Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Jobs!


I have had a variety of different employment opportunities over the past 15 years or so. I am currently looking for my next "big" move in terms of a career. All of this thinking about jobs has caused me to reflect on my past. The good the bad and the ugly of jobs. These things called jobs are a necessary evil. They provide income that allows my family and I to eat and have a house, car etc. and it seems everyone has an opinion on what would be "best" for me. So here it is, an introspective look into the employment history of yours truly.

Late highschool years - Dishwasher and busboy at "The Little Whitehouse"
The Good - First paycheck, got my love for washing dishes, picked on the left overs from the banquets.
The Bad - Restaurant business usually nights and weekends, pay not that great
The Ugly - Psychotic dishwasher coworkers fresh out of mental institution

College years - Security Guard for RJD security company aka. rent a cop.
The Good - Felt kind of good to have a uniform with a badge. Enjoyed the authority.
The Bad - Worked late and long hours, usually by myself, pretty boring, pay not so great.
The Ugly - Only had a mag lite flashlight as a weapon and the bad guys knew it.

College years - Summer camp counselor - Christian camp
The Good- Heightened sense of God in my life, use of gifts, really fun atmosphere, great people to work with.
The Bad - Worked all day and night almost all summer long (for 2 summers), very tiring, had to deal with homesick kids and bedwetting.
The Ugly - Pay really not so great, (first taste of ministry!)

College years - Delta Sonic - guy that drys your car off at the end of the wash.
The Good - Enjoyed the physical labor, picked up my present day satisfaction in a well cleaned car, surprisingly good pay (remember next time to tip your drier boy!)
The Bad - Weather dependent, no one gets their car washed when it is raining.
The Ugly - Middle of winter, artic conditions all of Buffalo getting a super kiss to get rid of the salt.

Post college years - C.C.A, Lew-port high, clarence high - teaching regents physics and earth science.
The Good - Finally some decent money - good hours and vacation, enjoyed finally being a "professional", actually using college education, snow days
The Bad - Pretty routine, dealing with kids that didn't want to learn and parents that thought that was my fault.
The Ugly - Starting losing passion, not excited about doing it for the rest of my life.

Post teaching years - pastor - ehwc
The Good - Freedom to use creativity and leadership skills, traveling, working with people to see how God could use them, impacting people spiritually, made lots of cool friends.
The Bad - Not the greatest financial move, realization that church is many times a business
The Ugly - The new building ate my job

Post ministry years (paid) - carpenter/construction - j and r specialties/Buffalo Custom closets
The Good - No 'real' stress, physical work, accomplishing tangible things everyday, I don't work sundays, I get to wear jeans to work (and a tool belt), awesome group of guys to work for and with
The Bad - We are hitting the slow season, work will be inconsitent, no health insurance, feel like I should be using my brain as well as my hands for work.
The Ugly - Not a career move, need to figure it out ASAP

So there it is, my job history, (along with some random stuff strewn throughout), every job has its benefits and the stuff we don't like. Should a job be a way of life? A passion? The highest paying we can find? Where we find our purpose and meaning or is a job just that, a job.

5 comments:

Matt Carson said...

i seriously laughed out loud when i read "the new building ate my job". and i'm not one to be throwing out "lol" when i really didn't do it either, i can't stand that.

so get this: my father has worked at the same place for 40 years. WOW! i think he had a paper route and maybe one other job, but that's it. that doesn't happen anymore, seems like it's hard to have the same job for more than 5 years. what's up w/ that?

Sandy said...

It's interesting to see the origin of many of the character traits that you now possess...love of a clean dish & a spotless car, not to mention distaste for teenagers. Don't you think its time to find a job that involves hunting or fishing?? Or maybe something in a hair salon. Hmmm.... The many sides to Jim.

Erik said...

Snoop Doggy Dogg needs to get himself a jobby job.

The Arnold Family said...

Where's "professional mabeler" on your list?

Matt Carson said...

alright jimmy, i'm thinking it's time for another fast... we all know what happend last time. what do you think?