Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[ak49]

I've never been fired from a job *knock on wood*, but I have left a few jobs due to being boring or wanting more money. My moneymakers have been: Carpenter Assistant, cashier (boring!), Laborer at Hardware store/Lumber yard, Computer Tech and Engineer Tech.

Still not sure what to make into a career, but I guess who does? I know 50 year olds who are still asking themselves that.

[starlagurl]

What did you go to school for?

[ak49]

What did you go to school for?

I'm guessing that was directed at me, if not you get my 2 cents and then some anyways. I just got done grabbing my AAS in Aviation Admin which just sort of fell into my lap after jumping around different degrees. What I'm thinking of doing after this traveling is done, is go back for Computer and Network Tech degree to grab A+ and Cisco Networking certs. Or maybe I'll just get stuck wondering the globe and won't think twice about an edumication, besides what I learn traveling.

[starlagurl]

Aviation admin...what exactly is that?

Good for you for acquiring all those various degrees....

[ak49]

Aviation Administration: degree for managing and running airlines. I keep joking with people it's a fancy business degree with some meteorology/aviation ground school thrown in. I don't have the computer and network tech degree yet, it's just another goal after taking a year off to travel. What pieces of paper have you gone for?

[starlagurl]

That's pretty sweet. I did the journalism school thing, (bachelor of journalism at Carleton U in Ottawa) thinking that one day I'd be a fabulous foreign correspondent for the New York Times or something...I kind of am now, just one of a completely different stripe...

[ak49]

So do you write articles, stories or headlines about the penguins taking over the world? (My bad, random tangent) That's funny that you mention journalism, since I've never liked my writing classes. Yet, at the same time, I keep mowing around the idea of just becoming an author. Nice thing about that though is you can keep that on the side while working a normal 8-5 job. Though nothing is set in stone, so got enough slack to move if and when things get boring. My Math/physics/chemistry teacher from high school kept mentioning going to Canada for college since that's where he went. After looking at in state vs. out of state vs. out of country, I decided to go the route of in state to avoid no student loans after school. Though looking back at the choice, wish I had left my home state to go check out a completely different setting. Guess that's a main reason for going on this +6 month trip overseas.

[starlagurl]

Well, I'm glad that you are doing what you want to do now. It's never too late to start all over and do something you really love.

[jeremystravels]

What hats have you worn in your life to earn money?

Hmm..

During high school I worked at a movie theater

In college I worked at a movie rental store, did advanced polymer r&d, performed alternative energy from waste water studies, worked at a motor company in the materials lab, was a teaching assistant for a lot of classes (still doing it now my 4th semester in), worked at a pharmaceutical company in a research division, and now during graduate school working on my thesis for jet fuel production from coal to avoid using foreign oil and blog part time on my travels (hey I've made $300 so it counts, right?).

Now if I could only make money off my photography and i'd be happy.

[starlagurl]

Nice profit on your blog, Jeremy!
You sound pretty busy, that's awesome.
Is making jet fuel from coal more efficient than oil? I don't know much about it.

[jeremystravels]

Nice profit on your blog, Jeremy!
You sound pretty busy, that's awesome.
Is making jet fuel from coal more efficient than oil? I don't know much about it.

One of the good things about contiki tours from the USA is they pay for referrals (and the referee gets a discount) and no one knows about it. So essentially my blog is read by people already intending on going on a tour and I tell them they can get money off. Hard to turn down. Money for them and money for me for "referring" although they were going to book anyway. It is a win win situation in my mind.

Jet fuel.. it is surprisingly simple. It hasn't really been done much as, up until recently, oil was a lot cheaper. I am not sure how this oil collapse will mess with things but I think there is a big push for cleaner fuel and getting away from foreign oil so the difference in cost would be justified enough. Unfortunately the project for my thesis is not so environmentally friendly.. which is something I care a lot about. There are ways to help offset it on a full scale level which is always a good thing. In either way it will help me get into green energy research when I get done so I have to take what I can get

[starlagurl]

That's an interesting conundrum.... should you work with "dirty" energy now to make "clean" energy later? Tough tradeoff, that's for sure.

[shangguan]

Museum Curator
Archaeologist
Boxer
Salesman
Businessman
Landscaper
Painter
Beggar
Contractor
Butcher
Soda Jerk
Blacksmith
Driver
Tour Guide
Marketing Coordinator
Primary School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
High School Teacher
University Teacher
Government Advisor
Drunk
Mechanic
Farmer
Pig Killer
Clown
Traveler

I know I'm forgetting some

[ScottWoz]

Now that's what living life's about. Love it! I couldn't half that list, even if I managed to remember a sniff of my old antics. Big thumbs-up from me Mr Shangguan, you're a legend..

[shangguan]

Thanks! My family always thought I was a freak for having so many bizarre jobs.

[durnadupa]

Currently:
Bartender
Unemployed (living off you working folks' taxes)

Past:
Restaurant Waiter
Banquet Server
Liquor Store Stocker
Phone Salesman (Sprint)
Sprint Customer Service
Veterinarian Assistant
Dog Walker
Day Camp Counselor
Baby Sitter
Driver
There's more, but I forgot...and to think I am only 22.

[wakingdream]

Museum Curator
Archaeologist
Boxer
Salesman
Businessman
Landscaper
Painter
Beggar
Contractor
Butcher
Soda Jerk
Blacksmith
Driver
Tour Guide
Marketing Coordinator
Primary School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
High School Teacher
University Teacher
Government Advisor
Drunk
Mechanic
Farmer
Pig Killer
Clown
Traveler

I know I'm forgetting some

Now that's what living life's about. Love it! I couldn't half that list, even if I managed to remember a sniff of my old antics. Big thumbs-up from me Mr Shangguan, you're a legend..

Agreed. That's an awesome list. Nice diversification. Variety is the spice of life

[kur4m4]

office work
web development
construction work
deliveries

best job so far was during the 2006 world cup, had to hand out some free newspapers at specific pubs during the games (more precisely before and at half time), so basically I got paid to go to a pub and watch football And whats even better is that the owners of the cafe/pub would usually offer me all the drinks too!! ahhh...good old times...

[shangguan]

Thanks a lot. Most people just think I'm weird for having done so many totally different things. I hate it when my life gets interrupted by routine, so as soon as I feel things getting stale I have to change. It's not always a good thing, but it's me.

[wakingdream]

Most people just think I'm weird for having done so many totally different things.

I'd rather be thought of as 'weird' than normal anyday!