What do you do or what have you done?

[~Mel~]

I am a Primary Teacher. Currently working 3 days a week after having 17mths off. Would be quite happy to not be back at work, but it is needed at the moment around here. I am not on class (ESL) so I dont have the stress load that I had prior to having DS.

[Ying]

I actually regret having spent many years studying though...over 20 years in Thailand and 3 years here and I've done nothing My parents spent LOTS of money on my education, we all hoped I'd go back home working and earning big bucks and look where I am now. I still haven't returned home since finishing my master in 2003 (have visited but haven't permanently lived there since). I didn't realise the whole attitude re studying vs working is so different here.

Having said that, without coming over here to study I wouldn't have met DH, got married and had Becky & another baby I enjoyed those times when I was studying too.

I just want people to know that high education and degrees don't really matter much. There are some people like me who spend years of burying their heads in theses and assignments and still don't find jobs they like and have no idea what to do

[lotusutol]

My turn:
I'm currently a SAHM/part-time WAHM for hubby's business (bookkeeping) and nappy demos.

I have many qualifications, but am not using any of them at the moment.
I'm another science grad, with a BSc in Nutrition and food science, and a Postgrad Dip in Health Promotion.
I would've loved to train as a dietitian after I got my BSc, but didn't get in when I applied two years in a row. IN the mean time I picked up another qualification from TAFE (Cert IV in Dental Nursing) and got my Australian permanent residency.

When I still didnt get into dietetics I moved on to post grad Health Promotion studies for a year to 'complete' my studies (you can't get a job with the BSc in Nutrition). I did this full time externally while working part time at Perth College as a library assistant.

Currently working through a Cert IV in Small Business Management externally through OTEN - TAFE NSW to complement my work as my hubby's bookkeeper and general admin person.

To tell you the truth, I found I enjoyed my TAFE studies (dental nursing and SBM) more than uni studies (Nutrition, & Health Promotion). They seem more relevant to real life work and have more practical learning areas compared to the heaps of academic theory you have to study at uni.

[mum2henry]

Ok, Left in yr 11 = went back and did HSC. The I did a Dipolma of Policing Practice and have been in law enforcement ever since. I also run two small businesses.

Basically - I am a long term social worker

[sunflowerchild]

After I left high school I worked as a back stage hand for a theatre company(not really a good way to meet guys, everyone of them was gay) I did that for 3 years then went in market research, that lasted 12months before I got a job in paint and hardware.
Then worked at woolies for a while, left there to work as a restaurant manager for a tourist resort, also a worked as a barmaid but left that when was pregnant with Ds1 as the smell of tap beer made me
Since having children I've be a letterbox stuffer delivering junkmail and local newspapers, now I work 2 days a week in a cattery

[Clarielle]

I wanted to post in this thread but have been offline at home for a week - I just saw the thread whilst on the net at work last week.
So many interesting things people have done/are doing!

I left school and went straight into a medical degree.
I got married in 4th year and got pregnant in final year.
I took a year off after finishing uni, staying home with DD.

This year I am doing my internship (graduate year) at the local hospital.
My lovely DH left his job at the start of this year so he could be home with DD and I could go to work.

I'd really love to be at home more but I knew if I didn't do my internship this year I would lose my confidence and forget everything I'd learnt (and would probably get pregnant again thus delaying it even more).

Career-wise I'm currently a bit obsessed with all things maternity/obstetric but I think that's mostly due to DD! I don't think I really want to be an obstetrician! I'd love to be a GP eventually

[tiffanysmummy]

This is a great thread! So interesting to find out what everyone does.

I dropped out part way through Year 12 to become a checkout chick.
Then I worked at a pathology laboratory as Assistant Courier Supervisor.
Next was a receptionist at a low vision clinic.
Next was a computer trainer for blind and vision impaired people. Also did workplace assessments and training for the blind clients, so gained formal Certificate IV qualification for this.
Only left that when we moved to Newcastle as DH got a promotion interstate.
Worked at a radiology centre on the desk, then as a receptionist for an accounting firm.
Moved back to Adelaide and did temp clerical and reception work until just before Tiffany was born.
I've done a bit of casual work since, doing market research until just before Emily was born.
Now I'm a full-time SAHM!!!
I've never really headed in one direction, more gone where the wind has taken me. Has been interesting though!

[Angelina]

I am a vet. Left uni, got married, then worked full time for 7 years until DS1 was born, have been working parttime since. ATM I work 12 hours a week. I love my job, I think I am very lucky to be able to work parttime (thanks to a great and very understanding boss ) . I have enough flexibility to say drop DS1 at preschool at 9am, then start work at 9.05.....it helps that everything here is very close together!!
DH and I also run a small business, so I am responsible for accounts payable/recievable as well a as payroll. I usually go in 1 afternoon a week (DH comes home to look after the boys) , most of the rest is done from home, usually late at night when everyone is asleep!