What work do you do?

[Cec]

electronics seams to be a common
I am ex telstra tech instal and am now working for Silcar as a contractor
Grow orchids for a hobby, like astronomy expensive ??
Cec

[Ric]

I started my working life as a Exploration Geologist, we are the ones you see in documentary's wandering around desserts in the middle of no-where for month on end hitting rocks with hammers and getting excited.
Between jobs I started work with the Food Services department at the Canberra Hospital doing some data entry and setting up their new menu's, I was the only one who knew how to use their new 386 computer . I only intended to stay for 6 months but after 16 years I am now the Resource Manager for the department. It's all good though because if I hadn't stayed then I wouldn't have met my lovely wife Kerren who started work there as well, she is a Chef.

Cheers

[Rodstar (Rod)]

It is no wonder there are so many astrophotography enthusiasts on this site, with all the IT and other technical skills out there.

I come from the other end of the spectrum...almost no technical skills at all....I can change the paper in the photocopier, turn my computer on, send emails, and type a bit, but I have no clue when it comes to anything more technologically challenging....which may explain my preference for visual observing!

Trust me, I am a lawyer.

[h0ughy (David)]

well I develop civil infrastructure programs for local government, roads, drainage, footways, cycleways, engineering odd jobs, administer contractual matters and spend the internet budget surfing IIS.

I also build PC's and networks in my spare time to finance my addiction

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Well that was 24 responses so far, which is about 100 to 1 ratio of members, and about 66% were directly related to IT which sort of reflects the changing nature of civilization.

The other 33% were made up of planners, electricians and a lawyer....hmmmm....what ever happened to a brick layer, fitter and turner, carpenter and so on....perhaps they are out their building our fine nation and then too tired to switch on a computer.

I guess those of us who have the luxury of being able to draw IIS into our daily working lives are somewhat blessed. Let's all take a brief moment to remember those less fortunate than ourselves.....okay, now back to astronomy

[Bobj]

Originally Posted by erick

Manage research contracts and intellectual property issues for a University. Originally trained as research chemist to doctorate level. Dream of retirement

Mate, that is what I am...er...do...Been retired for 8 years, now.
If I can remember that far back, I was with the Main Roads, WA and NSW, everything from operator to ganger to soils dept. to office, etc. etc ....I think.
If I knew how good retirement was, I would have retired on leaving school, but it took me 42 years to work it out.

[JohnG (John)]

Ah well, something different. I was in the RAN as a gunnery rate until 71 then joined the NSW cops, now retired as a Senior Sergeant after 30 years in the Police Rescue Squad and Police Air Wing, specialised in SAR and Vertical Rescue. Co-authored a book on Vertical Rescue which I believe is still being used today in Emergency Services.

Had nothing to do with IT

Got to admit, I had a pretty exciting life, was never boring, thats for sure.

Cheers

JohnG

[sheeny (Al)]

I am a professional Mechanical Engineer. My job is to take stuff that the best engineering companies in the world build and then make it better (or at least get it back up to working after we make it a lot worse!)

Seems to be more IT related jobs represented so far than I expected. Maybe I'm just out of touch, or the IT bods are the most active on the net.

I've been a bit jaded with the job lately (I've been in the one very large automated factory for over 15 years now!) but with a bit of perspective, it's not too bad... really...

I think I need a change!

Al.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

+well folks iam a serigraphical engineer,screen printer for short ,been one now for 35 yrs,my main job is printing t shirts,iceinspace lostock,etc.i used to print around 10,ooo tshirts a week but all that work has now gone to china.it will be asad day if we have to fall back on our manufacturing in this country.my aim is to retire and enjoy astronomy

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I only work part time now.
We run a mobile coffee business. Setting up each weekend in our local park. It's not rocket science, but to make the best coffee is a learned skill. The grind and the extraction time in relation to the blend of beans used, the effects of humidity and barometric pressures all come in to play. My husband is the coffee geek. I'm only along for the ride.

