What Do We All Do?
My apologies if I'm repeating someone else's post, but I'd like to ask the question that we busybody Americans never seem to avoid: what do you do? I don't get to post much because of what I do: I'm a management-side labor and employment lawyer. Translated, I spend most of my days defending clients against federal (mostly) and state (occasionally) employment discrimination claims, counseling on day-to-day personnel issues, litigating employment-related contract claims, and fighting unions when I get the chance. I have an enjoyable, interesting career and I'm blessed with great partners. (Today being Father's Day, I should also mention that I'm blessed with a family that's very supportive of long hours at the office.)
So, if you're comfortable sharing, what do you do? I revel in the conversation here when I get time to throw my two cents in (we're on vacation this week), and I often wonder what many of you do for a living as I read your posts.
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Aug '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
I dispatch tug boats, it's a lot like playing chess for a living.
My employer has a strong position on the West Coast from LA to Alaska and I am grateful for the job.
Nov '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Fun question. I love to ask new acquaintances what they do. Many people have work that they have to explain. I talked to a guy the other day who quickly executed a clear summation of his work--I could tell he had to explain often, because it almost sounded scripted.
Anyway, I am accreditation coordinator for a small Christian school. What that means, at a small organization where employees wear many hats, is that I do some of everything there--from creating board materials and calendar, to helping with curriculum and faculty training, to researching grants. We're going on our third year of being accredited, so in general I help keep us on track with our school improvement plan with an eye to the next campus visit.
A broad way to explain my job is that I research what needs to be done, communicate to the administration, help set goals, and help reach those goals.
My favorite parts of my work are the faculty training piece and collaboration on material for the English department. I also get absorbed in research and love to see research become reality.
I also like the use of the word "piece" in my profession.
Dec '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Implement transportation management software systems, primarily for companies with large private fleets - think the big grocery houses, etc. It involves a ton of travel (at times way too much), but like you I have a very supportive family that understands. When I'm on the road we're obviously separated, but I also end up with 20-25 weeks a year when I'm home - not in an office somewhere in town, but home.
Nov '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Oh, I was surprised to find that there are a number of us with the title of part-time accreditation coordinator at small schools. We could have a national conference. Often a.c.'s are desperate to connect, especially at the start of the job, because trails are still being blazed (since UC mandated relatively recently that to have coursework approved, Christian schools had to be accredited). Often, too, they have no special training, are just teachers who went on maternity leave and then were hanging around just at the time the school needed someone to take charge of the process.
Oct '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
I've spend most of my career designing and building broadcast grade radio and television studios. I have done a great deal of architectural and acoustic design, but also the electronic systems for these facilities.
As the husband of a wife who is disabled and is a quadriplegic using a power chair, I also spend a great deal of my time working with the disabled community alongside Linda, bringing advice, resources and sometimes comfort to their lives. For almost 10 years I led volunteers to third world countries to bring help to the the disabled poor, spending a great deal of time in Afghanistan beginning in 1999, and Pakistan, but also places like Russia, Vietnam and much of Central America.
I'm now 68 years old, and transitioning my consulting business into a construction company, bringing my son, who has been a contractor for over 20 years, into the business as a partner.
Most of my life I have officed at home. We have a great marriage of 43 years.
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
raycon:
As the husband of a wife who is disabled and is a quadriplegic using a power chair, I also spend a great deal of my time working with the disabled community alongside Linda, bringing advice, resources and sometimes comfort to their lives. For almost 10 years I led volunteers to third world countries to bring help to the the disabled poor, spending a great deal of time in Afghanistan beginning in 1999, and Pakistan, but also places like Russia, Vietnam and much of Central America.
I'm now 68 years old, and transitioning my consulting business into a construction company, bringing my son, who has been a contractor for over 20 years, into the business as a partner.
Most of my life I have officed at home. We have a great marriage of 43 years. · Jun 19 at 12:27pm
I have a darling niece who is a special needs child, so you've won my admiration. Happy Father's Day.
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Squishy Blue RINO: I dispatch tug boats, it's a lot like playing chess for a living.
My employer has a strong position on the West Coast from LA to Alaska and I am grateful for the job. · Jun 19 at 11:53am
You probably get this often, but your job is one of those that never occurred to me that people actually do. Sounds like a lot of fun. Do you have to deal with grief from the longshoremen unions out there?
