Roll call

[houseelf]

Since we have so many new members, I thought it would be good to share some information about the nonmedical side of our lives. Please share the following:


1)What do you do?



2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?


3)What other jobs have you worked?



4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?



5)What is your fantasy job?


Kelly

[houseelf]

1)What do you do?

I am a part-time staff attorney for a state district court judge.



2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

I like my job, but if I had to leave tomorrow, I'd find something else.


3)What other jobs have you worked?

Bar maid, accounting intern, Army JAG civilian attorney, TCBY store manager, babysitter, camp counselor, tutor, research attorney, & waitress.


4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

I'm the type of girl that takes advantage of opportunities as they arise. I don't have a defined plan, but I could see myself working part-time in family law. Adoption law has always intrigued me but getting in to this area takes connections. I could also see myself staying at home and enjoying my kids and life more fully. We will see where the day takes us.

5)What is your fantasy job?

Travel show hostess: "Hi, I'm here in Singapore and it is fantastic..."

Kelly

Great idea!

1. I research stocks for an investment fund.

2. Somewhere in between. I didn't know what I was getting into when I took this job, but I enjoy it and the people I work with. But I'd try something else if I had to leave.

3. I don't have a plan. I could do this for a very long time, but if I were to have kids, I could see myself as a SAHM.

4. Can I say independently wealthy? I enjoy spending money more than making it

[migirl]

OK, I'll play...

1)What do you do?

I am an environmental engineer, currently working on a semi-permanent consulting contract for one of the Big 3 automotive companies.


2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

I work to pay the bills.


3)What other jobs have you worked?

I've worked part-time at a college bookstore, Bath & Body Works, Bed Bath & Beyond, and did an internship for an internet venture consulting firm during my MBA.


4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

Not really sure. Like Kelly, my career has always kind of evolved on its own where I've taken opportunities as they've come along. I don't have a particular passion for my job, so I don't really have a 'master plan' for myself. I hope to be a SAHM once we start having children, so in ten years I'll probably be at home stressing out about my screaming kids.


5)What is your fantasy job?

Um ... is it bad if I don't know? I have a lot of interests and some talents (I hope!), but nothing I can say really calls to me. I'll have to think about this one...

[Auspicious]

Re: Roll call

1)What do you do?

I'm a production editor (basically the same thing as a managing editor) at one of the major book publishing houses. I traffick books through the process of going from edited manuscripts to printer-ready files. It's a good mix of editorial and project management duties.


2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

A bit of both. I like my job but don't consistently love it. I definitely think that books inspire and edify and I'm glad to be working in this field--it is part of who I am, but not all of who I am. I'm looking to strike a healthy balance with my at-work life and my at-home life.


3)What other jobs have you worked?

Kitchen help at a local pizza joint, food vendor at Six Flags, office temp, salon receptionist, mailroom clerk, switchboard operator.


4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

Living in Chicago, working for a textbook publisher. (Plans subject to change based on the whims of fortune.)


5)What is your fantasy job?

I wish I knew. In all of my professional fantasies the job is interchangable--what's always the same is how much I love the job. I'm eager to jump out of bed each morning and conquer the day's tasks. I've felt that way before, but never for more than 4-6 months at a time. I have no idea what would make me love a job that much over a long-term basis.

[Sheherezade]

1)What do you do?

SAHM of 2. Youngest is in preschool 14 hrs. a week. I volunteer at the schools and in the local community, mostly assisting in science teaching. I'm also using my new "free time" to write (fiction and local mag articles) and take patent law/technology classes at Harvard in the evenings.


2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

Used to be a calling--an obsession, really. The intensity of focus was not compatable with small children .


3)What other jobs have you worked?

Except for brief jobs in library work and retail, I have worked in labs doing cell/biochemistry research since I was in 9th grade. I got my Ph. D. in neuroscience 7 years ago.


