Work... what ya do and for who?

[rugdnit 1]

i am a sales rep. i handle about ten different lines, but my main focus is hockey. i was the kid who could not sit still in class, so i really enjoy the changing scenery while out on the road. i watch lots of movies and listen to my stereo quite a bit... keeps me going some days!

[ddeitz 0]

Security at a large hospital

the hours are too good to move on:(

Edited April 25, 2008 by ddeitz

[KU40 173]

Research Assistant for an aquifer study for the state geological survey. Basically just input data onto a computer and sometimes make cool looking images. Only on a term contract, though, so I'll be looking for something else in about 2 months.

[///M5 2,833]

Sales Manager for a company that specializes in NVH measurements. You name an unusual acoustic or vibration measurement and I have probably made it.

[Jmac 24]

Starting up my own business soon.

Right on! Computer related I imagine?

Yeah ... New house has a 900 sq. ft. shop in the back ... It's a wood shop now (previous owner is leaving behind all the table saws, drill presses, etc.) and I could have a lot of fun building boxes for a short time, but that wouldn't fit into my business plan Also, it's already fully-secured (triple-deadbolts, alarm, barred-windows welded to steel frame, cameras) mostly due to the fact he was using it to house all his wood-working and auto repair equipment (saws, drills, welders, etc. as well as performance parts as he raced his car semi-professionally) and, unlike most shops, it's fully-insulated, so it won't get unbearably cold during the winter.

Ultimately, I am going to be turning it into a computer repair shop primarily and will also hold weekly classes aimed primarily at the elderly. The town I live in has a population of roughly 50,000 with almost 60% being over the age of 50. There's only one competitor in terms of classes which is the local univeristy/college, which offers only a 3-month course for several hundred dollars and class size is between 20-30/course. I think (and know, given the surveys I've received back) that there would be a huge market for a computer course offered on a pay-per-class basis with small class sizes. I've also considered renting out the shop for LAN parties on weekend nights as well, given that I would be in-town, have lots of space for parking, and the shop has 30A breakers.

It's still going to be a bit off given I would like to have any and all possibly-applicable certs before starting the repair side afterwards I'll be charging $60/hour for repairs at the shop, $90/hour for on-site service (by appointment), $120/hour for emergency/immediate on-site service. I plan on starting the courses ASAP, though, as I have already received almost 5 dozens surveys back w/ the vast majority of them saying they would be very interested in attending classes. I plan on holding classes 1-2 times per week, 3 hours per class, 6 people per class at a cost of $50 per person ($300/class ... $2400/month if I hold 1 full class per week). I'll also probably be renting a room to my friend who is also well-versed in computers and he'll probably be working for me if the demand is high enough.

I'm still waiting to move into the house first, of course, before I can do anything ... July will be sweet ...

[fuzzyping 0]

Ultimately, I am going to be turning it into a computer repair shop primarily and will also hold weekly classes aimed primarily at the elderly. The town I live in has a population of roughly 50,000 with almost 60% being over the age of 50. There's only one competitor in terms of classes which is the local univeristy/college, which offers only a 3-month course for several hundred dollars and class size is between 20-30/course. I think (and know, given the surveys I've received back) that there would be a huge market for a computer course offered on a pay-per-class basis with small class sizes. I've also considered renting out the shop for LAN parties on weekend nights as well, given that I would be in-town, have lots of space for parking, and the shop has 30A breakers.

It's still going to be a bit off given I would like to have any and all possibly-applicable certs before starting the repair side afterwards I'll be charging $60/hour for repairs at the shop, $90/hour for on-site service (by appointment), $120/hour for emergency/immediate on-site service. I plan on starting the courses ASAP, though, as I have already received almost 5 dozens surveys back w/ the vast majority of them saying they would be very interested in attending classes. I plan on holding classes 1-2 times per week, 3 hours per class, 6 people per class at a cost of $50 per person ($300/class ... $2400/month if I hold 1 full class per week). I'll also probably be renting a room to my friend who is also well-versed in computers and he'll probably be working for me if the demand is high enough.

If I can make a suggestion, dump the mom/pop PC-level (A+ certification) type work and bury yourself in stuff like UNIX (Linux/Solaris/BSD) and TCP/IP networking. It doesn't have the headaches and lost hours of PC support, you can earn a ton of money, and it's a load of fun. I bought my first computer in 1998 and started learning Linux almost immediately. By the end of the next year, I had a job working for a telco making $30k (big whup). In six months (admittedly, at the height of the dot-com era), I doubled my salary at the next job. Mainly due to my passion for computing and my hours spent learning it at home, I survived and thrived through the lean years. Most of my peers make well into the six-figure range now, and I expect that to continue as the price of online storage decreases and the internet continues to evolve as "the platform" for all things computer-related.

Of course, what I've managed isn't common. You must have a passion for it, but it sounds like you do. The sky is the limit if you love your work and have a thirst for knowledge and challenges. I do consulting work on my own time as well, but I've found that only server and networking stuff is worth my time. Businesses tend to value your work and time much more than the grandma or dad next door ever will.

I hope this hasn't come off as bragging or pomp, it isn't meant to be. I have a fondness for others with the same passion for their work that I have. If I see an opportunity to steer them in a good direction, hopefully I can give some sage advice and some of it sticks. Trust me, you don't have to be smart to do what I do. I ain't.

[Guest zedman]

opps wrong thread

Edited April 26, 2008 by zedman

[///M5 2,833]

http://www.fcac.gc.ca/eng/publications/Cre...portScore_e.asp

# Reduce the number of credit applications you make. If too many potential lenders ask about your credit in a short period of time, this may have a negative effect on your score. However, your score does not change when you ask for information about your own credit report.

