What do you do for a living? and how long?
 

just courious as to what people do?

i am a transmission specialist at a ford dealer. (i build transmissions).
I have been doing this for 12 years. since i was 18.

I'm a (semi-) retired accountant who used to do statistical computer modelling, project management/accounting, personal financial counselling, and some writing (technical with some fiction on the side). I started out as a biochemistry major, switched to business, took a qualifying year in psychology, working on my master's (never finished it), studied French for 3 years, then got interested in computers.

As you can see, I'm very confused and currently taking some time to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Currently it's narrowed down to fireman or jet fighter pilot.

I am a full-time pediatric palliative and hospice social worker... seven years worth.
I help families through their kids' living and dying process.
And a full-time third year student working on my PhD in clinical psychology with a health psych focus.
In my spare time, I kick ass.

I design and write computer software. I've been doing that for about 37 years. I've been the on and off tech lead, which means quite a bit of project planning and other busywork, for a software development team for the last 10 years, and been the tech lead for the last five years.

i work in a bicycle shop, been working there for a year or so. i like bicycles.

I want skizziks job!!!

Currently I am an account manager (sales) as I love making commissions and our product is freaking awesome and it nearly every business can benefit from it. So life is good but I am not a natural sales person. I can sell but not close if that makes sense for you sales people. Luckily I can lead a horse to water and my clients buy since I don't sell. 5 years now.

Funny enough today I was asked if I was interested in research analyst role with a focus on service and contract negotiations. I might be for a change of pace depending on salary and pressure relieve.

We just found out we have a little one in on the way (high five!) so not sure a career change for what is sure to be less money is in order though. Go team canuckguy!

I graduated from college in 1972 with a BSME and have been a mechanical engineer ever since. I've worked for five companies, the first one for 14 years, then a few different ones hunting around, and now 17 years with the present company. The first and current are pretty much what I'm most expert at, designing, manufacturing, and applying temperature actuated (this is a recent description I made up) "autonomous smart valves", which are valves that do not rely on any outside power or signal, they just do what they need to do on their own.

skizziks,
My daughter is an expert bike mechanic and works at/manages a bike shop in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. She loves bikes.

I fly a helicopter doing primarily fire fighting with the USFS. I have been flying since 1982, although the first 8 years I flew in the back seat as a systems operator chasing submarines...cold war days.

Every day is slightly different....I could be lighting a fire one day doing prescribed, or controlled burns, and the next day putting them out. I love my job and James Michener said it best:

There is a cost---I live in hotels for an average of 300 days each year....