Our Careers and Paths

[Sherm Sticky]

Wildman congrats on the new job!

Wow! Everyone has great stories and jobs.

Let's see I graduated from UCONN in December 2006...Since then I've been doing IT hardware work...Currently I'm the "Systems Engineer" (really a Systems Administrator) at an Energy & Procurement Consulting Company. I'm starting to learn some programming languages such as SQL and VB. I'm getting pretty good a SQL.

In the future I would like a job where I'm a developer, report builder and DBA on SQL systems, but I would also like to maintain some input on the network systems i.e. deskgtops, laptops, servers, routers, firewalls, etc.

BTW NDfansouthwest you are the man! You are one smart dude doing what you do. You got give me some inside information about new chips at Intel

 

[JadeBrecks]

I bailed hay for two years.

Was a walmart employee for a year.

Went through a 5 year apprenticeship and have been a licenced electrician for 2 years now.

Just took a course and am now also a certified Daktronic sign technician.

 

[ACamp1900]

Started in So Cal and haven't been able to escape yet...

Paid for some of college by bar tending, worked produce at a local grocery store, laid carpet, worked construction and delivered pizzas for Papa John's... finally got a degree from La Verne... have taught at the public school level, just recently started with teaching at the college level so we will see how that goes...

long term goal would be to get on at a University in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, somewhere in that region and get the heck out of Caliofrnia...

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Went to Nichols College in Dudley Ma. graduated in '88. Interviewed w a small retail company during finals week, started work 3 days after graduation. I concenetrated in Business Management, sky was limit. At the time the company had 12 stores and I started as a Manager Trainee! Fast forward 23 years and we have 190 stores (203 by years end) and I'm in Director of Operations and Distribution, (also overseeing I/S, I/T and new store construction). We're going gang buster w growth now looking to open 25-30 stores/yr. Great Company, great single family ownership. In 2 years I will get the Rolex for 25 years, in 7 years, the 30 day sabaticcal which I can't wait to plan out. Currently contemplating the fall trip for USC w wife and step daughter or the '12 trip to Dublin for the opener against Navy. Decisions, decisions.

 

[gmnysdad]

Gaduated high school in nor Cal. Joined the Navy. Was in boot camp when 9/11 happened. When through the Nuclear power program, and am currently serving on board my second Submarine.

 

[Junkhead]

Went to HS a mile from ND, had no delusions about going to ND. I went to Purdue (sorry), and later transferred to IU in South Bend. Graduated with a somewhat worthless BS in Criminal Justice. Worked various jobs in the beverage industry, currently working as a top sales consultant with the largest wine and spirits wholesaler in the nation (~9 Billion last year) . Drink up!

 

[jmurphy75]

Congrats Brother!
Love hearing what everyone does, it's nice to learn more about everyone. As for me I played college soccer for a small NAIA school (Palm Beach Atlantic) and then for 1 year at The University of Central Florida where I had a second knee surgery and decided to hang up my cleats. I then got a job joined a fraternity and partied my way thru college. I'm currently a consultant for a fuel/Shell Oil distributor in Florida.

 

[crzychris]

Interesting stuff from everybody! Currently in my 2nd year at Walsh University, majoring in accounting. Just going to go with the flow now and see what happens in the future with grad school or employment and what-not.

 

[Irish4Life09]

Finally, today I have become a Certified Professional Controller (Air Traffic). It has been a long, exciting and stressful process (just under 3 years) of learning, training and not killing peope . Today is a great day for my family and I.

The reason I started this thread, besides being excited about my promotion, was b/c I thought back on how many jobs I had and how much I went through to get to where I am today. I am 31 and have worked as a mason apprentice, a waiter/bartender, at Victoria's Secret (Yes, In college.. awesome), a Hibachi Chef and a video editor for MTV. All these jobs were great but would never have given me the oppurtuniy to have a family and most importantly, be able to take care of them.

What do yo do and how did you get there?

For all the young guys, what is your plan?

YES, this is another "offseason" thread 30 days from kick-off.. :talktohan

First off, Congrats man!Nice work!

Technically for me I am about a 7th year junior in college right now.(26)
I started off in 2003 at Western Kentucky University and wasn't focused.I had no clue what I wanted to do, and never went to class.I basically screwed myself for 2 1/2 years there.
Took some time off to figure out what I wanted to do.
Spent the last 2 years at a community college in Knoxville to boost my GPA so I could transfer to a respectable school.
Was just accepted into Miami University (Ohio) to finish up my major in Sports Management. My ultimate goal is to become an Athletic Director at a major university...if not, I'd like to work for a professional sports team or the PGA Tour.

 

[MNIrishman]

Columbus born and raised...and yes, that gives me a certain affinity for the Bucks, but never above Notre Dame.
Wanted to go to Caltech or Pton but won the Joyce Scholarship to ND so that kind of set my course. Knew nothing about football but came for the academics and learned to love football on the side. Graduated in 2010 with a degree in physics, concentration in applied physics (mechanical/aero), and a minor in Chinese. Currently pursuing my PhD at the University of Minnesota in chemical engineering. I'm working on ways to renewably produce things we'd ordinarily get using oil, some messy chemistry, and a lot of nasty stuff going into the atmosphere/water supply. Gooooo Irish beeaaattttt dependence on the Middle East

 

[ErieIrish13]

I'm young but still trying to live my dream.

