What do you all do and other questions.

[Hacker]

Obviously there is a broad range of characters this forum and I thought it would interesting to find out what everyone does for a living but also what you have done in the past, if you have any career regrets or things you wish you'd done. Also what would you like to be doing in the future?

Me? For my sins I'm now an information security management consultant which tbh is pretty dull. I've been in this field for about 5/6 years and prior to that I was a corporate fraud investigator. I was also head of security for Burberry for a while and before that a self employed security consultant doing close protection, surveillance/counter surveillance, threat assessments etc. This was mostly abroad and was good fun if a little hairy at times. I've also run a couple of comedy clubs in my time and in a past life did fourteen years in the Met Police.

Regrets? I really do wish I'd joined the army for a while but at 46 I'm probably a bit too old now! As to where I'd like to be, in the past year I've really grown to love my photography but I doubt it will ever be a full time occupation.

So come on, 'fess up and let's hear all about your sordid lives.

 

[mullrallyesport]

I am currently just finishing my HNC Computing course and hopefully going onto do my last year at college on the HND Technical Support. I did an intermediate 2 IT & Computing course last year as i needed to do a access course before i could get onto the HNC course.

I use to work in the local bakers in Tobermory at weekends and after school as a baker, then i left there to work in the Co-op in Tobermory before moving away from the isle of mull to study at college.

My aim is to have my own business one day hopefully back home on the isle of mull but i also would love to work for M-Sport or Prodrive as rallying is my biggest passion in life.

I like to marshal at rallies and when i can take pictures at rallies.

 

[Cobra]

Pest control contracts manager Also run my own wildlife management consultancy in "parallel"
Did a degree in animal behaviour years ago and never knew "what to do with it" until about 12 years ago

I got made redundant several years ago and did my class 1 trucking licence drove a fuel tanker around for a few years, that got "intereting" at times wth the other ***** on the road not really knowing how much of a bang 38,000L of 4* would make. :bang:
It still make my toes curl when I see people using mobiles in garages not realising that they are NOT intrinsically "safe" and how volatile fuel vapour is.

fuddled about with a few other things as well in the past, but mostly quite boring :rules:
Oh and did a couple of years as a house husband, work done by lunch time, strap the kids to my back with one of those papoose thingies and off for a round of golf with the lads, don't know why women make all this fuss!
Regrets : had a chance to emigrate to Canada years ago and never went, what a ****!

 

[busterboy]

I'm telling you nothing matey..

I'm now an information security management consultant

I was a corporate fraud investigator

I was also head of security for Burberry

a self employed security consultant doing close protection, surveillance/counter surveillance

did fourteen years in the Met Police

:nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono:






















Seriously Colin from leaving school I worked on pipelines operating large 360 excavators up and down the country living in a suitcase until I was 21 then I passed my HGV Class 1 License and have driven lorries ever since..

Only regret I have is I should have started up on my own as an owner driver instead of grinding away for a company that just takes you for granted..:thumbsdown:

Good thread BTW..

 

[Chuckurbarla]

I've also run a couple of comedy clubs in my time

You could run this place fairly well then

I started off as a design engineer then 23 years in RAF. Left in 1991 and became a clockmaker/antique clock restorer.

Also had a few other jobs in between so to speak. Motor cycle courier, steeplejack, insurance salesman :razz:, lorry driver, mobile phone shop manager.

After a bit of personal trauma I ran away to Turkey. Now here in my house on the hill with my two dogs, two cats, no mortgage, very little stress and a fridge full of beer. She who must be obeyed is here with me.

There's more than that to the story but that's as much as I'll admit to at present.

Now retired, and I'm only 28

 

[markgray]

Left school and went straight into the printing trade. Did a 4 year apprenticeship in Reprographics and covered everything from Artwork Photography, Drum Scanning, Conventional Planning and eventually DTP on the Macs.

Did that for 16 years till i decided enough was enough and quit.