According to this site it agrees with what I have said. It is from canada though but I am pretty sure it applies here as well.

this one says:

# Try to minimize the number of inquiries into your credit report from credit grantors by not applying for new credit unless absolutely necessary. (Note our credit report inquiry does not have an adverse affect on your credit risk score or credit rating.) more ideas below

this is from http://www.creditreporting.com/scoring.html

It is saying the same thing.

I am sorry to say even if you come back and say that such and such says it has an effect I for one will not believe you. There are too many sites that say otherwise. If it was true that all inquiries have a negative effect it would be illegal to state otherwise.

If my accounting instructors say that you are right I will come on here and proclaim my incorrectness but I dont see it happening anytime soon. I hope you all have an awesome night. Z

Obviously you don't do lending for a living, why the hell you post this here?

[Guest zedman]

nope not lending... accounting, what does that have to do with basic knowledge? Does that mean everyone should say the same thing to you? You do not work in lending so you obviously do not know what you are talking about? see how rude that sounds. wow

Edited April 26, 2008 by zedman

[Tirefryr 1,742]

He's asking why you posted that information in this thread when the title is, " Work... what ya do and for who?, We all hate it but it takes care of the bills."

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Paying positions:

Designer/Drafter for structural steel firm (lay out and such for commercial & industrial sites)

Detailing cars (did it on the side since high school but very rare anymore, only a few vehicles)

Personal Trainer (also very rare, no longer signed with a gym, so this does not really count anymore)

Non-paying positions:

SSA

[dem beats 1,223]

Sales Manager for a company that specializes in NVH measurements. You name an unusual acoustic or vibration measurement and I have probably made it.

Interesting!

My friend is an enginear who's job is similar, but it usualy involves him trying to replicate an issue. Basicaly he uses huge shakers(really powerfull speakers pretty much) and blasts ferquensies at things untill they break. It was amazing touring his place of work. Saw some .5hz capable drivers.... those would be sweet in the HT lol

[jntar 15]

Customer Support Specialist for Ericsson Inc.

Basically the project managers call me to get crains, deliveries, and inventory to locations and then setup. Key account right now is T-Mobile and BEMA, In other words if you use t-mobile or some other smaller companies anywhere in the nation, chances are you're talking though one of the servers that I have set up.

[jimbo 0]

Computer salesman at Best Buy, lawn maintenance and general handyman during the summer, and student in my last month of high school.

[///M5 2,833]

Sales Manager for a company that specializes in NVH measurements. You name an unusual acoustic or vibration measurement and I have probably made it.

Interesting!

My friend is an enginear who's job is similar, but it usualy involves him trying to replicate an issue. Basicaly he uses huge shakers(really powerfull speakers pretty much) and blasts ferquensies at things untill they break. It was amazing touring his place of work. Saw some .5hz capable drivers.... those would be sweet in the HT lol

I used to sell "huge shakers" and am really familiar with his tests work. I regularly use shakers for doing tests today, but in this case it is to impart energy at all frequencies into a device to figure out its modal characteristics. In short, modal analysis is a technique to define/measure all of the bending shapes and frequencies they occur at in any structure.

[dave_Edwards 1]

Sales Manager at http://www.shelor.com and hired security for the Irish mob....

[sundownz 197]

Sales Manager at http://www.shelor.com and hired security for the Irish mob....

The company I used to work for sells to the company you work for

[fuzzyping 0]

Sales Manager at http://www.shelor.com and hired security for the Irish mob....

The company I used to work for sells to the company you work for

His company needs to talk to my company about speeding up their website.

[ford302redneck 15]

4th Generation Farmer.

As of now, I work for my dad.

I don't have my "own" farm so to speak at this moment.

Trying to see if its worth it or not in the next few years.

[onebadmonte 235]

CAD/CAM designer for the leader in aftermarket automotive A/C

[djjdnap 78]

was a tech for kroger warehouse, didnt work too well wt school though

now i'm workin at advance auto makin the same amount, lol, doin alot less work.

Also full time student.

[Big E 4]

Circuit City - Home Entertainment Sales

[Stuckinok 0]

DOD Civilian for the ARMY here in Lawton, Ok. I do Production Control which is like issuing out work orders to the mechanics and updating everything on our database. I'am also in the ARMY reserves as the head Combative(hand 2 hand) instructor for my brigade. Sometimes when they need me I play as opposition forces OPFOR to help train units going to Iraq. Which means get to dress up like a insurgent and run around Ft Sill with a AK-47 playing the bad guy. Once a week I teach private lessons in Jiu-Jitsu to kids and well thats about it.

[Godsmack 361]

DOD Civilian for the ARMY here in Lawton, Ok. I do Production Control which is like issuing out work orders to the mechanics and updating everything on our database. I'am also in the ARMY reserves as the head Combative(hand 2 hand) instructor for my brigade. Sometimes when they need me I play as opposition forces OPFOR to help train units going to Iraq. Which means get to dress up like a insurgent and run around Ft Sill with a AK-47 playing the bad guy. Once a week I teach private lessons in Jiu-Jitsu to kids and well thats about it.

What level certified are you?

[Stuckinok 0]

DOD Civilian for the ARMY here in Lawton, Ok. I do Production Control which is like issuing out work orders to the mechanics and updating everything on our database. I'am also in the ARMY reserves as the head Combative(hand 2 hand) instructor for my brigade. Sometimes when they need me I play as opposition forces OPFOR to help train units going to Iraq. Which means get to dress up like a insurgent and run around Ft Sill with a AK-47 playing the bad guy. Once a week I teach private lessons in Jiu-Jitsu to kids and well thats about it.

What level certified are you?

level 3