GTKY - Jobs/Career/Work

[SheilaTheTank]

For those who work full or part-time:
What field do you work in? 
What do you love best about your job?
What's your least favorite thing? 
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home?

For those who are currently SAHM/SAHW:
What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW?
What is your least favorite thing?
Did you work before you became a mom/wife?
If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different?

For everyone:
What is your dream job?

[SheilaTheTank]

What field do you work in? I work full time at a seasonal, family owned, service business.
What do you love best about your job? I have an enormous amount of autonomy and control over how the business is run. I like being in control without having to the financial burden of running my own business.
What's your least favorite thing? It can get extremely stressful in season and benefits are non existent.
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I plan to take 3 months off and then we'll go from there. Knowing myself I'll have to at least work part-time or I would go nuts. More than likely we cannot afford for me to stay home.


ETA: oops for got to add the last question

What is your dream job? To be the person who comes up with all the cool names for nail polish. I dream big. 

[lemoncupcake]

What field do you work in? I work in Business Development for a payment processing company
What do you love best about your job? I like the people I work with. I also WFH full time (corporate office is halfway across the country) which comes with a lot of perks.
What's your least favorite thing? WFH also has a lot of downsides. It's lonely and my career trajectory is negatively impacted because I'm remote.
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I'll continue working.
What is your dream job? Being independently wealthy/retired? I would LOVE to do nothing all day except the things I want to do.

[pbandj714]

What field do you work in? Publishing.

What do you love best about your job? The flexibility is great. We have flexible hours and WFH 2 days/week.

What's your least favorite thing? It gets boring sometimes.

Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I plan to return to work.

What is your dream job? Probably to be independently wealthy and have a small-scale animal rescue at my home.

[britterrss]

What field do you work in? I'm a registered dietitian at a dialysis center - I counsel people who are in total kidney failure.

What do you love best about your job? I love the flexibility that my particular center has. I can count any day as a full day after 4 hours (but can't abuse it). I can leave for doctor's appts or shift my schedule easily. I like interacting with patients.

What's your least favorite thing? A lot of the staff is extremely unprofessional and it's really bothersome. I also have a hard time with a lot of the patients because they just do not care to adhere to any dietary restrictions - which is CRUCIAL for their health.

Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I would LOVE to stay home until they are at least in pre-K, or even for 1 year... but I'm really not sure that is feasible at all. Time will tell...

What is your dream job? I would love to own and run a farm. Seriously.

[tkford216]

I work in the state court system as a legal assistant.

Like best? I'm an office nerd, so I like the kind of work I do.

Like least? Working for the state... not all it's cracked up to be.

Once we have a baby, I refuse to work full-time. H knows this and he supports it. Whether I work part or fully stay at home will depend on H's job, but I doubt I'll be able to stay at home fully. I'm not sure that my current job will allow a part-time/work from home schedule, but I plan to try my hardest for it. If that doesn't pan out, I'll try to find part-time accounting work (I'm just finishing my degree this year).

Dream job would be SAHM while doing minor accounting work for small companies from home.

[wicked22]

What field do you work in? Well i have a BS in accounting but My job consists of a bunch of non accounting things
What do you love best about your job? I work with my mom
What's your least favorite thing? I work with my mom
(My mom got me an in at her company but did not get me the job)
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? Working because I would go nuts as a SAHM and have mad respect and slightly envious of those that do while I drop my LO off at daycare
Dream job: Not sure but it would be nice to love what I do with smaller ours but enough pay to be able to survive curve-balls that life throws at you.

[EatsRitz]

I work fulltime as a SAHM.

What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW? I love being able to see my kids grow and change everyday and be there for all of the milestones. I love being able to take them out to play during the day when it's not crowded at parks.
What is your least favorite thing? There are rarely any breaks. I just don't get alone time very often.
Did you work before you became a mom/wife? I was a bank teller on my way to being promoted to a manager position.
If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different? Something different. DH is a chiropractor, so if/when he opens his own practice, I will probably work in his office. Or lately I've been thinking that I'd love to be a lactation consultant. I loved BFing and I'm very lucky that it worked out for my kids and I to enjoy that relationship for as long as we did. I'd like to help other women do that too.

For everyone:
What is your dream job? I would love to work for the Travel Channel and stay at fabulous hotels and eat at amazing restaurants to give reviews.

[tkford216]

Jun 11, 2015 13:31:32 GMT -5 EatsRitz said:

I work fulltime as a SAHM.

What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW? I love being able to see my kids grow and change everyday and be there for all of the milestones. *snip*

I totally teared up at this. I love it. I want it. I want it SO. BAD. 

