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Original poster

what job do you do?

148 replies

mmm · 05/05/2003 12:40

I'd be really interested to know what careers mumsnetters have. I know it's very nosy but I've seen all sorts on these pages. So...I was a teacher of English as a foreign language and the voice of a mouse for a video game and a singing butterfly and I have done voices for companies which want an answerphone message ("just a moment please hold the line" etc ) Anyone else?

OP posts:
mum2toby · 05/05/2003 12:43

I work for an Engineering firm and am currently in training in Project Planning. There are lay-offs at the moment so I might not get to finish my training here!

I graduated with a Marine Biology degree 5 years ago but couldn't get work in the field. I've just fallen into my current role. Always on the look out for a change thought, I get bored easily and I haven't had a payrise for over a year! Hmph.

whymummy · 05/05/2003 12:45

mmm youre not the one that says press 1,press 2,youre call is being held in a queue.......???
tell me you`re not,NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

whymummy · 05/05/2003 12:50

im SAHM but i draw, and do caricatures,ive sold a few, once my dd is at school i want to concentrate on that,even if i dont make a lot of money from it,its what i like

ps. ive also written a book for children but i dont know how to go about it to get it published

mum2toby · 05/05/2003 12:51

Or perhaps the BT woman that says:
"The number you have dialled has not been recognised, please try again"

OR

"Your ringback request has been accepted, please hang up"

Is it really you MMM? If it is you are VERY posh and have the Queens English down to a tee!

breeze · 05/05/2003 12:55

I am a sahm, before hand I was an accounts manager for an Insurance Company, when I go back to work I am going for a career change, working with kids.

mum2toby · 05/05/2003 12:57

Are you mad woman???? Putting up with other people's kids????
Only joking Breeze - what kind of role would you be looking for? Teaching, Childcare, Social Work?

You must have WAY more patience than me.

whymummy · 05/05/2003 13:01

and me,my ds teacher asked me if i wanted to help in the class and i just run screaming in horror i now go and pick him up wearing a wig and sunglasses so she can`t find me

SamboM · 05/05/2003 13:03

I'm a Business Analyst and Project Manager for an accounting software house. Riveting, I know.

breeze · 05/05/2003 13:05

No, I was thinking more of a class room assistant or something, so I will get all the holiday off with DS.

I help out at the pre-school now and again and totally love being around kids, watching their little personalities come out. It will be very rewarding work and I will love every minute of it. Probably go back to office work when DS is old enough to look after himself. Although I might think of other area's.

whymummy · 05/05/2003 13:10

only joking breeze,i love children you know what they say "when theyre little you could eat them,when they grow up you regret that you didnt"

mum2toby · 05/05/2003 13:15

That sounds like a good idea Breeze.

LOL Whymummy

I've never heard that one before!

Girly · 05/05/2003 13:26

I used to work for a property development company in the marketing and lettings dept prior to having kids. Did the long hours and mad commute for a little over 5 years, had a bitch for a boss, do i miss it, like a hole in the head! Wild horses would have to drag me into the city (London) now!

breeze · 05/05/2003 13:28

I suppose I have been around kids all my wife, I was a nanny for a while when I was 16, looking after 3 kids 8 mth, 18 months and 9. Although very hard work I enjoyed it. I have much more patience with other peoples kids (probably because mine knows exactly which button to push), only left that job because the women lost her job, the kids were so fond of me I became their god-mother. Kids are so inncent and lovely at that age.

oxocube · 05/05/2003 13:37

SAHM but in real life I am a reception teacher although I haven't worked for the past 18 months.

ANGELMOTHER · 05/05/2003 13:44

Am now Sahm but previously worked in Fashion Buying and merchandising in head office of lrge comp in London.
Same as you Girly did long hours and commute for too long also constant travel for work.
I did enjoy it though but my dd's smile is bigger since I gave up, intend to go back in approx 4 yrs as now pg with no :2....

Furball · 05/05/2003 13:45

Also SAHM, before that general office cr@p and before that! - a holiday rep in Greece.

Mocha · 05/05/2003 14:16

Also SAHM. I was a credit controller for a motor finance company before getting pregnant.

tamum · 05/05/2003 14:22

I work part-time; I'm a geneticist, mainly research but some teaching too. Agree with mmm, it's completely riveting seeing what everyone does/did!

mum2toby · 05/05/2003 14:23

Tamum - that sounds wonderful!! I loved the genetics part of my degree at Uni. It's always fascinated me. Have you got a genetic degree?? (career swerve imenant! )

susanmt · 05/05/2003 14:39

I'm also a SAHM, but with a few extras. I was a Geography teacher before ds came along and I still mark exam papers (for a pittance, but I get a free jolly to Edinburgh on my own and it does keep my hand in), I run 2 holiday properties, and run a little craft business, mainly making cards (wedding invitations/birth announcements etc) but also painting glass and silk which I sell in a couple of local shops and at local craft fairs.

tamum · 05/05/2003 14:50

Hi mum2toby! Marine biology sounds pretty interesting too. I didn't do genetics for my first degree, but did for my PhD. It is interesting, and I realise I'm incredibly lucky to have been able to carry on with it part-time. I've got a lovely research group who are all very understanding. Not exactly fantastically well-paid, but I love the work. Genetic counselling is a career worth considering if you're interested in genetics, you don't need to be medically qualified any more. Think about it!

mum2toby · 05/05/2003 14:53

Tamum - Marine Biology does 'sound' interesting, but it isn't really. Unless you like being knee deep in sh*t testing pollution in an estuary!! It was my 3rd choice at Uni.

What qualifications do you need to do that??? And what does it involve?

tamum · 05/05/2003 14:58

Yes, I see your point! I haven't looked into it for a while, but I think you have to do a one-year postgraduate qualification. There are only a few places that offer it, but I know someone here (Edinburgh) who did the course in, I think, Leeds, for one day a week but did all her "practical" work in Edinburgh. I can find out more information for you if you'd like?

mum2toby · 05/05/2003 15:01

Yes please Tamum.
Although I don't know if I could afford to do a year of studying.

I'm in Scotland too. Did you go to Uni in Scotland??

LIZS · 05/05/2003 15:04

Angelmother,

Wonder if we worked for the same "favourite Dept store", certainly I was in the same line of business for a while, many moons ago. My commute would have made it unviable to return to work after ds, even part time, and as I am living now in Switzerland even more so .

Am coming to an end of my 5 year career break - what a joke they haven't contacted me personally for 4 years, although I receive payslips with loads of zeros on each month. My boss probably thinks I'm still being paid, if only ! Am still awaiting a reply to my last letter as to where we stand !! Sorry getting sidetracked from this thread but I don't think I can work anyway as they haven't issued a P45.

SAHM (not unhappily) it is.