Ok, we have listed what our jobs are now. If you had it to do over again, what job would you do? Do you have regrets? What would you do differently? Would you choose the same profession?

I am a hospital administrator. If I had it to do over, I would be a scout for the NHL or the NFL. I am not sure how to be a Mom and a Scout (that travels around a lot), but I would figure it out. At the least, I would do something with college or professional sports.

I have done so much I don't think there is anything I missed that I wanted to do. No regrets here. :D
Good thread. :)

I had ambitions to become a fighter pilot and an Astronaut. But my eyesight was bad from birth.:o My second choice was to be a Marine combat warrior.:)

Sell hot dogs at the beach. It's my retirement plan.

I have a friend who owns one and he's a multimillionaire.

Sell hot dogs at the beach. It's my retirement plan.

I have a friend who owns one and he's a multimillionaire.

Hey, you want a partner? Sounds like a good deal!:)

I became what I was always good at, builder, tinkerer, engineer. What would I do different? Go to a better school like MIT.

I have been an technical service rep for a heavy construction equipment manufacturer, small business owner, automotive diagnostic computer sales rep, parts and service director for automobile dealership, realtor, and manager of a home construction firm.
I might have tried a few more careers had I not found my ultimate calling - retirement and doing things that interest me as a volunteer.

I was a police officer prior to being a respiratory therapist. I would do the police officer over again. Only this time I would be more cautious to avoid getting injured again. That ,or an underwear model.

If this is about a fantasy career, one that would suit me completely, it would be as an outdoors or travel documentarian or photographer/writer. I would specialize in the western states and western Canada.

I'd also make a good rebel rouser. I've been known to get on a crusade or two on my lifetime. There was actually a short lived TV show called the Crusaders that went around and found solutions for social injustices. I could thrive doing that, especially having the power to fix the problems and see the results.

All in all, I went for something I wanted to do (once I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up -- I was slow to get to that stage) and I'm happy with my profession and work life. It's good to be your own boss. I don't think I could go back to working for someone else.

I could be a professional student. Especially if I didn't have to follow anyone's predetermined plan of what to take. I've thought about getting my PhD but somehow I can't get the bug to go back again. I guess as much as I loved grad school, maybe it burned me out.

All the things I did on my path to the present day benefitted me in some way. There is enormous value in finding out what you DON'T want to do. It's great motivation to move on to something that suits you better.

Here's to my terrible jobs: house to house sales or pamphleting, drill press operator, retail sales for a small, struggling store, car mechanic, telephone company (great benefits and pay, but total waste of my potential - bored beyond tears), and the three dysfunctional agencies I worked for before going into private practice. I thank all of them for teaching me how good I have it now.

I wanted to Retire and I made it!

No regrets here. Had many jobs that I hated until I settled into the Traffic Signal field. Started at the bottom and quickly worked my way to the top. Worked at it for 35 years. Got to retire at 59 years young and at 100% salary and stay on their group medical plan. Couldn't ask for better.

Best part about it was that I loved it. I loved going to work every day. Every day there was a new crises, emergency or challenge to find solutions for. Never a dull or boring day and had to stay on top of the continual technological changes of that field.

I think that is what counts the most, that you enjoy your job and never lose interest in it.
Another blessing is that I supervised the most talented, dedicated and loyal employees which definitely made it so enjoyable.

Getting a little bored now after three years of retirement. Maybe I should help shovelhd and Tex’s Ridge sell hot dogs at the beach. :)

I would be an eccentric billionaire, then I could dabble in all the million things I love. :D

Really, I would have gone to the Veterinary college I was accepted into and be happily treating horses right now.

Veterinarian, for sure.

I became what I was always good at, builder, tinkerer, engineer. What would I do different? Go to a better school like MIT.
What he said:D
In retirement (in about 100 years) I would like to have a bait shop on a large body of water..back seat out of a '55 buick sitting outside, old yellow dog laying beside it and a fridge to keep my beer cool. I don't even like to fish either:eek:

I was a federal law enforcement officer and have been retired 10 years now after a 26 year career. Early in my career I recall many a miserable, hot, humid night sitting in a car conducting surveillance hour after hour while the bad guys were in air conditioning, playing with women, smoking dope, drinking and enjoying a great time. Sometimes we made the case, other times we did not. No, if I had to do it all over again I would be the crook!!

