What do you do for a living? And Why?

[allstar34bd]

I’m just interested in learning more about folks.
Did you start your career for the money/lifestyle?
Do you have a job you love?
What brought you down this path to find this job?
Is it something that just gets you by? Or fills you with a purpose?

I started out my life in a grocery store at the age of 16. It taught me to be very responsible with my money and how important living within my means was. When I graduated high school I went to get my 4 yr Business Admin/Marketing Degree. While in college I was at a buddies house and he told me how he just made $5,000 after taxes selling cars and I was amazed.

That day changed my life, I went an applied at a local dealership and actually got the job. First 9 months in the business (19-20y/o) I made about $35k and set back enough to pay all my tuition for the remainder of school. From there, I couldn’t find anything that would be even close to the $50ish I was making in the car business.

Over the next 5 over so years I finally touched 100k in an year and hit a milestone I never knew was possible. Feb 2020 I decided to leave the biz because I never truly enjoyed it and it was causing problems with my relationship. 60 hr weeks Mon-Saturday for 5 years straight put a strain on my relationship. I had the money and 0 debt so it was the time. A month later the world shuts down

Fast forward through all the sad,mad,bad, and whatever else rhymes with that… times. Now I’m doing something I absolutely hate just to get by. I went from thrills of sales. The adrenaline rush of getting the close. To a B2B sales job that is more order taking than sales. I’m miserable. I can’t go back to the car business; because it’s just not healthy for my well being no matter the earning potential.

Did you love your career when you started? Or was it a process you had to grow to enjoy? Recession or not, I know there’s money to be made out there. I just want to find something that gives me purpose and fulfillment.

 

[VolunteerVandiver]

Worked as a chemist out of college. Felt isolated, lonely, and like I wasn't making a difference to the world, so I changed to a career in education.

Began as a science teacher, then recently got promoted to assistant principal after 4 years of teaching for a charter network. Pays extremely well, but it is very tedious, as our charter specializes in turning around failing schools. I am mentally and emotionally out of gas every school day, but we are genuinely making a difference and changing lives. Believe I will be moving from Texas back to Tennessee next year, which is exciting, though it'll be as a principal in Memphis in year one of a turnaround. Being a principal for this particular organization is brutal, but the pay and opportunity to make a difference is too much to turn down at 32 years old with a wife and five kids. I love the job some days, but I always feel like I'm serving an important purpose.

Hoping to be smart with money and change to a more easygoing career around 40. Want to spend more time with my wife and kids.

 

[allstar34bd]

Worked as a chemist out of college. Felt isolated, lonely, and like I wasn't making a difference to the world, so I changed to a career in education.

Began as a science teacher, then recently got promoted to assistant principal after 4 years of teaching for a charter network. Pays extremely well, but it is very tedious, as our charter specializes in turning around failing schools. I am mentally and emotionally out of gas every school day, but we are genuinely making a difference and changing lives. Believe I will be moving from Texas back to Tennessee next year, which is exciting, though it'll be as a principal in Memphis in year one of a turnaround. Being a principal for this particular organization is brutal, but the pay and opportunity to make a difference is too much to turn down at 32 years old with a wife and five kids. I love the job some days, but I always feel like I'm serving an important purpose.

Hoping to be smart with money and change to a more easygoing career around 40. Want to spend more time with my wife and kids.

That's awesome! Glad to hear the impact you are making out there on the future generations. My mother is a teacher & sister is a nurse; I've always hoped I could find something similar and make a difference in some way. I truly believe my current situation is repercussions from a lack of gratitude; paying for selfish choices and greed. I just want to find something that gives me a purpose in life. I don't know if finding that purpose is a choice you make where you are or something you find.

I've swapped up alot of negative habits and replaced music with podcasts. Trying to be a sponge and soak up knowledge. The problem is you can watch people work out; but if you don't participate with them you won't get the results. I just feel like I'm in a cycle of blah right now.

 

[USCGVOL!!]

When I graduated high school, I went to college because as the child of two educators that was what I was supposed to do. Had no business being there because I didn’t respect it, and my heart wasn’t in it. Was looking for something else and I had a buddy whose cousin was in the Coast Guard. I grew up in Chatt, and lived there 20 years, having no clue there was a cutter (what the cg calls a ship) there. Ended up joining and hit 21 years this past September. There have been highs and lows, and a lot of times the highs were in pretty low situations(I was in New Orleans at the end of August in 05) but overall it’s been a decent gig. It’s hard as **** on family life, and you have to find a significant other that truly understands the life and is willing to be at its mercy. It’s almost a different service now than when I first joined, but a lot of it is for the better. Why I do it, is weird to say, but after all these years, it just seems like what I was supposed to do.

