Our Careers and Paths

[Bluto]

This is a cool thread.

Academic:

Cal Poly SLO: 89 - 94 (did not graduate but did pee in the bathroom where Weird Al recorded My Bologna).

SF State: 98 - 99 BA Parks and Recreation Administration.

Cal Poly Pomona: 03-06 Masters Landscape Architecture.

Professional:

82 - 83: UFW Volunteer

84-99: Janitor at a cement plant, janitor at a school, Taco Bell dude, Thrifty ice cream guy, mail order warehouse worker, meat clerk, grocery bagger, wind farm worker, landscape laborer/maintenance worker, retail and wholesale plant nursery guy, freezer crew dude in Alaska, golf course flunky, delivery driver, day camp counselor, youth sports coach (ages 3-5), recreation assistant for developmentally disabled adults.

99 - 2004: Owned a landscape company.

06 - 07: Associate landscape architect.

07 - 09: Project and grant manager at a non-profit.

09 - 2010: Assistant project manager and engineer for a general engineering company.

2010 - Present: CEO of a small landscape, construction management and consulting arborist firm. Primarily work on large scale habitat restoration projects.

ISA Certified Arborist
California Licensed Landscape Contractor

Plan on sitting for my landscape architecture license and general engineering license next year. Thinking of getting a PHD as well.

Artistic:

94 - 2009: Rock and Roller. Started on bass (94). Demoted to drums (99).

 

[gmnysdad]

Does anyone here work in civilian nuclear power? I am getting out of the navy this coming September and just have some questions.

 

[IrishLax]

Does anyone here work in civilian nuclear power? I am getting out of the navy this coming September and just have some questions.

I think Irishnuke does.

 

[johnnykillz]

I'm a trailer park owner/manager.

The wife sells scentsy products, Mary Kay, and herbal supplements.

I got my degree from the Life U.

PhD mother fvcker.

My mullet has its own job: of snagging hot bitches. Holla. My Xmas present from God...

I will straight choke out a Bama fan. No Teabagging here; just bat wingin. Like a flag floating in the breeze.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I'm a trailer park owner/manager.

The wife sells scentsy products, Mary Kay, and herbal supplements.

I got my degree from the Life U.

PhD mother fvcker.

My mullet has its own job: of snagging hot bitches. Holla. My Xmas present from God...

I will straight choke out a Bama fan. No Teabagging here; just bat wingin. Like a flag floating in the breeze.

Yes, I rent lot A1 from the Mullet. Best damn Mullet owner in the SouthWest.

 

[Grahambo]

Graduated HS in Toms River, NJ in 2004.

Served in the USMC from 12/04 - 12/09 in the intelligence field. Parris Island Marine, stationed at Camp Lejeune, deployed aboard the 26th MEU in 2007 then was transferred to Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA.

Married and have two children while I was in.

Spent a year unemployed (2010) and was living just outside Cleveland.

Was hired by the federal government in 1/11 and been with them ever since.

Have been working on my BA in International Relations from American Military University and am about 8 classes shy of becoming the 1st member of my family with a bachelors.

You've got questions? I've got answers.

 

[Redbar]

Second generation Domer, I Graduated ND in 1991.
I pilot ships between the Gulf of Mexico and New Orleans on the Mississippi River.
Owner/Partner in Pilot Association, Crew Boat Company and, Maritime Pilot Service Company.
Live in Baton Rouge, married with 2 kids.

 

[johnnykillz]

Truth Time

Truth Time

Lol.

I'm a 32-year-old father of 3 little girls. One bun is in the oven.

4th generation Domer from mi mahjas side. Her dad, granddad... Then it was Ireland.

I work for a subcontractor to the Department of Energy at a nuclear waste repository.

My forte' is Radiological Control.

My degrees are in relation.

I ain't rich but imma die trying suckas.

I'm still working on my MBA. Slowly. Fvck.

Then imma get rich suckas.

I've noted a few niches. I think a mullet would fit nicely there. (I'm actually clean cut 95% of the time.[but I'm rockin' a trimmed no-shave-November specimen right now.])

