View Poll Results: Question: Are you doing (for a job) the thing you thought as a young you would enjoy?
Yes but It's not as fun as I thought.
5
6.85%
Yes - I'm very fortunate, I love it!
8
10.96%
No - My job didnt exist then.
6
8.22%
No - But i'm still happy with it.
30
41.10%
No - Didnt even know this job existed
13
17.81%
No - I hate it, but I'm too old and in debt to change now, and it pays the bills.
11
15.07%
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll
How you make a living.
03-09-2009, 11:48 AM
#5
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Central Fl.
Posts: 530
In no particular order: Construction trades, Supply Yard Manager, Commercial Artist, Commercial Photographer, Electronics Technician, Canadian/American Service Rep, Food Service Factory Manager, Copy Writer, Essayist, Lothario. And, though it is unpublished, I am the author of a pornographic novel.
We men of the renascence tend to follow our interests, often finding that a paycheck follows. I was an intensely curious child.
We men of the renascence tend to follow our interests, often finding that a paycheck follows. I was an intensely curious child.
03-09-2009, 11:55 AM
#7
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Way Out West
Posts: 2,547
By age 10 or 11 I was torn:
Should I become a frontiersman like Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett?
Or should I be a photographer for Playboy Magazine?
Still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.
Should I become a frontiersman like Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett?
Or should I be a photographer for Playboy Magazine?
Still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.
03-09-2009, 12:02 PM
#9
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
03-09-2009, 01:28 PM
#11
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: greeley, co
Posts: 283
I wanted to be a commercial pilot for Delta or sumthin. Too bad I have double vision and cant get a commercial liscense. I was going through solo training when they told me that. so i emmediatly thought of sumthin I can do a be outside and would challenge alittle. So industrial refridgeration technician sounded impressive.
03-09-2009, 05:49 PM
#12
Will drum for BBQ
Back Marker
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 166
Been in commercail HVAC all my life. Always intrigued by it. After spending 20 years with the local Trane commercial dealership I am managing the controls group at an independent mechanical service company. Love it.
03-09-2009, 08:33 PM
#14
Moderate-whore
MotoGP
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Leander TX!!
Posts: 9,049
I dreamed of being a Trophy Husband long before they were in style! NOT!
I am actually looking for a job as we speak...I do have my real estate license, and I am practicing real estate in the mean time...
I am actually looking for a job as we speak...I do have my real estate license, and I am practicing real estate in the mean time...
03-09-2009, 09:07 PM
#15
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 3,451
Riding and Surfing, I've been retired since Feb 1.
I taught Vocational Automotives at an adult education campus for 30 years. Before that I was: meat cutter, retail store clerk, US Navy, draftsman, auto mechanic and electrician. None of which I thought about in high school.
I taught Vocational Automotives at an adult education campus for 30 years. Before that I was: meat cutter, retail store clerk, US Navy, draftsman, auto mechanic and electrician. None of which I thought about in high school.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; 03-10-2009 at 10:04 AM. Reason: add to post
03-10-2009, 05:41 AM
#16
Post Whore Junior
MotoGP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Triad, NC
Posts: 4,825
I really want to thank all of you that took the time to read and vote on my poll. I especially would like to thank those of you that tooke the time to explain a little about you answer. I wanted to find out just how many people share my plight.
When I was younger, I was more interested in playing than in looking to the future.. Well, little has changed. Though, now I DO look to the future.. as much as I can. I find it hard to plan too far ahead.
Congratulations to those of you that have been able to retire, are doing what you love, or are just trohpy husbands...
When I was younger, I was more interested in playing than in looking to the future.. Well, little has changed. Though, now I DO look to the future.. as much as I can. I find it hard to plan too far ahead.
Congratulations to those of you that have been able to retire, are doing what you love, or are just trohpy husbands...
Last edited by Cleveland; 03-10-2009 at 05:54 AM.
03-10-2009, 06:05 AM
#17
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North Central Indiana
Posts: 416
When I was in High School I never really thought about it. I went to visit a college to meet the swim coach to maybe swim for them and seen the Athletic training program. Decided that was it. Tore up my shoulder and left college without my degree. Did manufacturing for many years until my daughter was born and I had to get on a dayshift schedule. Left the factory to sell cars at a GM dealership. I've always been a gearhead so not that big of a stretch. I really enjoy it. This economy sucks. But, we're surviving.
03-10-2009, 06:52 AM
#18
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 467
I really want to thank all of you that took the time to read and vote on my poll. I especially would like to thank those of you that tooke the time to explain a little about you answer. I wanted to find out just how many people share my plight.
