Sunday, July 20, 2008

Careers - Then and Now



Irish Coffeehouse is looking for a new career. She would like to know what we dreamed of being and what we became. She would even like to know what we would do tomorrow if we could have any career.  Now I got a little wordy, so if you want to just catch the highlights, I have made each job in a colored font, so feel free to skim.

t489



When I was a little girl I dreamed of being the first woman on the moon or the first woman President. I knew neither of those would ever come true but it was fun to dream. As sadly, boring, as it will sound I truly, in my heart of hearts wanted to be a wife and mother, nothing else.

I was a candy striper ages 13-17. At 16, when I could finally get a paying job, I waitressed at an Italian place called Mama Mia’s. They have long since closed and I really miss their food. But waitressing was a fun job and I have done it since and would happily do it again.

t490



I was able to get my certified nurses aide (CNA) during my senior year of high school, in fact I graduated top of my class and received an award that I forget the name of right now. I worked in a nursing home, then on the cancer floor of a hospital, then I got married and started having my babies. And let my certification expire.

Many moons ago, I decided to go to college and started getting a degree in Medical Technology. I managed to keep a B average in my full-time schedule even with 4 children under 6 years old. I don’t imagine I’ll ever finish that because I really can’t see myself sitting looking through a microscope all day, anymore.

t491



Throughout the years I have had various jobs but only when needed. While the kids were little I babysat and sewed displays for Wal-Mart and for a few ladies. A few years back I decided I would like to sew for people again. I got my first order - a wedding dress - after that order I decided no way was I going to do that again. I finished the dress and adjusted the dress - the lady was a size 22 who brought me a size 20 pattern to work from, uh yeah.

After my divorce I had to get a job, no ifs ands or buts, I spent several months working eBay but the solitude was too much. I put out applications and took anything I could get that would pay more than eBay, and ended up working for a TPA (third party administrator for medical insurance). I answered calls for several self-insured companies and while it was fun I looked for better pay. A legal secretary job fell in my lap and since it was $1.50 more an hour I took it. With both of these jobs I was able to be home when my kids were so it worked out well.

t495



Within the year, Home Depot came to our town and I applied. I got hired to work in the phone center making $2 more an hour. Yippee. Of course I took the job and stayed with them almost 4 years. When I met Dennis I was the scheduler (and trainer) and I transferred to the Corpus Christi HD when we moved to Texas. My HR manager in TX really let me have more responsibility and I totally loved it there, even got offered the district trainer position.

t493



When Dennis took the job in Wisconsin, 8 months after we moved to Texas, we decided I needed to be able to stay home with the 5 teenagers we were moving around. So, that’s how I came to be back home, a wife and a mother, albeit with a dwindling nest.

For the second part of Ms Irish’s question, if I could have any career right now I would love to be a travel photographer.


t492

29 comments:

  1. Quite a bio...and some fantastic macros to go with it. Both reveal intricacies not normally seen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent images - so well done! Yep - I'd like to make my living just with photography.
    But fact is that there are only few actually able too. And I sure don't want to be a
    Wedding photographer, Portrait shooter - which is the only niche in photography providing
    an income. But I can integrate shooting into my line of work - so that ain't too bad.
    Cheers, Klaus

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your photos. Even if they are a little "creepy", LOL. What a variety of jobs you've had. I imagine you gained different skills and experiences at each one. (I've done quite a few different things myself--can't imagine staying at the same job for 40 years like many folks around here do!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. And since you capture some the world's best pictures, you would be a wonderful travel photographer. Do you sell your photos? You could freelance.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great job, your resume is as varied as mine. See you got some s*x in that last photo. At least it looks like bug s*x. You'd be a fabulous travel photog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. In other words, your current career is that of Survivor,and this you do well. After viewing your pics for awhile, I think you should pursue the photography.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think you'd make an EXCELLENT travel photographer :) That way, you still get to look through a lens, but probably at much more interesting stuff than you'd find on a microscope platform!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Psssssst. Lisa, your link on IrishCoffee's Mr. Linky isn't working. But I found you of course. Me too...me too. Mother. Good, most worthy career. And a photographer for your 'dream' 2nd career way cool. [almost identical to my Fun Monday this week] Come by if you can find time. Have a super-duper Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loved reading all the different careers you had! I was, among other things, an ice cream scooper and a nanny! But, I am with you. Travel photography would be so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your photos, Lisa! You have an interesting story!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those are some naughty photogs you posted! lol

    Travel photographer would be great wouldn't it? I'll do the travel and host part, you do the photo part. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Interesting post! I, too, was a CNA for a short while. I got home from school one summer (just about to turn 17), and my mom had enrolled me in a CNA course. She had done that when she was young and expected me to do it, too, to "earn my keep." (I passed the course with 100%, too!) I didn't mind because I was used to working. Sounds like you were, too.

    Love the photos! I especially love the moth, but what kid of spider is that?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved the way you shared today with macro photos in between … and by the time I reached the end of the post, I was thinking Lisa needs to use her brilliant photography skills and work as a photographer of some kind! Perhaps you will ;--)
    Mine's up at Small Reflections ... finally.
    Hugs and blessings,

    ReplyDelete
  14. No surprise about the "now" career! And, wouldn't you be just a grand travel photographer?! With your experience at getting hired in so many different jobs, I'm sure the photography could be yours if you really wanted it. I admire the way you always stayed flexible so that you could fulfill your most important career--wife and mother.

    ReplyDelete
  15. anglophilefootballfanatic.comJuly 21, 2008 at 8:21 AM

    You are a travel photographer, L. It's so obvious.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Aaahhh to be a travel photographer. That is my dream but it doesn't seem to be happening. I did some research and travel photography doesn't pay as well as I thought it would. Weddings and events pay better but the benefits of the travel would definitely make up for the money.

    ReplyDelete
  17. How on earth am I supposed to read your words with all those fantastic images distracting me???

    ReplyDelete
  18. What an adventourus life so far!! I still say send National Geographic to your site...and what are those lady bugs doing.....dare i ask!!
    Great pics!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lisa, when did you start posting insect porn?? great shots! you have had a many various and interesting jobs...I think you already are a photographer, do you sell any of your photos??

    ReplyDelete
  20. That's a lot of jobs! Travel photographer - you would be wonderful at that!

    Love the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  21. you travel (your pics are fantastic) and you are a photographer ! Sounds like you are almost there ! These pictures are awesome (as always).

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey I was a candy striper too. Nice aspirations, do you think that bug thinks its on the moon? Great insect photos.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think you found your nitch.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have something for you...come over and see!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. You know that I sign the travel Photographer part ;)

    I'm not sure why you've posted all those bugs and critters combined with all the jobs you did, but it sure was an interesting and insightful read!
    Thanks for sharing. Maybe I'll get around to hop in too :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Awesome bug photos. I love that furry moth, I just want to pet it. Sounds like you did pretty good in the variety department. Being mom is best.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I started waiting tables when I was 17! I loved it! I would sooooooooooooooooooooooooo go back and do it again! My dream one day is to own my own bar and grill!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love people, I love food! It was the BEST job I ever had! These days and for the past 11 years I work as an office mgr for an telecommunication co. We install phone system, voice and data wiring, etc....I like it but I'm stuck in an office without a view looking at numbers and the computer all day long! I'm to much of a people person to continue to do this the rest of my life!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. seems like you have had many jobs, I liked the pictures

    ReplyDelete
  29. and you would be fabulous at it!

    ReplyDelete