8 Questions - Career!

Along with art and photography this year I am also teaching a senior work studies class which involves preparing these studies for the work force rather than academic endeavours. Sitting here tonight preparing resources for students who are incredibly nervous about leaving school at the end of the year, I started to think about the pressure young people face when in their final years of school and how they are often expected to have these grand plans for the future.

I know when I was their age I was confused about what I wanted to do, no one in my family had been to university so I did not have that added pressure like some of the kids I teach have, however I also did not have the encouragement either. Which brings me to a couple of questions I thought I would ask my fellow PnQers.

1. What is your job title / career?
2. What did you have to do to get this job.
3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
6. Describe your typical work day.
7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

1. What is your job title / career?
stay at home father, heart condition forced me to retire early......was working in the philadelphia school district, probably what caused the heart condition....joking, I loved it
2. What did you have to do to get this job.
become a father
3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
nothing, maybe coaching
4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
a detective or a professional basketball or baseball player
5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
finish and go
6. Describe your typical work day.
wake the boys up, help them wash up, comb their hair, brush their teeth, get dressed, feed them, change the babies diaper, put on cartoons, start the car, then at 8 am, take them to school, bring the baby home and wait till 10;30 when he goes to school, do some laundry, wash dishes, clean up, go pick my 5 year old up from school at 1 pm, wait till 3:30 for the other to get home, start dinner.
7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
college, but depending where you live, prison, or working
8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
compassion, humorous, and out of my damn mind.....

1. What is your job title / career?

I am studying international media and communications

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
i had to finish highschool lol

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

A part of me regrets not going for media and entertainment directly, as oppose to media and communications.
there's a lot i like but also a lot i am not interested in

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A vet, but ain't nobody got time for chemistry and biology

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

my mama would be my ass if i didn't do well

6. Describe your typical work day.

wake up, go to school, drool over my crush and repeat.
(i'm a full time student now)

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

In Aruba you get pregnant and go work at superfood or the airport
in Holland everyone goes to the uni

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

well, i'm super creative and i love writing so...

1. What is your job title / career?
I am a chemist! I'm working currently in a medical laboratory.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
Being a chemistry student, two recommendation letters, and high grades!

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
Chemistry is my passion. I wouldn't want any other job. Although my dream is to have my own lab, do researches for the rest of my life.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A dancer.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

6. Describe your typical work day.
8am - 3pm in university. 5pm - 9pm in the lab.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
It depends on how rich a person is! If you're poor and want to go to college, you better find two jobs first. That's what happened with me.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
I love experimentation.

1. What is your job title / career?
I'm a bartender currently, and a student, finishing my thesis project on translating Russian poetry.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
Apply? And ... school.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
I honestly really enjoy what I do. My coworkers are magic. As for college, if we're considering that a career (or a career lead-up, maybe) then I think I would have done really well studying music performance and composition. I'm absolutely obsessed with languages and Russian culture and history, but I really wish sometimes that I had more music skills to my name.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A singer, go figure.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
"You must graduate from college"/"Whatever you do is good enough, so long as you try your best"

6. Describe your typical work day.
Work starts at 8pm. Ends around 2/3am. School never ends. I never sleep.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
It depends greatly on location and class. America's super classist, with relatively well-defined social progressions for each class... as unfortunate and annoying and contradictory to the "American dream" as that sounds. My high school was a really interesting mix of kids from different backgrounds. For some people, the expectation was a top-tier college, graduate school, internships, and careers. For others it was vocational school. And for some it was community college or state schools. Such a mixed bag.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
Do I have those? I don't know? I guess I'm quite friendly and chatty with customers and pretty good at multitasking.

1. What is your job title / career?
Client Services for a Senior center/ministry of my church. Basically social services. Also have a side business creating metal art.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
No formal training was required, but my background in medical billing in dealing with Medicare and Medicaid, and my insurance background definitely helped me ease into this. My boss sought me out. It was pretty sweet actually lol.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
Stay at home mama. :)

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A secretary. I just wanted to file papers all day - that's what I helped my aunt do at her job, haha.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
They had none. Graduating high school was a huge deal in my family, most of them did not do that. When I got my insurance license it was a big hoorah, haha.