[mrsred09]

What field do you work in? I'm a business analyst for a large hotel company.

What do you love best about your job? I have a lot of freedom and get to pick and choose which projects I work on. I work a super flexible schedule that allows me time to take DS to play times during the day.

What's your least favorite thing? Some of my co-workers are lifers and lack motivation. They've worked for the company for 20+ years and are lazy!

Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I will go back to work after LO is born. SAHM is not for me and I NEED to work! I give major props to ladies who SAH.

What's your dream job? I want to run a large animal rescue. Buy a big piece of land where the animals can just run and play.

[bee]

I'm a SAHM.

What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW? I love watching DS grow and learn so many new things. Wearing yoga pants all day is a plus as well.

What is your least favorite thing? No breaks, not nearly the same amount of adult interaction.

Did you work before you became a mom/wife? Yes! I was a lead infant room teacher. It was one of the most rewarding jobs ever.

If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different? Same field probably. I loved doing it, but between wanting to stay at home and the pay even with a degree it was an easy choice.

What is your dream job? I would love to own my own daycare.

[apunicorn]

Can I really quickly hijack this thread to ask a question? I'll answer the actual thread questions I promise I just really would like some advice on this!

I am starting a new job in a week. I'm in the USA and that means no FMLA right? Since I won't be at the job for over a year? So I guess the questions I'd love some advice on are:

1) Am I completely screwed in terms of maternity leave/getting my job back if I take leave?
2) When should I tell my new employer? And should I go to my boss or to HR?

OK now the actual thread Q's:

What field do you work in? Software Engineering
What do you love best about your job? I love the actual work, it's fun to me.
What's your least favorite thing? It can get stressful and you always have to keep learning or else you "fall behind"
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I'm going back to work.

[britterrss]

Jun 11, 2015 13:54:45 GMT -5 apunicorn said:

Can I really quickly hijack this thread to ask a question? I'll answer the actual thread questions I promise I just really would like some advice on this!

I am starting a new job in a week. I'm in the USA and that means no FMLA right? Since I won't be at the job for over a year? So I guess the questions I'd love some advice on are:

1) Am I completely screwed in terms of maternity leave/getting my job back if I take leave?
2) When should I tell my new employer? And should I go to my boss or to HR?

OK now the actual thread Q's:

What field do you work in? Software Engineering
What do you love best about your job? I love the actual work, it's fun to me.
What's your least favorite thing? It can get stressful and you always have to keep learning or else you "fall behind"
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I'm going back to work.

I might be wrong --- I do know FMLA really only protects your job. You don't get any monetary compensation from FMLA, so I think it is really up to your employer. I think that after a year, it's law that they give you FMLA, but they can choose to allow it before the year. I personally know 2 people that had a baby before being there for a year and were able to keep their jobs, no problem. I would talk to your boss first and maybe tell them you just found out...

ETA: <1 year, they could let you go for being out that long; >1 year, they legally can't if it's 12 weeks of absence. I am going off my memory here... so some research may shed more light on it.

[SheilaTheTank]

Jun 11, 2015 13:54:45 GMT -5 apunicorn said:

Can I really quickly hijack this thread to ask a question? I'll answer the actual thread questions I promise I just really would like some advice on this!

I am starting a new job in a week. I'm in the USA and that means no FMLA right? Since I won't be at the job for over a year? So I guess the questions I'd love some advice on are:

1) Am I completely screwed in terms of maternity leave/getting my job back if I take leave? FMLA means that they have to hold your job. If you don't qualify then they don't have to. This also depends on what your company's policy on short term disability and maternity leave are. Also certain states have addendums to FMLA so you may still qualify. Look into the specific parameters of your state. 
2) When should I tell my new employer? And should I go to my boss or to HR? I would tell them after 12 weeks. You don't ever HAVE to tell them. Tell HR, not your boss. HR should take the necessary next steps. 

OK now the actual thread Q's:

What field do you work in? Software Engineering
What do you love best about your job? I love the actual work, it's fun to me.
What's your least favorite thing? It can get stressful and you always have to keep learning or else you "fall behind"
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I'm going back to work.

ETA: Also FMLA only applies if the company has 50 or more employees. 

[apunicorn]

Thanks SheilaTheTank! And yeah, I know FMLA is just that you get your job back and that's why I'm so scared - if they say no then I lose my awesome new job

[lemoncupcake]

Jun 11, 2015 13:54:45 GMT -5 apunicorn said:

Can I really quickly hijack this thread to ask a question? I'll answer the actual thread questions I promise I just really would like some advice on this!