Lastly, I'm obviously pro-nuke, and boo socialism. Thank-you for helping keep my American dream alive. And you can take my guns from my cold dead hands.

I'm not very opinionated. Pretty chill.

 

[Bubba]

Graduated HS in Toms River, NJ in 2004.

Served in the USMC from 12/04 - 12/09 in the intelligence field. Parris Island Marine, stationed at Camp Lejeune, deployed aboard the 26th MEU in 2007 then was transferred to Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA.

Married and have two children while I was in.

Spent a year unemployed (2010) and was living just outside Cleveland.

Was hired by the federal government in 1/11 and been with them ever since.

Have been working on my BA in International Relations from American Military University and am about 8 classes shy of becoming the 1st member of my family with a bachelors.

You've got questions? I've got answers.

Congrats! I was the first in my family as well. Couldn't stop and finished my Master's as well. Motivated my younger sister to do the same. Keep it up!

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Lol.

I'm a 32-year-old father of 3 little girls. One bun is in the oven.

4th generation Domer from mi mahjas side. Her dad, granddad... Then it was Ireland.

I work for a subcontractor to the Department of Energy at a nuclear waste repository.

My forte' is Radiological Control.

My degrees are in relation.

I ain't rich but imma die trying suckas.

I'm still working on my MBA. Slowly. Fvck.

Then imma get rich suckas.

I've noted a few niches. I think a mullet would fit nicely there. (I'm actually clean cut 95% of the time.[but I'm rockin' a trimmed no-shave-November specimen right now.])

Lastly, I'm obviously pro-nuke, and boo socialism. Thank-you for helping keep my American dream alive. And you can take my guns from my cold dead hands.

I'm not very opinionated. Pretty chill.

Congrats on the bun in the oven! Got a little wild one brewing myself

 

[Irish YJ]

42 years yong. Born and raised in Indy. Grew up poor in a little Italian neighborhood near downtown.

Business degree from IU. Worked my way through school as an operator for AT&T. Shortly after graduation took a promotion and moved to ATL. Maried shortly after the move to ATL and divorced 3 years later.

16 years with AT&T. Operator-> trainer -> call center managment -> international provisioining -> international vendor management -> director of VoIP. Became the "fixer" guy the last 5 years with AT&T. Bounced around different assigments re-orging, offshoring, and cleaning up poorly performing units. Opened up centers/groups domestically and internationally, which was probably the most enjoyable of the 16 years.

In 2008, one my vendors made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Left AT&T for an EVP position in a small technology company (LAN/WAN, Vid Surv, Dig Signage, POS, Managed Services, etc.). AT&T is my largest customer, so didn't move far. I've done a little bit of everything from operations to business dev and marketing. Opened up a support center in Belize two years ago this March.

Never thought I'd end up staying in Telcom/Technology, but just went with the flow. Hoping to retire in 5-8 years and run a charity in MX or Belize.

 

[peoriairish]

...
Going to school for physical therapy. 3 semesters, 2 summers of unpaid clinical work, and hopefully just 1 licensing exam (to be taken October of 2014) to go. Its been a long road. The end is not around the corner just yet but is down the street.
...

PT! Nice! I'm in my final semester at Bradley for PT. All that's left for me are my last 2 clinicals and then the NPTE in July. The road is long, but it will be worth it.

As for the whole story, I graduated HS in Strongsville, OH in 2005 the moved further into the Midwest to get my BS in Health Science with a Minor in Management from Bradley University. Stayed there to get my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Finishing that up in May.

I'll then be moving to St. Louis to work at an outpatient orthopaedics clinic. I love it and can't imagine doing anything else.

Been dating the ol' ball and chain for 6 years, so I figure it's time to make it official. I'll be doing that over the next few weeks. Nervous as hell even though I know she'll say yes haha.

Great thread!

 

[Zbi]

Always retake. Even if you're not interested in going to a better school (which should only be the case if you're getting a solid scholarship from the lower ranked school and you have no interest in working for a large firm), getting a better score will likely net you a better scholarship.

