The Work Thread

Might already be a topic for this, had a casual look.

I don't know much about you guys so thought I'd start a thread to find out more (and to see if there's anyone worth exploiting to move up in the world)

So what do you do for a living? What's your job title/profession? How long have you been doing it? Do you enjoy? Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for? Do you plan to keep at it?

If you could do something else what would you want to do?


I'm a Customer Service Adviser for an online (and high street) retail company. I've been doing it for two years and my feelings towards it varies between hating it and just about tolerating it. The plus points are I'm good at most aspects of it, I like the majority of the people there, and when it's not busy season (Oct to Jan) it's quite laid back and easy going. On the downside I hate customers and dread having to speak to them and listen to their inane complaints. The reason it's Customer Service and not Customer Care is because I really don't.

Sadly I never really planned on what I wanted to do which is how I ended up where I am, I don't want to be doing this much longer. Though I'm not sure where to go from here.

I'd love to be in charge of my own company or something. Don't have a clue what it'd be.

In the style of the old NGamer questionnaires:

So what do you do for a living?  Mostly, I play around with Excel spreadsheets.  Occasionally I write Word documents.  Often my eyes hurt from staring at a screen too much.

What's your job title/profession?  Actuary.  Or rather, actuarial student until I pass all the exams.  Essentially, we try to predict future trends by looking at past trends.

How long have you been doing it?  Getting on for 3.5 years now.

Do you enjoy?  I have never deluded myself into thinking that I'm going to "enjoy" my job.  It finances the things that I do enjoy, and provides me with security to prevent me having to do things I'd enjoy less.  Occasionally it's interesting, sometimes even intellectually stimulating.  I do like actuaries as a species, though - although recently, I've not been having such a good time at work, for reasons largely beyond my control.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for?  Nope.  I entered uni. with very little idea of what I wanted to do, had an idea midway through that I might go into academia, and only really admitted to myself in my Masters year that I wasn't bright/motivated enough to do a PhD for minimal money.

Do you plan to keep at it?  Yup.  Pass the exams and qualify, and I get a whopping great payrise that should allow me a little more freedom.

In Gunman Clive 2, Clive rides a panda. What's your mount of choice? Something that overbalances all the time. Let's say an ostrich - they don't look too stable.

Right now, I am unemployed. I have no idea if I will ever return to the profession I was in and at 55 years old, I no longer care. I don't desire having a job at this point in my life that is my life, 50-60 hours a week and nothing but pressure and paperwork at home that never ends. Last time is made me physically and mentally ill. It took me a year to recover. So in part, I will speak in past tense.

So what do you do for a living? Sales. I have always been selling one thing or another. I started out in management for a national department chain and then a supermarket chain. Then I went out into the field being a rep, 5 years for a Canadian firm, followed by 5 years with an American one, followed by 5 years with an Australian one and them 14 years with a Swiss one. Last year I did a contact with a major international credit card company. Essentially it all means I look after clients and gain sales. I am good at it.

What's your job title/profession? It varies, Area Manager, Territory Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Representative and Field Relationship Manager.

How long have you been doing it? Since long before any of you were born, in 1984, after 4 years in retail.

Do you enjoy? Actually, I do. I enjoyed interacting with people and succeeding at what I did. I was very competitive and liked winning.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for? I originally went to University to complete a Marketing Degree. Before that I wanted to be an accountant, because I love numbers. I did Accountancy and was very good at it, but I was so bored, so I changed to Marketing as I liked the imagination one could put into it. I did the first year of my degree and had a serious motorcycle accident and never returned. I got married and just got on with my life. I never went back as I soon learned that I despised what marketing represented, manipulating people into buying stuff they don't need, using some very questionable tactics. At that point, being a husband and eventually a father was more important to me.