I am starting a new job in a week. I'm in the USA and that means no FMLA right? Since I won't be at the job for over a year? So I guess the questions I'd love some advice on are:

1) Am I completely screwed in terms of maternity leave/getting my job back if I take leave?
2) When should I tell my new employer? And should I go to my boss or to HR?

Right, you won't be covered under FMLA. But that's just a guaranteed job protection, it doesn't mean that your company will screw you over just because they can. They could still allow you to take time off after baby comes out of the goodness of their hearts/as decent human beings

I would wait and tell them after 12 weeks. That will allow you time to prove yourself as a valuable and capable employee and still allows plenty of time to make the necessary plans to cover your leave. I would personally tell my boss first, then HR to deal with the details.

[britterrss]

Jun 11, 2015 14:02:40 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Jun 11, 2015 13:54:45 GMT -5 apunicorn said:

Can I really quickly hijack this thread to ask a question? I'll answer the actual thread questions I promise I just really would like some advice on this!

I am starting a new job in a week. I'm in the USA and that means no FMLA right? Since I won't be at the job for over a year? So I guess the questions I'd love some advice on are:

1) Am I completely screwed in terms of maternity leave/getting my job back if I take leave? FMLA means that they have to hold your job. If you don't qualify then they don't have to. This also depends on what your company's policy on short term disability and maternity leave are. Also certain states have addendums to FMLA so you may still qualify. Look into the specific parameters of your state. 
2) When should I tell my new employer? And should I go to my boss or to HR? I would tell them after 12 weeks. You don't ever HAVE to tell them. Tell HR, not your boss. HR should take the necessary next steps. 

OK now the actual thread Q's:

What field do you work in? Software Engineering
What do you love best about your job? I love the actual work, it's fun to me.
What's your least favorite thing? It can get stressful and you always have to keep learning or else you "fall behind"
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I'm going back to work.

ETA: Also FMLA only applies if the company has 50 or more employees. 

She's right - HR may be better for a bigger company. I've always worked in small settings where bosses and employees were very friendly with each other, and HR was like a foreign country on the other side of town.

[SheilaTheTank]

apunicorn, If and when you do tell them, make sure it is via email and an HR person is either the main recipient or CC'd. That way you have a paper trail in case they try to fire you.

[apunicorn]

Thanks everyone! SheilaTheTank will do the paper trail for sure.

[allegro55]

For those who work full or part-time:
What field do you work in? I will work part-time beginning in August as a teacher at a private school.
What do you love best about your job?
What's your least favorite thing?
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I would like to keep working... We will see.

For those who are currently SAHM/SAHW:
What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW? I love watching my daughter's personality develop.
What is your least favorite thing? Not gonna lie, at times it is boring.
Did you work before you became a mom/wife? Yes, and I was in grad school.
If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different?

For everyone:
What is your dream job? Anything that would allow me to have my kids with me.

[dreadpiratebuttercup]

What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW?
Getting to spend lots of time with DD

What is your least favorite thing?
Hardl any time to just be alone.

Did you work before you became a mom/wife? Yes, though I hadn't started a career I would want to stick with forever.

If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different?
I would like to go back to school for a degree in English, or maybe History. I've thought about getting into teaching, but I think I get frustrated to easily to be any good at it.

For everyone:
What is your dream job?
I would love to own a bakery. Maybe I could use it as Harry Styles bait? He used to work in a bakery, you know.

I'm just not sure I want all the stress that goes along with being a small business owner.

[EatsRitz]

Jun 11, 2015 20:11:10 GMT -5 dreadpiratebuttercup said:

What is your dream job?
I would love to own a bakery. Maybe I could use it as Harry Styles bait? He used to work in a bakery, you know.

I'm just not sure I want all the stress that goes along with being a small business owner.

Lol. ILY.

[dreadpiratebuttercup]

Jun 11, 2015 20:13:45 GMT -5 EatsRitz said:

Jun 11, 2015 20:11:10 GMT -5 dreadpiratebuttercup said:

What is your dream job?
I would love to own a bakery. Maybe I could use it as Harry Styles bait? He used to work in a bakery, you know.

I'm just not sure I want all the stress that goes along with being a small business owner.

Lol. ILY.

As Harry would say, all the love.

[mishy2010]

For those who work full or part-time:
What field do you work in?
Physician extender for an orthopaedic surgeon by day, high school athletic trainer in the afternoon.

