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What do you do for a living?

Discussion in 'Jobs & Careers' started by Taco9818, Jul 18, 2020.

  1. May 24, 2022 at 9:57 AM
    #161
    BarcelonaTom67

    BarcelonaTom67 Lost in Translation....

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2017
    Member:
    #214386
    Messages:
    1,001
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    Laurel County, Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2017 Barcelona Red Off-Road DCSB M/T
    I started life as a Plumber's apprentice. My dad was a Plumber, and worked weekend side jobs. He started taking me with him when I was 5 or 6, taught me the trade over the next 13 years, almost every weekend until I graduated high school and went into the Army.

    My time in the Army as an Electronics Technician got me interested in technology, after 3 years I used my GI Bill to earn a BS in Computer Engineering. I got a summer internship with a large computer chip company in 1992 in the IT field, and have been in that line of work ever since. I've been laid off a few times, had some extended periods of unemployment, but I've worked for some good companies. Worked for employers in technology, banking/finance and healthcare/insurance. Always "Big IT", very large employers. I've done server administration, backups/restores/archives, storage systems administration, data center management, and for the last 7+ years, Major Incident Management. Next month will be my 30th anniversary since I started that internship waaaaaaaaaaay back in '92. I am not getting old... I am not getting old... I am not getting old.............
     
    Steves104x4 likes this.
  2. Jun 18, 2022 at 11:32 PM
    #162
    thesoonerkid

    thesoonerkid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2020
    Member:
    #316723
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 Army Green Tacoma TRD Pro
    Air Traffic Control
     
    Steves104x4 likes this.
  3. Jun 19, 2022 at 12:57 AM
    #163
    Taco75605

    Taco75605 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2022
    Member:
    #387525
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    Vehicle:
    2022 Tacoma TRD Sport RWD
    I’m a full time #uck off. I retired in 2018, and I couldn’t be happier. I do what I want, when I want, how I want, if I feel like it. Otherwise, I just sit on my ass, on the back porch.

    Retirement is EVERYTHING it’s cracked up to be and then some. I thought I would get bored. Hasn’t happened.

    Remember, our days on this earth are numbered. Retire while you’re young enough to do some of the things you enjoy. Get a bucket list and check a few boxes on it, every year. Do it, while you still have your health.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2022
    Dan 77, davidstacoma, 6mtTRD and 5 others like this.
  4. Jun 19, 2022 at 1:18 AM
    #164
    Patriotgrunt

    Patriotgrunt Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2020
    Member:
    #324479
    Messages:
    50
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Germany
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road MT
    Active Duty Army
     
    Steves104x4, Taco75605 and Harry2015 like this.
  5. Jun 19, 2022 at 1:31 AM
    #165
    Taco75605

    Taco75605 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2022
    Member:
    #387525
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    Vehicle:
    2022 Tacoma TRD Sport RWD
    Thank you very much for your service, sir.
     
    Steves104x4 likes this.
  6. Jun 19, 2022 at 1:41 AM
    #166
    Dubiousveracity

    Dubiousveracity Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2018
    Member:
    #261489
    Messages:
    356
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRDOR DCSB MT
    none
    Medevac pilot.
     
    davidstacoma likes this.
  7. Jun 19, 2022 at 9:28 AM
    #167
    Patriotgrunt

    Patriotgrunt Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2020
    Member:
    #324479
    Messages:
    50
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Germany
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road MT
    Thanks and you’re welcomed. It’s my privilege and I honestly enjoy it despite the frustrations at times.
     
  8. Jun 19, 2022 at 9:51 AM
    #168
    Mindgame

    Mindgame Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2022
    Member:
    #395571
    Messages:
    178
    Vehicle:
    22' Offroad limited
    Decals removed
    Radiology technologist. Great pay, great benefits, and you can go anywhere in the world with this career. Also, only 2 years of school too.

    You can work 3 12hr shifts and get 4 days off or 4 10hr shifts with 3 days off.

    On my days off, if there isnt anything planned. I work at another hospital for extra money.
     
    KanakaRebel, Xtremsiege2 and tacofish like this.
  9. Jun 29, 2022 at 9:06 PM
    #169
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2020
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    #320594
    Messages:
    1,729
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chas
    El Paso, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2005 DCLB SR5 Prerunner
    IM4x4 2.5" NitroGas - Coopers
    I work at a print shop, making shirts and stickers and stuff.
    I’m also the machine maintenance guy now since nobody else has any idea how to clean out a filter or use a grease gun apparently.
     
    Dan 77 likes this.
  10. Jun 29, 2022 at 9:11 PM
    #170
    Evan_P

    Evan_P Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2020
    Member:
    #315262
    Messages:
    190
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Evan
    Hillsboro OR
    Vehicle:
    2020 Voodoo Blue TRD Off-Road
    Diesel technician.
     
  11. Jun 29, 2022 at 9:20 PM
    #171
    6mtTRD

    6mtTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2021
    Member:
    #384913
    Messages:
    141
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2022 Celestial Silver Metallic TRD Off-Road
    Cilajet ceramic coating
    Auto damage adjuster for a major insurance company for the last 4 years. For the last year I’ve been virtual; literally look at photos on one screen and write the estimate on the other. Prior to that I was working in the field and driving around in my company car to visit shops and residences. It’s a chill job mostly, except for the micro-management at times. Next to being retired, working from home has been great and with a newborn at home I can’t imagine having to commute to work.
     
