What jobs have you been employed at?

In Australia back in the day a 'checkout chick' was a girl usually underpaid who worked a checkout till.
No 'plastic fantastic' credit cards just cash or cheque/check if previously okayed by management.
Really? I wasn’t sure if you had spellcheck that changed it . Sometimes that happens to me.
That’s amazing. Why underpaid though.
Thanks. 👍That’s interesting.
 

The first time I had to move a heavy pallet from up high, it scared the beejebers out of me. It got to be no big deal at all. I've had them fall over, and I always blocked my head (as if my arms were going to stop those falling boxes from rattling my brains lol) but it got easy. I miss that job.
 
I enjoyed reading this recently resurrected thread. I suggest that everyone go back to the beginning, to enjoy a hearty laugh with Sifuphil, who I understand passed away a couple of days ago. That is probably the way most of us would prefer to be remembered, with laughter.
 
Waitress, screen printer, assembly, table setter, working in banks, media services, library, telephone solicitor, home cleaning, housewife, college student services.
 
At 24 I went to real estate school because a friend didn't want to go alone. I finished and got my license, she didn't finish the class.

I did listings and sales for a small firm in a small city for about 4 yrs, started in the Reagan inflation/recession years. Discovered property management and loved it. Worked for several companies in the big city, ran a company for someone, opened my own business at 38 yrs old and never looked back.

When I would get burnt out I would close the business, take a year or so off. Then start over when I ran out of money. LOL . It is a very high stress business.

Sold the business and retired. I don't have a lot of money but I am happy. Don't miss working at all.
 
Once I turned 16, my mom insisted that I get a summer job for which she made the arrangements. Usually the jobs were performing inventory at department stores. Once I had the task of doing driver surveys at rest stops on the highway (like where they were from, where they were going, etc.) and was almost arrested - at least I got the Miranda treatment. The trooper said I had to stop bothering people since I didn't have a permit to do so (I always suspected someone made a complaint). I told the trooper the survey supervisor was working at another rest stop. I guess the trooper went and talked to him becaue he came back and said I could continue. I never flipped burgers asa summer job, however.

I was lucky to get a well-paying job the fall after I graduated from college. I worked for our state's health department for 38 years (retired 9 years ago come this September). I started in the microbiology department performing a variety of diagnostic procedures and worked there 6 years. Then was promoted to the toxicology research lab and stayed there 27 years and had a few research papers published. The last year I was placed in the enviromental analysis lab where my main function was to keep the anylitical equipment calibrated. I quipped then that every time I got a promotion, the location kept getting closer to the exit door.

After retirement, I rested over the winter, then got bored and went looking for a job and ended up with one that costs me money - delivering meals to the elderly and shut-ins. The drivers are not even reimbursed for gas. The current route can be 25 to 27 miles depending on how many clients are on the route list any given day. The only "perks" are that any day I deliver meals, I have the option to request a complimentary meal that day. Also volunteers are given a "recognition" luncheon once a year at an upscale restaurant.
After retirement, I rested over the winter, then got bored and went looking for a job and ended up with one that costs me money - delivering meals to the elderly and shut-ins.
Those of us that cannot stand long enough to prepare a meal are deeply appreciative.
When I retired could still drive, but that was when gas was $4.00 a gallon, toyed with idea of delivering Meals on Wheels, put never did.
Physically, the downhill slid was rapid. I can walk 30 feet, then have to find a chair. The standing is the problem.
(Thank you Mr. U.S. Army)
In the rural you get ten meals every two weeks.
I never realized how many steps and how much standing is
required in meal preparation-until I couldn't.

You guys deserve recognition and our heartfelt thanks











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My first job, which I hated and got fired from within a week was working in a garment factory doing piece work when I was 16.
Then I worked in retail, as sales girl and as a toy department manager when I was only 18. That was a fun job.
Teletype operator/clerk for Western Union
Clerk typist/Secretary for a city agency.
Health Investigator (municipal) then Public Health Representative (aka Disease Intervention Specialist- DIS) for the state, First Line Supervisor (which I absolutely hated) then back in the field on solo assignment as a DIS, all in the same office. I retired from the last position. Several courses over the years including college courses prepared me for the various position upgrades.
 