I most likely will. I am trying to push for a 170. I feel that it would be the number to get me into a higher tier law school.

 

[Grahambo]

Congrats! I was the first in my family as well. Couldn't stop and finished my Master's as well. Motivated my younger sister to do the same. Keep it up!

Thank ye sir. My Dad has an associate's but that's about it. I may not have to use the degree until after I retire with my first career but damn do I want it.

 

[irishmarine]

Well, I might as well chime in and be the black sheep. 32 years old and just got divorced with one amazing little boy who I won custody with. We moved back to Maryland where I am trying to find a job currently. After graduating high school I went to college at university of maryland but partied out and joined the ravens cheer leading squad while I bartended. Got bored and joined te marines where I stayed for 8 years u til my now ex wife convinced me to get out and was a marketing director in las Vegas. I was fired for having to miss too many days due to court and so after court my son and I moved home to Maryland. Not as glorious as most stories on here but it's real life for me and I'm doing what I can to support a three year old boy (future nd grad and scholarship player) hahaha and looking for my career as we speak...

 

[Irish Insanity]

^You are not the only black sheep. I am also 32 and spent 10 years as a single father prior to meeting my wonderful girlfriend. I worked in a local factory for 10 years before take a 'voluntary separation agreement' a few years ago which alllowed me to find a job that was a lot more time friendly in regards to my kids. My girlfriend also has a young child which brings our happy family to a total of 5 members. Real estate investment is something I am drawn to, and hope to work towards in the near future.

 

[fightincolts]

My path is just starting. I'm 17 (senior in HS) from Canada and hockey has opened doors for me and my family that seemed unreachable. I'm very interested in journalism, and trying to pick the right school that balances hockey and school is tough for me. I won't even go next year, almost all schools want 20 year old freshman for hockey. Plus, pro-junior is breathing down my neck to play for them but lose NCAA eligibility. Lots of pressure on me from lots of places, I have no clue how my life is going to plan out.

 

[dre1919]

Born in Belton, MO...graduated in 1994. (Yes, graduated with Tate Stephens of X-Factor recent fame...just an acquaintance.)

Went on to the University of Central Missouri (Go Mules!), a pretty awesome DII school with an impressive art department to study illustration.

Got out right when illustration and the job market really changed a ton seemingly overnight. Got a job working for a photo retouching place, then as a sign shop assistant, then graphic design job #1: small studio servicing Sonic.

Next, it was on to graphic design job #2 (which, a ton of artists that hand draw and whatnot end up in graphic design, web design, or both because you know...paying bills and eating are the new hotness).

That job closed, so on to graphic design job #3 where I created toys for kids meals and promotional programs for companies, literally, all over the world. I personally designed toys that were an in store toys for Taco Bell in conjunction with the '05 World Series. That place closed (odd pattern).

Then, with the economy nose diving like a b**tch I went on to freelance at places like Hallmark and on my own because when I turned 30 in 2006 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Scariest sh*t imaginable. Turned out I had tremendously good characteristics and the specialists I deal with say they wouldn't be surprised if I lived to be 100. Crazy.

In 2005 I married a remarkably BEAUTIFUL woman damn near half my age (ok, at the time we met I was 28 and she was 18...didn't realize...she was a stripper and she looked old enough!) Anyway, turned out she was incredibly mature for her age and a massive keeper. We've been married for nearly seven years now and she is a full time student pursuing a degree in law. She is incredible in every single way, total jackpot!

We have two beautiful children, my son Gunnar James, 4 and his little sister Olivia Joslyn, 2. Today I create art when I can (Andrew Sloan.com), perform freelance graphic design as often as possible (Black Flag Graphic Design) and am trying to get my own fashion brand off the ground, (19 Clothing Company). Oh, and of course, fighting cancer every step of the way yo. Luckily, I have the aforementioned great characteristics to fight it, and my chemo is a pretty easy comparatively (one pill a month).

The best thing to do is keep on living and loving life. You never know where it's going to lead next!