When I was younger, I was more interested in playing than in looking to the future.. Well, little has changed. Though, now I DO look to the future.. as much as I can. I find it hard to plan too far ahead.
Congratulations to those of you that have been able to retire, are doing what you love, or are just trohpy husbands...
When I was younger, I was more interested in playing than in looking to the future.. Well, little has changed. Though, now I DO look to the future.. as much as I can. I find it hard to plan too far ahead.
Congratulations to those of you that have been able to retire, are doing what you love, or are just trohpy husbands...
03-10-2009, 07:13 AM
#19
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NW North Carolina
Posts: 6,110
As a child I really wanted to be an Animal Vet or something in the medical field. As I grew up my family was poor and I was not into sports so my (non) guidance counselors actually talked me out of trying to be anything great (such a shame knowing what I know now and making 5 times their salary, @#$% IDIOTS).
I went to college to get a transfer degree, ended up with an Associate in Electromech. Eng. After school I was hired to be an Electrical journeyman. After 1 yr my wife became pregnant and I needed insurance. My father in law got me hired at the box factory that he worked at. It was good $$ with benefits but I was not satisfied with being the low man. Within a year after much hard work and at age 21, I had earned a supervisor position. I have worked my way up through the ranks to be the plant operations manager.
I hope to be a regional manager in the paper industry by retirement. I have got to go back and get more schooling though. I am not supposed to have my current job with my education but it has been overlooked so far.
It is truly amazing what we can accomplish when we are told that we can't....
My current job is nothing like what I thought that I would be doing as a kid but it is very fulfilling and I think that I actually match the job fairly well.
I went to college to get a transfer degree, ended up with an Associate in Electromech. Eng. After school I was hired to be an Electrical journeyman. After 1 yr my wife became pregnant and I needed insurance. My father in law got me hired at the box factory that he worked at. It was good $$ with benefits but I was not satisfied with being the low man. Within a year after much hard work and at age 21, I had earned a supervisor position. I have worked my way up through the ranks to be the plant operations manager.
I hope to be a regional manager in the paper industry by retirement. I have got to go back and get more schooling though. I am not supposed to have my current job with my education but it has been overlooked so far.
It is truly amazing what we can accomplish when we are told that we can't....
My current job is nothing like what I thought that I would be doing as a kid but it is very fulfilling and I think that I actually match the job fairly well.
Last edited by ghopki1; 03-10-2009 at 07:16 AM.
03-10-2009, 09:09 AM
#20
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: greeley, co
Posts: 283
One cant help but notice how many of us superhawkers have backgrounds in electrical and mechnical fields. Conection maybe? my current job of industrial maintence and an auto parts mfg plant has sent me back to school twice for forklift training and PLC's. Hondajim are you in west kentucky, I'm in northwest TN.
03-10-2009, 08:45 PM
#22
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 153
As in my very early elementary school years, I wanted to be a "scientist" as it goes by the definition of a 1st grader. An astronaut sounded good to. By middle school, being rich like Donald Trump was in style, and working the stock market sounded like the "cool thing" to do. Then someone got me into the military aspect of career stuff and thought I wanted to go into the special forces - then I wanted to be a fighter pilot.
Well, after not getting a waver for my asthma to get into the military back in '94, and my opinion on an education changed dramatically and could never get my feet planted, and wanted to continue "growing up"... ...none of that ever happened.
So now, fast forward to 2009... ...where I have just lost a really good paying job from a big box tech' company as of a month and a half ago after working in mechanical engineering as a mechanical technician; and the government is sending me back to school on their bill, because my job got sent overseas.
Its my brother who got to be the fighter pilot, and I'll be the data networking/telecommunications guy in two years hopefully. ...Not what I planned, but I'm thankful for the things I have and the gift I got, to go back to school. With everything for me here, it was a matter of fate. ...And I'm thankful for everything I have. Not happy about how the girlfriend left me, but at least I have that other Japanese girlfriend who wears the red dress in the garage - we get along pretty good.
Well, after not getting a waver for my asthma to get into the military back in '94, and my opinion on an education changed dramatically and could never get my feet planted, and wanted to continue "growing up"... ...none of that ever happened.
So now, fast forward to 2009... ...where I have just lost a really good paying job from a big box tech' company as of a month and a half ago after working in mechanical engineering as a mechanical technician; and the government is sending me back to school on their bill, because my job got sent overseas.
