What do you do for work?

[iceman]

Just to generate a bit of discussion, and learn a bit about each other..

What do you do for work?

I'm a technical team leader for Ericsson, working at Hutchison for the 3G mobile project. I specialise in MNP (mobile number portability), the system for carriers (service providers, eg: telstra, vodafone, optus, 3, orange) to talk to each other when a customer wants to port their number from one carrier to another.

It's pretty good, my boss is good and allows me to be flexible.

So what about you?

[Exfso]

Well I am retired, (forced) do to movement of busines HQ.
I used to be in the Civil Aviation Authority, now AirServices Australia as a Flight Service Officer, Hence Exfso. This was/is very similar to Air Traffic Control. We used to service aircraft operations outside of controlled airspace, provide traffic information, Meterological service, in flight operational information, long distance HF communications for ATC, and search and rescue to name a few.
I did that for 30yrs.

That's my basic CV.

:work:

[ving]

from the movie 'the mummy'


I run the enquiries desk at rockdale city library. the most asked question is "wheres the toilet?" :P
we specialise in music, of which i know little about :P

[gaa_ian]

OK ...
I come from an electical trade background
I currently work as an Electrical Project Manager / Senior Designer in the mining industry.
Have had a few forays into Marketing & part time entrepreneur :D
...Zoo keeper
...Tour guide
...Massage Therapist


Lets see what else ... :P

[astro_south]

I am a senior groundwater hydrologist working for the QLD Department of Natural Resources & Mines. My primary duties are the construction and calibration of numerical groundwater flow models for water resource planning in the state. I have an engineering (BEng(Env)) and maths (MAppSci(Maths)) background.

So by day I'm interested in what's underground, and by night I'm interested in what's up above - perhaps I am trying to escape the reality inbetween :)

by the way - great thread to learn more about each other!!

[Striker]

I am a astronaut for NASA...currently working on a mission building a spaceship that will land on a meteorite heading our way mid 2007...I must blow it up with 6 nuke's drilling down to a depth of 1 mile before it reache's the earth's atmosphere....You dont know about this mission as its highly confidential and must be kept a secret...so dont tell anyone....

Otherwise my day job is working in Transport......Car carrying actualy.......

[rmcpb]

At present I am a data analyst for a university so computing and databases keep me busy during the day.

I am really trained as an ecologist and have an extensive background in the natural sciences. Worked in that field for about 27 years before being made redundant and becoming a computer head.

The computing pays the bills but how the great natural system works fascinates me.

Cheers

[slice of heaven]

I'm a single dad to 4 kids and thats work.
Yes , some have greatness thrust upon them.

To pay the bills I'm self employed in construction (too varied To expand on) mainly industrial.
These days I only pick the cream jobs that don't interfere with home life .

Slice

[silvinator]

I work for the University of Sydney's Publishing Service where we mainly print student lecture notes. We just got over our busiest time of the year - the rush before March semester starts. Hopefully though, after several gruelling long years of study, I will finally be doing something that I've wanted to do for a long - become a research astronomer.

[Brendan]

some very intersting bios.

Me Im a research program officer at a small animal pharma company in the hunter valley, have a Dip App Sc and am nearly finished a B. in Occupational Health and Safety.

previous jobs included working in the wine industry.

[rmcpb]

Imagine the headaches from that job if you were in the QA dept :rofl:

[frogman]

I shoot and get shot at by up to 200 people a day.

Paintball. Gun mechanic, admin, ref, cook and anything else they can throw at me!

Previously reception in the hunter valley. before that solar pool heating and fireplace installs.

[Rohan]

I work for Geoscience Australia in the National Mapping Devision. My section is responsible for updating topographic maps of australia ranging in scales.

My job is to compare new satellite imagery to old stuff and identify areas that have changed. once identified other ppl do research into why they have changed and then if deemed suitable, we will change the map and issue a new edition.

[rumples riot]

Well my story is a little strange.