 

[Old North State Irish]

I am 43 years old. I lived in Floyd County, Indiana until 8th grade when my family had to move to Charlotte, NC. I hated this move for two years b/c I missed the athletics that southern Indiana offered but in retrospect, it was the best. It really is hard to top living in NC (mountains/beaches). A side bar-my senior year of H.S., I drove Coach Knight to the airport is Charlotte to pick up Coack K (true story and I have the pics). The reason he asked me to drive him was b/c he was in town for a coaches clinic and he was in a rental and did not feel like driving. I grew up with Pat Graham (former Indiana Mr. Basketball and IU grad and this is what got me an "in" with Coach Knight.

Back to me, I went on to graduate for UNC-Charlotte which is a beautiful university city campus (about 26,000 students). I have been a NC State Trooper for 20 years (never attempted to get promoted) and for the past 9 years have been on the motorcycle unit. I own a small residential/commercial general contracting company called Medallion Homes, Inc. I was building 3-4 homes a year on the side until the collapse '08-'09. I have two boys (13/6) and they keep me very busy with soccer. I am now coaching my youngest son and trying to get him on his way like I did my oldest. My wife is in banking (much smarter than I am)! For a few of you that your not sure which direction you are going, I say keep going forward and it will hit you when you least expect it. Good Luck to all and Happy New Year!!!

P.S.
My university is starting a football program in 2013 (starting out FBS for one year then moving up to Div. 1). If the Charlotte 49's are ever on TV, look for me. I will be assigned with the coach on the sideline.

 

[Irish#1]

Lol.

I'm a 32-year-old father of 3 little girls. One bun is in the oven.

4th generation Domer from mi mahjas side. Her dad, granddad... Then it was Ireland.

I work for a subcontractor to the Department of Energy at a nuclear waste repository.

My forte' is Radiological Control.

My degrees are in relation.

I ain't rich but imma die trying suckas.

I'm still working on my MBA. Slowly. Fvck.

Then imma get rich suckas.

I've noted a few niches. I think a mullet would fit nicely there. (I'm actually clean cut 95% of the time.[but I'm rockin' a trimmed no-shave-November specimen right now.])

Lastly, I'm obviously pro-nuke, and boo socialism. Thank-you for helping keep my American dream alive. And you can take my guns from my cold dead hands.

I'm not very opinionated. Pretty chill.

You had to go and burst my bubble. I was going to see what kind of a deal you could get me on a used 93' doublewide.

 

[Irish#1]

I am 43 years old. I lived in Floyd County, Indiana until 8th grade when my family had to move to Charlotte, NC. I hated this move for two years b/c I missed the athletics that southern Indiana offered but in retrospect, it was the best. It really is hard to top living in NC (mountains/beaches). A side bar-my senior year of H.S., I drove Coach Knight to the airport is Charlotte to pick up Coack K (true story and I have the pics). The reason he asked me to drive him was b/c he was in town for a coaches clinic and he was in a rental and did not feel like driving. I grew up with Pat Graham (former Indiana Mr. Basketball and IU grad and this is what got me an "in" with Coach Knight.

Back to me, I went on to graduate for UNC-Charlotte which is a beautiful university city campus (about 26,000 students). I have been a NC State Trooper for 20 years (never attempted to get promoted) and for the past 9 years have been on the motorcycle unit. I own a small residential/commercial general contracting company called Medallion Homes, Inc. I was building 3-4 homes a year on the side until the collapse '08-'09. I have two boys (13/6) and they keep me very busy with soccer. I am now coaching my youngest son and trying to get him on his way like I did my oldest. My wife is in banking (much smarter than I am)! For a few of you that your not sure which direction you are going, I say keep going forward and it will hit you when you least expect it. Good Luck to all and Happy New Year!!!

P.S.
My university is starting a football program in 2013 (starting out FBS for one year then moving up to Div. 1). If the Charlotte 49's are ever on TV, look for me. I will be assigned with the coach on the sideline.

Floyd Knobs?

 

[Old North State Irish]

Floyd Knobs?