One of my jobs was printing signs for sales items. You've seen the holders, where you can slide a cardboard sign in. I made the signs used in a chain of stores, Ames. I'm dyslexic to begin with, and you have to set up the type in reverse, so that it comes out correctly. Well, I printed up 100s of signs for McGregor Shirts- only I forgot the "R" in 'shirts.'
 
Delivery boy, pharmacy. 12
Musician, bandleader. 12-45
Stock boy, grocery store. 13
Cashier, pharmacy. 14
Fountain room manager, deli. 15-16
Chemical factory worker. 16
Lifeguard. 17
Cab driver. 18-22
Veterinary research assistant. 18-19
Pizza maker. 20
Janitor. 20
Interstate trucker. 23
Veterinary assistant. 24
Diamond salesman. 24-25
Vending company GM. 25
Pollster. 26
Fast food manager. 26-27
Asst Manager, furniture store. 27
Legal researcher. 27-29
Real estate investor, landlord 28-present
Singing telegram presenter 30-32
Doumbek player for belly dancers 30-32
Tattooist, body piercer. 35-52
High school teacher. 38-40
Middle school teacher. 53.
Certified Arborist, company owner. 53-present

I've always had many interests. I mainly worked as a musician during my younger years, but held jobs that I could work while still keeping bands going. I started the first licensed tattoo shop in Texas, and still played gigs. After weddings, I'd come in and do tattoos and piercings while still wearing my tux.

Life has been interesting. Learning has been my greatest joy in life.

I have great respect for those who worked one or two jobs, for their whole working life, but I could never do that.
 
Too many to list

So, I'll just repost my first real job;

First Jobs

My very first ‘job’ was hoeing roses for an ol’ guy at the end of the mountain road up from our place.
He was a prize winning grower, lots of entries and ribbons and medals and plaques from all over and of course Portland, the City of Roses.

As a teacher, the crotchety ol’ fart was not the gracious diplomat he was when accepting an award.

‘Quit pickin’ at it like a goddamn woman, goddammit.’
‘Gimme that hook.’
He’d jerk the ‘hook’ outta my hand and commence to beat the holy shit outta those roses.
Apparently the ones that survived became resilient and hardy…..and beautiful.

The hook was not much more than a smallish three prong pitchfork bent 90°.

‘You don’t stop till it’s rainin’ like a cow peein’ on a flat rock.’

That was the work schedule.

And off he’d go in his dilapidated ’49 ford sedan.
The engine sounded like it would blow apart any minute, pistons rattling around, tappets tapping a beat, zero oil.
Only drove it a few hundred yards, just to harass us.

One of the old hands said, ‘just hoe like mad until you get over the hill, then you can take a little break’.
The old gent seemed to know what he was talkin’ about, he’d been there a long time.
Back permanently stuck at 45°.
Kinda bugged me….cause when it was rainin’ like a cow peein’ on a flat rock, we’d all beat feet over to the walnut tree….here he’d trudge…and there he’d stand…..bent.
His hands were stuck in a hoe holding position.
Not big on talkin’.

‘How long you been doin’ this?’

‘Some time now.’

‘Huh.’


It was $.60 an hour…10 hours a day.

I’d been there just a few days, and hoein’ like mad.
The hill just a half hour of back breaking hacks away.
Once over the hill, outta view from the ol’ guy’s shack, I straightened up and leaned on my hook.
Just stared into the sun.
Rolled a smoke.
A smoke never tasted so good.
I was just gettin’ into a mind filled tryst with Sophia Loren when I heard, ‘That’s enough of that, git offa my property.’

I turned around and there he was, leanin’ on them crutches.
How in hell had he snuck up on me?
Had he crutched his way up the hill, knowing full well what I was doin’?
At first I was startled, and maybe a bit scared.
Then I got mad, and with the knowledge that several fields of hay bales were just waiting for me, I headed right for him.
His expression changed from sneering disgust to alarm.
‘Don’t worry ol’ man. I’m not gonna beatcha.
You’ve done enough of that yerself.
Here’s yer hook.’

So, yeah, I got fired from my first real job.
 
I will give early life work experiences.
I picked rock from ag fields got very little pay put got two meals out of it. I was around 10 to 12 years old and loved it.
Picked/threw small square bales for 2¢ a bale and had to handle them times. Also about that age 10 to 16 years of age.
I painted farm building all through my early years and homes. I also enjoyed when I could work.
 

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