JFF: What Do You Do for Work?

Updated on November 10, 2011
K.G. asks from Fort Lauderdale, FL
41 answers

Hi Moms,

I'm curious what some mom's on here do for work? In the past, I worked as an assistant at a hair salon, I worked at an insurance company (as my husbands assistant). I was also a bottle waitress (for VIP tables) at a high end nightclub for about 7 years.. Needless to say, I was never that "career" person (unfortunately)... Since having my son five years ago, I'm now a SAHM.....(which is a job 24/7)..In my free time, I volunteer for an animal rescue. Animals are my passion!!!
What do you do for work? Or what did you do for work before having children?

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C.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

I am a scientist and I love it! I went to school for a long time (multiple degrees) to get into a job exactly like the one I'm in. I work in public health, so we always see interesting things, and get the "first scoop" on emerging diseases & etc. My only complaint is the pay... ugh, sometimes I think I should've gone into the private sector rather than government... the pay is WAY better "out there."

This was my first job out of college and I've been here 5 years. While in college I worked as a grad student (plant & microbiology), student worker (fish biology), tutor (elementary school), and fast food (Taco Bell, yuk).

In time, I want to have more kids... and I will probably be a SAHM for a while... at least until my kids are all in school. I'm not entirely convinced that I have the personality or patience for it, but I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it.

4 moms found this helpful
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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I work PT in Marketing/Advertising in a B to B company.
Catalog development, trade show support, website support and development, etc.

4 moms found this helpful
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E.C.

answers from New York on

I've been an Operations Specialist for a big wealth management firm for the last 6 years and recently became a Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay.

4 moms found this helpful

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S.2.

answers from Raleigh on

Ultrasound technologist....and I love my job!

7 moms found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Portland on

I work for my husband's non-profit educational publishing house (at our house). I met him over 30 years ago when he was looking for an illustrator and graphic designer to enhance his delightful hands-on science with simple things. I was instantly attracted to his work, and to him. We married 9 months later and are still working together daily, though we are gradually heading toward retirement.

There's very little money in our business; it's really a labor of love. It's infinitely satisfying to get letters from teachers, home-schoolers and students who adore our lessons.

Oh, and I have also become his editor and number-one proofreader, because I can spell and he can't. :-D

6 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I work as a legal assistant doing criminal defense. I love my job and I take my responsibilities to our clients very seriously. After all, their freedom is in our hands! I LOVE my job!

6 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Current job: work from home running tech support for online companies, done this for almost 3 years.

Past jobs: worked in a pizza and sub shop, waitressed in a strip club, was the 'breakfast b!tch' at a hotel, operations manager of a trucking company, was the global export coordinator for a big corporation, worked in daycare, babysat from home... I think that's it, but I feel like I'm missing something... only the big stuff is on my resume.

So yeah :)

6 moms found this helpful
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R.R.

answers from Dallas on

I'm the executive assistant to the president and vice president of a medium sized meat and cooked foods manufacturer. Mostly the VP, as the Pres is pretty much a figure head and not around a lot.

4 moms found this helpful

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am currently working "optional" at a hospital on a cardiac critical care unit. I work 12 hours a week, and usually a weekend each month. I'm a telemetry technician. (Similar to an EKG tech)

Prior to kids, I was a nail technician for about 6 years. It was a lot of fun! I still do it for my friends and family.

4 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I work at home running our raw materials broker/consulting company. My hubby does all the sales and negotions, I run all the financials (CFO), manage travel, inventory, etc.

I also substitute teach when I can because I love the little kids!

I also serve on the booster board for the cheerleaders at my daughter's Sr. high school and am very active with fundraising.

Before we started our company, hubby was in the same industry and I acted as his admin support while he was on the road.

And... most importantly......I am mom!

4 moms found this helpful

⊱.H.

answers from Spokane on

I am the Administrative Assistant for a gold mining company, after working in the medical field for 9 years. I am a semi-retired licensed massage therapist (only work on friends and family now) and I went to college for elementary special ed but never did teach.

4 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Chicago on

I am an insurance underwriter - professional lines (law firms).

4 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I work in the Shipping/Receiving dept. for a flexographic printing company. I'm not the stay at home type, though I have HUGE respect for women that can do that without losing their sanity. I worked through my pregnancy, and came back to work after 8 weeks of having him. Great question, btw!

3 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I am an Underwriting Assistant - in Transportation division of a start up company. I love it. I've been in insruance for 9 years, I used to train future UAs...but now I like the low key portion of just UA'ing. Plus I'm in a new "program area" and learning the underwriting in the transportation division. (previously I was in the catastrophe insurance side)

My volunteer job is Girl Scout Troop leader, which is a fulltime job with monetary pay...but lots of hugs, laughs and good times pay.

I aslo coach a couple of sports....