I worked in the Army from 1981-1987 as a cartographic technician (map Maker) mainly in field surveying and photogrammetry (3D modelling of air photos to get contours and draw the map to a projection). All training completed at School of Survey at Bonegilla in Victoria and have the equivilent of an associate diploma in Surveying.

Then worked for Main Roads Queensland as junior surveyor (got all the crap surveys but had a good boss).

Then worked in the Building industry in Adelaide as a commercial ceiling fixer until 1992.

1992 Went back to school and got my HSC during the recession we had to have.
1993 started Bachelor of Arts at Flinders University.
1994- 1997 transferred from Arts to Bachelor of laws and completed the degree with heaps of overload. Obtained credits and distinctions for entire course, no fails.
1998 completed Graduate Diploma in Legal practice and was admitted to practice law in the Supreme court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia as a Solicitor and Barrister. Fused system here not like in NSW.
End of 1999 I hated law so much I quite and went back to Ceiling Fixing. More money in it and not as many tossers. Law graduates only get around $26,000- $30,000 for first three years here in Adelaide.
2002 Started my own ceiling company and now am Director and owner of 2 million a year ceiling company. Trying to build it to 4 million a year now. Currently employ anywhere between 10 - 27 men. The legal training comes in handy, as well as accounting that I was forced to do at Uni.

Not really all that busy at the moment but in three weeks work commences again for another year and it will be on. Love being the boss and the rewards that come with it. I pay the men well and expect them to work hard for it. While I sit back on my back side and do as little as possible.:P

When work gets really fired up again, so too will the paper work.:eyepop:

Anyway that is my story.

[ausastronomer]

Qualified CPA. Work as a club Manager on Sydney North Shore.

John Bambury

[atalas]

Hey Paul I'm a ceiling fixer as well! for the last 28 years ,thats why I'm always looking up!

Louie:cheers:

[wavelandscott]

Most people would say I do very little...but in a good way...

I am the Managing Director of Sumitomo Chemical Australia...

I am a good example of the "Dilbert Principle"...the higher people get promoted the less work they do and the less harm they can cause to the business...therefore, the most inept get promoted the highest the fastest...ergo my first line...

[rowena]

I am working 2 jobs atm. I work at the University of Wollongong in the library as a electronics readings officer, basically scanning in documents and putting them online for students. My second job is working at the State Emergency Service headquarters in the call centre in times of emergency only.

rowena

[ausastronomer]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wavelandscott
[B]Most people would say I do very little...but in a good way...

Haha, your probably a member of the club I collect my Salary from living at Roseville :)

Cs-John Bambury

[thomo]

I'm currently completing a Bachelor of Property Economics at UTS with the aim of becoming a property valuer. I used to work in IS Audit in a Big 4 Accounting Firm, but got jack of that so headed back to uni.

I also work as a customer service operator at a gaming company which administers statewide jackpot links (on the pokies). They are 12 hour shift either 7-7 in the day or 7-7 at night. Night shifts are good because they are usually dead quiet by midnight - leaving me free to study, i.e. browse internet forums. :whistle:

[Starkler]

Senior technical officer for a small telco providing two way radio network services, and broadband internet via microwave radio link.

As a tech responsible for network performance I travel all over the state performing maintenance and fault rectification works.
My manager last week gave his notice, so I'll likely be doing his job too now *groans*

[Moonman]

Aha!!!!

If you visit Launceston and have the misfortune to fall and damage yourself well the photons won't just be bouncing off your reflectors. No you will be transported to the local madhouse (Launceston General Hospital) whereupon I may be firing them at you and through you to get a picture.

I am a radiographer currently in my third year post graduation from CSU in Wagga.

I started my working life as an Accountant (I just don't believe it and it's my life I'm talking about) . I then progressed to the Local power authority the HEC to eventually wander the streets and roads for about 7 years as a Meter Reader (Now that's an excellent job because you don,t have to be the boss and still never work a full day in your life).
Eventually I volunteered for redundancy and went to UNI(details in member Profile) This is where i stumbled accross the Introduction to Astronomy Elective run by Martin George a local Astronomer of some note.

I am now a shift worker at the LGH. I have dabbled a little bit in CT but mainly work as a General Radiographer taking Xrays.