Going to Mercyhurst College this fall duel majoring in finance/marketing.
Hoping to transfer to ND, Northwestern, Pitt, or Cornell in the next two years.
From there, possibly grad school (my dream would be Wharton School of Business at UPENN).
My dream job would be an ivestment banker, hedge fund manager, or work as an entrepreneur.

 

[GBdomer]

I work for a beer distributorship stock beer i do it all. Still in college and going hard at the degree. My goal is to take my dads spot and run the show.

 

[BeauBenken]

I work for a beer distributorship stock beer i do it all. Still in college and going hard at the degree. My goal is to take my dads spot and run the show.

So your dad owns the distributor?

 

[goldandblue]

I did not graduate high school. I actually quit February of my senior year. I was a bit depressed at the time due to a break up (Gay I know) and the only real reason I went to school was for the ex-hott *** girlfriend. I was as wild as a buck deer on cocaine... LOL.

Started off working in construction, then got a sweet job as a machine setup at the age of 19 with American Greetings (you know the christmas/birthday card company). I was 19 working 3rd shift and making $17.42 an hour. The factory closed down and all that ended.

I went from there to an electrical lineman school in Trenton GA. and graduated at the top of the class. I started working with a line contractor called Pike and my wife had just had our first son. Soon afterward I realized that everytime an icicle formed or the wind blew hard I was going to be away from my family so I started to look at other opportunities.

Due to good luck I had a friend that wanted to start a small IT company and asked what I thought about it. I ended up going to an accelerated program in Tampa Florida and earning my first two IT certifications. CompTia A+ and Net+.

After 3 years of that and another child later I decided I needed to make a little more cash flow so I am now a sales executive with one of the leading IT firms in Nashville TN.

For the past 3 semesters I have been attending Vol-State Community College (mostly online courses) to pursue my education degree. I'm not going full time but holding at a steady 9 hours a semester but it will take some time. After completing Vol-State I will transfer to Western KY University to finish my degree.

My wife is a high school teacher here in TN and with the importance that I put on family, it will be a great fit for us to ensure that we get to spend plenty of time with our soon to be 3 kids.

 

[GBdomer]

So your dad owns the distributor?

GM.

 

[NYIrish14]

Currently an undergrad in the Business program at SUNY Binghamton University in upstate NY (Im sure you guys have seen us on ESPN because of our basketball program scandal). I would like to eventually do something in sports, however I am not sure how I plan on doing so. Might decide to attend grad school for Sports Adminisration...who knows. Also played baseball in junior college before transferring to Binghamton.

 

[BeauBenken]

GM.

Very cool.

 

[Irish4Life09]

I did not graduate high school. I actually quit February of my senior year. I was a bit depressed at the time due to a break up (Gay I know) and the only real reason I went to school was for the ex-hott *** girlfriend. I was as wild as a buck deer on cocaine... LOL.

Started off working in construction, then got a sweet job as a machine setup at the age of 19 with American Greetings (you know the christmas/birthday card company). I was 19 working 3rd shift and making $17.42 an hour. The factory closed down and all that ended.

I went from there to an electrical lineman school in Trenton GA. and graduated at the top of the class. I started working with a line contractor called Pike and my wife had just had our first son. Soon afterward I realized that everytime an icicle formed or the wind blew hard I was going to be away from my family so I started to look at other opportunities.

Due to good luck I had a friend that wanted to start a small IT company and asked what I thought about it. I ended up going to an accelerated program in Tampa Florida and earning my first two IT certifications. CompTia A+ and Net+.

After 3 years of that and another child later I decided I needed to make a little more cash flow so I am now a sales executive with one of the leading IT firms in Nashville TN.

For the past 3 semesters I have been attending Vol-State Community College (mostly online courses) to pursue my education degree. I'm not going full time but holding at a steady 9 hours a semester but it will take some time. After completing Vol-State I will transfer to Western KY University to finish my degree.

My wife is a high school teacher here in TN and with the importance that I put on family, it will be a great fit for us to ensure that we get to spend plenty of time with our soon to be 3 kids.

WKU is a hell of a school. I went there from 03-06.You'll love it.

 

[pkt77242]

B.S in psychology from University of Evansville. Decided that while I like psychology it wasn't the career for me so I never pursued a graduate degree in it. Somehow I ended up working for a bank and I am now in management. Studying for the GMAT so I can apply to a couple of MBA programs (though nothing as nice as NW or UPENN but still one that is AACSB accredited).

 

[Fbolt]

I go to community college and my life lacks direction.

I just was kicked out of community college and my life is heading south....

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

So nice to hear about all the exciting action posters here are taking. JPham, you da man, and congrats Who'saWildManNow and all others.

Riddickulous, stay away from me..