Do you plan to keep at it? If a job comes along, probably, but ageism is more likely to keep me out, plus my reputation was severely compromised when I got sick. I have an interview with a big tobacco company this week and I am actually really conflicted about it as I despise the product and the company. I am still working through that, keeping in mind that Nestle wasn't exactly a model company and I did 14 years of that, and got told on occasion that I was a baby killer. In the end, if offered the role, I would probably take it, as we all need money to flourish.

So that's me.

So what do you do for a living?  I'm a checkout supervisor in a Tesco superstore. I solve disputes and sort things out for the cashiers, make sure we've got the number of tills open we need, do paperwork, put things away... there's actually a lot of variety and also a great deal of time where I'm not doing anything and I'm free to chat to my colleagues, or, if they're busy, walk around daydreaming.

What's your job title/profession?  Checkout Team Leader

How long have you been doing it?  Been in the store for 7.5 years but doing this job for two or three.

Do you enjoy?  Of the jobs I've had in the company this is the one I enjoy the most and I get on very, very well with my colleagues. That said, I hate my job. I hate the management. I hate the public. I hate the very nature of working for a large company which gives employees very little autonomy.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for?  Absolutely not. That said, I'm still working on my degree through the Open University and I still apply for the police every time they're hiring again and I apply for things like the current job opportunity on Official XBOX Magazine. I still think of it as a job, not a career.

Do you plan to keep at it?  I can't think of anything worse.

In Gunman Clive 2, Clive rides a panda.  What's your mount of choice?  I've actually ridden horses quite a few times.  They're good, but my ideal would be something massive and canine, like a dire wolf. I really like dogs.

If you could do something else what would you want to do?  The long term plan has always been to join the police; I'm studying psychology at the moment and I was a Special Constable for a couple of years which was rewarding and enjoyable but is not as good an inroad to full - time employment as they'd have you believe. Other than that, I'd love to make a career out of writing somehow, be that magazines or TV or books.

Mine will be changing soon but still all in ASDA but I'm going from one department to another department

So what do you do for a living? I turn up and pretend to do stuff like pack bread then put out whilst doing this I deal with customers whom can't see in there hand in front of the face let alone the bags for the bread rolls. Then it's count stock to know how much to make in the morning (I can't make it as I'm not a baker), price changes, waste, reductions, order stock, rotas. Kinda like Drunka but less customers to deal with but slightly more actual manual work

What's your job title/profession? Bakery Section Leader soon to be Produce Section Leader

How long have you been doing it? I've been with ASDA for about 3 years

Do you enjoy? Yes and No most of the Team are finw some have been there since the year dot and stuck in there way but as I will soon be moving, I don't think I really answer this as where I go I hear is a piece of piss. So might put me in the enjoy bracket but then again might be to easy and boring. But due to my hours and living about 20 minutes away social life is kinda gone though.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for? No but I left school at 13 and never studied anything apart from a basic IT course which you need to pass if you want to be something like a nurse, teacher assistant for instance

Do you plan to keep at it? I have tried to applying for other jobs but due to lack of qualifications and only 10+ years retail experience, I've not really got many other options as I know my job is secure, bonus is decent, health plan is decent, share stuff is a well and I can process to manger at some point

In Gunman Clive 2, Clive rides a panda.  What's your mount of choice? I can ride a horse and I mean properly like getting it over jumps but wouldn't be my choice it would be the giant deer in the hobbit / dragon age

If you could do something else what would you want to do?  Well used to help run a shop that sold games and when I was unemployed I was tempted to open a game shop in town plus I also tried getting my mate to buy one but he didn't. So sounds like I want to open a game shop which would be cool but I kinda always wanted to be a post man.

@Drunka I was tempted to apply for the Games Rader News position

So what do you do for a living? I am a Maths teacher at a sixth form institution.

What's your job title/profession? Acting Head of Maths.

How long have you been doing it? I've been teaching Maths for eleven and a half years now, but I've been in the Head of Maths role for about three months.