Ta

[Rodstar]

It is interesting to read how many people have changed careers during the course of their lives.

I originally planned to become an Anglican minister, went into secondary teaching for 6 years (history/ social sciences), then saw the light and went into law.

Unlike Rumples Riot's experiences of law, I have absolutely LOVED it, and enjoy the challenges of each day. I specialise in employment law, working as an associate at Heazlewoods Bushby International Lawyers in Sydney. For the past three years I have worked hard to build up a stable of corporate clients who come to me for regular advice on all matters to do with employment - contracts, terminations, redundancy, discrimination, harassment, OH & S, and industrial disputes. I also help workers in deserving cases.

I think my long-suffering wife is wondering if astro-physics is next on the list of my career path. No way! I fear that pursuing such a career would actually take my eyes off the skies (and onto a computer instead!) and, frankly, pay peanuts.

Rodstar

[ballaratdragons]

A busy, busy life:

Left school & joined the Air Force (hated it) and got out. Learnt to be a Tattoo Artist in Kings Cross in 1975. (throughout the following years if I wasn't full-time tattooing I was part-time at night while doing other jobs at day), worked in tons of non-descipt factories, then Set Construction at Crawford Productions (mainly for 'The Sullivans') Staging at GTV 9 Melbourne working on Don Lane Show, Hey Hey it's Saturday, New Faces, Family Fued, Sale, Paul Hogan Show etc, etc. Joined an Outlaw Motorcycle Club (member for 10 years) Opened my own Tattoo Studio, moved to Ballarat and opened a Harley Davidson dealership, Saddler at Sovereign Hill Tourist Park, part-time Pastor of a Uniting Church and then we get to present day: 19 years as a Specialised Youthworker to little kids and young teenagers that commit assault, rape and murder. I recently retired from this due to being fed up with years of death threats and hatred from victims and offenders families and being chased by reporters wanting gory stories. I am now unemployed but voluntarily running the district Rugby League and President & Coach of a Junior Rugby League Club. Up until 2 years ago I was a single Dad for 9 years (have an excellent new partner now and all my kids love her). Now after a short break from a hell Job I am looking for a new Job (a peaceful one)

That's basically me.

EDIT: And a Grandfather and loving it!

[Vermin]

Ha! I tried the RAAF too, as an apprentice radio tech. Hated it and left as well.

I've also been a clerk in a big insurance company, a chemistry cadet with an ore processing company, a deck hand on crayfish boats and trawlers and an assembler in an electronics factory.

Now (after a few years study and many more gaining experience) I'm the R&D supervisor and senior hardware design engineer for the electronics company.

My main duties include designing lightning protection for the companies assembly lines in Australia and Malaysia as well as hardware for quite varied applications. The most interesting recent ones would be solar LED lighting for third world countries and a radio terminal unit / data logger that uses the CDMA 1xRTT network.

Writing the technical manuals for these products is also my responsibility.

I'm a qualified rigger and AUSTEL cabler and I used to get to travel quite a bit doing things like radio, TV and mobile base station installs. The company I work for regularly gets contracts in Africa, Asia and the Pacific islands. I may be going to American Samoa later this year for a SCADA install contract.

As well as all that I'm also on call 24/7 one week out of every 3 looking after a telco's mobile phone base stations and the microwave links between them (state wide). This can be a real pain - literally - I fell down the stairs at 4am on Christmas morning getting ready to go and fix a fault in Launceston. I split a tendon in my back and was unable to climb (radio towers) for 6 weeks. All is well now though.

I've been thinking of applying for a job in Antarctica in 2006.

[johnno]

Hi All,
I started work back in 1963,doing all sorts of jobs that came along,
married in 1974,and worked as a semi driver for a few years,then as a youth worker in an instution for young criminals,started tech in 1982 at 32 old, doing the electronics trades course,qualified in 1987 as a tv and video tech,worked at this until 2002,when my doctor put me on a disability pension due to the long term effects of Diabetes,and a breathing disorder.
Happily married for nearly 32 years with 2 kids and 5 grandkids.
Regards to all.John

[Astroman]

Geez at all these INTERESTING jobs.