    ABA180 and davidstacoma like this.
  12. Jun 29, 2022 at 9:36 PM
    #172
    ScrippsRanch67

    ScrippsRanch67 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2021
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    #355505
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    1,506
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    06 Tacoma Pre-Runner 2wd Quad Cab short bed
    Fiberglass shell
    I spent 30 years as a Teacher before retiring with a pension, included was a 10 year stint away from teaching as an Insurance Agent. Go back to school and explore options that make you and your family happy and financially secure. Best wishes to you...you have a long life ahead of you. Oh, and save your money!
     
    CPS-65 and davidstacoma like this.
  13. Jun 29, 2022 at 9:40 PM
    #173
    davidstacoma

    davidstacoma Friendly Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2019
    Member:
    #309695
    Messages:
    4,537
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma SR Access cab - Utility
    *OEM Mods: Intermittent wipers, Fogs, Keyless Entry, Lomax
    One man spare hand in a cotton mill down south. Well at age 15-1/2 and 16 anyway. Proudest accomplishment in my employment history.:)
     
  14. Jun 29, 2022 at 10:01 PM
    #174
    FloTaco

    FloTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2013
    Member:
    #115610
    Messages:
    587
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 SR DC 4X4
    Coast Guard helicopter pilot. 18 years of active duty. Started off enlisted in the Air Force then commissioned in the CG. Joining the military was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Extremely rewarding, not easy, but meaningful.

    If I could give the OP any tangible advice it would be:

    1. Stay completely out of consumer debt. Americans love to finance their lives, which requires staying shackled to jobs they hate just to maintain the status quo. No debt = 100% freedom to make what ever life/career course corrections you see fit. Keep your cost of living LOW. “Quality of life” is not synonymous with material, it’s synonymous with stress-free financial freedom.

    2. Obtain a skill that’s recession proof, with an end goal of working for your self after accumulating experience. Example: a mobile 1-man welder charges upward of $120/hour. You do have some initial overhead with a decent truck & good equipment but it’s all a write off and you’ll always be in high demand. Build up a small fleet of 3 trucks with 3 trusted employees and you can have passive income. The key is a small scale operation that maintains high quality.

    3. Don’t shrug off vocational work. It’s the backbone of this country and has proven to trump all other career fields throughout economic fluctuation. Just gotta get to a point where you can do it on your own terms. Many trades are now working 10-12 hours Monday-Thursday and taking every Friday off for a consistent 3 day weekend.

    4. The math proves if done right, a skilled tradesman can financially out perform their college graduate counterparts across the long term and retire 15-20 years sooner.

    Last tip, look into aviation vocational schools; aircraft mechanics are on track to clear more $$ than most mid grade pilots. My flight mechs can all leave the military and start at $100k/year to work on jet engines….which is probably why they’re all leaving :/
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022
    ohcaltexscar likes this.
  15. Jun 29, 2022 at 10:39 PM
    #175
    CPS-65

    CPS-65 I’m good for some, but I’m not for everyone.

    Joined:
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    #298190
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    746
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    First Name:
    Chris
    Alta Loma, CA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Quicksand TRD Off Road 4X4
    Mostly old man mods
    Special education teacher. I’m 29 years in and will retire in a few more. Great benefits and retirement. I’ve never had any worries about layoffs, I’ve made more money each year, I’ll never work a weekend or holiday, and I have plenty of time off for family and other interests.
    I live in a paid off home, I’ve put both kids through college, one also through graduate school.
     
  16. Jun 30, 2022 at 10:28 AM
    #176
    ScrippsRanch67

    ScrippsRanch67 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2021
    Member:
    #355505
    Messages:
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    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    06 Tacoma Pre-Runner 2wd Quad Cab short bed
    Fiberglass shell
    My Nephew went from making fancy Pizza's to becoming a welder at the shipyard here in San Diego. It was a long twisting journey, but he did it and is happy as heck! That's a real job!
     
  17. Jun 30, 2022 at 10:30 AM
    #177
    ScrippsRanch67

    ScrippsRanch67 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2021
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    Messages:
    1,506
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    06 Tacoma Pre-Runner 2wd Quad Cab short bed
    Fiberglass shell
    Great advice, I tore up my credit cards years ago...best decision of my life! Now, everything is paid off, house, vehicles, etc.
     
    ohcaltexscar likes this.
  18. Jun 30, 2022 at 10:31 AM
    #178
    six5crèéd

    six5crèéd Shop Time

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2019
    Member:
    #298734
    Messages:
    31,277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce, or Crèéd, neither is correct.
    Southern Virginia
    Machinist/welder.
     
  19. Jun 30, 2022 at 12:39 PM
    #179
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2018
    Member:
    #273198
    Messages:
    14,415
    Gender:
    Male
    512
    Vehicle:
    16 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB / 17 Tundra 5.7L 4X4 CM
    Two Trucks
    Update: Almost 14 years. Same old shit
     
  20. Jun 30, 2022 at 8:41 PM
    #180
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2020
    Member:
    #320594
    Messages:
    1,729
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    First Name:
    Chas
    El Paso, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2005 DCLB SR5 Prerunner
    IM4x4 2.5" NitroGas - Coopers
     
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