Anything outside of aviation... Love the work, tired of being treated like the red headed step child. Hmmm... Do you want fries with that? :)

I really like what I do.

I don't think I would change it. Maybe change where I went for my first job....

:)

I'm currently a Senior Project Estimator for a structural steel fabricator.

Would rather be a porn star!:D

I do like being an engineer... There is always something new to do & never a dull moment.
What I never cared for was working for corporations. I have been at the same location 27 years now and have worked for 3 different companies. All three had started as small ventures with ambitions and goals to be the best that they can be... small, down to earth companies...good people. All have been great to work with in respect to always doing the right things as they should be. They always understood that family matters happen, and were very flexible as long as the work got done.....but then all of the companies grew, the butt kissing started; talking behind peoples back, created procedures that make no sense! The one that got really off key was that my honeymoon was planned months ahead of time and I was told to cancel 2 weeks before, or be available should one of our projects come up! :eek: my cell phone seemed not to work so well that week:rolleyes: and the list grows until my staff and I are just the little guys and were just a numbers not human beings. The corporations got what they wanted. They forgot thier roots and the people that got them where they are, made their money and moved up and out… I hope their money makes them happy and they found what they were looking for.. I think they found chaos, but whatever floats there boat.
My true calling... if I ever answer that phone would be self employed. If Insurance was not such a rip and the bills were a little more stable, I would answer that call in a heartbeat. My only concern… would my ambition grow, would I have to step on toes and be unethical to become successful? That shoe wouldn’t fit, so I might sink if I do not choose that call that fit's me:cool:

Good thread SmokyMtnRidger. I have no regrets with my information technology career path. I work for a terrific company, good pay and plenty of time for that balance of family life and work.

Now for the goofy part, I always wanted to be a professional singer and grew up in the age of the Beatles, the Supremes, Jackson Five and etc. Growing up it seemed that every night after dinner my older sisters would put on a show for my Mom and Dad singing motown tunes or something from the English invasion bands. Being one of the younger siblings, my little sister and I would be relegated to singing back-up. When the Donnie and Maire show aired, my little sister "was a little bit country" and sang along with Marie, I was "a little bit rock and roll" and of course sang the Donnie stuff.

Today I have a very full and blessed life and satisfy this inner yearing for singing by being in the praise choir at church. Not a bad alternative but had American Idol been around in the 60s and 70s who knows if I'd be driving a Ridgeline today! On second thought maybe I'd still have the Ridge but instead of the Mini Cooper I'd have a stable of exotic cars to match my rock star lifestyle!!

gynecologist

ROFLMAO! Bad, paulmooney, very bad! :eek: :D

I have been very fortunate in a lot of ways and have never regretted being a geologist. Like I say to my kids... "you should love what you decide to do with your life, no matter what it is, for there is nothing worse than getting up every morning and hating what you have to do". I am one of those that really enjoy the work I do.

That being said, if I had another kick at the cat, I think I may have given a go at being a teacher. I know the pay is less than appealing and the hours are long, but when I look back at some of the people in my life that were truly instrumental in who I am... there are really good teachers that I count among those people. Not to mention extended summer vacations every year!

Porn star.

Seriously, I would probably have done something that let's me study history and travel the world while doing it. Anybody know any good jobs for free-range historians?

I'm pretty satisfied with my career choice as a Air Traffic Controller. However, I have always wondered what life would be like as Tug Boat Captain or Train Engineer. This must be because I'm over 50 and still haven't grown up I guess.:o

A GM truck designer because they designed the same bland truck for years and got paid a tremendous amount of cash with big bonuses for doing nothing!:D

If only.......Well, I wish that I would have stayed in the U.S. Army when I joined way back in 1982. I was an infantry soldier for a short time in the reserves. I really made some stupid choices and ended up leaving the service. I regret it very much. I would like to have stayed in and tried for special forces/airborne/ranger or sniper. I believe I would have enjoyed the challenges and accomplished something I could have been proud of. Instead, I close cardboard boxes for a living. It can be challenging when the boxes don't fold correctly....lol.

gynecologist

There's one in every crowd :rolleyes:

:p to Paul ~~

I was a federal law enforcement officer and have been retired 10 years now after a 26 year career. Early in my career I recall many a miserable, hot, humid night sitting in a car conducting surveillance hour after hour while the bad guys were in air conditioning, playing with women, smoking dope, drinking and enjoying a great time. Sometimes we made the case, other times we did not. No, if I had to do it all over again I would be the crook!!