Now setting up my own company doing photography prints onto Canvas, Gloss, Matte, Mugs, T-shirts, Caps etc

 

[Dino f]

General Manager at a company that manufactures optical flters. (lucky for me) Before that studied at The London College of Printing. (like one of my hero's Bob Carlos Clarke). Other than that, not alot.
Dean

 

[Dark Star]

Left school in Brixton in '75 with a couple of A levels.

Worked in labs for 5 years as a lab technician before I got into IT!

Joined the Met Police IT division in 1980 - Colin if you were in the Job between 1980 and 1985 I was working on the payroll IT suites in those days based out of Tintagel House and Jubilee House

Married in '81 and joined M&S in '85 - there for 12 years in their IT dept before joining LogicaCMG in '98 (more IT btw!), 5 years there, took redundancy, and rejoined in 2004

Regrets? I've had a few, but then again too few to mention!

Seriously I wonder how my life would have been had I gone to Uni...!

Biggest achievement (apart from wife and kids) was becoming British Frisbee Champion (Freestyle) in 1979!

 

[Chuckurbarla]

Why is it that other people's achievements seem so much better than your own.

British Frisbee Champion! How can anyone compete with that.

 

[surrealillusions]

hmm...interesting thread.

Well..had a relatively short life so far compared to some of the old people here (anyone over 30 is old to me )

Left school after doing A-levels..did a year at a music college which was way too expensive, didn't really learn alot.

Then went to work at a kart track (which i still work at) and also a track day company. Take photos in my spare time (and at the track days), do a bit of web design on the side.

Regrets...hmm..maybe the music college is my biggest regret so far, as it wasted alot of money.

And where i like to go - an island somewhere warm and sunny with lots of beautiful women, endless stream of money and generally having a good time. Realistically though...none of that, except the endless of stream of money which is going out of my bank instead of in. But would like to do alot of things..such as run my own motorsport team, own a motorsport related business, own a race circuit, own a photography company, be the top web developer in the world..own some website business..or something like that

 

[Dark Star]

British Frisbee Champion! How can anyone compete with that.

Trust me it's an announcement thats normally treated with derision!

And if you saw the cup....:shake: Not sure that they make eggs that small!

 

[photo-request]

did a degree in environmental management and conservation biology, worked as a quality controller and a reserve warden for the wildlife and wetland trust. Just about to start a new job looking after hazadous waste. The joy lol

 

[minimeeze]

Good thread

I left school and worked as a pharmacy assistant for a year, then went to Manchester Uni for 3 years to become a midwife. Have worked as a midwife for the last 11 years (almost) so it's really all I've known.

Biggest regret: being stuck in the crumbling NHS

Looking forward to: Emigrating to Canada and working as a midwife really should

 

[Gilly B]

Joined the Army in '71 and travelled to distant shores such as Catterick, Aldershot, Hounslow and Bicester Yeah, Yeah, I am female. Trained as a specialist teleprinter op with Royal Signals, also trained with the RAF as an Air Traffic Controller specialising in flight planning.

Lived in Germany for 5 years.

umm.... Oh, yes Teacher training (Cert Ed)

Rang my own business making machine knitted garments - so 1980,s and Director of a business that produced open learning modules for businesses to train people on the job.

Keep up peeps

Last 17 years I have been working for a Development Agency (now merged with the Welsh Assembly Gov't) encouraging businesses to locate in Mid Wales.

.....and finally, photography. I have always loved taking pictures and it has grown from there. I have done a few weddings, portraits, events and aerial photography - can be a bit hairy when the pilot gaffa tapes you into the harness before removing the door. I realised why when he banked for the first time and shouted "if I hadn't done that and you accidentally touched the centre button it would have been bye bye Gilly.

Why is it that other people's achievements seem so much better than your own.

British Frisbee Champion! How can anyone compete with that.

My claim to fame was that I was the youngest and smallest (4'11") female to freefall parachute as a sport for the British Army (1973) - I think I was about 6' before a few heavy landings - hehehe,

Married (more than once) have 2 beautiful Daughters (one is my Avatar) and 3 grandchildren. Happily married and living in Mid Wales.

