T02:43:09Z")
I’ve been working since I was 16 pretty steadily. Even when unemployed, I seem to have been employed, if only part time or as a temp . . . Apple picker & worked in the store at Grandpa’s orchard Librarian’s assistant 2 years at college I attended Computer lab assistant (another college job) Editor of literary magazine (college English Dept.) Newspaper reporter and compositor Flea market sales Retail at a gourmet popcorn shop CBI, CBT program editor (the Great Leap Forward, jobwise) Freelance script editor, CBT programmer Ghostwriter for publishing co. Publications director for nonprofit arts organization Temp admin. assist positions Proofreader (both freelance and in-house) Business owner of aromatherapy products company (current) Newspaper editor, reporter, chief watergirl (current) I’ve also had odd jobs doing literary magazine editing and layout I’ve been a busy girl for one so young! 😃 ---
**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:** [September 5, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121/20 "2005-09-05T02:54:32Z")
Full- and part-time jobs, in mostly-chronological order:[ul][li]Snoball stand employee (my very first “job,” for $1/hr)[/li][li]Personnel assistant[/li][li]Telemarketer (neither proud nor ashamed, it was a job like any other)[/li][li]Receptionist[/li][li]Babysitter[/li][li]Hallmark store employee[/li][li]PIRG canvasser (again, neither proud nor ashamed)[/li][li]Radio board operator [/li][li]Lechter’s store employee[/li][li]Pianist (a couple of wine and cheese receptions)[/li][li]Secretary[/li][li]Statewide operations center dispatcher[/li][li]Public information specialist[/li][li]Marketing/promotions manager[/li][li]Marketing assistant[/li][li]HR assistant[/li][li]Facilities maintenance assistant[/li][li]System administrator[/li][li]Technical writer (for the past 7 years, and counting)[/ul][/li]Unpaid internships:[ul][li]WQSR radio promotions intern[/li][li]East/West Records promotions intern (for all of one week)[/ul][/li]With my college radio station:[ul][li]DJ[/li][li]Assistant program director[/li][li]Station manager[/ul][/li]Volunteer work:[ul][li]Special events volunteer[/li][li]Candy striper[/li][li]Special events coordinator[/ul][/li]I almost created a separate category for “musician,” but aside from a couple of piano-playing gigs in college I’ve only ever made $0.50 doing that (a percentage of the door, split among everyone who performed in that evening’s showcase). Someday, though, I’ll get to count it among the jobs that I’ve held. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-you-held/320121.md?page=2)