 

[allstar34bd]

When I graduated high school, I went to college because as the child of two educators that was what I was supposed to do. Had no business being there because I didn’t respect it, and my heart wasn’t in it. Was looking for something else and I had a buddy whose cousin was in the Coast Guard. I grew up in Chatt, and lived there 20 years, having no clue there was a cutter (what the cg calls a ship) there. Ended up joining and hit 21 years this past September. There have been highs and lows, and a lot of times the highs were in pretty low situations(I was in New Orleans at the end of August in 05) but overall it’s been a decent gig. It’s hard as **** on family life, and you have to find a significant other that truly understands the life and is willing to be at its mercy. It’s almost a different service now than when I first joined, but a lot of it is for the better. Why I do it, is weird to say, but after all these years, it just seems like what I was supposed to do.

I’m certain you have stories to tell! Finding the right partner is as important as finding the right career. I’m glad to hear you found the right fit for your life. Thanks for your service.

 

[hog88]

I started doing what I do because I got out of the Army, was broke with a wife and 2 kids. They hired me and the pay was pretty dang good, the work was hard and the travel was brutal but I stuck with it. I still do what I do because I don't work well for others and I took over. That was almost 30 years ago.

 

[Tin Man]

Radio engineer and DJ, retail merchandise - opening new stores, training managers & staff, operations development, financial services - primary & secondary markets, enterprise data management, analysis & reporting, enterprise project & program management, and retirement.

Along the way, I helped to start up four businesses and also worked for Fortune 20 enterprises.

 

[Go aeiou]

Starting cutting yards when I held the mower handle bar at eye level.
Got Knoxville journal paper route at age 10. Got News Sentinel at 10 1/2. Got Oak Ridger route at 11.
Worked at a drug store(jackson Square Pharmacy) in high school(Oak Ridge).
Worked in student post office in college. painted dorm rooms one summer. Worked at the Jolly Green Giant Company(Belvidere, IL) another summer. I drove a combine 1/2 mph 12-18 hours a day.
Graduated in 3 yrs + 1 qtr. 1973. BS Finance
Went to work for a large insurance company ,first job after getting degree. Fired when someone overheard me talking about pot to another employee. Dam, but best thing. It was a dead end job.
Supervisor at that job gave me a great recommendation, and I got a job as a tax auditor. I audited manufacturing companies. I passed the CPA exam, and at 33 yo I became a tax consultant for manufacturing companies. Worked for contingent fees. They got refund check and split it with me.
At 40 I decided to develop residential real estate. Developed 300-400 lots, and built several homes. Mostly lot sales though.
AT 47 I started a Community Bank with about 60 other people. On the board for 10+ years.
Retired except for a short time to get health insurance in my early 60s. Premiums went to $30K/yr. Crummy drug coverage.
I'm 71 now. Manage Investments, but am trying to get away from individual stocks and to 90% Mutual Funds and Bonds. Getting close.
I feel very fortunate to have worked for myself from the age of 33.

 

[Panthro]

Started my career as a radio personality. Now I handle all of the marketing and community relations for D1 Training facilities in East TN.

As a kid, I wanted to be either Casey Kasem or Harry Caray.

 

[VolKnight9]

I started electrician work in high school with my step-dad. Worked most of the summers with him and his crew. Spent many of evenings and Saturdays as a young kid, running tractors with my grandpa. Cutting hay, raking, kicking and bailing it for our cattle. Farming cattle was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done. I enjoyed it. After high school, I attended Western Carolina to plan on getting a degree in Physical Education. I ended up changing my major to construction management and took it for 1 semester before transferring to Haywood Community College. I was seeking a degree in Wildlife Management while there. Was there for 1 semester and dropped out. College just wasn’t for me. I got a job as a seasonal helper with Coca-Cola Consolidated and worked for 2 years as a seasonal employee. Eventually, transferred into the warehouse part-time. After 2 years of that, I left and went to work for Pepsi for 8 months on night shift in their warehouse. I ended up re-applying for a route driver job at Coca-Cola and got hired on the spot. I’ve been back with them for 5 years and have since moved up to assistant supervisor. It’s a tough job. Very physical. But I’m thankful for it and I’m thankful that it helps keep me in shape and thankful it keeps food on the table and the bills paid.

 

[Vjcvette]

I do sales......Why because I like it. Every day is like the super bowl...."Go Big or Go Home".