4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

I hope to be working in a part time job or very flexible full time job that will still allow me to be home (mostly) when the kids are home after school. I have explored teaching high school science, science writing and working as a patent agent--but our family goal is to get me back in the lab. Ideally, I could run the research arm of DH's academic career doing cancer research and get a faculty appointment. He's not really into the basic science element (he prefers the clinical)--but he can get the grants to get us started.


5)What is your fantasy job?

I would love to be JK Rowling, but the position is taken.

[SueC]

Good idea Kelly!
1)What do you do?
I have a medical billing company that I operate out of my home. I only have one client, which consists of physical therapy, respiratory therapy, social work, and occupational therapy.


2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?
Well, I work inside the home, but I do it to pay the bills. It is definitely not my calling to deal with insurance companies. With my previous occupation, I couldn't make enough to justify childcare, but we still needed me to have an income. Working at home allowed me to bring home more of a paycheck.

3)What other jobs have you worked?
Before starting my business, I did some telemarketing (in a desparate attempt to find a work at home job, turns out it was a scam!), in-home childcare, real-estate marketing, and news monitoring. I am an occupational therapist, and did that for about 3 years before our first child was born. Before I graduated, I worked as an EKG technician, a nanny, worked at Arby's, took inventory at grocery stores, sold vacuum cleaners door-to-door, worked at Little Caesar's Pizza, was a hostess at an Italian restaurant... That's all I can think of right now.
4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?
I don't! Actually I haven't really thought that far ahead. Sometimes I think I'd like to continue with my business after my husband finishes fellowship (I may not have a choice about that actually considering our debt), sometimes I toy with the idea of going back to get my master's degree, and sometimes I fantasize about being a full-fledged stay-at-home-mom.


5)What is your fantasy job?
Professional dog walker? I don't know--when I did career counseling several years back I was really leaning towards studying gerontology and maybe teaching wellness classes or something to that population. Something where I get to be social, somewhat autonomous, where I feel like I'm helping people in some way, something that isn't monotonous. I'm still searching for my dream job I guess.

1)What do you do?

I am an online news editor for an international wire service. I also write and edit stories as time permits.

2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

Journalism is a calling for me, but I've stayed in this particular job because the bills need to be paid.

3)What other jobs have you worked?

I've done a ton of waitressing, worked in a children's clothing store, interned in a bunch of galleries, worked at Ben & Jerry's, volunteered in hospitals, worked as a camp counselor...

4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

I think I'd like either like to work in a museum or write about art.

5)What is your fantasy job?

Sort of the same answer as where I see myself in 10 years -- hopefully when I don't need to support us I can pursue my art dreams...

[mommax3]

1)What do you do? SAHM of three boys for the past 9 (gulp!) years. I plan on doing this at least until my youngest starts school full-time.....he goes to kindergarten in 2007.

2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling? I stay home because I feel like it is my calling.....we certainly have plenty of bills to pay!

3)What other jobs have you worked? In semi-chronologic order, I have:

pre-motherhood:
babysat (as a teenager)
worked at Baskin-Robbins
worked at Dairy Queen
babysat some more (in college)
been a children's choir director
nannied (for a professor)
worked (for two summers) on an outdoor painting crew
worked on a janitorial crew cleaning dept. stores early in the mornings
provided respite care for handicapped children (babysitting with a twist!)
taught middle school music and choir at a low income school for five years
post-motherhood:
taught private voice and piano lessons
nannied (for two doctors)
done in-home child-care
worked about 20 hrs./wk at my church doing clerical work for the worship pastor, leading some rehearsals of choirs and smaller groups, and directing children's choirs
substitute taught at my kids' school

4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

Substitute teaching and perhaps taking some classes in......counseling, maybe? Or child development?

5)What is your fantasy job?

I haven't figured this one out yet.....I very much like being my own boss and that is not a situation that you find in the teaching profession! I like helping people and teaching people......there is always a need for that! I am just wary of letting complete strangers rip my heart out, which is inevitable in the helping professions, when I need my emotional well-being intact for my children and my marriage. Still working on this one.