6. Describe your typical work day.
Well today for example I started out with a meeting, followed up on phone calls I had waiting for me or messages I'd missed. I set people up for medical rides with our volunteers, help coordinate our meals on wheels (which because of a volunteer not being here I'm about to go deliver meals). Later I'll work on our newsletter and activities, make sure the day goes smooth, and in the midst of all of that I get about 20 calls a day - adding rides to dispatch volunteers, getting new volunteers, or people calling needing resources or help in some form or fashion. Sometimes it's super simple help - sometimes I go to homes and set up a DVD player, take a picture of a cat for a file, or I have to contact multiple churches to find someone to help with something, get medical equipment, find a doctor, help with bills/medical bills/mail, be a counselor for those who just need a shoulder... it's different literally every single day.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
College - multiple degrees, I'd say. My town though it's trade school. Small town livin.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
Compassion, multi-tasking, and ability to adapt to any and all things. It's chaos 'round here sometimes, but I love it!

1. What is your job title / career?
Family Law Attorney

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
Law School, Specialist testing and the temerity to go out on my own, knowing I'd never know where the next client would come from.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
No takes

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An attorney like Atticus Finch (the old book, not the new one)

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
College & Law School (but I took a 13 year hiatus into sales & marketing. Sadly neither saw me make it to law school when I was 35.

6. Describe your typical work day.
Review e-mails & reply, then telephone messages, draft documents, take calls, review more e-mails. Negotiate with other attorneys. Go over the client to do list & the calendar with my paralegal. Go home late. About twice a week I either attend Court for a hearing or trial or I am in mediation (either with a client or as mediator).

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
Community college, trade school or 4-year college

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
I want to help, I can listen I can wait for things to develop, I am articulate orally & in writing. I hire organized assistants and delegate to them.

1. What is your job title / career? I am currently a residential counselor at a homeless mission/ drug and mental health rehab. I am a medical technician for the state of New York.

2. What did you have to do to get this job. In total, one year of schooling and along with my many years experience in this field.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be? I'm doing just what I want to be doing.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up? A nurse

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling? Any kind of education, I chose vo-tech schools and certifications.

6. Describe your typical work day. I am currently a Team Leader for my shift, I rotate monthly with my coworker and friend Kireasha. I supervise medication intake with the residents, along with counseling the residents when they are in need. I work with folks who have a Mental Illness, drug or alcohol addiction and who have been homeless and are trying to get back into society. I never know what my day will bring... some days I might have to call the police and paramedics to help keep residents safe, other days are quiet and relaxing... Some days Im well liked and other days Im a B****. These folks are the most challenging and the most rewarding folks to work with, they are precious in my eyes.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school? Schooling or work..

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well. Im a free spirit and open minded, I have worked in the medical filed off and on since I was 18, I have patience and understanding... There truly is nothing I haven't seen within the 30 years of my field... I wouldn't change a thing with my career.

1. What is your job title / career?
I have many jobs, 3 I get paid for.

Non paying (monetary) jobs are
1. Mom and wife
2. Band Booster Secretary
3. Color guard sponsor

Paying (monetary)
1. Admin manger of Boondocks mud park (yes mud)
Basically it is a park that has camping, concerts, trails to ride 4 wheelers, rodeos, truck races, dj's and lots of cool stuff.
2. Caregiver for an elderly friend. My husband also helps with this as it is almost round the clock care for him.
3. Business owner (technically my husband) security and lawn care.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
As for the mud park, just kind of fell in my lap, the owners leased our deer cooler to us and they asked if I was interested.
The caregiver job is to a friend of ours who happens to be very set in his ways, he's ornery and hard to deal with, has severe OCD, to the point of hating food smells, so he has a separate house to cook in.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
No way

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Graphic Artist

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
Get out get a job, we didn't have money to go to college.

6. Describe your typical work day.
7:00 a.m. get up get dressed
8:00 a.m. do dishes, laundry, housework
9:00 go to Mr. Billy's (guy I am a caregiver to.)
Cook breakfast for him(he also has a stove on his screened in porch for quick meals), vacuum daily all 3 levels) change his sheets every other day) wash laundry, do dishes fix him a snack, cook lunch, fix afternoon snack, take him to Dr. Appts., take his dogs out several times, feed dogs, bathe dogs once a week, go to post office retrieve mail, pay bills, leave his house pick kids up from practice or work come home cook supper, finish housework or tend to band business or meetings. Usually get to get online and relax about 10 p.m. go to bed around midnight.