 

[dizzy]

For the past almost 11 years I've been in the Army and have served in Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo, NI, Cyprus and now on my third tour in the UK. Currently doing imagery analysis but most of my time has been in Protective Security and Counter Intelligence work.

Prior to the army I very nearly became a golf pro, but had a series of unfortunate long term injuries which resulted in my missing my opportunity and ended up working in the club house. THe next thing I knew I was managing my own place and thought, why am I doing this, I wanted to be a golfer or a photographer? So I joined the Army. No, doesn't make sense to me either.

I'm approaching my last year now so I'll probably end up working as a Security consultant in Civ div. Other hobbies is cycling and I compete at National level in cycling time trials and it's got nothing to do with lycra fetish or secretly enjoying shaving my legs... Next time you see a time trial out on your local roads with people wearing pointy helmets and disc wheels, etc, it could be me!!

 

[dod]

Well, at school I did my highers and was accepted for Uni for medicine, all I had ever wanted to be was a doctor.

Couple of months before I went in I saw a job advert with the leccy company for commercial trainees, hadn't a clue what it meant, applied for it and got the job without really knowing what it was. Only thing I knew was in my ignorance I asked the guy how much someone like him could make and when he said £30k plus I accepted it, this was 25 years ago remember

They put me through an electrical/electronic engineering HND and a BUsiness studies HND, worked there about 18 years doing various things including heading up the wholesale division, managing a pile of big industrial customers but when they asked me to relocate to England I left and started on my own with one of my mates there.

Now we do energy and telecomms procurement for businesses, energy efficiency surveys, energy management stuff and we're now starting to get more involved in renewable stuff, nothing exciting but we just had our best ever year and this one's started off pretty well too.

Never did get to become a doctor though

 

[2blue4u]

An amazing number of long-serving ex-Army and ex-RAF types here.

Not me. Oh, all right then. 23 years in the Army during which I served about half that time either in RAF units or in RAF administered units.

Please excuse me if I now cut 'n' paste a section from my Ecademy profile. I'm not sure if non-members can view it.

I live near Cheltenham with Yvonne and our five cats. I think there are one or more children around here somewhere - treating parents as personal taxi firms and friendly ATMs.

In a previous life I carried out a vast range of IT roles. Everything from cleaning the computer room to Project Manager with all the usual jobs in between such as system programmer, application programmer, systems analyst and system manager. And, as this was whilst I was in the Army, would you believe all these roles were performed at the same time, in the same place and on the same system. I still have nightmares about SSADMv3. This was back in the days when men were men and computers were Minis.

Having put in more work than was good for the average man during that time I now think myself very fortunate to be part of a business that can be operated part-time or full-time - or when-I-want time. And it's great fun too.

As an Authorised Distributor for The Utility Warehouse Discount Club I spend my time either -

• Helping people and businesses save money or

• Helping people make money


Saving Money

The Utility Warehouse Discount Club offers savings on a wide range of utility services for both residential customers as well as SOHO and SMEs. The services provided include Land Line Rental, calls, call packages, mobiles, Broadband, Electricity, Gas and NGNs.

The UWDC are so confident in the savings offered that there is no minimum contract on most of the services, so customers can try a service and cancel at any time - should they wish to pay more (!??!)

Please have a look at my website for more details on just how much you could save.


Making Money

Anyone can do what I do. The requirements are that you should be over 18 years, have a pulse and know a few people.

This is the part of the business that I really enjoy. Not only do I introduce people to the business opportunity but I work with them to help them get the most from it. This is an ideal bolt-on business to another business. Not only do business people better understand the power of residual income but also the benefits of having multiple income streams.

There are many ways of marketing the services provided by the UWDC, with new ones being invented almost daily, but the most effective method will always remain working with and talking to people you know - both business people and acquaintances. Do you have a contact list of people and/or businesses who trust and respect you? Would they appreciate your help in bringing their overheads under control? Then you already have a list of potential clients.