 

[YankeeVol]

When I graduated high school, I went to college because as the child of two educators that was what I was supposed to do. Had no business being there because I didn’t respect it, and my heart wasn’t in it. Was looking for something else and I had a buddy whose cousin was in the Coast Guard. I grew up in Chatt, and lived there 20 years, having no clue there was a cutter (what the cg calls a ship) there. Ended up joining and hit 21 years this past September. There have been highs and lows, and a lot of times the highs were in pretty low situations(I was in New Orleans at the end of August in 05) but overall it’s been a decent gig. It’s hard as **** on family life, and you have to find a significant other that truly understands the life and is willing to be at its mercy. It’s almost a different service now than when I first joined, but a lot of it is for the better. Why I do it, is weird to say, but after all these years, it just seems like what I was supposed to do.

Glad you served the DHS

 

[SDV]

In 2000, I worked for Enterprise Rent a Car right after graduating UT and decided that it was hell on earth. Went to law school and became an attorney in 2004. Been doing it ever since. It has been a very rewarding career, where I get to help people and help change people's lives for the better. Can't imagine doing anything else.

 

[allstar34bd]

I do sales......Why because I like it. Every day is like the super bowl...."Go Big or Go Home".

What do you sell?

 

[YankeeVol]

In 2000, I worked for Enterprise Rent a Car right after graduating UT and decided that it was hell on earth. Went to law school and became an attorney in 2004. Been doing it ever since. It has been a very rewarding career, where I get to help people and help change people's lives for the better. Can't imagine doing anything else.

Ha, an attorney helping people for something other than their wallet, RICH

 

[franklinpence]

Grew up in rural, nowhere TN. Had a lot of odd jobs - tobacco fields, cutting/bailing hay, Ace Hardware, random pizza and sub shop, Hardee’s in the nearest town, etc. But my main job was helping my granddad clean the local school. Didn’t get paid to help him but got to spend a lot of time with him. Learned a lot about life - about doing quality work - about setting a standard - and about how to listen (he gave me a lot of guidance about life and about my responsibility to my family on the drive home each night).

I was a first generation college attendee. Didn’t know what I was doing and after a false start and a good lesson in responsibility, I started at a community college then moved on to a four year school after my freshman year.

Thought I would be a history teacher/professor, but got into politics in Virginia and loved it. That led me to work in politics in a few states, and I eventually moved from campaigning for politicians to campaigning for companies.

I love my work, and I am thankful I have had the opportunity to choose companies that I believe in before I campaign on their behalf.

My career path has been anything but straight. But it is my path, and I’m walking it.

 

[Go aeiou]

Grew up in rural, nowhere TN. Had a lot of odd jobs - tobacco fields, cutting/bailing hay, Ace Hardware, random pizza and sub shop, Hardee’s in the nearest town, etc. But my main job was helping my granddad clean the local school. Didn’t get paid to help him but got to spend a lot of time with him. Learned a lot about life - about doing quality work - about setting a standard - and about how to listen (he gave me a lot of guidance about life and about my responsibility to my family on the drive home each night).

I was a first generation college attendee. Didn’t know what I was doing and after a false start and a good lesson in responsibility, I started at a community college then moved on to a four year school after my freshman year.

Thought I would be a history teacher/professor, but got into politics in Virginia and loved it. That led me to work in politics in a few states, and I eventually moved from campaigning for politicians to campaigning for companies.

I love my work, and I am thankful I have had the opportunity to choose companies that I believe in before I campaign on their behalf.

My career path has been anything but straight. But it is my path, and I’m walking it.

I always thought Ace Hardware would be a interesting and educational place to work. I'd much rather go there or another local hardware store than Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[Tin Man]

When I graduated high school, I went to college because as the child of two educators that was what I was supposed to do. Had no business being there because I didn’t respect it, and my heart wasn’t in it. Was looking for something else and I had a buddy whose cousin was in the Coast Guard. I grew up in Chatt, and lived there 20 years, having no clue there was a cutter (what the cg calls a ship) there. Ended up joining and hit 21 years this past September. There have been highs and lows, and a lot of times the highs were in pretty low situations(I was in New Orleans at the end of August in 05) but overall it’s been a decent gig. It’s hard as **** on family life, and you have to find a significant other that truly understands the life and is willing to be at its mercy. It’s almost a different service now than when I first joined, but a lot of it is for the better. Why I do it, is weird to say, but after all these years, it just seems like what I was supposed to do.

My brother-in-law has two brothers who served in the USCG. Going back generations, each generation has had at least one sibling serve in the Coast Guard. This, though they’ve been landlocked mid-westerners for more than a century.

My parents’ generation (WWII) called the Coast Guard the forgotten service. Those who are always on active duty, who serve during times of peace and war, ever imperiled with little acknowledgment.