Man, I thought that was just in movies and TV. I would like to have the strenght and character of Big Bad John! But instead of working tunneling, I would be either a movie star or in the escort business.
No, BIG BAD JOHN for womanizing (before settling down as a happily married man) and the brains for engineering, preferably nuclear, aerospace or weapons specialist, the designer of the MOAB!:D

proctologist, I've been dealing with them for over 23 years and not getting paid enough!!:mad:

I love being in Education - teaching really is where it is at!

But - if I had my druthers and unlimited - be a SCUBA instructor someplace warm, where there were no hurricanes, and hang out underwater all day.

Or -

Family photographer - portraits etc of families.

Porn star? Gynecologist? Nah - it'd be like if you worked at the ice cream shop and got free ice cream - you'd get to the point that it would never appeal to you. So you'd quit enjoying your ice cream. It's fun at first, but then it'd get boring. Besides, as an OB-GYN, just think, you're dealing with women who are not always healthy...


-ridgeln

Porn star? Gynecologist? Nah - it'd be like if you worked at the ice cream shop and got free ice cream - you'd get to the point that it would never appeal to you. So you'd quit enjoying your ice cream. It's fun at first, but then it'd get boring.
-ridgeln

Yeah, you keep telling yourself that...:)

I was a police officer prior to being a respiratory therapist. I would do the police officer over again. Only this time I would be more cautious to avoid getting injured again. That ,or an underwear model.

Hey Joe, Which agency, how long?

Clock Maker

Male prostitute.

No, seriously... probably a teacher. I could at least try to shape minds and change lives and at the same time have all that extra time w/ my family.

I don't really know! I have been with my current employment by far the longest and have had a great time considering some down's throughout my career. How about a fantasy job! Male exotic dancer for rich women only! According to my baby sister, "Boy you can make some serious money, let me be your manager!" That is what she said after I won a Gold Medal in body building at the 1998 Police Summer Games.

What happened to the Raider's Avitar?????????????????????????

What happened to the Raider's Avitar?????????????????????????

Maybe the KC Chiefs took it

What happened to the Raider's Avitar?????????????????????????

Thought I'd support my Trojan team until after the Rosebowl, then I will bring back my Raiders Avitar. Win or lose as they did at the last minute today against K.C. I still love'em!

Maybe the KC Chiefs took it

That's okay! The Avitar may change but The Ridgeline Raider lives on! :p , :D

In 2000 My wife and I quit our jobs and tavelled around the world for 16 months. It was an experience that even today I fully cannot understand, but has changed me deeply.

But, I would love to be one of those travellers you see on TV that shows you the wonders of being on OFF the beaten paths.

Today, Im still an electrical engineer but has learned that there are many trivial details that are not as important as the grand scheme of things.

Let me see, my preferred profession if it wasn't for the money would be a teacher. I was certified once as a high school teacher and really enjoyed the student teaching. But I couldn't afford it given my very large loans.

If I had it to do over again, I would probably become a lawyer, and would work in the public sector somewhere. Eventually to maybe work in government, but then I would have a bad feeling I would become an evil corrupt person and have to vote against myself ;).

I know I'm going against popular opinion, but I've wanted to be a gynecologist since I was three years old.

Probably would have been, had I not screwed up and dropped out of high school. Got my s*** together as an adult and went back to school.

Probably would have been, had I not screwed up and dropped out of high school. Got my s*** together as an adult and went back to school.

Good for you. I got my engineering degree and I've made a good living for myself, but I still would rather have sold hot dogs at the beach.

I know I'm going against popular opinion, but I've wanted to be a gynecologist since I was three years old.