Life has never been better We've just returned from a free 6* cruise. I'm shortly picking up a free BMW Mini. And missus is looking to retire early during 2008.

 

[IanC_UK]

Left school at 16 with several O levels and numerous CSE's, dad was an engineer so ended up doing an apprenticeship in toolmaking. After that was finished, did certifications in CNC (Computer controlled machine tools) and spent 12 years doing that job. Mainly doing things for defence, aviation, formula 1/Indy car, if any of you army types were out in Iraq first time round and had anything to do with MLRS, i made the new stainless steel doors to protect the crew instead of the aluminium ones that melted when they fired em

After 12 years decided i had had enough of smelling of cutting oil every time i went home, and as most of my work involved computers to some degree thought what the hell ill get a job in computers, immediately earned twice the money now earning considerably more as a senior systems engineer dealing with virtualisation technologies

Got my pilots licence Helicopters in 1989 with ratings on Robinson R22 and Bell Jetranger but couldnt afford to keep it up, did get well over 100 hours in my logbook though, but desperately want to get back into it, tried really hard to get a job with sponsorship for commercial pilots licence but was too old

Have always taken pictures, badly

Now feel like another major career change as im beginning to hate computers with a passion

No claims to fame, still waiting for my 15 minutes ! lol

 

[Matt]

does that free mini have utility warehouse plastered all over the side of it? We had one outside the office for around 5 hours one day when the boss invited the local chapter in to quote for us at work

im 34(soon 35) a qualified chef (make gordon ramsey look like a lightweight on the swearing and making people feel 2" tall front)but didnt like being like that, so decided to go and work for daddy in the family business, manufacturing acoustic panels for recording studios, home cinema, pro audio etc.

 

[scoff]

Bah.. you never said you worked for daddy!

I'm a Product marketing manager working for a DIY company.

Enjoyable job, some overseas travel which is a nice refreshing break.. but hard work!

Leaving little time for piccies...

 

[HIMUPNORTH]

Oh dear!

I knew Colin was a copper so not surprised there but security a Burberry!? **** me that would have been a busy job. How many checked caps did you retrieve?

Like others here I trained in the RAF. I joined as an electronics engineer but bought myself out as I could not stand the oppressive nature of the forces. Joined my brother in our father's fruit and vegetable business and am now MD with a sizeable (and friggin great!) workforce which sells foodstuffs to hotels, restaurants, convenience stores and institutional caterers throughout the highlands.

Opened a deli about three years ago and getting more specialised in food and drink products as a result. Opened a second coffee shop this year and looking for more local sites to expand into (next to Starbucks preferably!)

Married to a beautiful Black Isle girl called Jacqui and have three wonderful children who keep me grounded and broke:shrug:

So happy to live in the Highlands but am fancying a bit of adventure travel once the kids get up a bit. Want to fly my paramotor over tundra, deserts, mountains, cities (don't tell the bobbies!) and anything else remotely photographic.



Still p*****g myself laughing at John being frisbee champion. What an ice-breaker!

 

[Matt]

Bah.. you never said you worked for daddy!

I'm a Product marketing manager working for a DIY company.

Enjoyable job, some overseas travel which is a nice refreshing break.. but hard work!

Leaving little time for piccies...

you never asked!!

 

[busterboy]

Still p*****g myself laughing at John being frisbee champion.

Same here.. Sorry John..

---------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, Forgot my claim to fame (if you can call it that) but held no future.

I represented my country (England) for three years at Clay Pigeon Shooting back in the 80s and was area Champion for several years in different disciplines too..

 

[h.r.ford]

Well I'm pretty young (I'll be 30 this year) but I've lead a pretty varied life.

Professional Horse Trainer/Breeder 2 years straight out of highschool (no health insurance and brutal on your back but God I love this job/life and wish I'd never left!)

3 years at uni then dad died so had to drop out

Ended up being assistant manager of 33k sq ft pet store in Syracuse managed to get myself fired (first and only time) started that part time during uni and did a little over a year as a manager.