No. I lived in Georgetown. I went to Georgetown Elemenatary and Floyd Central Middle School. My picture is still on the wall at Georgetown (or the last time I was there). My grandfather lived in Floyd Knobs though!

 

[JDub713]

Graduated from high school in '01 and moved out to Phoenix from Los Angeles to attend an automotive trade school, where I got an AOS degree after 10 months. I stuck it out and reached master technician level last year which is a pretty significant milestone. A few years back I decided I wanted more out of my job and went out and got my EMT-B certification, and reenrolled back in school to get into a fire science program in an attempt to use my abilities as a full time firefighter. Currently in the application pool for several municipal areas in and around LA. City is finally hiring this year; they have 700 openings with 20,000 applicants currently vying for a spot. Needless to say, I'm hopeful but not realistically anticipating a letter for conditional employment lol. I'll get a job as a firefighter at some point, just have to be patient and continue to my education on that career path.

 

[arrowryan]

I'm trying to get an internship with the Notre Dame football team, it's required to do an internship at Holy Cross College. So why not do an internship with something that you love? I have quite a few connections with Notre Dame so I hope that will be enough to get me in!!

 

[Sureal]

Went to bible college, lead a ministry and a small media production project called Slim Road...father of two and I rep da Norfend of Hartford...

 

[johnnykillz]

You had to go and burst my bubble. I was going to see what kind of a deal you could get me on a used 93' doublewide.

I can still hook you up brotha.

Does it need to be tornado-veteran status?

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

This is one of the coolest threads.

Graduated from La Salle University in Philly with a Bachelor's in Marketing and spent a year after that in the staffing industry (think about fall, 2008.)

Got out, went to Kutztown University for grad school in education, loved working with kids, but had serious philosophical differences with many in educational leadership and hated the politics.

Landed a summer job during grad school in sales with a large, national transportation firm and they ended up hiring me 2 weeks after I finished grad school.

I'm sitting at their headquarters now in an office job, but have interviews coming up with the company's branches in NC and CT for sales/ account management.

Funny how quickly life/ careers can change for us. At the age of 27 I feel blessed to have my own place, not miss any meals, solid family and friends, and a girlfriend everyone knows is out of my league. My Dad tells people I outkicked my coverage.

P.S. Any of you guys need to move yourselves or a product/ equipment, please let me know.

Military: You'd be silly not to let me know. We hook you guys (and gals) up big time.

 

[Irish YJ]

Back to me, I went on to graduate for UNC-Charlotte which is a beautiful university city campus (about 26,000 students). I have been a NC State Trooper for 20 years (never attempted to get promoted) and for the past 9 years have been on the motorcycle unit. I own a small residential/commercial general contracting company called Medallion Homes, Inc. I was building 3-4 homes a year on the side until the collapse '08-'09. I have two boys (13/6) and they keep me very busy with soccer. I am now coaching my youngest son and trying to get him on his way like I did my oldest. My wife is in banking (much smarter than I am)! For a few of you that your not sure which direction you are going, I say keep going forward and it will hit you when you least expect it. Good Luck to all and Happy New Year!!!.

nailed it

 

[dre1919]

Rocky Balboa's inspirational speech to his son. - YouTube

Best quote about life EVER.

 

[condoms SUCk]

I currently reside in Valparaiso, IN and have done so for the past 4 years.

I grew up in north central indiana and after HS I went to Olivet Nazarene University - BS Psychology. Worked at a small call center in my town while trying to decide if I should continuing on to grade work. I moved up quickly and became the site project manager with in 8 months. 70 front line workers and 4 direct reports. I got very lucky with that position and did it few a years and then I moved on.
Next job was an operations manager near Valpo. 150 front line employees 7 direct reports on a project for Xerox. Our client was the State of Indiana and we were charged with modernizing the processes and improving disbursement rates.
Eventually moved into a Project Manager roll when I completed my MBA and working with RFP and contract proposals for the state and local government division of Xerox.
Worked for Xerox for 4 years.
Now I'm a Business Analysts for State Farm in their Bloomington, IL corp office.