Do you enjoy? Insofar as it is possible to enjoy your job, I'd say so, on the whole. There are days where everything goes against you and you feel like quitting to do something marginally less dangerous to your health, like lion tamer, or Mafia accountant, but it's not so bad.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for? Yes, eventually! I wanted to be a journalist, an accountant or a teacher when I was 13. Work experience ruled out the first two jobs on the list, so I went into teaching. It's at least interesting.

Do you plan to keep at it? Yes. It's a lot of work but it has been worth it.

In Gunman Clive 2, Clive rides a panda.  What's your mount of choice? Gogoat. If not, a nice red bicycle.

Another question has appeared since I answered!

If you could do something else what would you want to do? Composer of videogames tunes, or author. But I don't have the staying power, nor the ability to bounce back from 20 rejections and try a 21st time.

Lots of equestrians on the forum! I rode for a little bit in my uni. years, but only a little bit. Could occasionally get the horse to canter by accident.

So what do you do for a living? Er, I mike Virtual kitchen catalogues out of Excel spreadsheets. Don't ask to explain any more than that, it's both complicated and boring.

What's your job title/profession? Senior cataloguer

How long have you been doing it? 7 years

Do you enjoy? Actually, it's not bad. Before that, I worked in the customer support department, before transferring fully to my current job (I was doing cataloguing in between phone calls from dipshits customers. Actually that's harsh; most people were very reasonable. But it was too stressful; if I hadn't swapped out, I'd probably have quit / had a nervous breakdown.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for? I hadn't planned on doing anything, so *shrug*

Do you plan to keep at it? Guess so. I keep getting told I'm important, which in this day and age is pretty good.

In Gunman Clive 2, Clive rides a panda. What's your mount of choice? [some slightly chauvinistic joke about a woman] Seriously, what kind of work related question is this? That's the kind of inefficiency that will stop catalogues from being finished on time.

If you could do something else what would you want to do? If not finish a proper indie videogame, then ideally I'd like to compose videogame music, which is something that is in danger of disappearing from AAA games at the moment.
Wait a minute
Goddammit Balla

Today, my boss took me aside, and told me that he might not let me finish my studies (he needs to sign them off) unless I switch roles. I have spent my entire working life in this one role, because other roles require experience that my role has not given me.

How do I career?

Carefully? Ask about all the ramifications, if you haven't already!

Balladeer wrote:

Today, my boss took me aside, and told me that he might not let me finish my studies (he needs to sign them off) unless I switch roles.  I have spent my entire working life in this one role, because other roles require experience that my role has not given me.

How do I career?

It's a hard one, if you have done a great job in your current role maybe that's why you've been chosen for this new role. And really is it that different but I don't like the sound of you won't get your work signed off if you take this role.

What ever your studying might be helping for this new role, I do find it weird you have study for a job you've already got.

I'm kinda in the same boat I'm only going produce as if I want to progress in the company I've got to take it or rot in the bakery.

I imagine he has you in a corner Balla. The key to it all for me is why. Some things are never as simple as they seem and asking why won't necessarily get you the truth. Sometimes a sideward step is a very good thing, as it balances out your resume, giving you access to much better opportunities later on. Of course I don't have all the facts about your job/career/studies to give a properly informed opinion. I am sure you must know someone who has a deeper knowledge of this to give you better advice.

Oh boy. The Bullshit Detector's going off there. I don't know what to say Balla; if it sounds like you're getting conflicting information, it all depends on how much you trust the people you work for. This doesn't help, I know, but I am sorry to hear you're in a quandry.

So, I don't know if I told y'all but I'm currently working in a Wagamama restaurant. Yesterday, I served a pint to famous films man Jamie Dornan. I've had Dom Joly a couple of times as well. Both nice blokes.

Ooooh! Did you arrange the dinner into a heart shape to freak them out?

Haha! Don't work in the kitchen, unfortunately. Was waiting Dom's table, so got to have a nice chat, and was on the bar when Mr. Grey came in but he and his wife sat with me while their table was prepared so I made them some drinks and had a little chuckle.

