occupations-- what we do when not online

[AuShadow]

Hey guys I just find it curious what people do in real life as it shows just how different backgrounds people come from who are interested in gaming Dev.

I myself work in an underground mine as a heavy duty diesel Mechanic, basically I fix all the mining trucks, boggers \Loaders and drill rigs.

[Shando]

I'm a Technical Specialist for a large Insurance company - it's alright, I don't sell it

Basically, I'm a jack-of-all-trades in that one moment I can be creating a new product, and the next I can be a Subject Matter Expert on a totally different project.

One of the great things about my job is that it has exposed me to both Agile and Lean methodologies, and that it is a role that can be done from anywhere ( I work from home quite a bit ). The main downside is that I have to travel to Sydney frequently(pretty much once a month for almost a week at a time). Not such a hassle when I lived in BrisVegas, but now that I live in Perth, it's a 4-5 hour flight each way Fortunately Virgin Australia has pretty good in-flight entertainment, and I've always got my laptop with me as well.

[epsilonion]

Although I do not work anymore as I have spondylosis and my back has deteriorated to the point that some times I can not get out of bed, I have a full history of experiences and qualifications.

This is a list for me..

Back in the day I used to be a IT consultant, MCSE certified, a degree in computer science etc etc, then schools pushed people in to the computing industry and the wages dropped sharply so I left that profession and became a bus driver for a couple of years (delivery driver as well around this time), then I trained to be an electrician and went self employed mainly working on factories and hospitals (new builds), this was when I was diagnosed with spondylosis of the spine and became a self employed photographer (portraits, Landscape and Product photography), then my back got worse over the years and now I am at home full time disabled, sometimes can not get out of bed..

I also worked in my youth as a gym instructor (fully qualified), Canoe and sailing instructor, Dive master (scuba), I also worked as a joiner fitting doors, kitchens, roofs etc etc, plumber installing central heating systems etc (although not a qualified joiner or plumber)..

I loved working in the construction industry as the money was great especially when your self employed and having 3 holidays a year, eating out all the time and never at home so I got on with the wife quite well (never saw her lol).

Now I can not do any of the things i love like scuba or sailing but life goes on, you have to work around the hand you got dealt..

[AuShadow]

@Shando, Perth really... I myself happen to be a 6 hour drive from there in Kalgoorlie, @Liam, sorry to hear mate but sounds like you're getting on well and good to see you still enjoying the things you can do and getting into something.

[Shando]

Kalgoorlie huh - trust you don't spend your nights in Hay Street

We've just moved back to Perth after 9 years in Brissie. We've gone from 11 acres of bush 30 minutes from the coast, to 250sqm of rental unit about an hour from the coast (supposed to be 20 minutes or so, but the traffic here is really bad - not M25 bad for those in the UK, but pretty close).

Back on topic, I've worked in the Insurance industry for most of my working career, about 50/50 UK/Aus except for a couple of years working as a consultant for a software company in Islington (North London for those that don't know) that made software for Insurance companies I've also got a Diploma in IT from the Open University in the UK, where I specialised in AI.

[Gtox]

Spent most of my adult life working as a safari guide/lodge manager, but I've taken a sabbatical (hopefully a permanent one) to do 3d modelling.

[AuShadow]

@Shando, hay street lol, nah not my thing. I am actually getting married this September so hay street would probably have a negative effect there , and my son will soon turn 1 so wouldn't even have the time to even think about between work and home . Used to frequent the pubs but around here about 7 years ago but had to atop going out in Kalgoorlie as its just way too easy to find yourself somehow ending up in a fight, breaking up a fight, or kicked out for a fight you didn't even know happened.