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Original poster

Please could you tell me how many different jobs you've done in your life and how old you are?

69 replies

mustytrusty · 07/03/2025 21:44

Just that really. I have just been out with some friends and it came up that they were laughing at the number of different jobs I've had in my life and were taking the piss out of me about it.

For some perspective I am 55 and have had maybe 10 different jobs. By which I mean actual different job titles rather than different workplaces. So for example I've been a PA in 3 different organisations but I'd class that as one job, or I've worked as a carer for 3 different companies and I'd class that as one job.

Two of the people I was with are teachers and do nothing but moan about their work but have been teachers for years so have only ever done one job. One of the others has never worked anywhere (family wealth) and the other did two jobs then retrained as a nurse which is what they do now.

So I am the odd one out for having done a few different job roles. And I have never been out of work or been off sick with work-related stress or similar, unlike at least one of the others.

I just feel upset that they thought that my different range of jobs were somehow lesser than their jobs that they've stuck in for years and that I am somehow fickle or less good than them as I haven't stuck in a job that has made me ill or made me moan about.

But it also made me wonder if I am somehow weird for having a lot of different job roles over the years. So, how many job roles have you done and how old are you, please?

tell me how many different jobs you've done in your life and how old you

OP posts:
FlatWhite78 · 07/03/2025 21:47

I’m nearly 60 and I’ve had 4 jobs. Did the paper round at 14, started in a newsagents at 16, worked at Primark whilst at uni and have been a physiotherapist ever since graduating. Did 20 years in the NHS before switching to private.

Beebsta · 07/03/2025 22:06

I’m 49 and had 5 different “jobs”.

I am counting accounts payable/payroll/admin assistant/office manager as one job as they are all admin-y type jobs. Warehouse officer (drive forklift, pick goods, etc). Uni lecturer/tutor. Accountant. IT Project manager.

thats not even counting the school job working in a shop. Or my first job that I absolutely hated and lasted about 7 months working mostly as a waitress despite being employed on an administrative traineeship. If I count those two I am up to 7 jobs in my life.

and to be honest, I need to change jobs again as I find my job stressful but it’s the nature of the job, not just this specific job. I am a bit stuck though as I know that eventually I end up not liking any job after 2 years so I might as well get good pay for my efforts.

So no. You are not weird for changing jobs throughout your career. I’ve been working for 32 years. I can’t even imagine doing the same thing for all that time.

I’ve just counted it up. I’ve had 14 different employers. And at some of those employers I changed roles a couple of times. If we are taking separate roles I’ve had 19 of them.

NuffSaidSam · 07/03/2025 22:10

I'm 38 and have had three different jobs.

The first one was for one summer.

The second one was a few months at uni.

The third and current one I've been doing since I graduated (but for multiple different employers, so same job, different workplaces).

I love it, but I do envy people who have done loads of different things. I have a friend who has done 10+ jobs and he's very interesting to talk to.

WellsAndThistles · 07/03/2025 22:15

Started working at 16, only one employer but several different job titles in the last 30 years.

Scary to think if I keep going until I'm 60, that will be 44 years with the same employer!

Absolutely no intention of working beyond 60 unless it's a hobby job or one that gets me a staff discount!

Misfiteverywhere · 07/03/2025 22:28

I am 47, 10 jobs, same profession since I graduated but different levels and different organisations. I've gradually got jobs that are more senior until I'm the head of the profession in my organisation.

viking11 · 07/03/2025 22:31

Aged 60, had 14 jobs permanent jobs, two different careers and several shot term contracts.

Pinkdreams · 07/03/2025 22:32

28 and 4 different jobs, same job in different places, over 10

Glassesofmilk · 07/03/2025 22:33

I’m 43 and I had one job aged 18 for 3 months . Haven’t been able to work since and I wish I could 😞

DelphiniumBlue · 07/03/2025 22:40

Age 65.
Have been employed as a babysitter, waitress, teacher, TA, barmaid , LSA, receptionist, typist, legal secretary, solicitor, administrator, retail assistant, legal clerk , appropriate adult..that's all I can remember but I think there's more. some of those were very temporary/ short term, others for much longer.

mewkins · 07/03/2025 22:45

I'm mid 40s and apart from working in a shop part time while studying, I've only really had two different jobs and they are very closely related anyway. I don't move around very much.

