Because it has a living wage, good benefits, a pension plan, and nice long vacations.
Er. I mean, “Because teachers Touch The Future.”
I got this job through a friend, who knew the company needed someone for four months to cover for a longtime employee who was taking a cruise around the world. When she came back, they kept me on. No checking on my background and references.
I stay here because I do most of my work in January & February, and the first 7 to 10 days of each month. So I have lots of free time.
Why I chose the career I did? Well, I started out in Electrical Engineering and realized I hated it with the passion of 1000 suns near the end of sophomore year. So remembering I had aptitude in computer programming in high school, I switched to computers, not sure if I was making a good choice or not, but not really feeling like I had any other options. In retrospect becoming a software engineer was good thing.
As to why I work where I do. They were one of two places that gave me a job offer out of college. And seeing as how I graduated with $20,000 in student loans, and $300 in my bank account, and they paid more I went with them. I have since become one of their best software engineers and in seven years or so make 80% more than I did when I started and have been promoted twice. They’re also paying for my masters degree. And the benefits are decent. Although, they do have their problems, and after I get my degree I probably will look around for someplace else, but don’t dislike where I work.
I do what I do because when I was in high school I had a discussion with a friend of mine. Her only requirement for a potential career is that it had to pay really well. She would work all day doing something that she tolerated so she could afford to do what she wanted after work. I was polar opposite. I am of the opinion that if you wake up every morning happy to go to work, you don’t need to buy those ski-do’s or whatever your fancy may be.
I work in theatre and every day I do something different. One day I am making blood that washes out of clothes and is eatable, and the next I am making piles of treasure. My current project right now is to figure out a cost effective way to create breakaway glass. Sugar glass is an option but the pane is huge and the glass needs to be onstage under the lights for a long time before it’s cleaned up and sugary messes on carpet is not fun.
I get to be creative every day, oh and I can’t remember when the last time I paid to see a play was. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
And the best part about my job. It is less than 30 steps from my desk to my favorite bar. Out of the office down the hall and to the left is my beer supply.
I do what I do (accounts assistant) 'cos when I left university, I simply had no better ideas 
.
I would have gone into physics research, but I got a third on my degree (for non-UK dopers that’s the lowest grade you can get whilst still passing). In retrospect a blessing, I just don’t think I could have handled having my earnings dependent on bright ideas and general cleverness.
As it happens I’m in accounts, but not (yet) the high powered chartered-qualification stuff. Going into that straight after uni would also have required a better class than I got. But again, it would have prolly been too stressful for me - I just don’t handle stress and/or responsibility well.
So all in all the ‘wasted’ degree turned out to be a blessing in disguise - I’m moderately happy in my job because it requires little brain power (and all I have to do is write a quick excel macro to automate some mundane task, and everyone thinks I’m a genius 
). I read physics and maths texts on the side.
Im a full-time student because I can’t find a part time job that doesnt involve working in retail or food service.
I like to laugh at old people, so I took a job in a nursing home.
I even recruited my husband.
Well, the real answer as to why I do what I do is because my last job advertised for English majors and was decently close. That got me into an industry I never would have gotten into, which gave me training in things I never would have learned, which got me the job I’ll be starting at next Monday. As for the type of work … I have no real passion for it, but I don’t mind doing it every day, so I guess that’s about as positive a result I can take from it at the moment.
For years I got to do the job I love… teaching preschool! Then I had to earn money… a job opportunity came before me. I took it.
I dread my job working in customer service and look forward to the day I can teach again. So next time you get a real bitchy voice on the other end of a customer service call… it could be me!!
Because I hate wearing a watch and I like being my own boss.
Because I love my two supervisors and all my coworkers. Because one of my supervisors and a guy from hardware very quickly became two of the best friends I’ve ever had. Because I actually like flooring. Because Home Depot is rabid about requiring constant training. Because it’s really good exercise. Because I like customers who appreciate my smartassishness. Because I have a title and I’ll even get my own business cards. Because I make damn good money for a non-supervisory retail job. Because the benefits are awesome. Because promotion is pretty much a certainty. Because I have great job security. Most of all, because I have fun every day. I can’t remember having a job where I laughed so much.
Most nurses I know went into nursing because they love helping, like people, want to make a difference etc etc. So when the subject comes up, I never mention that I went into nursing because it was the only occupation where they paid you (a pittance, admittedly) while training and also threw in accommodation. I needed somewhere to live. Not the best of motives.