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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2007On a positive note: How many of you have jobs you love?
I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I have been fortunate enough to fit into that category. I have taught at the same university for 40 years and will retire in August 2008. There obviously have been days that have not been as good as others, and I have done far *more* than my share of tedious committee work. (One friend said, "You need to learn to say ‘no.’") But, overall, it has been a great job with great colleagues. The chair of our department approached me last week and told me he "didn’t know how they could get along without me." That’s a gross exaggeration, of course, because none of us are indispensable – but it was a nice boost for the ego. Several years ago, the Dean of the college came to me and *asked* me to apply for a promotion. I had not even considered it until he asked me to do so, but of course I complied – and the promotion quickly went up the line through the Board of Regents. I went to a big party Saturday given by the University President. When I entered the door, he quickly came up to me and said that his daughter talked about me "all the time" and talked about the wonderful classes she had with me. (That was several years ago, and he was not president at that time.) His wife said something similar a little while later. Still later in the evening, his daughter introduced me to someone and said that I was the person who started her on her way to law school. Then, to add icing to the cake, there was an article in our local newspaper yesterday about the new Assistant County Attorney. She was also one of my students. She was asked who in her life had been most influential, and I was one of the six or seven people she named. So...There’s lots more, but that’s far more than enough for a newsgroup. I did wonder, though, how many others in this group may have jobs that you actually enjoy. Everyone seems to write about sucky jobs – and statistics show that there is a *very* large percentage of the population who spend their entire lives working in jobs that they hate – but there surely must be some others like me who have had long, satisfying careers. By the way: *Nothing* has brought more happiness than Holly and Duffy!! MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: >'o'< Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e > I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more > positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I have been > fortunate enough to fit into that category. I have taught at the same I'm very glad to hear you're one of those wonderful teachers who have made a difference in people's lives. I've had the pleasure of being taught by a couple of those, none in college or grad school, mind you. I like my job ok. Somedays I don't care to go to work, some days I come home energized. And I'm just beginning my professional career, I guess I still have another 30 years or so to go before retirement. Hopefully it will get more rewarding. I wish I did stuff that "made a difference", you know? I guess that's why I serve on the ASA board.  SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >> I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more >> positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I have been [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > rewarding. I wish I did stuff that "made a difference", you know? I guess > that's why I serve on the ASA board. I have never claimed to be a wonderful teacher, but I do love it. I sometimes have students from many years ago who will suddenly drop by for a visit or send e-mail. That is very rewarding. Incidentally, I taught high school for two years immediately after I finished my first year of graduate school. I hated it! I have great respect for those who teach in the public schools and are successful at it, but I knew very quickly that I wanted something different. That's when I applied for scholarships and fellowships (no money otherwise) and returned to graduate school. I found my niche with university teaching and the student support that goes with it. MaryL > I have never claimed to be a wonderful teacher, but I do love it. > MaryL That is what all great teachers say! To be honest I could not doubt you are a great teacher. Your post are ones I always enjoy. Agree or not with what you say I always see thought behind your words and that kind of thing "wears off" on people and before you know it they go around thinking before they speak! What kind of world would it be if everyone started doing that!? Andy >> I have never claimed to be a wonderful teacher, but I do love it. >> MaryL [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Andy Thanks, Andy! I just got home, and your message was a great way to start my evening. MaryL I am retired now, but I was a chemist, and I loved my work. I still go back once a year to visit everyone. I also taught chemistry, and I still do that. I am passionate about educating people in science because there are scientific decisions to be made by voting, and I'd like people to have the background to vote from knowledge, not just be swayed by the latest demagogue. Martha >> I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a >> more positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I have [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > did stuff that "made a difference", you know? I guess that's why I > serve on the ASA board. I don't seem to have the parent post by MaryL available, but -- I love my job. It's true that I stress out about it and I feel a lot of pressure all the time. On the other hand -- because of the high expectations, I have a lot of flexibility to skip out in the middle of the day to run an errand. People see me as the "go-to" person who has a lot of expertise and will get things done. I help people solve their problems every day. My team lead is considerate and knowledgeable. The company I work for is full of good people, including the executives, trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately, for me, I think the pressure and the never-ending expectations are part of what keeps me motivated and satisfied. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I love my job. It's true that I stress out about it and I feel a lot > of pressure all the time. On the other hand -- because of the high [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > knowledgeable. The company I work for is full of good people, > including the executives, trying to do the right thing. > Unfortunately, for me, I think the pressure and the never-ending > expectations are part of what keeps me motivated and satisfied. It's nice to have the respect of one's colleagues. Not to say that is the only thing that motivates you, but it's definitely one of the high points for me, in terms of rewards. Earlier in my career, I had this also, but I seem to have slowed down over the many years I've worked in my industry. This is not to say that I do poor work now, but I guess I'm not quite the "go-to" person I once was. But I also don't have the level of energy I had 25 years ago. How is Oscar doing now, btw? Joyce > It's nice to have the respect of one's colleagues. Not to say that > is the only thing that motivates you, but it's definitely one of the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > but I guess I'm not quite the "go-to" person I once was. But I also > don't have the level of energy I had 25 years ago. It's hard to maintain that level of energy. I've tried to get people to "go to" someone else, but somehow a lot of it ends back on my plate ... so at that point it's a matter of setting expectations and selectively pushing back. Something I'm working on =) > How is Oscar doing now, btw? She's okay. She takes a chemo pill once every two days, and gets a steroid shot once every three weeks. We have a vet appt Thursday to do bloodwork (to check the chemo dosage). She is sneezing a lot lately, which could be related to her immune system being affected by the meds. Otherwise, she seems okay -- she sleeps a lot, but then, she always did. She's still periodically galloping around the house. She likes treats and dry food, but won't touch old favorites like chicken breast meat or tuna. I can only guess that the smell makes her queasy. I have been trying to find evidence online that catnip might help nausea in cats (I believe marijuana does in humans; okay, that's a pretty tenuous link, but it seemed worth exploring). So far the only thing I've found is suggestions that small amounts help human nausea and large amounts can cause human nausea. Regardless, Oscar likes catnip, so I'm giving her regular doses =) She does not enjoy being pilled, but she doesn't run away and hide afterwards. So I'm giving her treats after the pilling, and she's psyched about that. Thank you for asking. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > She's okay. She takes a chemo pill once every two days, and gets a > steroid shot once every three weeks. We have a vet appt Thursday to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > nausea and large amounts can cause human nausea. Regardless, Oscar > likes catnip, so I'm giving her regular doses =) > She does not enjoy being pilled, but she doesn't run away and hide > afterwards. So I'm giving her treats after the pilling, and she's > psyched about that. I'm glad she can tolerate the pilling now, and that the chemo doesn't appear to be making her miserable, even if she is a bit uncomfortable. As for her immune system, the chemo might be affecting it (I don't know much about chemotherapy drugs), but also, the steroid shots will definitely suppress it. There might be some immune-boosting herbs or supplements you could give her to help with that. I swear by echinacea, even though it has apparently been "discredited" as an immune-booster. I take it at the very beginning of cold symptoms or a herpes outbreak, and it goes away immediately. Could be a placebo effect, I guess... but I have no plans to stop using it. And it is safe for cats - back when everyone was still using it, a vet recommended it for Roxy when she was having a bad herpes flareup. Anyway, enough with the advice. :) I'm really glad to hear she's active and seems to be feeling mostly OK. Joyce > > It's nice to have the respect of one's colleagues. Not to say that > > is the only thing that motivates you, but it's definitely one of the [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > pictures:http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca Purrs for Oscar continuing from Rusty who also sleeps a lot. Winnie > Purrs for Oscar continuing from Rusty who also sleeps a lot. > > Winnie Thanks, Winnie! I hope Rusty is doing well. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca <snip> > She's okay. She takes a chemo pill once every two days, and gets a > steroid shot once every three weeks. We have a vet appt Thursday to [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Thank you for asking. We are thinking of Oscar, you and your DH, Monique. Lots and lots of purrs, Polonca and Soncek > We are thinking of Oscar, you and your DH, Monique. Lots and lots > of purrs, Polonca and Soncek Thank you. Honestly, she is the picture of a healthy, if somewhat lazy, cat right now. I'm no longer trying to force her to eat wet food, so she's filled out nicely. Her fur is soft; her face is beautiful. We're having a good time =) Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I'm very glad to hear you're one of those wonderful teachers who have made > a difference in people's lives. I've had the pleasure of being taught by a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > rewarding. I wish I did stuff that "made a difference", you know? I guess > that's why I serve on the ASA board. Just curious, Victor, what kind of work do you do? Joyce > Just curious, Victor, what kind of work do you do? I'm a senior engineer with a semiconductor manufacturing company. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more > positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I have been [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o > Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e Good for you! I work at a private residential Liberal arts college in NYC. I don't teach but I love my job also. I get to work with a lot of great young people as well as some faculty like Mary who are totally dedicated to what they do. No one where I work is there for the money because there is not much but the rewards are in other areas. I also have other proof of how one person can make a difference and strangely enough it involves a person who now works for a states attorney. The story is long but it was my mother who changed this persons life. She did not live long enough to hear the story herself but I don't think she would have needed to. She just cared about people and did not need reward. I can only hope that somewhere in the past or future I can touch someone the way Mary describes. Andy >I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more >positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I had a job that I loved and that I was very good at. I'm fortunate to be able to say that. I'm a retired CPA and once upon a time was the best in the area particularly at research. I did a lot of work in tax planning and estate planning. I was also one of the first in the area to really use computers and helped others with computer set up as well. It was cool the be respected and sought out for what I knew and what I could do. Trouble is when you are in a field that changes so much so rapidly, it can be difficult to keep up. When I lost my hearing it became impossible. I've been retired on disability for several years now, and I feel obsolete in so many ways. This year I even have to tell my daughter someone else will need to do her taxes. I can still manage my own and the kids, but that is about it. Now because I can't hear I spend a lot of time smiling and agreeing with people I don't understand. Makes one look like a half wit sometimes. Its a hard adjustment. At least my grandson who is studying business in college still comes to me with questions and I'm still able to help him quite a bit. Of course his latest discussion of various laptop computers and selecting one probably had more to do with hoping I'd pay for it than with needing help picking one out. My bank account still gets full respect anyway. Jo > It was cool the be respected and sought out for what I knew and what > I could do. > Trouble is when you are in a field that changes so much so rapidly, > it can be difficult to keep up. Something like this happened with me, too. When I first graduated college, I was excited, motivated, and knowledgeable about the latest theories and techniques in computer science. I did really well on my first job. But over time, I found it hard to keep up. There were a number of reasons for this, some of which had to do with an extremely stressful and draining experience (living with someone who was suicidal - among other problems, but that was the worst). I didn't have energy left over for learning new technologies and keeping my skills current. It was all I could do to meet basic expectations - to produce decent work and make my deadlines. This wasn't a big problem at first, but after a while I wasn't as skilled as my colleagues and I stopped being a "go-to" person. And then I just got older and didn't want to work the long hours it required to be successful in software development. College grads can take that kind of abuse, but I'd hit 40 and I just found it exhausting. Eventually (after a job "went splodey", LOL - maybe I should put that on my resume), I had to look at other career options. Tech writing is perfect for me at this time. It's still technically interesting, but the stress level is much lower and I can work a 40-hour week. The pay is also lower, but it's enough for my needs so I'm fine with that. I can imagine that with an issue like losing your hearing, it would just be overwhelming trying to deal with work. I think everyone should be required to learn sign language in school! Then there wouldn't need to be any barriers between deaf and hearing people. Joyce On Dec 4, 7:58 am, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote: > I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more > positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I have been I'm a Unix Systems Administrator, and I love my career. The jobs come and go, and as usual, every place has its problems, but as a general rule, I love what I do. I get to play with computers all day and they pay me for it! What could be better? In the evenings and weekends, I play with my sewing machines, if the Princess Rita will allow me the time. Jane - owned and operated by the Princess Rita I left a job some years ago partly because I found it so horribly stressful that I hated it. After some scrabbling about, I got an office job that pays a lot less than my previous job, but which I enjoy a lot more. I'm really fortunate in that the work is quite varied, and that I have a lot of independence to decide myself how to organize and prioritize the work. And the parts of my previous job that I most disliked (mostly connected with dealing with large numbers of people all day every day) aren't part of this job at all. I can't believe how much happier I am than I used to be, even if it is 'just an office job'. It's astonishing how many people think you don't need to use your brains if you do clerical work! I think they must have either never worked in an office or had one of those jobs that involves eight hours of data entry a day. > It's astonishing how many people think you don't > need to use your brains if you do clerical work! I think they must have > either never worked in an office or had one of those jobs that involves > eight hours of data entry a day. Yes, "clerical work" encompasses quite a variety of tasks. When I was in my 20s, I had a fairly mindless clerical job. It wasn't just sitting in front of a screen all day, but pretty close. I could daydream all day while working, which on one hand, suited my needs at the time (I was depressed and stressed out), but was also excruciatingly boring. But the admins in the places where I've worked for the past 25+ years are not doing mindless work at all. So I certainly hope they're paid better than I was back then! Joyce On Dec 4, 7:58 am, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote: >I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more >positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I *love* my current (and I hope, long-long-time)job and I *love* the people I work with now. In general, I'm a technical writer. I translate Geek to English. In the past, I've had some really BAD jobs. The full-time job right before this one went splodey in a horrid way and left me feeling like I had no skills and couldn't possibly understand any technology. But then I just fell into this one, which started as a contract and has been full-time permanent since last June. Almost everyone I've met at this company has been NICE. Not just..."hi in the hallways, no major backbiting", but NICE. Caring. Considerate. Helpful. The stuff I am documenting is fascinating, intricate, complicated and in a business area I had no experience with previously (health care, medical bill review). Everything I do is greeted with joy. Well, OK, maybe not "joy", but they sure are grateful, because there has been nothing done until I do it, and they've needed so many things documented, thought about, clarified and simplified for so long. Monday the first email I opened said "Thank you! I now understand how all these things fit together and I am going to be able to do my job so much more easily now." Wow! And my boss is encouraging me to use and expand my skills as a business analyst...which is not something I ever thought I did. But I do. I ask the "but how about...?" and "where does this fit...?" and "doesn't that impact...?" questions. I see processes easily and clearly and can simplify them and get the more efficient and effective. Hey! I thought I was just bossy, but they like it! And I get to write lots and lots and lots of stuff. What's not to like? Deborah currently owned by Fearless Fosdick, Princess, Smokey, Jezebel, Cinder, Miss Bitty Kitty, Shane and Emma, and Molly the D-thing. > In general, I'm a technical writer. I translate Geek to English. I love this! I'm going to start saying this myself. :) > In the > past, I've had some really BAD jobs. The full-time job right before this > one went splodey in a horrid way and left me feeling like I had no > skills and couldn't possibly understand any technology. Ick! I have been there. Not with a tech-writing job, but with a couple software engineering jobs I had previously. I know that feeling of thinking you're totally inadequate and that you will never be hired again, etc. When I hit that wall, I knew it was time to rethink my career direction. (BTW, I love the expression "went splodey". :)) > The stuff I am documenting is fascinating, intricate, complicated and in > a business area I had no experience with previously (health care, > medical bill review). Cool! I also have a job documenting medical stuff - I deal with imaging software, for CT scans, etc. It's very different from what I've done in the past. > Everything I do is greeted with joy. Well, OK, maybe not "joy", but they > sure are grateful, because there has been nothing done until I do it, > and they've needed so many things documented, thought about, clarified > and simplified for so long. Monday the first email I opened said "Thank > you! I now