Basically me in a nutshell, Worked at Gliderol Roller Doors for the last 12 years, and now second in charge of the manufacturing section (one below a leading hand). Basically Job is the manufacture of Roller Doors for mainly SA clients, crap pay, but I have made a few good friends there, and the work isn't all that difficult.

Married since 2000, Two kids a Dog and a cockatiel, and a partridge in a pear tree.,

Correction, I am now the leading hand of my section.

[acropolite]

For the past 12 years I have installed small telephone systems (PABX up to a couple of hundred extensions). It's interesting work as all modern phone systems require programming and none have similar methods or interfaces. Before that I worked for Telstra in the Longline/Transmission area and have worked on all types of analogue and digital transmission transmission equipment as well as in both old and modern switching centres. I also worked on several special projects within Telstra during my 21 years there. It's nice to have been involved in the industry long enough to see equipment types spanning 70 years in use.:D

[astrodave]

I've stuck in the one industry - IT - and not moved around all that much. A real rarity these days. I had ten years in the Vic state government - starting with COBOL on punched cards and finishing with IT management. I went contracting for a few years - mainly database work. Then 10 years ago I joined Coles Myer - again in the database area. I had been managing a section of DBAs until my boss made my position redundant late last year. Now I'm helping look after some of the large IT contracts Coles Myer has.

Married - two kids. My eldest doing final year of VCE this year and his brother in senior school at Insitute for the blind.

[parsec]

I worked in hospitality from '85 to '96 until i finally got fed up with the industry. I then went to uni to do info tech. one elective there was Large Scale Structures of the Universe (cosmology). I LOVED it and have been hooked on galaxies, etc since.
I currently work 6 months/ year as a linux/ bsd admin and trainer and the other 6 months as a national parks fire fighter. I have done this for the last 3 years, and never get bored.
I also started a pc recycling non-profit which gave away around 150 computer systems last year to families that had difficulty accessing them. <a href="http://itshare.org.au">itshare</a> build the systems out of donated hardware and opensource software.

[Brendan]

another firiey: :D : that makes at least three of use

[trufflehunter]

Did a BA in Languages at Newcastle Uni, followed up with a Dip.Ed. Then onto Secondary Teaching (French, German, Latin) for several years. Threw in the towel and after a two year stint as a Medical Rep, I'm now back into teaching... adults this time! Currently working as a freelance desktop applications trainer, mainly pre-press and graphics, together with the bread-and-butter Office apps.

and..and...and...my new LX90 arrives in a few days time!

[xelasnave]

Hi there fellow travellers.
What do I do.. as little as possible... if there is enough time.
Started as a copy boy, ran a suburban legal office (Hornsby) for many years, short time in the Family Law Court (Attorney Generals Dept) and finally a Real Estate office in Northern Suburbs in Sydney (Beecroft Real Estate which my Son now owns)
Now if I was earning any cash from it you could call me a professional astronomer such is the time I spend on the sport.
Live quietly in the bush alone except for three dogs ...the wife took the other dog and my daughter for a better life in town. I think we are still friends. Tend to advise close friends these days on business law matters but will come out if there is a big fat easy to make commission to sell a mansion. But fortunately I can be a hermit most of the time and do what I like doing most....star gazing and astro photography.
Alex

[toetoe]

Worked in an electronics shop for 10 years then a truck driver for a while and the last few years i have been a support worker for people with disabilities and challenging behaviors. I work with 2 clients who need 24/7 support in thier house. At times it can be very violent but we do have our good tims as well. I wish i started this kind of work 20 years ago as i get so much out of it by seeing the good results out of the hard work that gets done. When you get the smiles from the clients at the end of the day you know that your help is appreciated.

[CosMos]

Had a motorbike accident in 1983 and lost my job because of it. Crushed vertebrae in upper back still affect me and astronomy is sometimes the worst hobby because of it. Have had a number of jobs since but did 16 years as a volunteer with Youthline, a phone counselling line. Was a mentor, counsellor, trainer and facilitator over that time. Recently left there and now have a part time job with an organisation that supports families who have a member with mental illness. Work as a receptionist and get paid enough to only have to work 3 days a week.