Its my brother who got to be the fighter pilot, and I'll be the data networking/telecommunications guy in two years hopefully. ...Not what I planned, but I'm thankful for the things I have and the gift I got, to go back to school. With everything for me here, it was a matter of fate. ...And I'm thankful for everything I have. Not happy about how the girlfriend left me, but at least I have that other Japanese girlfriend who wears the red dress in the garage - we get along pretty good.
03-10-2009, 11:12 PM
#23
Hmm?
SuperBike
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: San Gabriel Valley
Posts: 2,069
I think I wanted to be some sort of doctor, since that idea was beaten into me from birth (Asian families are an odd bunch). I ended up trying to become a veterinarian, and went to UC Davis, but that didn't pan out for me. Took some time off from school, then decided teaching was something I enjoyed (I had tutored for a little bit at the time). I went back to school to get a degree in Math, then had a job offer lined up through LA Unified to start teaching right away. At the same time, another job came through with Los Angeles Water and Power, to work in a power plant. So teaching became the fall-back option, but I haven't had any desire to go back after being with DWP for three years now. I never aspired to be a controls mechanic, but the pay and benefits are amazing for what I am (essentially, a trainee). With California's shaky economy, not to mention the rest of the nation, the job security is comforting. If I had gone with teaching, I'd probably be one of the many about to get a pink slip. I wish I had known about the power plant earlier, as I would have been really high up on the payscale by now. But I make enough for a comfortable life, and it's enough to raise my family, so I'm good.
03-11-2009, 04:06 AM
#24
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 243
in high school i was interested in computers, so i went to University in Toronto for Information Technology, it was that or Graphic design...turns out i hate sitting infront of a computer typing code...who knew...
dropped out, and bummed around for a year then got a job at the airport as a baggage handler, u know, somethin to do while i figure out stuff...thing is, that job sucks you in, it pays enough to pay the bills but not enough for you to leave a good comfortable life. 4 years there i snapped out of it and realised i can do better.
i was always a gearhead and working on my own cars so everyone told me to become a car mech, but i didnt feel like changing brakes and oil all day on cars...being around planes, they intrigued me so i went back to college for Aircraft Maintenance, to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, which in US is the Airframe and Powerplant Technician, and thats what i do now, primarily for FedEx, take care of 3 planes in the morning that come in from Newark, Indianapolis and Memphis
i like it, but i know that chances of me having a 9-5 job are slim to none, right now i'm doing a 5am to 1:30pm which does have its benefits (rest of day off) but i'm not a morning person.
so do i like it? yup, but did i think it was cooler before? definitively...knowing how much responsibility i have vs how much a plumber or an electrican do and yet i get paid less kinda blows
dropped out, and bummed around for a year then got a job at the airport as a baggage handler, u know, somethin to do while i figure out stuff...thing is, that job sucks you in, it pays enough to pay the bills but not enough for you to leave a good comfortable life. 4 years there i snapped out of it and realised i can do better.
i was always a gearhead and working on my own cars so everyone told me to become a car mech, but i didnt feel like changing brakes and oil all day on cars...being around planes, they intrigued me so i went back to college for Aircraft Maintenance, to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, which in US is the Airframe and Powerplant Technician, and thats what i do now, primarily for FedEx, take care of 3 planes in the morning that come in from Newark, Indianapolis and Memphis
i like it, but i know that chances of me having a 9-5 job are slim to none, right now i'm doing a 5am to 1:30pm which does have its benefits (rest of day off) but i'm not a morning person.
so do i like it? yup, but did i think it was cooler before? definitively...knowing how much responsibility i have vs how much a plumber or an electrican do and yet i get paid less kinda blows
03-11-2009, 04:09 AM
#25
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Cincinnati Ohio
Posts: 205
As long as I can remember I wanted to do something with cars... That is what my life long career has been to date... I worked in a FULL service Shell gas station in High School (some of you remember full service gas stations) went off to college and worked at a Toyota dealer as a technician after college moved back to my home town and went to work at a local Toyota dealer, Then went to work as a Product Engineer for Toyota Corp,
then became a Field Engineer for 14 years and now a Technical Trainer.. all together it will be 32 years this July.
then became a Field Engineer for 14 years and now a Technical Trainer.. all together it will be 32 years this July.
03-12-2009, 01:19 AM
#26
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Way Out West
Posts: 2,547
03-12-2009, 03:37 AM
#27
jet wrench
Back Marker
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: cowtown, CA
Posts: 175
Wanted to be an airline pilot... heard they only work 2wks/mo and make 100k+
Got conned by the recruiter and signed up for airframe and powerplant tech as a bonus.