Thank you for stepping up.

 

[LouderVol]

Architect. Loved legos as a kid, knew I didn't want to be an engineer, too many numbers, always liked art/design. School sucked, way too subjective for me, but somehow I passed and got my degree. Took almost a year and 1000 applications to get a job, this was right at the worst of the 2008-2012 recession. When I finally got an offer I thought it was at a different firm, so I was a bit surprised when I showed up. ended up working out. I have liked what I do most of the time.

The real issue is when my job responsibilities get in the way of me doing work. architects wear a lot of hats, and I don't enjoy most of them. It puts a bit of a cap on my income, but I would rather enjoy what I do, instead of making 10-20% more doing something I didn't like.

In school I thought I would like the design aspect of the job. the real money is in running a firm or being the personality of the firm going to get the jobs, but I hate that. I can do it, I did it for several years, and hated almost every moment of it. Now I just want to sit down and work on the drawings, making the project real. I don't like to manage a team, I like to lead a team, there is a big difference there for me. I do a much better job, and enjoy it more, when I am working along with the team, instead of playing the part of a "third party" manager who doesn't have time to get involved with the day to day or work on the documents.

 

[allstar34bd]

Architect. Loved legos as a kid, knew I didn't want to be an engineer, too many numbers, always liked art/design. School sucked, way too subjective for me, but somehow I passed and got my degree. Took almost a year and 1000 applications to get a job, this was right at the worst of the 2008-2012 recession. When I finally got an offer I thought it was at a different firm, so I was a bit surprised when I showed up. ended up working out. I have liked what I do most of the time.

The real issue is when my job responsibilities get in the way of me doing work. architects wear a lot of hats, and I don't enjoy most of them. It puts a bit of a cap on my income, but I would rather enjoy what I do, instead of making 10-20% more doing something I didn't like.

In school I thought I would like the design aspect of the job. the real money is in running a firm or being the personality of the firm going to get the jobs, but I hate that. I can do it, I did it for several years, and hated almost every moment of it. Now I just want to sit down and work on the drawings, making the project real. I don't like to manage a team, I like to lead a team, there is a big difference there for me. I do a much better job, and enjoy it more, when I am working along with the team, instead of playing the part of a "third party" manager who doesn't have time to get involved with the day to day or work on the documents.

I’ve started working in business consulting and I regularly work with Take Offs and Blue Prints. You guys sure can do impressive work.

 

[tbh]

Architect. Loved legos as a kid, knew I didn't want to be an engineer, too many numbers, always liked art/design. School sucked, way too subjective for me, but somehow I passed and got my degree. Took almost a year and 1000 applications to get a job, this was right at the worst of the 2008-2012 recession. When I finally got an offer I thought it was at a different firm, so I was a bit surprised when I showed up. ended up working out. I have liked what I do most of the time.

The real issue is when my job responsibilities get in the way of me doing work. architects wear a lot of hats, and I don't enjoy most of them. It puts a bit of a cap on my income, but I would rather enjoy what I do, instead of making 10-20% more doing something I didn't like.

In school I thought I would like the design aspect of the job. the real money is in running a firm or being the personality of the firm going to get the jobs, but I hate that. I can do it, I did it for several years, and hated almost every moment of it. Now I just want to sit down and work on the drawings, making the project real. I don't like to manage a team, I like to lead a team, there is a big difference there for me. I do a much better job, and enjoy it more, when I am working along with the team, instead of playing the part of a "third party" manager who doesn't have time to get involved with the day to day or work on the documents.

I hear ya...I too majored in architecture (or architorture, as some of my pals and I called it in school) and did not enjoy the subjectivity or the utter pretentiousness of some of the profs at all, particularly those who had never worked outside academia. I'll never forget a 4th year design jury panelist criticizing me for taking into account constructability and efficiency in my design instead of disregarding those and going full-out on pushing the bounds of logic/reason/physics. I just nodded, informed them that I accepted their words as a compliment, and moved on with my presentation. Honestly, if it weren't for having had some experience around a firm in the 'real world' and thus knowing what life was like outside the ivory tower of academia, I'd have probably changed majors. All in all though, I'm glad I stuck with it.