What do you love best about your job?
Having a direct impact on people's lives. I'm right there giving immediate care, facilitating any further treatment needs, providing rehabilitation, then functionally clearing athletes. There's nothing more rewarding to me than helping an athlete return to their sport.

What's your least favorite thing?
The hours. I work late nights and weekends. It sucks.

Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home?
I will be SAH after this kiddo. I can't justify spending the time away from my family for a not nearly high enough salary.

For everyone:
What is your dream job?
A baker. I think I would love doing that.

[kelle017]

Jun 11, 2015 13:04:15 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

What is your dream job? To be the person who comes up with all the cool names for nail polish. I dream big. 

When I was younger I wanted to be the person who got to name cabbage patch dolls

[kelle017]

For those who are currently SAHM/SAHW:


What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW?

Getting to be with dd all day. wearing sweatpants

What is your least favorite thing?

As much as I love getting to be with her, sometimes it is draining because I don't really get a break.  

Did you work before you became a mom/wife?

I worked as a nanny.    I currently watch a 8 month old  full time so I do work but I really just want to quit it.

If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different?

Although I have a college degree (graduated in 08) I fear by the time I'm ready to use it things will be so different and I'll basically be starting over at anything I do.

For everyone:

What is your dream job?
I'd love to be someone who helps new parents.  Teaches them about car seat safety and how to baby proof and to be someone they can call anytime they fell overwhelmed etc...  Something along those lines.

[letal316]

For those who work full or part-time
What field do you work in? I work in Business, specifically market research/data analytics for a global consulting firm

What do you love best about your job? The company I work for is a great company. I've been there 4 years now and I admire the super smart people I work with and how professional everyone is. The company has a great reputation and very active in the community. They also do a 4 month top-up for maternity leave (meaning, I get my full salary for 4 months, wohoo!). I also love the flexibility, I work from home 3 to 4 days per week. There's also good opportunities for career progression (ok, apparently, I could not chose just one thing...)

What's your least favorite thing? Probably the industry I work in, not so interested in it and therefore will need to move on eventually.

Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? Hell yes to working. I went back early last time, will do it again. Even if I get to the point where the cost of daycare is greater than my salary (maybe by the third or fourth kid) I'll still work. It's so important to me.

[empireceo]

SS, since I'm a WAHM.

For those who work full or part-time:
What field do you work in? I own/run a property management/real estate development company.

What do you love best about your job? That I'm my own boss with my own hours. And fixing up houses.

What's your least favorite thing? Dealing with insurance companies

Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? Both!

For those who are currently SAHM/SAHW:
What do you love about being a SAHM/SAHW? I love spending time with my kids. I love taking them to parks, museums, and just hanging out with them.

What is your least favorite thing? Winter. When it was snowing so much we couldn't get out of the house, all of us went a little crazy.

Did you work before you became a mom/wife? Yep, same as above.

If you are planning to go back to work after your LO is grown, do you want to go into the same field or something different? I want to "play Monopoly" for the rest of my life. I want to grow my little Empire into the real deal.

For everyone:
What is your dream job: Supreme Court Justice.

[musicalsilver]

I'm in unemployed limbo. Boo.

My field is the biological sciences, and I'm looking for work with a large governmental research facility doing any kind of lab work I can find.

Hoping to find (ASAP) and keep the job after LO is born.

Dream job at the moment is the one I'm looking for. I'd love to be in government research. It doesn't have the same funding worries as the academic world (though it for sure has its own funding worries on a larger scale ... thanks Republicans!). Once I've had enough of wet lab work I'd love to go into something a bit more public health-y/community outreach.

[akraus2015]

Late to this party but I still want to play!

What field do you work in? I work in education reform.
What do you love best about your job? So many things. I like feeling like I'm a part of something "bigger than self"; like I'm making a difference in the world and changing education for our future children. I also like the practical things, like the fact that I now get to make my own hours, and often work from home or out in the community. I love that I have so much autonomy and decision making power about how my particular position should be structured in our organization. I love that I'm gaining some influence at a network level with our national organization. As you can probably tell, I love my job.
What's your least favorite thing? I miss teaching. I miss having the daily interaction and building strong relationships with the kiddos.
Do you plan on working after your LO is born or do you plan to stay at home? I think I'll keep working. I've always said that I could never imagine myself working anything less than full-time (which to me is typically way more than 40 hours/wk), but I'm already falling in love with this little baby. I don't know if I will change my mind when he/she arrives.
What is your dream job? Right now at this point in my life, this is my dream job. But I think ultimately, founding my own elementary school is my dream job.