What, pray tell, makes someone *want* to be a gynecologist?? I've always wondered this... I've also wondered what makes a person decide to be a proctologist... too many fingers in the pudding when they were young? ;)

ew ew ew ew.... ok i'll shut up now

I'm a computer programmer and I have no idea what I would've done with myself otherwise... I really like psychology but I don't have the patience for other people's problems :D (hence my love of computers, oddly)... I enjoy pottery but I can't make two of the same thing and I think if I had to make pots in order to make a living, all of the enjoyment would be lost (not to mention the pay cut from computers)... I think I'm going to have to consider a career change soon, since software is becoming such a sweatshop, so I've really been thinking about this issue recently... I need to read this whole thread, maybe I'll get ideas!! :)

What, pray tell, makes someone *want* to be a gynecologist??

I can't speak for others, but my mother had her gynecological nursing books around the house and I was always looking at/reading them. I probably knew female anatomy better than most adults. Between the medical books and being raised by a single mother, I gained a respect and admiration for women and wanting to serve them.

Someone made a comment earlier in this thread that one would get tired of looking at women, and that most of the patients would be diseased. While that may be true to a certain extent, there is the family planning side and the miracle of conception and birth. That would make it an enjoyable and worthwhile endeavor.

Starting to sound too sappy - have to get back to being rude and politically incorrect. :cool:

If not IT. Probably Psychology if not for all of the school, Masters and PHD (if you want to make any money).

Played a little pro volleyball until I fractured my back (that sucked, still does when the barometer fluctuates rapidly).

Really enjoy DH Mountain biking but there would have to be some sort of you can't die from the profession clause to make me sign up for Pro, a guys gotta think about the family right.

So, IT for the next few years then I want to be Santa Clause (sorry just saw a Tim Allen commercial).

A Forest Ranger. I love the outdoors.

I can't speak for others, but my mother had her gynecological nursing books around the house and I was always looking at/reading them. I probably knew female anatomy better than most adults. Between the medical books and being raised by a single mother, I gained a respect and admiration for women and wanting to serve them.

Someone made a comment earlier in this thread that one would get tired of looking at women, and that most of the patients would be diseased. While that may be true to a certain extent, there is the family planning side and the miracle of conception and birth. That would make it an enjoyable and worthwhile endeavor.

Starting to sound too sappy - have to get back to being rude and politically incorrect. :cool:

It is not true that most of the patients would have disease. Probably 80% of OB/GYN is health maintenance, prenatal care.

Mr-J, bravo :)

"Besides, as an OB-GYN, just think, you're dealing with women who are not always healthy." - this was what I said - Not "...and that most of the patients would be diseased." Two totally different statements.

Also, as a realist, the amount that the lawyers and insurance companies demand for malpractice insurance for an OB/GYN is obscene. I know of too many OB's who have left the profession and either left being an MD altogether or have started family practices, leaving their specialty behind.

The miracle of birth and the issues and dealings w/ conception, birth, and family planning ARE wonderful. It is just too many other issues that would make me not want to be in that profession, not just "sick patients." I think too many other postings posted "porn star" or OB/GYN wanting to be funny. I, for one, don't take it as funny. Not trying to be "politically correct" - just not wanting to come off as sounding like a jerk (although I have probably failed at that).

I totally respect my wife's OB/GYN and am thankful that he was the one dealing with us and our problems of having kids and then being there when both of ours were born (although it was his brother that delivered our 2nd child). One of the great things about being who we are is that everyone has something that gives them passion for what they do. Finding that is important. Not money, sex, etc.

<stepping off of soap box>

-ridgeln

"Besides, as an OB-GYN, just think, you're dealing with women who are not always healthy." - this was what I said - Not "...and that most of the patients would be diseased." Two totally different statements.

Also, as a realist, the amount that the lawyers and insurance companies demand for malpractice insurance for an OB/GYN is obscene. I know of too many OB's who have left the profession and either left being an MD altogether or have started family practices, leaving their specialty behind.

The miracle of birth and the issues and dealings w/ conception, birth, and family planning ARE wonderful. It is just too many other issues that would make me not want to be in that profession, not just "sick patients." I think too many other postings posted "porn star" or OB/GYN wanting to be funny. I, for one, don't take it as funny. Not trying to be "politically correct" - just not wanting to come off as sounding like a jerk (although I have probably failed at that).

I totally respect my wife's OB/GYN and am thankful that he was the one dealing with us and our problems of having kids and then being there when both of ours were born (although it was his brother that delivered our 2nd child). One of the great things about being who we are is that everyone has something that gives them passion for what they do. Finding that is important. Not money, sex, etc.

