What is a good job? Do you have one?

In capitalism, there is no such thing as a good job.

I "fell" into my job about a year ago. I work for an electric car company as quality control and I love it! Challenging and different with a mission statement I'm proud to support. I feel incredibly fortunate I am where I am.

I love my job and that's only because I'm retired

No politics please.

^^^ We're no longer allowed to post about religion or politics.  It's not a ProBoards issue (there's a politics thread on another ProBoards forum) but we've got censorship at work here. If we had an appropriate thread no one would bring up politics here.

Okay, for my job. Been unemployed for almost two months. Keep applying for jobs. Going to stop by a local school to see if I can become a substitute teacher. I did that in NYC nine or ten years ago and it didn't last long. I'm in a less metropolitan area so it might not be the shit show that is NYC.

^^^ That's a strong endorsement

I really enjoyed managing a bicycle shop. Cycleworks Marietta had been a failed venture for it's entire history before I got there. It closed doors two years after I left the company (after having been promoted to GM of all stores).

During my time there as manager, I learned a great deal about merchandising, reading your local market, and developing a niche.

Kids were bringing in their bikes for repair all the time. Not young children, kids with their own money, ages 12-16 mostly. They were all focused on whatever trendy new brand the magazines were offering, and of course some of the old staples I used to want when I was their age (Profile cranks, for instance.)

So... I talked to my vendors, made a new vendor relationship, and started selling BMX parts. In less than a year the store was turning a profit. Just took paying a little attention, focusing the store on a portion of the market, and reaping the rewards.

It helped that I hired amazing people, and that we all got along well and made each other look good.

That was the last job I honestly enjoyed... It didn't pay enough, so I took the promotion and ended up hating my job because I was no longer in the shop, and instead just a bean counter.

Now I do jobs I hate for money that makes it worthwhile. A mercenary. It's gross, but that's where we're at

Sundance31us I too worked in a small local movie theater for a few years, part time during college. It was my first job (yes, I grew up spoiled, no need for a few extra bucks as a teenager). It greatly helped me build up confidence and I really enjoyed the work.

I have asked the moderators to prune some off-topic posts that don't belong here.

It is a nice thread. People are discussing their lives, not forum topics of the past. As valid as those discussions may be, this is not the place for it.

....

On topic - I start my first "full-time" job of the year this week. Working on a really old show that's been around since I was in high school. Not my favorite company to work for, but the checks always cash.

It is, as always, a means to an end. I am not smart enough to invest; something just feels gross. So, I actually work for a living, but I do work to live and not vice versa. Finally!

It is a small victory over life, but I have to take each one and celebrate it a little

I appreciate this.

As ironic as it probably seems to some of ya, I actually did want this pruning and so I apologise to anyone that may be upset about their post being removed. This is 100% my fault and please don't blame the mods for this. We can't have anything nice without some gardening. Just have to avoid spraying everything with RoundUp!

...

On-topic - is anyone an amateur/professional landscaper/lawn enthusiast? I guess I'll go to the gardening thread, but I am looking for some zoysia advice for my spring broadleaf control. I have my own weeds to prune :rage:

^^^ That's a nice story

I don't get to make a different much anymore, not like that. That was nimble, took some quick thinking and subtlety. In my world, you were awarded light side points at that moment and your connection to the Force grew. /starwarsnerdfantasy

My job has grown into caring in ways no one will appreciate, and will never notice. Electrical safety is pretty boring unless you fail

The saddest call...

Same company as before. It was the first full week after the New Year when the call came through, the account loaded, salutations..."for security purposes may I please verify who I'm speaking to". Last name matched, but the first name didn't. As I started to explain that I couldn't discuss the account he cut me off saying that it was his son's account and that he wanted to close it. I apologized and told him that I couldn't do that and then he explained what happened.

His son and a friend were to attend the USM for the spring session and had moved into an apartment back in December. Over the holiday weekend his son was killed by a drunk driver. As I listened I could hear from his breathing that he was trying to control his emotions. It had been less than a month since the account was opened.

Government regulations forbade me from changing the account without proof that the account holder was deceased, but the last thing I wanted to do was to add to this man's misery by asking him to prove that his son was dead.

The roommate was listed on the account, so I said gently "<roommate’s first name> will need to call in and take over the account" he said the roommate would be calling by the end of the week to do just that. That was my out, I noted the changes requested and once the roommate contacted us he could authorize them...if the roommate didn't call by the end of the week I intend to call him.

I then explained that I had the power to wave fees and asked if I could do so one the account. He was silent for a long time and then he took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, but I want to pay my son's bill." His voice broke when he said "son" and I almost lost it.

I told him that I understood and that I would watch the account to make sure the transition occurred smoothly and without any additional charges; he said that's what he wanted. I asked if there was anything else I could do and the call ended. The roommate called two days later and everything happened as the father had wanted.