What do you do for a living?

[arffdog875]

I am an Airport specialist III at Grand Junction Regional Airport, my job includes wildlife control ( bonus of the job) Aircraft Rescue firefighting, Heavy equiptment operator, welding and airfield operations. For my second job, I am a Paid part time FIrefighter for Rifle, CO.

 

[choc dogs]

I'm a glorified truck driver, in the guise of environmental management.

 

[Devil Diver Down]

I own a tv/video production company in AZ. I handle the bulk of the writing/directing/producing & editing for anything from hour long documentaries to tv shows to corporate video & commercials. Nothing as fun as OYOA, for sure--it's loads of sitting in dark rooms, cutting hours of footage into something watchable.

I used to be at one of the major stations in Phoenix, but decided things would be better on my own & left 5 years back. Thought I could do more hunting & fishing if I worked some half days. Didn't know "half days" meant "first 12 hours or 2nd?"

 

[1_pointer]

Rangeland Management Specialist for the BLM. And yep, I like my job! Like what I do, who I work with (for the most part), and the benefits. Just wish I could make a career of it...

 

[lilbiggun]

The A-10 is one of the best aircraft built. there are others that are more sexy but for business, I love the A-10

I'm a contractor for a major airline during the day and at night I'm learning taxidermy.

 

[LILIDAHO]

Machinist is my trade. Not a operator (CNC button pusher) but manual machinist running manual lathes and mills. Also travel and do on site machining. The company I work for does alot of hydroelectrical work for powerhouses like Hoover and upper Columbia dams. Yes I do love my job Just not some of the people I work with. LIL

 

[mdhunter]

I own an oil distributorship that operates convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Hey Dinkshooter, I feel your pain. There nothing like selling a commodity that people complain about the price, regardless of the cost.

 

[Whiskers]

I bought a bait and tackle shop about 3 years ago. Figured I would have more time to hunt and fish...wrong. Since have expanded it into guns, ammo, crossbows, etc. Now I have even less time, so I am thinking about opening another shop, that ought to really FREE my time up.

 

[hardscrabble]

I am a sheet metal worker. I manage our companies sheet metal shop were we build duct work. We can do any type of metal fab, I have even gotten in to some metal art (mostly wildlife) but it is tough to sell it. People like to look at it and say it is cool and that is all.

 

[Wally Dog]

Lumber "pimp"........I enable people all over the country to take advantage of our afordable sawmill production.

 

[EasternMTHunter]

I'm a physician assistant and I do actually like my job.

 

[1_pointer]

I'm a physician assistant and I do actually like my job.

I'm guessing work picks up around the Buckin' Horse Sale?? I've never been, but have heard a few first hand accounts...

 

[EasternMTHunter]

Yep it gets busier. Gotta love the drunks, of course it gives me practice suturing. But they keep the police dept much busier than me. They shut down Main street at night for 2 or 3 days and open all the bars for one big street party!

 

[WV Hunter]

I'm a physician assistant and I do actually like my job.

If I had a chance at my 20's again that is what I would have persued. Now that I am in my mid 30's with 3 kids I can't go starting over.

 

[EasternMTHunter]

I would never tell to you change what you do but you are never to old to follow your dreams. I was a chiropractor first for 8 years before I decided to go back to school at age 33. I was one of the "old people" in class but I got through it and now have a job I love and work where I've always wanted to. I knew Big Fin and Vito when I was practicing in Belgrade/Bozeman and they had just started a group to monitor the legislature but after struggling several years as a DC I knew it was time for a change.

 

[sreekers]

I love my job. I am a full time youth minister. I get to spend time with teen agers, and get to know their families. The only thing that can sometimes be a pain is the fluid schedule that changes on a dime. Someone goes to the hospital, they need a visit. Student decides to take a ride with the police officer, parent wants you to visit them in jail, etc. I love what I do, and wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Bambistew]

I'm a civil engineer. I work hard and play harder. Glad that I now live in a place that offers plenty of both.

 

[JoseCuervo]

I would never tell to you change what you do but you are never to old to follow your dreams. I was a chiropractor first for 8 years before I decided to go back to school at age 33. I was one of the "old people" in class but I got through it and now have a job I love and work where I've always wanted to. I knew Big Fin and Vito when I was practicing in Belgrade/Bozeman and they had just started a group to monitor the legislature but after struggling several years as a DC I knew it was time for a change.

What are the "economics" of being a chiropractor? I have a neighbor who used to be a chiropractor and is now owns a Semi and drives the truck. Does being a DC pay at all, or can it be a living for somebody?

 

[EasternMTHunter]

I would say that the economics can be quite difficult to say the least. My opinion is certainly biased based on my experiences, but I have heard several stories similar to mine. Back in 94 when I graduated I had about 48K in loans compared to most students now graduating with well over 100K in loans which equates to $1000 or more in monthly student loan payments for at least 8 years. The majority of students then face the task of starting their own business, which can be good and bad. There is the option of working for another experienced DC, but if things haven't changed it pays very poorly (I got $12/hr with 8 years of experience), many make you sign a non-compete contract and in my experience it was about taking advantage of the new grad or employee to exploit them for as much extra income as possible. There are still a few of my classmates practicing but many are doing other things and struggle with their students loans and just trying to survive. I do think my chiropractic education prepared me very well to work in healthcare, even better than my PA school. I still strongly believe in chiropractic and send many of my patients to the local DCs. With all that said, if you can get your business of the ground and profitable enough to at least pay the bills, in the long run it is a good living but its much harder than people would believe. While its nice to be the boss, there is something to be said for having a constant paycheck, vacation and health insurance and not having to do payroll, advertising and the many other things involved in running a business.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Thanks, that is interesting. My neighbor built a big house in kind of an exclusive neighborhood, is a big LDS family, 6 kids and a stay-home wife. He was a Chiropractor when he moved in, then changed to a mortgage broker, and now is an owner/operator of a used Semi.

I was kind of wondering about the economics of being a DC vs. being a trucker.