Xeluan

I work as a network administrator looking after stupid users, even more stupid managers and recalcitrant network operating systems of various flavours.

I tell you, when we have a major problem there is no such thing as an athiest network admin. We'll pray to any diety we can think of to get things going and are even willing to sacrifice one of the helpdesk staff if it helps.

For some reason we have a high turnover of helpdesk staff.

Xeluan

Dibble Helix

I am an IT Project Manager. I've done most IT jobs from Analyst/Programmer to IT Manager. I actually never wanted to work in IT it just seemed to happen.

</whinge>

Dibble

PS: When I was a student I worked as a beach lifeguard - That was fun but the babes looked nothing like they do on Bay Watch!

lugotorix

I'm a Unix/Linux/OpenVMS system administrator, in the IT department for a company that manages the electric power grid for the Northeast US. In between setting up the systems and fixing them after my end-users break them, I occasionally have some downtime to practice some programming and read II.

During evenings and weekends, I'm a farmer, looking after my animals (a herd of llamas, flock of chickens, and some rabbits).

Before I decided to go back to school to get a BS in Computer Science, I had a lot of strange occupations -- finisher in a bronze sculpture foundry, lousy waiter, artist's model, & "fish guy" in a pet store.

lugotorix

Corona688

Currently, I'm the spare guy for the security shift at the University of Regina that walks around late, checking to make sure doors are locked. Get next to NO hours out of it, ohwell, I'm hoping for advancement if I stick to it.

Also, my dad pays me to give him tech support. Sounds pathetic, yah, but he really *NEEDS* a dedicated person to constantly fix everything computer-related he destroys. :boohoo: For those who've seen the 'my family is computer illiterate' thread, yes, this is the same guy that managed to physically rip a cablemodem out of the wall.

Lastly, though this isn't really a job yet, been fiddling around with SDL graphics and multimedia stuffs, and am currently building the underlying graphics, I/O, sound, and music library with which I intend to make shareware games.

Manta

Poor you...I bet you do lots of this: :banghead:

I do as well, when our call centers have a case of the stupids and cold transfer customers to our unit...

-kim

topane

I'm a systems administrator for a smallish (40 person) financial company. I'm the only IT guy here, so I get to work on the fun stuff and well as the "help where's the any key?" stuff.

Ab_Normal

Darn! We need helpdesk staff!

I have been known to suggest leaving beer and chips out for the server fairies. Management has not taken me up on it yet.

Godless Dave

I'm a computer operator. I operate high-speed, high-volume Xerox laser printers. I spend some time schlepping boxes and skids of paper around, some time entering arcane commands at the printer controller or on a TSO mainframe; some time on the phone and at the computer trying to find missing output; a little time ordering supplies; a lot of time trying (and failing) to convince our users that they really don't need to print all this stuff and can view the data online instead; and a lot of time surfing the web. It's clear my employer plans to phase out this print shop. My hope is to hang on for another 18 months until I start grad school.

My long-term plan right now is to be some kind of foreign policy analyst. I'm taking an undergraduate international relations class at the University this spring. If that works out I plan to take a couple more pre-reqs then try to go for a masters in international relations. My bachelors is in linguistics.

I also play bass guitar and have been in "serious" bands before, but have never been paid any substantial money. And lately I've gotten a bug to try my hand at writing screenplays.

braces_for_impact

I'm a customer advocate in the annuities section of a very large insurance agency that has recently filed for Chapter 11.

I speak mostly to elderly people (which I like), and very stupid people who can't make change, much less decide how to invest for their future.

Fortunately. my job is not affected by the bankruptcy, but I'm always on the lookout for something bigger and better. Mostly because getting yelled at gets old very quickly.

openeyes

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amie [/QUOOriginally posted by Amie
Hi Never
do you enjoy it? I actually spent my first couple years as a paramedic wanting to be a pharmacist. And once in a while I still think about it. From beginning to end how long did it take you?
I like being a teacher but I find your field pretty interesting to me. I could picture myself as a pharmacist.
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Amie,
Yes, for the most part I do enjoy it. It tends to be hectic and you have to be able to multitask though. If you can eat lunch with the left hand, type with the right one and talk on the phone, you're good to go. It took 5 years of college when I did it but now it's a 6 year degree. How long it would take you with a teaching degree depends on how much math and science you had. Might cut off up to 2 years.
Can't complain about the job market at all. There's been a high demand and salary has been increasing steadily in the last few years.TE]

I'm a pharmacist also. I echo most of what "Never" says. Most of the programs are now 4 years, after 2 years of pre-pharmacy college classes. Many markets have a shortage of pharmacist and salaries are pretty decent. Usually not a 9-5 job, not every day anyway.

It's a strange profession as practiced in retail. On one hand, you have to know a little about everything drug-related and able to access more, therefore often providing really useful info to people. On the other hand, you spend a portion of your time doing less than "professional" work.