If it's an event ( Boondocks weekend) then a couple of weeks prior get office supplies gun tags (we don't allow guns in park because we allow alcohol) clean office, get booths ready for sales, radio's on charge and repaired, wasps and ants eliminated from booths,tickets printed etc.
event be there at 7:30 a.m. working outside, snow, sleet, hail, heat and tornadoes ( that happened last event last month) making sure all lanes of traffic have their waivers signed and managing several lanes of waiver and cashiers for event attendees. Do book keeping and manage all cash drawers. Maintain flag sales staff and cashiers. Handle any problems such as minors trying to get in without notarized papers, act as dispatcher for ambulance and security. Check in guns and return upon exit of park.
Usually Friday and Saturday are typically 16-18 hour workdays. Sunday's are 12 hours.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school? Go to college
8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
I am a people person but can be strict when necessary. Attention to detail is a must and multitasking.

1. What is your job title / career?

- I work as a sales associate and I (technically) have a second job at my church as an organist/musician.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.

- Group interviews for the sales job and doing staged scenarios since it was my first job. For the other, I've lived here since I was about five years old and my family and I have been very involved at St. Pat's since it's less than a mile down the road. I got involved serving, lectoring and eventually joined the choir (our super small one) and led a mass.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

- Probably a social worker or mental health counselor (in schools). I know if I would go back to school I would want to finish my degree with a major in education or psychology. I wouldn't want to work in an office or constantly see clients each hour but rather work with high school students (as I think that's a crucial time to have a support system). I also like working with social media so that could be a component.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

- Growing up, I wanted to work in communications. I wanted to be a writer of course but wanted to help others in any way
.
5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

- My parents just wanted me to not be afraid to ask more, and be curious about my interests. Always do my best and trust myself. I think my dad (more so than my mom) had a hard time dealing with my older brother dropping out of college and then me, but they were both choices we made with guidance. I think in a way we were always expected to go to college right after, but my parents have been very supportive of us saving our money instead and getting experience working/volunteering.

6. Describe your typical work day.

- I work part-time, so I'll usually (although each week depends on traffic, etc) work a few days a week at Bath and Body Works. Anywhere from a 3 to an 8 hour shift because we have call-ins and if sales are going well we might earn more hours. I practice one a week at church for music then am busy Sunday mornings.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

- Hmm, I would say college. At least in my perspective. I went to a private "prep" school where there was HUGE pressure and everything was about "what would look good on a college application". Everyone constantly wanted to know what college you got accepted to and where you were going for what.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

- I would have to say helping others and learning things quickly. I'm not always the most social person so sometimes I stress if it's a super busy weekend and I'm working and bouncing back between customers without a chance to breathe. I do like setting goals which is why I like when I'm asked to work on side-projects where I can be dependable and responsible. I feel I can step in on some tense situations also, such as if a customer has a complaint or return/exchange, I can deal with it without having to get a manager..... With the job at church, I'm at the point where I feel confident because I've gotten support and grew up with the parish and others. I'm also not as doubtful of myself and can lead a mass (musically if there is no one able to help sing) singing and playing. I used to be so nervous helping out with music that my fingers would be shaking on the keys!

I love when you do these questionnaires, Mel.

1. What is your job title / career?

Editor and student (MSW prep)

2. What did you have to do to get this job?

Editor: Network. My mom's friend was looking for someone and I fit the bill because of previous experience and present interests.
Student: Dig into my savings a little bit. Otherwise, no prerequisites for these prep classes besides being a high school graduate.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

I wish I studied Animal Science and went on to become a veterinarian. Then again, I'd probably be more of a wreck than I already am. I love animals soooooo much and seeing them suffer or not being able to save them would destroy me.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A large animal veterinarian or horse trainer.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

Mixed. My mom just wanted me to be happy. My dad was frustrated with me unless I was doing well academically. At first it seemed they wanted me to go to college and were relieved when I got into UC Davis, but now my dad thinks going for my Masters will be a waste of time. It's taken me awhile, but I'm finally trying to do what's right for me, not what's right for them (though I love my parents dearly and obviously want them to be proud of me).