2 1/2 yrs of tech school and 4 dui's, I never quite made it to pilot school, although I did solo a single engine Cessna and just couldn't afford much more. I have worked every type single engine piston popper, most twins, several helicopters, Cropdusters, restored old "dope and fabric", radial engines... I thought I was topped out working as a 747, 777 inspector for United Airlines. Right up to Sept 11, when I was promptly layed off and sent back to "GO". I migrated to corporate jets and "fractional" airlines, I was once again layed off in lieu of moving to Vegas. I now work out of a van as an AOG (aircraft on ground) mobile tech on corporate jets in northern CA. I sit on my *** at home until the phone rings, then haul/bust *** till I get home to my next beer! More than pays the bills, although in the current economical climate, I have found myself unable to take real days off, I'm 24/7 "on call" just to try and make hours, my salary is based on hrs, and I haven't made hrs since July '08.
So... YES, I am what I always dreamed of being... an ALCOHOLIC!
Got conned by the recruiter and signed up for airframe and powerplant tech as a bonus.
2 1/2 yrs of tech school and 4 dui's, I never quite made it to pilot school, although I did solo a single engine Cessna and just couldn't afford much more. I have worked every type single engine piston popper, most twins, several helicopters, Cropdusters, restored old "dope and fabric", radial engines... I thought I was topped out working as a 747, 777 inspector for United Airlines. Right up to Sept 11, when I was promptly layed off and sent back to "GO". I migrated to corporate jets and "fractional" airlines, I was once again layed off in lieu of moving to Vegas. I now work out of a van as an AOG (aircraft on ground) mobile tech on corporate jets in northern CA. I sit on my *** at home until the phone rings, then haul/bust *** till I get home to my next beer! More than pays the bills, although in the current economical climate, I have found myself unable to take real days off, I'm 24/7 "on call" just to try and make hours, my salary is based on hrs, and I haven't made hrs since July '08.
So... YES, I am what I always dreamed of being... an ALCOHOLIC!
03-12-2009, 06:15 AM
#28
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: greeley, co
Posts: 283
As long as I can remember I wanted to do something with cars... That is what my life long career has been to date... I worked in a FULL service Shell gas station in High School (some of you remember full service gas stations) went off to college and worked at a Toyota dealer as a technician after college moved back to my home town and went to work at a local Toyota dealer, Then went to work as a Product Engineer for Toyota Corp,
then became a Field Engineer for 14 years and now a Technical Trainer.. all together it will be 32 years this July.
then became a Field Engineer for 14 years and now a Technical Trainer.. all together it will be 32 years this July.
03-12-2009, 08:20 AM
#29
Member
Squid
Squid
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 92
As a little kid I wanted to be either the garbage man or an astronaut. I figured the garbage man had to be the nicest guy in the world to come get your trash every week. Just figured everybody had to love that guy. As I got older I realized that being an astronaut was spending every minute of your life in school for a chance at the space lottery. The odds werent any good! Ended up as a Network Administrator. Not the dream job but the hours and money are good and I can take sunny afternoons off to ride the 'Hawk . . .
03-12-2009, 09:42 AM
#30
Member
Squid
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Morrison, CO
Posts: 94
I was gonna be the guy that drove trains. "Engineer". Well, that all flew by about the time I got to HS and then I wanted to be a real Engineer. Off to college, and 6 years later I realized I didn't want to design parking lots and sewage systems my entire life, went the cad route building hybrid-electric busses from the ground up. I've always loved cars, and this was awesome!
Unfortunately, you still have to sell busses even if they were 1/2 a million each, that didn't last long after september 11th. I went to try and move furniture to pay the bills and ended up in their IT department. Since not a lot of furniture has sold lately, dang economy, I made the choice to move to doing IT work for the government.
Still love what I do, even though sometimes I feel I took the easy road (Computers just come naturally to me). It pays the bills and allows me the life I want to live on weekends and evenings. Now, to figure out a way to cut the job and live that weekend life all the time.......
Unfortunately, you still have to sell busses even if they were 1/2 a million each, that didn't last long after september 11th. I went to try and move furniture to pay the bills and ended up in their IT department. Since not a lot of furniture has sold lately, dang economy, I made the choice to move to doing IT work for the government.
Still love what I do, even though sometimes I feel I took the easy road (Computers just come naturally to me). It pays the bills and allows me the life I want to live on weekends and evenings. Now, to figure out a way to cut the job and live that weekend life all the time.......