In high school I helped a local firm set up their website, ostensibly as a summer job, but I took a liking to the atmosphere of the office as well as the emphasis on problem solving. I continued working with the firm on my breaks throughout college, and took a permanent position with them right after graduation (as the recession storm clouds were gathering). Around 2013, the recession finally caught up with our small firm and I (along with several others) was laid off. From there I took a job on the coast of Florida and worked with a firm specializing in building envelope work, project management of maintenance and remedial work (primarily for condo associations), and some litigation support (ugh). The change of scenery and the salt air were good for me, but the locale was like a Florida Man version of Mayberry and grew somewhat stale. Several years later, I took a job with a state entity in Georgia as a project manager/owner's rep. I've been at that for 8ish years, and on the whole it's less intense/stressful than the private sector...no marketing involved, so the jobs come to me, so to speak. The salary pay ceiling isn't as high as it is on the private side, but the lower overall stress level along with the retirement and benefit package more than makes up for that in my ledger.

 

[YankeeVol]

Served 20 years in the Army.

Ended up being a sales consultant and eventually an F&I Manager for a total of nearly 4 years. The money was GOOD (both in sales and F&I). I sold for about 2 years and 2 months before getting "promoted" to F&I. As good as the money was, the hours suck. Especially in Finance.

I now work for a large dealership software/hardware company. Decent enough pay, and WAY better hours.

 

[joevol33]

I started electrician work in high school with my step-dad. Worked most of the summers with him and his crew. Spent many of evenings and Saturdays as a young kid, running tractors with my grandpa. Cutting hay, raking, kicking and bailing it for our cattle. Farming cattle was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done. I enjoyed it. After high school, I attended Western Carolina to plan on getting a degree in Physical Education. I ended up changing my major to construction management and took it for 1 semester before transferring to Haywood Community College. I was seeking a degree in Wildlife Management while there. Was there for 1 semester and dropped out. College just wasn’t for me. I got a job as a seasonal helper with Coca-Cola Consolidated and worked for 2 years as a seasonal employee. Eventually, transferred into the warehouse part-time. After 2 years of that, I left and went to work for Pepsi for 8 months on night shift in their warehouse. I ended up re-applying for a route driver job at Coca-Cola and got hired on the spot. I’ve been back with them for 5 years and have since moved up to assistant supervisor. It’s a tough job. Very physical. But I’m thankful for it and I’m thankful that it helps keep me in shape and thankful it keeps food on the table and the bills paid.

Haywood college in Waynesville? I went there for lumber grading., did that for about 7 years before I got into the textile industry, worked for a long time as a technician. Ended up swapping about a year and a half ago from that to Johnson and Johnson. Had a job offer, and the benefits were too good to pass on. Good pay also, but the benefits are sweet, they even have pension.

 

[WestTennesseeFox]

Sonic carhop and waitress in High School

In college I bartended and had internships, including one at Enron the year before they imploded.

Worked in commodities for 6 years, spent two years marketing large solar investment projects. I finally found my career calling as a contingent fee consultant, very similar to @Go aeiou. Did a lot of work with point of hire incentives as well as disaster related incentives. My former company got bought out in 2021 and I took early retirement package. Started consulting business in early 2022 primarily relating to business incentives.

Biggest piece of advice - Do what you enjoy doing, do it as good as you can, and treat people with respect along the way. The lessons and experience that I got reading people while bartending were vital in sales careers.

 

[OldandStillaVol]

This has been an interesting thread and I like reading other people's journeys. I will retire next year so it gives me an opportunity to think back on the good and bad.

Graduated high school in 1974 - during high school had your typical minimum wage jobs at places like Baskin Robbins.
Went to a small liberal arts college and majored in math and chem. Worked summers as busboy, waiter, data entry.
Got a research assistantship in a graduate program in statistics and went straight from undergraduate to grad school. Finished a doctoral degree in 1984.

Worked for a large pharma company in their research and development for 28 years. Most of this was in clinical research involving clinical trials for new compounds. In 2012, company started downsizing so I took early retirement and moved to a university position as a non-tenure faculty supporting large observational studies and non-drug clinical trials. Will retire in 2024.

In regards to the specific questions:

Did you start your career for the money/lifestyle? A little of both. The money was pretty good after grad school and I got some good bonuses working on successful drugs. All office work with little travel required.

Do you have a job you love? My current university position is great. The money is less than in pharma but the stress is much lower and I can work more independently.

What brought you down this path to find this job? In high school, I started to like math / problem solving so a career in statistics was a good match.

Is it something that just gets you by? Or fills you with a purpose? It is very rewarding to work in health research and try and help people suffering from some pretty devastating diseases.

As general advice for young people starting out or wondering what they should do, I would say try and find something that matches your interest/skills/personality and has decent job prospects. Money is important, but I can testify to the fact that if you hate your job, the money is little consolation. Although there is lots of talk about FIRE (financial independence, retire early), you need to realize that your career is likely to be a marathon, not a sprint. Find something that you can stay interested/satisfied for the long haul. If you save wisely and can retire early, great, but don't count on it at the beginning.