understand how all these things fit together and I am going > to be able to do my job so much more easily now." Wow! What a wonderful thing to hear. I mean, this is the whole purpose of your job! Sounds like you've gone some job security, too. > And my boss is encouraging me to use and expand my skills as a business > analyst...which is not something I ever thought I did. But I do. I ask > the "but how about...?" and "where does this fit...?" and "doesn't that > impact...?" questions. I see processes easily and clearly and can > simplify them and get the more efficient and effective. That's a great skill (talent?) to have - one I don't have at all. I'm not very good at big-picture analysis or assessment. Luckily, my work focuses more on technical details and how-to instructions on a fairly low level. I'm pretty good at identifying with the naive user, and writing instructions for that person's benefit. I feel that my job is not only to make the instructions easy to understand and follow, but also to help them feel comfortable with the system. So I write in a plain, conversational tone that I hope will help users relax and feel confident about learning how to use it. Joyce > I'm a Unix Systems Administrator, and I love my career. The jobs come > and go, and as usual, every place has its problems, but as a general > rule, I love what I do. I get to play with computers all day and they > pay me for it! What could be better? Wow, I've never heard a sys admin say that before. :) I'm always as nice as I can be to the IT people where I work (we use Windows, not Unix, but it's the same kind of job), because so often, it's thankless work (other than the paycheck, that is). So it's great that you enjoy it. I guess it's not the work itself that can be so difficult, but the fact that, for the most part, your services are needed because a network is down or something is screwing up. So you're often dealing with stressed-out people who need you to fix 10 problems yesterday. On the other hand, when you fix it, you're a hero - one big upside to that kind of work! Joyce > So...There’s lots more, but that’s far more than enough for a newsgroup. I > did wonder, though, how many others in this group may have jobs that you > actually enjoy. I don't love my current job, but compared to previous jobs, it's much nicer and pays a lot better. But sometimes I do freelance translations, and sometimes I get a gig that I actually enjoy, like the translation of the webpages for a project that fits out <ospreys with satellite transmitters and then tracks their migration. Another gig I really enjoy is translating screenplays for a European society that develops screenplays and helps writers get funding for their movies (this is why they need to be translated into English, so possible backers will be able to read them. English has become a lingua franca). -- Marina > I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more > positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? I used to :) It was stressful as h***. But I enjoyed the work (software tech support for proprietary software and also QA on said software). It was mentally stimulating and always challenging. Never a dull moment! I worked many weekends and holidays when everyone else was off enjoying themselves, and being salaried didn't get paid extra for it. My supervisor did offer comp time and I took it whenever I could! :) Jill On Dec 4, 7:58 am, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote: > I have been reading some of the messages about sucky jobs. On a more > positive note: How many of you have jobs that you love? Rob loved being a black hawk crew chief and technical inspector, which means that he checked the work the crew chiefs and mechanics did to make sure it was right. He also taught crew chiefs and mechanics how to do parts of their jobs. There are a lot of people contributing to military and civilian aviation who've been taught how to take care of their air craft. We had an agreement, Rob could stay in the army so long as he enjoyed his work. If it got to be a chore to go in every day, he was to get out. Rob retired at 19 years 9 months and 17 days. He wasn't ready yet. I loved my work as a substitute teacher, even though there are sucky parts about it. My job is to keep the classroom as though the teacher were still in it. That means that, even though I may not agree with the teacher's teaching methods, I still have to follow them. It is hard to do when the teacher uses nothing but work sheets, or insists upon you imposing standards the teacher they don't impose. Although we know that some subs should be treated like trailer trash, it's hard for those of us who act as professionally as possible to handle when we all get the same treatment. On the other hand, when I can explain a concept in such a way that the students' faces light up with understanding, I'm on top of the world. When they know that they can come to me to get information that will help them in their studies, I'm on top of the world. When I have my goal of a boring day, no crazy things happening, I'm pleased. When a student comes up to me a couple of weeks after I was in the classroom and hugs me and thanks me for helping her get through a rough test, I'm jazzed for days. This is why, when the time comes, I'll be going back to school to get my teaching degree. I found out, late in my life, that I love to teach. Pam S.
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