Jobs

I’ve been paid for a lot of different functions. Here they are, in chronological order and obviously with no forethought.

reading tutor
newspaper carrier
gardener
grocery bagger
tire repairer
McDonald’s window man
shoe salesman
language lab technician
truck driver, mail collector
mail carrier
photographer’s assistant
lockbox clerk
lockbox foreman
accounting clerk
computer operator
data-control supervisor
retail clerk
social program expeditor
social agency director
math tutor
photographer
house painter
photography teacher
railroad brakeman
bicycle mechanic
service manager
assistant store manager
roofer
shipping clerk
farm hand
assembly-line foreman
urban lumberjack
purchasing agent
marketing researcher
touring-shop manager
proofreader
copy editor
book editor
author
magazine editor
radio producer
marketing consultant
writing teacher
newspaper carrier
radio commentator
television commentator
theater critic
house cleaner
technical editor
book reviewer
substitute teacher
pizza maker
hardware clerk
voice-over talent
newspaper columnist
online editor

When I was growing up, a guy would take any job he could get, and that’s what I’ve done. I’d usually start out looking for something in particular, but I took whatever there was.

My mother nagged me for years about quitting my job at the post office. A good job. You see what I was up against.

I’d been an adult for quite a while before it dawned on me that I could do something I cared about and make a living at the same time. I knew of people who did that, but I didn’t think it applied to me. Actually, it applies to you, too.