6. Describe your typical work day.

Wake up late morning, read for my classes, participate in the online discussions, check PnQ mod tools, take the daily quizzes for my classes, receive several SVP reports to edit, edit them as quickly as needed, send the edited copies back, maybe receive 100 or so pages of an inmate's history to review and enter into an evaluation, fit in chores (laundry, groceries, watering plants, washing dishes, and stuff like that) somewhere in there... Some days, like yesterday, I go to my boss's house and perform odd tasks like hooking up her new printer or finding specific case files (she has a garage full), etc. I have to sort/organize/highlight thousands of pages occasionally when a worker's comp case comes up. The paperwork is measured in inches, so you know it's a lot. The last stack was 10 inches. All these little things add up and I don't know where the time goes :)

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

I'm sure it varies across the country, but in my town, it was expected that everyone go to college immediately after high school. I was a bit of a disappointment since I decided to work for awhile first and travel (assistant racehorse veterinarian, then a pizza chef, then a bareback riding instructor, then 6 months in Australia where I worked as a polo horse exercise rider), but I eventually became a student again. 2 years of community college before University helped cut down on cost. I worked as a server at an Indian/Nepalese restaurant while in school, and as a court journalist for the Davis Vanguard.

I did not follow "the norm," but I couldn't be happier for it. I wish I was still as much as a rebel, but college and age have changed me. I do what I'm told. Argh. Currently trying to get back in touch with that rebellious/adventurous spirit I was once so in tune with.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

Editor: Attention to detail. Respect for confidentiality. Also, I'm a quick reader and an even quicker typer (100+ wpm). What else? Ability to compartmentalize, which is vital for this specific editing position. I read horrific things. The worst things imaginable.
Student: Well, I'm fairly good at keeping lists, marking my calendar, and meeting the day-to-day requirements. So time management skills? I didn't always have them, that's for sure. I have to like school in order to be good at it, and I used to hate it. I enjoy it now.

^"I do what I'm told. Argh."

Jane only you could turn a complaint of compliancy into a defiant snarl.

:D I guess I'm a bit of a grump.

1. What is your job title / career?

I've had various 'careers' over the years but my training and for most of my life has been in visual merchandising.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.

Just applied...jobs were quite easy to nail in those days.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

I really enjoyed my line of work but after a stint as a telephonist and secretarial work I landed in aged care which I also enjoyed.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I didn't really aspire to be anything that I remember..just me I guess.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

We had no money so....leave school asap and get a job.
6. Describe your typical work day.

Now? Well I'm retired so..wake up at 6am do stuff...you know, potter around in the garden, see the grandkids...travel..yeah I like to travel, travel is probably my new career :) Well I do write recommendations for various hotels/airlines...does that count? Nah...they don't pay me so I guess not :)

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

I grew up in the UK so I'll answer the question from there...GET A JOB...we were all skint in my neighbourhood and I don't remember anyone going to Uni...I went to day release...you worked 5 days in a shop and went for training for the other day.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

For the Visual Merchandising...I have a good eye for colour combinations and my fashion sense is ok too. Aged care...I just listened to the oldies telling me the same story over and over with a smile as if it was the first time Id heard it...I think that may be patience?

I think the pressure to conform to a very high standard is much greater than it was when I was seeking employment..you just applied for a job and generally got it...I was never turned down for ANY job I applied for when I was in my teens/early 20's.

Hellon, that's crazy to think - now if you apply for a job, you're 1 in... 50 applicants, and a huge majority of the time IF you get a call for an interview, you don't even hear back after said interview.

I know, I was thinking the same thing. Young people (actually, all people without a lengthy, impressive career behind them) today have to learn rejection and how to keep putting themselves out there, sometimes 5, 10, 15 times before landing a job. For the most menial tasks, you have to have previous experience, and every single application has to come off like you're applying to your dream job and will do anything to have it - low pay, long hours, anything! And a lot of the times you won't hear back, not even a courtesy call to let you down.

Thanks for understanding how different it is today, Hellon. A lot of older folks blame my generation for failure to find work and don't realize times have changed.

1. What is your job title / career?

I have two...

before I discuss those, previously I worked in retail, from a sales advisor up to a store manager. for about 15 years. I fell into this because I needed money for beer.

Now I work for myself.
Career 1
I am a professional tiler (professional because I have been paid once or twice)

Career 2
I am an amateur artist (even though I have been paid once or twice)

2. What did you have to do to get this job.

Tiler, get off arse
Artist, sit on arse
(guess which one I prefer)

For tiling I learn't from other tilers how to set out and the actual practical skills needed. The product knowledge came from my retail experience.