<stepping off of soap box>

-ridgeln

It is true that malpractice for OB/GYN's is absolutely outrageous. In some states it is over 100,000 dollars a year. There are not many people who can afford to pay that, pay office staff and still make a living. Often the people who are paying over 100K a year have not had any judgements against them! Crazy.

It is true that you need to find something that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. That is sometimes difficult to find.

It is a good thing that you had a good OB to take care of your wife. It's not a job I want, that's for sure :D

Kell

If you had it to do over again, what job would you do?

In my Perfect World, I'd work at a small university (or fairly hip JuCo) in a medium-sized town in the West, teaching History of Science and Technology. For a side gig, I'd be a light plane/ham radio equipment/firearms/whiskey tester/writer. Have a small office with a potbelly stove, a pre-Depression Remington typewriter and a huge rolltop desk in the back of a topless club. Entrance on an alley.

Maybe even start my own magazine: LIQUOR, WOMEN and FAST CARS (incorporating GUN FUN and MODERN TROUBLE).

You obviously have given this some serious thought W7LV. :)

I was an engineer.
Wanted to get in my own business, so bought a General Store in the small hamlet of Jerusalem, Vermont. Long hours, but it was ours. No incompetent corporate BS to put up with :) .
My wife and I ran it for 18 years, brought our 2 sons up there. When the youngest one graduated from college, we sold it and moved back to Cape Cod.

I now want to move to Las Vegas and become a stickman at a Craps Table, where you can "short stick" the lovely ladies in low-cut dresses :D.

>>> "I now want to move to Las Vegas and become a stickman at a Craps Table, where you can "short stick" the lovely ladies in low-cut dresses"

What, no low-cut dresses at Foxwoods?

Come on out. There's a demand for any skill. The Valley is America's Second Chance City...or, Home of the Second and Third Childhood!

WL7V posted:
What, no low-cut dresses at Foxwoods?

Come on out. There's a demand for any skill. The Valley is America's Second Chance City...or, Home of the Second and Third Childhood!

If I move it would be to warmer climate. We were out there 2 years ago and loved it. But the wife wants to stay on Cape Cod. Why, I don't know, we rarely go to the beach. Going to drive my new Ridgeline to FL this March. Next year it will be to Vegas and I will spend some time looking for work :D
Plus, I would like to explore the west. One place I never lived, except I lived in Alaska for 3 years.

NASCAR driver, without a doubt. If only I could be young again. Vroom Vroom Vroom I love NASCAR. GO JR. 8

I would have gone into social service earlier and would still be a real estate agent as I love to do both.

This is too easy:

Owner - Playboy Mansion

:p

Tadtam -

My Aunt & Uncle built their retirement house on the Cape, and also rarely go to the beach! The only time I know of that they do is when family is visiting, and even then, they will probably only go for an hour or two.

The Cape is a totally different way to live - it reminds me of when I lived on St. Croix for a semester of college (Yes, life was tough then - 80+ SCUBA dives, college credit, and I'd already graduated from college!).

If I thought I could afford to live on the Cape and continue being a teacher, I'd move there in a heart beat.

-ridgeln

It's fun to have this thread revived. It hadn't seen light of day in a while.

I would have made a career out of the military. Army Ranger or Special Forces would have been a great goal but even the Infantry would have sufficed. I blew my chances by being young, dumb, lazy, and scared of hard work. Oh well.

I learned electronics in the military (1967-1971) and have been working in the field ever since. Presently, I'm the Ops Mgr for a small contract assembly concern building electronic assemblies for various customers ranging from the likes of L3 Telecommunications to a company that makes remote control units for toy submarines.

I enjoy cooking and eating out. I love being around the restaurant industry. In a different world I'd probably be a restaurant owner.

KC7WXY
It's to late to start over now. I only have 210 more shifts to pull and I'm retired. I'll just keep on turning wrenches. I did think of a good retirement (part time) job doing body piercings- just kidding.:D

Bush Pilot in British Columbia with my own plane:)

Sell hot dogs at the beach. It's my retirement plan.

I have a friend who owns one and he's a multimillionaire.
Was his name Arebetter? I met him once in Miami, He knew how to run a store and had get dogs too.:)

Ok, Ida-ho!