The nearest I came to working with computers was in the 90's.
I'd buy used computers at auction, get them working again, then sell them on. I started an IT course at TAFE, hoping to be finished in time to get on the Y2K bandwagon, but didn't get to complete it due to a bad case of morning/afternoon sickness.

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi all

I currently work in govt policy development - however I will be going back to Uni soon to change my direction completely .

Cheers Petra

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hey Alan

Dont forget - Border Stargaze T-Shirts!

Cheers Petra

Originally Posted by alan meehan

+well folks iam a serigraphical engineer,screen printer for short ,been one now for 35 yrs,my main job is printing t shirts,iceinspace lostock,etc.i used to print around 10,ooo tshirts a week but all that work has now gone to china.it will be asad day if we have to fall back on our manufacturing in this country.my aim is to retire and enjoy astronomy

PS - Coming back to Newcastle in May - must catch up!

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I'm the IT/Development manager for our firm which specialises in developing software workflow solutions for the publishing industry. Our major clients are places like News Ltd, Fairfax, ACP Magazines, New York Times, UK Mail, etc. Advertising agencies use our software to manage the flow of electronic print material going to press, such that it meets the specific mechanical press requirements set by each individual publisher around the world.

We are also an advertising agency in our own right.... but it's a secondary function these days. We originally developed the software to help our own needs, but that grew and the advertising didn't.

Oh well... it's a living..... and it feeds our astronomy, 4WD touring, camping and farming hobbies (none of them are cheap ).

[StarKers]

Hi guys,
I am presently retired. Too young to die, and too old to work.

At 15 I became a deck boy in the Australian Merchant Navy, after a
while I decided to be a 'real sailor' and joined the RAN. My most
notable Job there was to be part of the guard of honour when the
Voyager was commissioned. I guess that will be the only time I
ever get my name in the anals of history.

From the Navy I tried my hand at going bush, but after three years
I missed the services and joined the Regular Army where I served
for more that 20 years.

After I resigned from a military life I again went bush to prospect
for gold. I dug for sapphires and finally mined opals at Lightning
Ridge.

Then I retired to suburbia where I amused myself with various other
non profitable pursuits until I discovered Astronomy. I think this
is what I have really been looking for all along.

All in all, I've had quite an interesting life.

Cheers,
John.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

oh yes and border stargaze my best work yet,petra 2 vists to to newcastle this becoming ahabit

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by StarKers

I dug for sapphires and finally mined opals at Lightning Ridge.

Whereabouts was your claim John? My folks-in-law own the Black Queen on Sims Hill. We've just come back from a 2 week break up there. Love it!

Our folks website: http://www.blackqueen.net.au

Cheers
Chris

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Groundwater Hydrologist here. Currently work for a small consulting firm where most of our bigger clients are involved in the mining sector. My core job is groundwater modelling which is simulation of aquifer behaviour using numerical methods and computers. Models are constructed for such things as mine dewatering (knowing how much has to be pumped out and its impact on the existing users / environment), tunnel dewatering, water supply, and contamination investigations. Apart from modelling I am also involved in bore design and installation, independent review of other consultants work, field sampling / pump tests, data analysis and an endless amount of report writing.

[bojan]

I am electronics (RF) design engineer at NEC Australia... since there is not much RF design work in Oz recently (at least this is the case in big companies like NEC), I am into other hardware in general (ASIC, testing a bit of C++...)
Astronomy is something I know almost as long as I know myself: It really started when I was 14 yo with my dad's birthday present: the visit to local Astronomical observatory...

[Lert]

Spent most of my working life in international communications with a great outfit now dissapeared without trace (OTC).

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi All,
Slightly different career path...
I am a Senior Cytotechnologist!
http://flahec.org/hlthcareers/CYTOTECH.HTM
And, here's an example of some of the teaching work I've done
http://www.cytology-asc.com/case_of_...arch/index.htm
Cheers
Doug