For the artist side I tried painting acrylic on canvas, I decided if I could tile a mosaic pattern with tiles why couldn't I paint one?

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

I would swap the tiling for more art.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be an actor, I have qualifications at secondary education level in acting.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

get a proper job. Get up at the crack of dawn and work till dark and squirrel away as much money as you can.

6. Describe your typical work day.

Tiling
Arrive at job and make a coffee, stand and ponder job while drinking coffee. Mark out the walls where I will begin and make another coffee. Drink coffee while deliberating whether marks are level enough or cause problems later on in the tiling. (such as around window, door or bath)
Stick a row of tiles on wall, make another coffee, drink coffee while taking tiles back off the wall because I don't like how its looking. Check watch and realise half the day has gone, quickly stick tiles on the wall slightly to left/right/higher/lower than before. Get two rows in and pack up and leave.

Artist

Stare at blank canvas, after several coffees mix up a colour and begin to paint for two hours straight. After enough time elapsed decide that colour isn't quite right and mix up new colour, paint over what has been done before. Finally decide that the painting isn't centered enough or detailed enough, paint over whole thing in white.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

college or further education followed by university if your parents can afford the fees.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

I have an eye for colour and I am fairly creative.

If anybody is interested in my artwork here is the link

http://darrentconnor.deviantart.com/

finally a little story regarding my latest painting (Bowie)

I photographed it and posted on my facebook page. I then displayed it in my parents antiques and collectibles shop at 10am one morning last week. (I priced it up at £200) I went for a coffee, 15 mins after leaving shop I was phoned by my parents who had sold it. I collected my £200 and arrived home 3 hours later feeling pleased with myself. Once home I checked my facebook to find 2 offers of £500 for my painting.
There is a lesson about underselling yourself somewhere in that tale.........

Darren, you crack me up. I love the Bowie painting. You must make more. How do you make your work look so pixelated? It looks like it was done on a computer, not by hand.

1. What is your job title / career?

Tech Support Agent

2. What did you have to do to get this job.

Mostly kiss ass

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
Pharmacy

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Vet

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

None. I am the first person in my family to graduate from high school, also the first to go to college.

6. Describe your typical work day.

Wake up
GO to work

Help people who have tech issue (includes to many things to list)

write a little code for fun when we are slow

go home and play games with my boyfriend

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

College

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

Tech savvy, i grew up with technology, my parents tried to hinder my interests in it but i kept it up since i was a kid, i have repaired most of the things i owned (most are very nice. like a 72 inch tv that wouldnt turn on when i found it. I tend to teach myself anything i can with technology. Honestly (as others have stated) i would love to help rework the site (would not be as experienced as others) But it would be a lovely learning experience.

I also have generally good social skills. I tend to think a lot about *what if i were them* so i can work very well with tech illiterate people. (a lot of the people i work with have no idea what a modem or router is, most of the time when i ask about the modem they give me the pc)

Yes Jane, these days you practically need a PhD to get a job as a checkout chic...:)

Thanks Jane

it's a tedious process, I print a picture off that I want to paint then draw a grid over it. I then draw a grid on a canvas.
Each square on the photo represents 9 or 16 squares on the canvas.
a little bit painting by numbers.
I usually start with black which gives me the whole outline of the picture.
Then I have artistic licence for the rest.

Darren..I think your art is fantastic but...I think I've told you that before? Seem to remember a mosaic picture of your dad that you had done?

Thanks Hellon, that's right, it was my first painting.

Ah, don't even get me started on gaining work these days. I have been in a position for the last two years and while the job is going to ad, I have to go through the lengthy process knowing that it's a very slim chance I will even get an interview. While my head teacher would love for me to be on board, he doesn't have a say. It is up to a panel who convene and pick the 3 best from applicants written criteria, resume and references. Last time a job went to add in the school 68 art teachers applied for it. I've been told I should now go on to study more in order to gain a permanent teaching position. yay.

Thank you everyone for responding to my questions. It has been interesting to see how things have changed over the years regarding gaining employment. It's also interesting to see the amount of skills we all have here, PnQers would be able to run a company of their own if we all got together haha. For those of you who are parents, you guys have the toughest job on this planet and I have nothing but respect for you.