[DCJenn]

1)What do you do? See my long and complicated explanation under politics 3 but in a nutshell, I make sure that states are making sure that providers of services to people with disabilities are keeping them safe, healthy, and happy.


2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

Both- I love what I do and I have always worked with people with devleopmental disabilities. It's a passion, a commitment, a love- but I also work to pay the bills and am lucky in that it has all worked out so well.


3)What other jobs have you worked?

Other than a short retail career in high school, a stint at a chocolate factory in grad school and one year as a BSW social worker at a homeless shelter- I have always worked with people with disabilities:
1) Job coach- mowed lawns with a crew of MR/DD men who also had mental illness
2) Case Management
3) Asst Director of a Vocational Program
4) Coordinator of 8 group homes- I was responsible for the paperwork and supervision of the staff
5) Director of Quality Assurance- made sure the coordinators were doing the paperwork and supervising the staff.
6) Facility Director- Responsible for Everything for 36 clients, 100 staff, 6 homes.
7) Fed!! (now)


4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?
Wow- there are so many options I'd like to explore- PhD? Starting my own provider agency? Advocacy? I have no idea, except that it will be somehow related to the MR/DD system.


5)What is your fantasy job?
Secretary of Health and Human Services

Jenn

[Rapunzel]

Well, I hesitated to post this because my job is somewhat (well, very) unconventional:

What do you do?

I am a full-time mother (I work only for my children ). But, I am also a home educator which means I am fully responsible for the pre-collegiate educations of four children. I have to assess their current skill level in all basic subjects (math, reading, writing, grammar, spelling) as well as research and choose (or develop if need be) an appropriate curriculum in each subject area for each child in the areas mentioned above as well as science, history, geography, and (in the future) Latin and Spanish. I also coordinate their activities including drama, ballet, basketball, bookclub, and (in the future) piano. I have full responsibility for organizing and executing field trips (generally to the Museum of Science, the Aquarium or the local library - but often to more esoteric locations). In addition to these responsibilities I have to keep my house in a somewhat livable condition.

If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

Well, there is the interesting part of my highly unconventional career - I definitely "go to work" everday (I rise at 5am, exercise, eat, shower, dress, "do" my hair and make-up before the kids wake up). But, my work is in the home. Seeing that I am not financially compensated for my work (although my husband actually disagrees with me on that as he claims his entire paycheck goes to pay my salary ) I must say that I feel it is my "calling".

What other (financially compensted) jobs have you worked?

In rough order (beginning with my teenage years):

-babysitter
-amusement park cashier
-executive assistant
-reading tutor for elementary-age children
-veterinarian assistant

Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

My goal is to have my eldest child attending college at that point with the younger three not far behind. I would like to be back in school at that point with the ultimate goal of graduating from law school (before any of my children ).

What is your fantasy job?

Supreme Court Justice


Back to work!

Jennifer

[Michele]

1)What do you do?

I am a third year veterinary student, with current plans to apply for a small animal surgery residency.

2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

I work (go to school) because I am already in debt and don't really know what else I want to do. We'll need the money as soon as I graduate.

3)What other jobs have you worked?

Waitress for about 6 months...that's it...

4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

Hopefully in a job that I like....a vet surgeon if I learn to like vetmed or if I choose something else.

5)What is your fantasy job?

Professional shopper.

1)What do you do?
I'm a SAHM to a 7 month old girl.

2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?
I have to agree with mommax here. Being a mom is definately a calling, something I have always wanted to do, and I feel very lucky to be able to do it.

3)What other jobs have you worked?
grocery store cashier
college book store
admin assistant at an airport, officially - secretary in reality
city parks planner internship
therapist for children with autism

4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?
I am sure I will still be first and most importantly a SAHM. Hopefully sometime before then I will go back to school. I have an Urban and Regional Studies degree, but its not any more my calling as it is a way to pay the bills. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was in college and watching my husband continue with school sure makes me jealous.