Earlier on linked in someone made contact with me who had a phenomenal amount of jobs (all under 1 year) in about 25 different organisations....although they were all along the same lines....

CanelliniBeans · 07/03/2025 22:53

I've had four different careers. Two as a registered health professional (but different registrations). I move employer every 3-5 years and four big career changes.

Original poster
mustytrusty · 07/03/2025 22:58

Wow, I think it's safe to say that people all have different experiences and they're all valid, which helps.

I'm actually finding this so interesting.

OP posts:
stravagante · 07/03/2025 23:00

I'm 47 and I've had 14 including my wee paper round!

CarpetKnees · 07/03/2025 23:03

By your definition, 2.

But have done the same job in 4 different places.

Have also done loads of 'extra' jobs (ie, not the main use of my time) over the years, as well.

Original poster
mustytrusty · 07/03/2025 23:12

@CarpetKnees if you include your extra jobs how many would it add up to, so you think?

I have pretty much always had a side job as well as my main one to keep the money coming in and that was something else that they seemed to find funny.

OP posts:
invisiblebark · 07/03/2025 23:19

I'm 28.

First job waitress at a friend's parents cafe.

Then, I left school and was a customer service advisor. Two different companies.

Cleaning whilst at uni and with a young DC. Did that at two different places.

Then I got a job as a TA.

Currently a midday supervisor.

Starting soon as a cover supervisor.

May start teacher training in September.

So all in all I've been:

Waitress
Customer Service Advisor
Cleaner
TA
Midday Supervisor

Pending:

Cover Supervisor
Possibly Teacher

So, 28 and had five different roles, almost six. At some point, probably seven. Then, who knows?

Clingfilm · 07/03/2025 23:20

Early 40s, 12 jobs (5 between the ages of 14-21, loved earning my own money). The last 6 have been in the same field but quite different.
Cannot imagine working for the same employer for 40 years!

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/03/2025 23:22

Six, first at 13. I’m 60 now. Haven’t worked (paid job) for 32 years.

GarlicStyle · 07/03/2025 23:22

70 jobs, and I'm 70.

My career proper started when I was 24; I had 12 jobs with 10 employers doing that, though three of them were freelance/contract.

Some of the others only lasted a day or two - or even a few hours - which is why it's a big number. I always feel it's best to get out and find a better fit. I absolutely loved my career: it was the third one I trained for!

AgathaMystery · 07/03/2025 23:22

I am 45 and have had about 23 jobs. I’ve had an absolute ball and some complete shockers.

Ive been in my current career since 2007 & in that time have had 7 different types of job. 9 if we count the pandemic.

JacqFrost · 07/03/2025 23:34

Age 42 and I've worked for 7 businesses (8 including doing some temporary Christmas work for Royal Mail a few times).

Berry07 · 07/03/2025 23:38

I’ve been a nurse since I was 21. I’m now 37. Prior to that I worked in a care home at the weekends while I was in uni and I worked in a shop at the weekends while I was at school.

CarpetKnees · 07/03/2025 23:43

if you include your extra jobs how many would it add up to, so you think?

5 or 6 (side jobs) I guess - again, using your criteria that 'babysitting' or 'bar work' for example, only count as one job, although done for many employers.

Mydogsnotfat · 07/03/2025 23:52

Gosh, 56 here and started at school as a pub cleaner, Saturday girl in sweets and cigarette shop, showjumping groom, first real job after leaving school Civil Service clerk, left after a year as thought it very boring (ha expect I’d have been retired now on a good pension had I stayed) various customer services office jobs including AA travel Import EXport which involved advising members various driving rules abroad before the internet existed, aupair abroad then more customer services office jobs in various roles, became a mum and worked in retail in the evenings then finally am a funeral celebrant. So that’s about 7 if you count shop/retail as one and discount being a mum. My god who knows what they want to be at 16 and never changes their mind? Very few people for sure.

CharSiu · 07/03/2025 23:52

I’m in my 50’s.
All whilst at school
Helped in parents restaurant from knee high
Chambermaid and waitress in small hotel
Supermarket

Nursing
Public and Academic Libraries
University housing officer
Semi retirement, some cooking.