I am a Director of a facility for people with Developmental Disabilities or mental illness or both.
I worked my way up through the ranks and have a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Human Service administration.
You need patience, caring and compassion, and a little common sense helps.
Growing up I wanted to be a reporter and a mother,
Being a mother of 4 great kids...Is my biggest accomplishment.
My parents really didn't push toward education although my dad seemed to admire people who had it. He never really got to see mine, but I think he would have been proud. My mom would have respected my mothering more than my education.
I believe that now days the norm in this country is to go to college after high school, but it doesn't work for everyone! Some very successful people did it without a formal education.

Darren, incredible! You are very talented. I would love to buy one of your pieces. It might be out of my price range. Or I guess I mean it should be.

Deana, where did you go for your Masters? How did you decide on Human Service administration?

So we should never get into a debate with Larry....copy that.

1. What is your job title / career?

I'm at a bit of a crossroads as my "career" is in social care. All my qualifications and training are focussed around mental health, education and community work but I did that for 10+ years and it's an exhausting job. So I quit and retrained as a photographer...sorta. I'm freelance right now but not really taking it as seriously as I could...IE, I don't do weddings and generally work for trade cause I hate charging nice people for fun projects.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.

Buy a camera and learn how to shoot good photographs, plus learn editing. Not that hard really.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

My dream right now is to be a trapeze teacher, which I'm working towards.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I honestly can't remember and I don't recall ever being asked.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

Absolutely nothing, which is a real shame cause I'm quite smart and I reckon I could have been a straight A student with the right support.

6. Describe your typical work day.

Being freelance it varies so much I don't have one. Last week i was up at 7am to go photograph a yoga class for eldery ladies, then free the rest of the day.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

College then Uni if you have the support.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

I love photography. :)

Kevin, I lose many an argument. Well, EVERY argument if it's with Rosaura.

Re your situation with photography: "Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life."

Sounds like you're there

1. What is your job title / career?
- Currently- hard surface installer. (Hardwood, laminate, tile, the occasional back splash and shower/bath)
Previously - Pre-kindergarten teacher, which is still my calling lol

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
- Marry an installer. Haha

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
- Back to teaching or a herpetologist. Though I'd have to get over my fear of frogs for that one.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
- an evil queen.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
- eh. They expected a lot, but didn't support much.

6. Describe your typical work day.
- get to a job, wonder why materials weren't delivered, eat, drive all over to pick up said materials, eat, install the crap out of some floors, eat, clean up, go home, eat some more.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
- I guess college

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
- everyone says it's my attention to detail. Drives me nuts when just one tile looks crooked, but some days I say "I can't see it from my house".

1. What is your job title / career?
> Currently pursuing my Master studies in Pharmacology (next year I'll specialize in cardiovascular pharmacology)
> a writer (one published novel, the second is in the last editing stages, and I'm aiming at writing for the small screen, then the big screen)

2. What did you have to do to get this job.
> for my Masters I got a BS in Biochemistry
> for writing it was passion, and I was lucky to stumble across an amazing editor

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?
> too many stuff... ugh

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
> I wanted to be a director, but Art in my part of the world is unappreciated. I also wanted to be a medical doctor, with a neuroscience specialty, but oh well...

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?
> Mom: a doctor / Dad: an engineer

6. Describe your typical work day.
> Dorm -> University -> Dorm ... and in my free time, reading, writing, contemplating

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?
> University

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.
> Perseverance, Persistence, Passion

1. What is your job title / career?

Receptionist to a real estate agency.

2. What did you have to do to get this job.

I was offered the job straight out of school by the boss' wife.

3. If you could swap your job for any other in the world what would it be?

I would be an part time artist and full-time writer as well as a medicine women, integrating all of these arts into my medicines and healing rituals.

4. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be a ballerina and an artist and an astronaut-astrologer-astronomer.

5. What were the expectations of your parents when it came to schooling?

I had to pass and increase my standards each term, if I dropped a mark I'd be grounded, never really was encouraged, more threatened.

6. Describe your typical work day.

Get there at 7:30 wait outside for the office to open, prepare for the day, make coffee, smoke, then fetch mandates, transactions, follow up on reports, process files, take calls and send messages, stock take, etc etc finish at 4:30 pm.

7. In your country, what is considered the 'norm' after high school?

Go to university and study, or take a gap year, or be a couch potato.

8. What characteristics / qualities do you have that allow you to do your job well.

PATIENCE HAAHAHA