3 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Because of a great drafting class I had in high school, I got a job as a draftsman right after graduating. I was going to school at night as I wanted to be an architect. The engineers I worked for talked me into switching to mechanical engineering. I was one of the first female, registered professional engineers in TX. After 15 years, I really wanted to do something more service oriented so I went to grad school in early childhood disorders. When I had my second son, I decided to stay home. I became a Shaklee distributor 17 years ago and still love that company. I also got my personal trainer cert and have been doing that part time for almost 11 years.
Sometimes I still wish I had held out for architecture. I think I would have been happy with that profession as I could develop my artistic side. Last year I took an engraving class and hope to do that for the rest of my life also as well as continuing the health and wellness stuff.

3 moms found this helpful

L._.

answers from San Diego on

I've been a childcare provider for 25 years. But I've also done other things with the help of my family. They've watched the kids while I sold life insurance, real estate, cars, delivered Schwan's Frozen foods, and all kinds of silly things like making phone calls for GNC, delivering phone books, and I can't remember what all.

Before kids I worked at Wendy's and then I worked at a bank for a year after my first daughter was born.

It's been a crazy busy life :)

3 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I work part-time as a career and job search coach, both through an outplacement company and with private clients. I also conduct management training for a national client. I am also working on my dissertation for a PhD in Industrial - Organizational Psychology. I have previously worked as a recruiter/staffing manager, HR Manager, and as a project manager and software developer for computer consulting companies.

I also volunteer at a non-profit dedicated to assisting women become financially stable and prosperous, and as a Karate instructor for kids.

3 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I have been in retail since I was 16. Sells, Bridal Consultant, Dept Manager, Buyer, Store Manager.

Now I am on call for different places when they needs help.

I was a caterer for a while..
I also do special events. Wedding, Parties, Conventions, Estate Sales, Parties.

I am now going into my Christmas mode. We decorate homes for the holidays. I am actually taking my crew to do a house on Monday! (the family will be leaving later that week to spend Thanksgiving in Colorado.. This way when they get back the house is ready for he holidays! )

Then in January we go and take it all down and put it into storage.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

I am currently a manager of a Business Intelligence team. I have always worked since I was about 14. I have had many jobs from Grocery Store Clerk, Nurse's Aid at an assisted living facility, Group home education plan provider, to customer service and a progression of jobs in the professional world of data analysis,transformation and reporting. My current job provides a decent life for myself and my children. I work for a great company and great group of people. I am also close to home and able to work from home and be with my kids when needed.

3 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I herd cats. I have no exact title. Believe it or not herding cats pays well and has a flexible schedule. It also requires a college degree, I have a couple of those.

Right now they are all being quiet which like quiet children, scares me.

The actual work is accounting and technology related with enough HR to seem like I am herding cats.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.X.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have been a nurse since I was 20. I have worked MANY specialties (except maternity) and shifts. 8 hrs, 12 hrs, days, midshifts, and nights, weekdays, and weekends. You name it, I have done it. I have been very lucky to be able to switch jobs easily when needed. This year I went from a high stress ER nurse position to a minimal stress position when I got pregnant. It is full time now and I will be looking for a part -time 24 hr schedule once I finish my 12 weeks of maternity leave.

3 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I love numbers and started my career in financial management 5 years ago. I work for large contracting companies who support Navy programs. I LOVE what I do most days. It makes a big difference in getting up and coming to work when I have fun working with numbers!

3 moms found this helpful

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

I used to work all kinds of jobs.
I worked retail for years, worked at Starbucks for almost 7years.
I've been a SAHM for 3 years now. So my job is mom & "wife"
I'm trying to start my own art business.
I've been drawing all my life and I'm trying to see if i can do something more productive with it.
Sucks is I'm stuck at the moment in a "im not good enough" funk.
BOO

3 moms found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Right now, multitasking here and on a webinar for improvements on herpes testing...I'm a testing specialist for a national clinical laboratory. I have been in medical sales (mainly cancer research) for 20 years now. I completed college before marriage and child (now 18). Even though I have always been in "career mode" all along, it has always been 24/7 for me as well.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.L.

answers from Great Falls on

Before moving to Montana a year ago I was a dental assistant. Since it has been very hard to find a dental assistant position where we live, I have been working at Sams Club doing customer service for the past year, and I have actually grown to love it! I didnt realize I was a people person before I took the job, and honestly was a little nervous that I wouldnt be so great at dealing with such a large amount of people every day and some of them, angry ones. But I have adapted and learned to love the job and found that I really enjoy helping people! On my days off, I realize that work is my social outlet! Kind of weird, but I end up missing work sometimes when I have 3 days off (Im part time) because I miss talking with random people!

2 moms found this helpful
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P.B.

answers from Austin on

I was in IT for 20 years total. I've also done medical transcription, bookkeeping. Recently, I was temping (admin) & landed a job as document control specialist. I was SAHM on/off while my daughter was growing up.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

I have many job titles! They are all included in being a Stay at home Mommy and Wifey though :) Best job I have ever had!