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Grew up in a small town just 8 miles from the Golden Dome.
GVSU for a B.S. in Comm majoring in Film & Video with Emphasis in Narrative Film Production/Minor in Philosophy
Worked at A.M. General, Home of the HUMVEE to save money and...
Moved to LA and began working in Film and TV as a production assistant.
Worked on "24" for 4 seasons, 4-7 and a bunch of other stuff.
Moved back to MI and worked on some projects.
Moved to Wilmington and did some projects.
Currently working as an Assistant Director on the feature film "The Hunger Games", based on the book of the same title, in Asheville/Charlotte, NC.
When this wraps...who knows! On to the next gig!
Also, own my own production company currently searching for investors for a slate of three films over the next three years.

see my imdb page here
Patrick Priest - IMDb

 

[bigedefense]

Wow! You guys know how to make a person feel like a waste. Ha! Just kidding. Congrats WildMan. Great job of reaching a life goal. To all the others, you guys are awesome.

A bit about myself:
Played small college ball at the University of North Alabama 93-96.
Grad asst at UNA two years.
Specialist degree in Health & Physical Education.
Hired on coaching staff
Family tragedy and decided to take a high school asst job so I could be home with my daughter every night.
Head coach at a high school briefly (not for me! I like coaching and not dealing with administration, PARENTS, and other teachers constantly complaining about athletes shouldn't be....fill in whatever, they probably said it)
Asst coach again and love it. Best part is when the above come complanning, I point to the HC and say, "you need to speak with him"
Married again and have 3 beautiful daughters and a wife that keeps me out of the "nut house"

Congrats again to all of you with your great success & to those of you still working to get there... You'll get there. We, as Irish fans are behind you!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Currently working as an Assistant Director on the feature film "The Hunger Games", based on the book of the same title, in Asheville/Charlotte, NC.
When this wraps...who knows! On to the next gig!
Also, own my own production company currently searching for investors for a slate of three films over the next three years.

see my imdb page here
Patrick Priest - IMDb

My wife read all three of those books in like a week and can't wait to see the movie. Make it a good one man!

 

[nlroma1o]

Born in South Bend.
Raised in Granger, my parents house is 10 mins from campus.
My family is die hard ND
My mother cried when I didn't get into school there. I was upset at the time, but now i am very glad I went away to college.
I graduated from Xavier University in 2010 with a BSBA in Accounting.
I was fortunate enough to land an awesome job back in South Bend right after graduation.
Been working back here for 1 year now and I absolutely cant stand it here.
Im studying for the CPA and my girlfriend and I plan on moving after she graduates from scUM this upcoming May 2012.
Hopefully moving to SoCal. If that doesnt work, Chicago will probably do the trick.

 

[Riddickulous]

So nice to hear about all the exciting action posters here are taking. JPham, you da man, and congrats Who'saWildManNow and all others.

Riddickulous, stay away from me..

That's fine. There's plenty of other deer to kill and turn into venison.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Grew up in different states--born in Madrid, Spain; hated living most of my life in Georgia. Since I left high school when I was 17, I have moved to Canada, to Texas, to Florida, back to Georgia. I went to college but staying in college without playing ball really sucked so I got a job with DoD working in PMEL. I met my wife and we had a son so I became a stay-at-home dad, which is what I am doing now. Currently waiting on a phone call from Lockheed Martin to work on the F-22 raptor contract. Waiting.

 

[Rocket89]

Grew up in Fredonia, New York.
Moved an hour north to Buffalo at age 12.
Serious travel hockey player since age 6.
Left to attend prep school in Connecticut at 16.
Had great hockey career, but missed out on D-1 offers.
Did not get into schools that recruited me (Middlebury, Hamilton, Trinity, and Colby).
Decided to walk-on at St. Lawrence (pipe-dream) and it did not work out.
Wasted 2 years in college being unhappy at not playing puck.
Majored in Government
Left school and now work for a sports medicine distributor back in Buffalo. I specialize in handling pharmaceutical drugs like Lidocaine, Marcaine, Depo-Medrol, etc. It's boring...but it's my life.

I also do a lot of writing on the side.

 

[PANDFAN]

1.graduated hs(1998)
2.went to a penn st affiliate school( only 5 miles from my house)
went part-time to school, worked part time and partied full time(wasn't good, my parents divorced and my mom left for a new job...so i was 18 and she rented me a townhouse w/ no expenses to pay)
3. needless to say, i last 2 years at school(hated every minute)
4. worked in a mental health group home, got a job offer at a local state prison working w/ mental health inmates, got a job offer to be a corrections officer at a juvenille prison-got bit by an HIV inmate during a take down...scary time in my life...i quit and now luckily fell into a cushy county case worker position working with individuals with mental retardation

2 kids during all of this, divorced and recently bought a house w/ my girlfriend w 2 kids and soon to pop the question to her at the Notre Dame VS Pittsburgh game

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Grew up in South Bend, close enough to campus to hear the band practice.

I went to IU twice (Bloomington is a great town) and moved to Minneapolis when I finished.

I met my future wife at a friend's wedding in Evansville, Indiana and eventually moved back to the home state.

I'm a mineral and energy attorney who recently left my job at Law Firm to do the same type of work for a friend's land company, where I get to work from home quite a bit.

No kids yet but I just turned 30 so I'm sure it's coming soon...