Also have been involved in the Auckland Astronomical Society since 1988 and write articles on observing for their journal and website. Past jobs include farm work, labourer, accounts clerk, pay clerk, support worker.

[cuttsy]

I'm an old science teacher of too many years. I've also taught at TAFE and Uni (Astronomy fondly enough), but now enjoy my job as an IT Manager at a high school.

I've tried my hand at my own IT business but got sick of chasing people for money. It's fun to read how many ex-teachers have taken up astronomy, must be a release mechanism from the classroom.

Clear skies

[jjjnettie]

I've had two jobs in the last two years, since moving from Brisbane.
The first was making pavers, heavy work, and I started looking a bit like super woman on steroids.
I work now at Ramblers Drop Zone , making Jump Suits for parachutists.
LOL, got to give way to planes when I go to and leave work cause the road crosses the end of the runway.
Jeanette

[[1ponders]]

Jack of most trades, master of none. Started out doing a BSC in marine biology, got sick of being broke so back to the family building business. Loved building but thought better of it after putting my hand through a power saw.

Worked for Aust Lab Services testing oil shale in the early 80's, terrible pay and hated living in Brisvagus, back into the building industry. Off to Sydney to work in an Art College at maintenance officer and groundsman (probably the 2nd best job I ever had). Then off to Flowerpower nurseries in Dural for a while, then into landscaping. Moved back to the coast doing landscaping, soft and hard. Back started sayin "you've got to be joking. Get me outa here" so completed a Horticulure certificate and started teaching Landscpe Horticulture. Branched out into a bit of teaching MS Office and have been at TAFE ever since (13years) teaching/tutoring horticulture (all areas) and basic office computer skills for Certificate 2 and 3 Hort. I'll probalby die in this job as its the best job I've ever had. Unless someone want to offer me the groundsman position at the Anglo-Australian Observatory :P

[h0ughy]

I have worked as a surfer, personal assistant to Bob Hawke signing govenrmental cheques, storeman, service station attendant, bartender, personal body guard for a friend of mine who did stripagrams, surveyor , Road Design Officer for RTA and currently I am a Infrastructure Planning Officer at Newcastle City Council. I am currently finishing off a Diploma in IT (Network management- only 10 weeks to go and hating every bit of it - having to implement a enterprise network in SUSE linux with all th bells and whistles). and all of this interferes with my hobby (obsession). All the extra IT work after hours pays for the extras.....


Houghy:D

[Crash Nebula]

Hmm.. let me think....

School.

Yup.

That about sums it up. I help my dad at christmas by putting up christmas decorations at the airport, and I help him occasionally through the year with travel shows and whatnot :)
See, now you know why I can afford a telescope )even though I play magic the gathering (I hope to be world champ one day, one day :P)(Yup. TWO brackets inside a bracket. It has happened!)) I enjoy laserforce aswell, I would hope to become some sort of good player one day :whistle:
Oh p.s I'm doin it, I'm buying the 8" dob this weekend.
Cheers :cheers:
Crash

[cahullian]

I've had more jobs than you can poke a stick at ranging from a civi cook for the army,drive-in bottle shop attendant,chicken process worker,paper walker,cleaner,kitchen hand,forklift driver,storeman.To name a few(yes there are a few more,well quite a few more lol) ATM I'm a Teachers'Aide Special at the local elective high school in Newcastle, a handyman for the local preschool in my suburb and a soccer referee at the weekend.Father of 3 teenagers and husband of 1 dear wife.
and now im getting into a hobby to keep me up nights. Looks like I'll sleep when I"m dead : )

[Orion]

Well I'm contracted out by a company as a certified welder. At the moment I am a contractor in Tomago Aluminum working as a fitter doing maintenance and repairs.

[EddieT]

What a great thread idea. I just had to read them all, it's fascinating. Here's my life as nutmeat.