2 moms found this helpful

✤.J.

answers from Dover on

I have been in the accounting/bookkeeping field for well over a decade working in several different industries. Currently I'm working in the finance office at an active duty military base dealing primarily with travel vouchers for all active duty & reserves as well as a ton of customer service. It's the last part that makes this job not really good for me because, truth be told, I just don't particularly like people. This is why accounting is a good field for me (very little one-on-one interaction) but an open office type situation, not-so-much.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.B.

answers from Spartanburg on

I do HR for a mediium size IT company, we've got about 190+ employees. I do selection of personnel,hiring, compensation, maternity, etc. I also take care of the career plan, sending people to specific training if they need to improve in certain areas. I love it as i am very organized and goal oriented...the goal is the well being of the company, otherwise we'd be all home (and I hate just being home!)!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

Let's see, my current position is department secretary for the local PBS station which includes behind the scenes television work and programming and caregiver. My past titles have been logistics for the dairy industry (dispatching trucks to dairies to collect milk in huge stainless tankers), records clerk for police department, real estate agent, insurance agent, seamstress (off and on still), building monitor (for night school while overseas), class trip mom (trips to European cities), SAHM, volunteer for Red Cross and various positions in spouse club (Welfare, Bazzar Chair person, Publicity and President), construction assistant and insurance clerk.

There are others but I can't think of them right now.

The other S.

2 moms found this helpful

J.U.

answers from Washington DC on

Worked at an animal hospital, lead lab testing facility, accounting. Have enjoyed each one.

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from Denver on

I am a Life Coach and love my job.

I get to support clients in shifting their lives and releasing old patterns that no longer work for them. I have several teenage clients that are a real joy to work with. I specialize in empowering women through supporting them with boundaries, saying "No", self-care, and becoming aware of their irrational core belief systems.

I work with individuals, families, couples, and groups. I support clients in issues such as: depression, anger, relationships, organizing, budgeting, parenting, and getting through the 'stuck' places in their lives.

2 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I work as a nurse at a very busy pediatric office. Some days I'm rooming patients and giving shots, and some days I'm the phone advice nurse.

I get to leave my 3 crying kids at home and go to work and listen to other peoples' crying kids :)

1 mom found this helpful

M.B.

answers from Orlando on

I was an operation room assistant for 4 years til i had my son.'since then I have got my BA in early childhood education. I'm hoping after baby # 2 comes to go back to school and pursue surgical nursing.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

School!!!

I'm in school, and I'm homeschooling my son.

I've done many things for money since I was about 12 including ((horsework -yes, horses, not houses-, babysitting, modeling, theatre, restaurant -line & 'chiquita grand tota'/asst sous-, military, paramilitary, unit secretary (ER, nicu, women's rehab, nursing unit), writer, student. Those are all jobs I've done for at least 2 years. I also working for starbucks and in the music industry for about 20 minutes.

I LOVE it when my husband complains that I "don't know what it's like to work". Mmmmmhmmmm. Sure honey. You got snake shoes with that line you're trying to sell?

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Dallas on

I did computer tech support (software) for 7 years and now for the last 7 or so I been researching real estate tax ids...

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A.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I went to college and got an Associates in Computer aided drafting and design. Did some freelance work for a company from home while working full-time at Subway as a manager. When I became pregnant with my 2nd child my oldest was going into preschool so I stayed home Still did the freelance for a couple years.
No I am a self employed child care provider and watch 3 kids in my home, plus am an Independent Partylite Consultant. Both jobs allow me to be home for my kids and get them to soccer practices, games, cub scouts and other activities meanwhile being able to make an income that allows my family to live comfortably. Love when someone asks me what I do, meanwhile I've got 5 kids with me ranging in ages 9 to a 5 month old. I love both of my jobs!

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I own an insurance agency and I also sell vitamins online. =) BUT, I work from home which allows me to be home when the kids are, including all summer and all their school breaks. LUCKY ME!!!

✿.R.

answers from Boston on

I own franchises on the internet. It's pretty cool. I teach folks how to save money shopping online or even getting gift certificates before they go in the store to save. Double dipping on coupons and cash back deals. Also full time mom of course. :)
I was reading some of the other posts....busy moms on here. :)

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D.C.

answers from Fresno on

I've been a speech pathologist for 16 years. I've worked mostly in out patient adult rehab. I have a very flexible employer and work about 30 hrs a week. I can take off when I need to for my kids. I love my job most days

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R.L.

answers from Tampa on

Well I have went from customer service to managment to running a small business and now I am an @ home Mom and am an appointment setter
Truly love it but it is not for everyone
It is a great way to add income or make your own all in your own comfort level
Many blessings

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