Didn't know what to do wanted to go back to uni but couldn't afford (remember I'm in America at this point) so joined the Army as you get free uni classes while you are active duty and scholorship help once you are out.

Went to school in the army to do Satellite Communications very interesting loved it but couldn't get a clearance because of bad debt.... then I became JAG, para legal. LOVED that but when my son was 6 weeks old I was off to Iraq and well I just didn't want someone else raising my son so I took an honorable discharge at 3 years and left.

Spent 1 year raising my son then moved to England where we are now stationed.

I started here as a paralegal/legal secretary but quickly moved in to Company Secretarial work and that is now where I sit. My formal title is Senior Company Secretarial Assistant, and while I enjoy my job I'm happy to be moving back to the States where I will be opening up an in home daycare so I can actually see my son grow up!

 

[CT]

Short version then. Born and bred in Hednesford, Staffordshire, left school at 15 despite being quite bright, not that it made much difference back then, the whole area was dependent on coal mining and that's pretty well all the employment which was available in the area. Not surprisingly I went down 't pit, did my coal face training at 18 years old, and worked on the face till I was 22. Towards the end I had a couple of very near misses including getting buried and being very lucky to be dug out still breathing. Around the same time one of the guys I worked with was killed in a coal face accident and I decided someone was trying to tell me something ...and got out.

Joined the police service in 1966 and did the 30 years I contracted for - 10 years in uniform and 20 in CID. Had a few other near misses but of a very different nature, and retired in 1996.

I'd long promised myself I'd never work for anyone else again, so it was a logical step for me to go full time with the wedding photography which I'd done on a regular basis anyway since my teens, and with the photo restoration which I'd also done for the trade for some years. After seven years of that I really couldn't face one more wedding and packed it in.

So there you go -for the last 4 years I'm totally unemployed apart from very occasional photo jobs - I turn most of them down, and the odd few restoration jobs.

I've come to the conclusion I was born to be retired and I'm loving every minute of it.

 

[busterboy]

Not surprisingly I went down 't pit, did my coal face training at 18 years old, and worked on the face till I was 22. Towards the end I had a couple of very near misses including getting buried and being very lucky to be dug out still breathing. Around the same time one of the guys I worked with was killed in a coal face accident and I decided someone was trying to tell me something ...and got out.

If I may add going down the pit had to be the worlds worst job IMO.

Miners deserved every penny they got, Most of those ex miners now have got breathing problems or a bad back of some description..

 

[CT]

I've got some very fond memories of some of the guys I worked with then Tim, but it was a different world back then anyway. :shrug: I've no regrets, all our experiences are what make us what we are.

Tis true about respiratory problems though - I'm glad I got out early.

 

[busterboy]

I've no regrets, all our experiences are what make us what we are.

Very true mate..

 

[Dark Star]

Still p*****g myself laughing at John being frisbee champion. What an ice-breaker!

Oi! :razz: Mind you I've come to expect it! Have you never noticed my sig!!!

 

[whiteflyer]

Left school with a few GCSEs and an O level, tried to join the police as a Cadet at Hutton Preston ,did not get in so got myself an apprenticeship as a centre lathe turner. Move to a couple of other company's learning CNC setting and programming on the way.

Made redundant and was offered my present job for a major laundry loading the vehicle's for delivery (crap job, but nice hours for me)

Load of regrets, why did I not go back and join the police at 18 for one.

Achievements:
Ranked No. 3 in Britain in the sport of Downriver Racing
British team champions (3 man team event )
Welsh Open Champion
British Team Member
Winning Lofer International Down River Race (Austria )

All way back in the late 70's early 80's

 

[Hacker]

Oh dear!

but security a Burberry!? **** me that would have been a busy job.

The best bit about that job was London Fashion Week where I was in charge of the security for the Burberry show. All I had to do was make sure my guys were doing their job properly and oversee the backstage area - which just happened to be where all the models got changed. Some of these arty-farty designer types might be used to being surrounded by beautiful, nekkid women but it wasn't something I got tired of.