Very swish! I taught a girl who was in the Ladies squad of the football team I support; her aside, I don't think anyone I've worked with is or has been famous. Two of the guys I've taught have become Maths teachers, including a guy who dressed up as me for a fancy dress day.

I remember Jamie Dornan best from the TV series The Fall, where he played one of the most terrifying characters I've ever seen on t'telly. It's a world away from 50 Shades, let me tell you.

ZeroJones wrote:

I remember Jamie Dornan best from the TV series The Fall, where he played one of the most terrifying characters I've ever seen on t'telly. It's a world away from 50 Shades, let me tell you.

Have you seen 50 Shades? He plays an abusive, terrifying stalker in that and has probably done a fair bit of damage in the real world, so it's pretty scary.

For me, I know him from the show Once Upon a Time.

Fond memories from when I served "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase a black coffee with Splenda in a restaurant in Prestwick. That was bloody random. My management didn't believe me when I told them that he was somebody famous from the American wrestling, so I loaded up a picture of his old Hasbro on my phone to prove it.

This was in quite a popular gaff, so I served quite a few local famous folk a number of times, like Drew McIntyre, Karen Dunbar and Kris Boyd. The only one who was a riddy was Kirk Broadfoot, who I chucked out of one pub and stopped him from getting his arse kicked in another.

I'm a Careers Adviser working in secondary schools now. Didn't see that coming ten years ago...!

The Cappuccino Kid wrote:

Fond memories from when I served "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase a black coffee with Splenda in a restaurant in Prestwick. That was bloody random.

Oooh, nice one!

I think we get some of the Somerset Cricket Team with the most notable being Marcus Trescothick.

Wow, all you gents get to meet cool people through your works (even if I haven't heard of any of them (apart from Tresco)). I'm a tad jealous. No one famous would come into my office by choice...

I reckon I need to rewrite that bio.: while I haven't changed my job as drastically as Cappa or Drunkski, I have changed my job. For now, though (time's limited since I am typing in Wagamama's at this instant! ), I'll say that it is indeed nice being a qualified actuary as opposed to a student. Freer evenings, for a start!

Balladeer wrote:

(time's limited since I am typing in Wagamama's at this instant! )

Good man! Did you order something interesting or another Katsu curry?

I had duck gyoza followed by duck donburi. I love me some duck, I do.

Realised I never did one of these.


So what do you do for a living? I work at a university, looking after the alumni. Mostly updating records and providing reports for other departments, but also first point of contact for the ex. students.

What's your job title/profession? Data Officer.

How long have you been doing it? 5 years

Do you enjoy? It's alright although we have a small team and a large alumni group (250k) so it never feels like we really achieve much. The changes to the Data Protection Act (GDPR 2018) coming in to effect next year has created a lot of new work, like writing policies and [yawn]... sorry, I nodded off there.

Was it what you had planned on doing/studied for? Not exactly. I did an IT Diploma at college after failing my A-Levels, but struggled to get a job in IT without either experience or a degree (know that one?). Scraped in to a Computing degree and didn't know what to do (initial plan was to get a degree and move to Japan - the traditional gamer dream). Ended up starting a PGCE, dropped out of it but met my wife on the course (she is now teacher). Moved to Bristol and landed a security job, then the job I'm in now, which is kinda related to what I studied. I use computers anyway!

Do you plan to keep at it? I don't know if anyone else has worked at universities before, but a lot of people never leave. Everything moves so slow BUT it's super flexible, which is essential when you have two little ones (and the wife's a teacher, which is highly inflexible - except when she teaches PE *bum-dum-tish*).

In Gunman Clive 2, Clive rides a panda. What's your mount of choice? Fair play to Clive, Fiat Pandas are a 'mare in the winter. I'll stick with the safe, humourless option - the wife.

If you could do something else what would you want to do? Not too dissimilar from my job but would like to be the guy who archives police files - you know the one - he is underground and works alone with exclusive access to important historical cases.