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
sawatdeeka:
Anyway, I am accreditation coordinator for a small Christian school. What that means, at a small organization where employees wear many hats, is that I do some of everything there--from creating board materials and calendar, to helping with curriculum and faculty training, to researching grants. We're going on our third year of being accredited, so in general I help keep us on track with our school improvement plan with an eye to the next campus visit.
Good stuff. My oldest goes to a new charter school, and my wife is heavily involved with the PTO. The people there are dealing with similar challenges.
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
If you haven't seen Up in the Air, you should try it out - not bad. Don't read the book, though; you'll need years to get over the depression.
Aug '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Matthew Gilley
Squishy Blue RINO: I dispatch tug boats, it's a lot like playing chess for a living.
My employer has a strong position on the West Coast from LA to Alaska and I am grateful for the job. · Jun 19 at 11:53am
You probably get this often, but your job is one of those that never occurred to me that people actually do. Sounds like a lot of fun. Do you have to deal with grief from the longshoremen unions out there? · Jun 19 at 12:50pm
We get our share, not nearly what the marine terminal managers get, as they are effectively labor brokers (middle-men between the union and the vessel).
The ILWU is very powerful, they can shut down the harbor in a heartbeat and they have generations of inside knowledge on how to vex the terminal managers.
My grandfather was one of the first members of ILWU 13 and my great-uncle is a past-president.
We have a good relationship with our union labor leaders, but it is an adversarial system just the same.
I love what I do, and having an office on the waterfront is a nice perk.
Dec '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Matthew Gilley
If you haven't seen Up in the Air, you should try it out - not bad. Don't read the book, though; you'll need years to get over the depression. · Jun 19 at 12:53pm
Thanx - I saw it and found it amusing. Particularly the parts about following the Asians through security, and pulling out/comparing the frequent traveler cards. I actually had that experience a couple of years ago in the Toronto airport with 4 other guys!
Jun '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Like Matthew, I'm a lawyer (most of my work has been litigation and regulatory proceedings for public utilities). It gave me an up-front seat on how government regulation works (or doesn't). I've learned that once a regulation is passed, it lives on for at least two decades after its purpose has long been accomplished. The compliance costs and legal fees are huge and you see them in every utility bill you pay.
For monopoly utilities, a certain level of regulation is entirely appropriate. Unfortunately, the level of regulation far exceeds the public need. It's been positive for me (and has helped me help my children through college), but it is a huge negative for society. In other words, I'm a parasite of the administrative state, which continues to grow and grow, and each of us continues to pay and pay.
Edited on June 19, 2011 at 10:59pmMar '11
Re: What Do We All Do?
It is fun to find out everyone's background. I'm retired from accounting, investment banking and real estate development (actually still doing some of that). I worked from home most of my career and recommend it though my children probably have a skewed idea of what's in store for them. Spend most of my time now reading political news, studying languages and choir singing.
Nov '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
I bet I'm the only academic radiologist here. I interpret radiologic studies, both individually and with residents whom I supervise and help train.
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
tabula rasa: In other words, I'm a parasite of the administrative state, which continues to grow and grow, and each of us continues to pay and pay. · Jun 19 at 1:58pm
Edited on Jun 19 at 01:59 pm
Don't apologize for what you do; ridiculous as these regulatory regimes are, they are still a fact of life and for better or worse your work sees to it that our lights stay on.
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
I wasn't aware anyone was still doing real estate development.
May '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
As far as I know, you're the only academic radiologist here, there or anywhere.
Dec '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
I am an engineer working in metro Detroit for one of the big three. The employment picture over the last few years has been butral. I am greatful to have a job.
Jun '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
I'm a PhD student and do radiological type research... so... close right?
I'd be happy to sell out for a real job though...if anyone's hiring....
Overall, I can't complain.
Jun '10
Re: What Do We All Do?
Rather than saying "(duplicate)," I'll use this space for a thought....
I'm a hard, hard worker, I'm workin' every day.
I'm a hard, hard worker, I'm savin' all my pay.
If I ever get some money put away, I'm gunna take it all out and celebrate.
I'm a hard, hard worker every day.
Edited on June 20, 2011 at 1:42am