It's tough at the top - but there's a lot more room.

 

[apodo]

I have never been anywhere near the military and am not into motorsports (well, with the sole exception of watching the Speedway on TV).

You know, I think I am not on the wrong site.

So, anyway, what is this thing photography you all keep talking about?

Michael.

 

[Yv]

The edited Highlights....Born and lived in Stockport just south of Manchester, left school at 18 after A-Levels, and got a job as trainer garden centre manager - for which, read, general dogs body and do it all, from running shop, joining landscape team and doing the garden design drawings in winter when shop was quiet - got bored after a year and left. Got a job a month or so later as a trainee manager in tyre & exhaust fitters, with a retail shop. Was there for 3 years and got to assistant manager before leaving to get married,have children, that kind of stuff. Spent 8 years married and running his mobile vehicle security business. For many reasons, we got divorced, but the main one being the empty vodka bottles I would find hidden in the rabbit hutch.
So, got out of motor trade, vowing never to return, a few years working from home, data inputting whilst the kids were young, then in 2003, joined a college course doing level 2 computer technician course, stayed on for level 3, finally passing both, as well as A+ cert and a C&G in adult training. Even did some teaching, for the same college but at the local probation office...me and 10 ex-cons... and they were great, considering.
Whilst all this was happening, I was getting quite close to a new fella...except he was 200 flamin miles away in london ... so no prizes for guessing what happened next.

So, one upheaval later and I and my girls are in the great Metrolop.... helping him run his.....wait for it....






Small Renault dealership! :bonk:

So 3 years later, 38 years old, I am a junior partner, bullied By renault and moaned at by staff [who are fab!] and generally whinged at by customers [99% of which are also fab, mainly] and sneaking off as often as possible to enjoy a hobby I took up as a kid, my photography, as well as motor racing events etc.

Thats it, not too exciting, but its a life

 

[Joe T]

Well, I did my GCSEs and A-level, then went to the University of Exeter and got a BA Hons in Business and Accounting. I went to work for a small firm of chartered accountants (after doing work experience there before my last year at Exeter). I did a three year training contract and became ACA qualified. We specialised in the audit of charities.

In September last year I qualified and switched firms at the same time. I now work for one of the Big Four as an auditor. Not many charities here, but some nice variety of work, and a lot more pay

 

[Hacker]

I now work for one of the Big Four as an auditor.

I've heard it said that auditing is for those who find accountancy too exciting, any truth in that?

:razz:

 

[Joe T]

Nope thats being an actuary!

 

[staffitaxi]

Left school at 16 and went to work at Jumpers Head Office for 5 1/2 years.

Left there and went to work in Admin at Lancaster Uni, its now 10 years later and I'm still there.

In my spare time I do lots of work for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue, update their website, put together their newsletter, homecheck, re-homes etc.

My time is sadly lacking for most of the time.

Andrea

 

[cjnicolai]

Full-time professional photographer. I'm also a singer in my band Reckless Red (myspace.com/recklessredband) and I sing solo a few times a month as well.

I occasionally do some writing related to photography and am just finishing up the workshops I've been teaching for the past three years.

- CJ

 

[mho]

Right here goes

1. Left school
2. did apprentiship as an Electrician.
3. Working as an electrician in the paper industry (manufacturing) while studying at UNI for Electronics systems control engineering degree, progressed into the development department for company i worked for (there 15 years).
4. Left to work for myself in London for 5 years - made my fortune - single again.
5. Worked for the military in Falkland Islands & on Ascension Island.
6. Back to College doing a 2 year Photography course, while working for my self supplying Digital Workflow solutions and services for photography clients.

I can here you all saying "Bloody student" I agree.

 

[digitalfailure]

Born sometime in 72, left school a few years later, slacked my way through a couple of decades to present.

Nothing glamorous, one of lifes blink and you'll miss em.