Played guitar since I was 7 and joined the ranks of AA when I was 9 (Amateur Astronomers that is)...Finished 3/4 of a Novice (Ham) radio licence when I was 14 but my parents couldn't get me to the next exam 100 miles away and eventually my passes lapsed.

Left school after finding Year 10 too boring. Started hanging out with more "interesting" people, which got me into a lot of trouble!

Played progressive rock music for 15 years, song-writing and recording in Sydney and lots of touring up and down the East coast. Finally got sick of agents and managers trying to turn art into money and went and got an honours degree in computer science at QUT in Brisbane then worked as a coporate database developer (programmer) for just over ten years. In that time got heavily into astrophotography and the necessary equipment.

About 12 months ago my position became redundant (a familiar theme thoughout the thread) and decided to try and become a professional amateur astronomer. Managed to convince the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme committee that it was a good idea and two months ago started my 12 month government assisted foray into the business world. I'm currently trying to turn amateur astronomy into a viable business, developing and selling software for astronomical imaging and taking pictures of objects for publication. Eventually hope to go on the presentation tour circuit talking astronomy and imaging from a non-professionals point of view covering both the technical and aesthetics of astronomy and imaging.

Wish me luck!

[atalas]

Good luck Eddie ! and your time starts now! go get'em tiger .

Louie :cool3:

[dhumpie]

I look through microscopes in the daytime and telescopes at night ;) I am a graduate student working on biological rubber's in insects at UQ and CSIRO Livestock Industries by day and amateur astronomer at night.

Darren

[ballaratdragons]

Eddie,

I understand what you say about the Music world. My mate Jac Kreemers (also ex employee of mine) was in a Famous Rock Band called 'Madder Lake' in the 60's and 70's. They got a Gold Album and all! He does not want to be in the industry anymore. He says much the same as you do. He is now a Youthworker.

Their old lead singer Mick Fettes now teaches music in High School here in Ballarat and has no intention going back either. He told me the industry Sucks.

[asimov]

Left school on my 15th birthday. Worked for my dad doing welding/lathe/milling/general engineering..building telescopes...Chopper-gun operator at a fibre-glass boat building joint..fibre-glassing again...and again..Went opal mining, driving dozer/excavator..own business, foundry work/making zinc anodes for the fishing industry..own business doing up cars & flogging them off..own business silver-smithing/jewelry-making..abrasive blaster & spray-painter twice..own business cutting/selling firewood..bricky-laborer..landscaping..lead-lighting..glass fusing..opal mining..cleaner in a bowling club..floor sweeping in welding factory, worked my way up until I was the manager..left & went floor sweeping in a welding factory.....layed off due to lack of work...currently unemployed..using telescopes...tinkering with telescopes....Will build another scope soon...

[Orion]

Asimov with all those abilities I'd love to see what sort of telescope you will come up with? :thumbsup:

[mick pinner]

l started an arts diploma at the Gordon lnstitute of Technology at Geelong when l was 16 got bored after 2 years and became an apprentice spray painter at a Mercedes Benz dealer in Melbourne, during that time l started doing a lot of air brush work and 12 years later l left and began doing custom bikes and cars for the hot rod shows as well as large advertising signs for sign companies etc.
l did a few small buisness courses with the aim of going into a full time smash repair shop but the insurance industry was changing so much at the time the future was unclear, even though l am in the industry now l am glad l only work on a contract basis and do not own my own shop, l make my own hours and still do my custom painting on the side, no more early mornings after a late night observing.

[ballaratdragons]

And you haven't even Custom Painted your Telescope Mick!

[mick pinner]

hi Ken, no but l have done some wicked looking dew shields, a few guys have ordered them with lightning strikes and solar system graphics.

[elusiver]

geeeze.. my life seems so boring compared to some of you guys... but i guess i'm still quite young(25). Had a couple of standard run of the mill kid jobs(telemarketing, maccas, subway)... been workin in IT for the past 7 years, managed my first computer shop when i was 19. Now work at a computer wholesaler here in Melbourne.

el :)