I'm satisfied with what I do. I've been in the military for almost 25 years, electronic tech on F-15's for eight years and a Chinook Helicopter pilot for the last 17 years. I really enjoy the military, been all around the world (on your dime :) ) Flown Pres. Hamid Karzi of Afghanistan, US Presidential Press Corps, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Bruce Willis amoung others.

But shortly after 9-11 flew bodies out of the Pentagon which gave me such a profound sence of just why we live in the good ole United States of America! I realized I'm not in this profession... for me, but for every school teacher, CEO, garbage man you name it. I do this job, for every person who has something to do that is just as important as what I do! Sorry didn't mean to get quite so interpersonal.

If I did have to choose another career, I'd love to be a Private Investigator, like Thomas Sullivan Magnum. You know, Magnum PI live in the millionaire Robin Masters house, drive a Ferrari. What more could a guy ask for!?

Cool thread,

TL

rtraviator,
Thank you for your service to our nation and for having the maturity to understand the importance of what you do, especially during a time of war.

Hey, I loved the Magnum, PI series. One of my favorite all-time TV shows. I went to Hawaii a few times and was so obsessed with the show that I went to the spots that they did some of the filming. Great show, miss it. I've heard that they are making a remake and it will have George Clooney (huge mistake not having Tom Selleck). Without the original cast it will just be another sad remake from Hollywood.

I enjoy the work I do now but more importantly the people I work with.:) I've always liked aircraft, and would have liked being a pilot. But I think a career in WildLife Management would have been fun.;) ;)

I always thought I wanted to be a lawyer. Probably because I like to argue about right and wrong! But lawyers come a dime a dozen (at least back east where I grew up and went to school). So I stayed in the criminal justice field (law enforcement) but doubt I would do it again.

So, ideally, I'd rather be a prosecutor or judge!

Well, I pretty much like what I am doing now - If I were only "busier", life would be perfect. Basically, I too was a Hospital Administrator and was tired of sitting 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. I took a photography hobby of mine and turned it into a business where I specialize in photography with Realtors and Builders. I am busy enough to help my wife pay the bills and still have plenty of time to spend with my two perfect children. I get to take my 5 YO to school each day, play with him in the evenings, and spend the rest of my non-working days with my 8 month old daughter...yippie!

Well - I would really like to "flip" some houses...that would be fun.

If I could do it over again it would be a honda whore hands down.

Owner of a vineyard. Growing grape in mild climate and picturesque setting. 100 acres in Napa will do.

I'd like to open a chain of Bikini Waxing Studios.;)
Franchise opportunies are available!And after reading some of the other posts I think I am going to update my business plan by putting a hot dog stand on the side of each one.

That's the long and short of it folks!:D

Hmmm, so many things sound interesting... auto restoration specializing in European sports cars, aircraft engineer, naval officer (like my dad), test pilot, archaeologist...

My first career was an Army helicopter pilot. My second career in a middle school principal. I can't think of any better job than these two;) .

I was a cadet suppose to be an officer in Army base for life. Quit that one and became a licensed mechanic. I hurt my back and quit that one too. Went back to school got a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science. Now I’m in IT for 20 years.

If I had it to do over again, I would like to be in the service industry, i.e. Hotel/Restaurant Management and tourist service, etc. But I’m still a car enthusiast. :)

My father was a police officer so I always wanted to be a cop just like him. He did not let me go that route and insisted I say in school for what seemed an eternity. I have to give him credit because now I can not imaging doing anything other than being a neurologist.

Everyone is going to think I am making this up but I always wanted to own a car dealership. A Honda dealership would be a bonus.

I would chose to be the HR hiring manager at a topless bar.
;)

I didn't realize until I was too old (if that's possible) that there are jobs out there that are more like hobbies or just part of your 'life' that they don't even seem like jobs...for me, I guess it would be park ranger. When I was a kid I thought being a drug-addicted rock star would be cool, but then they started dying (hendricks, janis, etc) and I thought that being an artist would be cool, only problem is I suck at art (there, I said it, okay!?) and thought maybe going into something more like me would be fun...got my undergrad degree in math planning to be a math professor...had a family instead...got my computer science degree, hated working in the computer field...went back to school...now I'm self-employed (attorney) and often say it's the best job I've never had!

Of course, renting out beach chairs in key west would be okay, too!