5)What is your fantasy job?
I have a few. Sometimes I think I want to go into PT, sometimes I want to get into nursing and see where that takes me. Almost always though I want to own my own little shop. I've always really enjoyed making all types of art, especially ceramics, so I would sell some of my own stuff (or try to!) as well as other cool things. Its not a very thought out plan at all, just a fun fantasy. I would be thrilled with having a "studio" at my house one day where I can make a mess and not have to clean it up in order to serve dinner.

Great post, Kelly! This is fun.

1)What do you do?
I work as a consultant in health care policy research and analysis. I also do project management for health care related stuff. (Stuff? How's that for professional sounding?)

2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?
Both. I enjoy what I do and the extra $$$ isn't bad. It's part time, totally flexible, and I'm my own boss. Only sucks when I have a deadline to meet or I feel unmotivated.

3)What other jobs have you worked?
lots of babysitting
filing accounting journal updates (yawn!!)
temp receptionist at accounting firm
sales clerk at a baby furniture and products store
research assistant on several health care grants (infant growth, children's pain, etc)
selling trinkets (junk!) at a speedway
Research assistant to econ professor
policy analyst for state
more university research
finance manager for a telecomm corp
accounting/finance department at the zoo (filling in for someone on maternity leave -- i got to see the elephants every day)
project management for health grants (child immz)
my consulting stuff

4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?
That's the $64K question! I don't know. I'm always surprised by where my career leads me.


5)What is your fantasy job?
Being the co-host of Kelly's travel show.
Or owning my own bakery. Wait. Ownership is more responsibility that I would want -- working at a bakery making whatever I want!

[PrincessFiona]

1)What do you do?

Currently, my main job is as a sahm to my 4 children. I also work 4 hours a week doing lab prep/working with TAs at our State U. I take the baby with me so I don't really consider myself to be working part-time just yet....though technically I am. That's ok..just another one of my many issues. I am currently working on a written manuscript and enjoy web design...I have a couple of websites

2) If you work outside the home, do you go to work to pay the bills or because you feel it is your calling?

In terms of mothering....I stay at home because I feel like it is the right thing to do for my family. I feel blessed to be able to do that, but at the same time I can not say that it is my 'calling' (am having a bad week..feelings subject to change). 8O I do my best to provide a good home for my children, but I don't have a weekly theme/daily craft and I'm certainly not going to win housekeeper of the year. I do, however, have a german homeschooling curriculum that I came up with and try and stick to. I love my children dearly and am glad to be able to be at home with them, though I do often miss the challenge (and adult conversation) involved in working.

The work I do at the University is done out of a feeling of passion that is separate from that of mothering. I worked as a volunteer for a year and would volunteer again (I still am practically a volunteer if you knew my salary ) Being a mother is no less imporant to me, but I continue to nurture this part of myself because it makes me feel good...pure and simple.


3)What other jobs have you worked?

babysitter
retail sales
corn dog on a stick
waitress at IHOP
lab assistant (chemistry lab)
Instructor for ugrad science lab
lab coordinator



4)Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?


In ten years I would love to be working on more grad coursework/researach in a formal PhD program (start laughing now because I KNOW this is not going to happen) or I would like to have finished taking more grad coursework through a distance program at a Florida U in marine sciences. I would like to have my own little class that I teach and would like to be involved in research again.

However, more important to me is that my children are all doing well in school as well as emotionally. In 10 years my children will be 19, 18, 15 and 10. This means that during these next ten years I will be facing puberty for three children as well as helping my little caboose through the early years of childhood. If anyone is still reading this, these are Kris' dreams meeting reality. Because of the reality of our lives and the importance of meeting the needs of my children, I believe that I may indeed be able to work part-time at the University and taking some distance classes, but I can throw my PhD out the window.

5)What is your fantasy job?

My dream job would be one where I would be continuously learning new skills and applying them to meaningful research projects....I would have loved to have been a neuroscientist, Angie.