What do you do for work? - Page 2

Starkler (Geoff) · #21 22-03-2005, 10:55 PM

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 (Michael) · #22 22-03-2005, 11:20 PM

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 (Rod) · #23 22-03-2005, 11:36 PM

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 (Ken) · #24 23-03-2005, 12:15 AM

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 (Tom) · #25 23-03-2005, 01:09 AM

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 · #26 23-03-2005, 02:07 AM

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 (Andrew Wall) · #27 23-03-2005, 05:44 AM

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 (Phil) · #28 23-03-2005, 08:49 AM

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.

astrodave (David) · #29 23-03-2005, 09:56 PM

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 · #30 24-03-2005, 12:25 PM

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 · #31 24-03-2005, 02:24 PM

another firiey:

: that makes at least three of use

trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson) · #32 24-03-2005, 07:34 PM

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 · #33 24-03-2005, 08:22 PM

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 (Peter) · #34 24-03-2005, 09:52 PM

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 (Rich) · #35 28-03-2005, 11:15 AM

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 · #36 30-03-2005, 07:58 PM

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 (Jeanette) · #37 04-04-2005, 11:47 PM

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] (Paul) · #38 05-04-2005, 12:14 AM

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

h0ughy (David) · #39 07-04-2005, 08:31 PM

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

Crash Nebula · #40 07-04-2005, 08:48 PM

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

)(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

Oh p.s I'm doin it, I'm buying the 8" dob this weekend.
Cheers

Crash