What’s Your Job?

I work in digital web production, and manage 6 people. We do our regular work maintaining websites and doing some product management, but really for the past 4+ years – especially since the pandemic – I have felt more like a therapist. My 1:1 check-ins do feel like therapy sessions, with folks voicing their frustrations. I love the human side of management so this is somewhat up my alley – and although I would rather keep our talks more solutions-oriented for the sake of productivity, I feel a responsibility to allow folks this space to be vulnerable. Especially during the pandemic and now in this still raw post-pandemic remote/hybrid world, I do appreciate this opportunity to help with folks’ mental well-being. Sometimes it can be draining of course. Like today. I’m happy that it’s Friday and I can look forward to my other full-time job of reigning in two kids!

INCREDIBLE comment section.

I’m a women’s apparel buyer – my dream job as someone with a passion for fashion and good at math. I assist with designing graphics, as well as picking trends, but the day to day is a lot of excel.

I’m a pediatric liver transplant dietitian at a large academic medical center! Many of my patients have malnutrition and complex enteral feeding regimens that I manage. I absolutely love my patients, families and coworkers.

I know this comment will be buried somewhere in this amazing mountain of text, but am I the only one tearing up right now? I feel so buoyed reading about all of the incredible work you all do, and I want to respond to everyone individually with some variation of “That’s so cool! Good for you!” So if you need it today – I think you have a very cool job and it sounds like you’re great at it! I’m also noticing a trend that many, many of us in the CoJ community are in helping fields and find great satisfaction from it in spite of challenges. Go team!

I’m a chaplain at a pediatric hospital! I work in the oncology and hematology department. To be a chaplain, you have to be an ordained minister (or endorsed if your faith does not ordain women) and have a graduate level degree in theology, in addition to clinical training. Lots of book and classroom time to hang out with kids and their grownups all day! I love working in oncology/hematology because we have big hard questions about suffering and life and childhood and then we also have laughing fits and nerf gun battle and dance parties (sometimes within the same visit). It is not uncommon for me to attend a bell-ringing ceremony for a patient and then immediately go down to the ICU to hold the hand of a patient who is on life support. I am with families on the worst days of their lives and somehow my job is full of incalculable joy. I get to wrestle with existential meaning while playing Legos and petting therapy dogs. It is a job full of paradox and impossibility, but oh, it’s so good and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. It is hard and weird, and it can be grueling in what it demands from me emotionally, but I get to do work that matters every day. Every single day. I love it.

i work as an ESL teacher. Going on 30 years. Teaching is a passion, a job, but not a career.

What a well timed post for me. I’m a director-level fundraiser for a private university and I want to make a career change. I enjoy working in non-profit but never set out to be a fundraiser. I’m currently 10 weeks into my maternity leave with my son and stressing about going back to a job I don’t particularly enjoy. I finished my MBA just in time for my baby’s arrival. Reading these comments makes me deeply jealous of everyone with cool sounding jobs that they love. Any tips for making a transition to something new would be much appreciated.

I work as a public historian — think museums/historical societies/heritage nonprofits. And I jumped over to government service as my state’s senior historian a few months ago, which basically just means getting people hyped about where they live.

I own a community pottery studio in Montreal. I teach classes and run the studio. I don’t take enough time to make things for myself and enjoy the studio! It’s a dream job that isn’t a dream.

I co-own and run a small custom clothing design company. We specialize in couture wedding dresses and evening gowns. I love the creativity and working one-on-one with clients, and the technical challenges keep my skills and brain sharp!

I’m a set costumer for film and television. I don’t chose the costumes – that’s the Costume Designer’s job – but I follow around actors all day and make sure that they look the same throughout each scene. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years, and I love my job. I’ve worked on so many fun shows, but I’ve reached the point in my career where it’s more important for me to work with people I love and trust than fancy projects. After all, I’m spending upwards of 14 hours a day with these people.

I’m a hospital-based certified nurse midwife and a women’s health nurse practitioner. I care for people during labor and help them birth their babies, and I also do prenatal and gynecology/well woman care in the outpatient office setting. It is an absolute privilege to do this work and I love it so, so much.

I work, but I don’t dream of labor! Anyone else?

These are so lovely to read! I am an administrator for the marketing & development department of a public media station. It gives me joy to support an org that has made an impact on my life. (I was a PBS kid—no cable TV—and have experienced countless “driveway moments” when listening to programming in the car.) My degree is in studio art, and I am fortunate to be able to devote time to a fine art photography practice outside of my day job, as well. I just received my first grant, and I’m using it to support work I’m making for my first ever solo art show, which opens in 2025.

I’m a life coach specializing in helping women trust themselves and I’m a freelance nonfiction editor.

I run a company that trains and coaches instructional coaches (the people who train and coach teachers.) Research says that coaching is the best way to improve teaching and learning, but a lot of coaches are expected to figure it out on their own, without support for developing their own skills, which means that coaching is often ineffective and frustrating for both the coach and the teacher. So I spend most of my time working to make life better for children by ensuring that the adults who work with them implement best practices in teaching (and life is also better for adults when they feel confident and competent!) I love it!

Audiologist – I work with hearing, balance, hearing aids, cochlear implants and a little bit of research on the side :)

I’m a government litigator and aspiring novelist. I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. :)

I work for a home builder, overseeing architecture and interior finish programs. Everything from siting a house on a plan to the hardware you put on the kitchen cabinets, and all the construction admin in between. I enjoy what I do but I’d love to transition to custom design/home renovations where I get to play more with the pretty stuff.

I’m a graphic designer turned creative manager who will likely make her way more into project management side of creative marketing in the next few years. I love being creative but I also thrive with organization, calendars, connecting with people and seeing it all come together. But before any of that I am taking a year long maternity leave with my newborn and two year old sons. I feel beyond lucky that I can do this since I’m a contract based worker, but wowzers it’s going to be a transition. 😅 I’m sure with my partner’s undying support and my community here in Buffalo things will be just fine. If feels like such a privilege to be able to pause my career and be full-time with my boys.

I’m an electronic resources librarian for a university library, so whatever you think of when you think of librarians, I don’t do that. :) My team and I part of the library’s acquisitions unit, so we buy and set up the online journals, ebooks, databases, streaming videos, etc. so that our users can find them in the library’s catalog. It’s a back-of-house job, so the public doesn’t get to see what I do, just the results. There’s also a lot of problem solving–broken links, off-campus access is being weird, something’s in the catalog that we don’t actually own, this thing is being mysteriously odd and we can’t figure out why, etc.

I’m a UX (user experience) content strategist for a major financial institution in the U.S. Basically, I am a digital copywriter that works with visual designers, product owners and tech partners on flows for our app.

I work in medical textbook publishing, mostly medical terminology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. My job is to manage the books through their development, finalize the art program, manage reviews, and edit the chapters. I get to meet the most amazing people at the annual OT and PT conferences, if I could go back in time I would become an OT myself.

I’m a Language Acquisition specialist, working with PK-6th grade students learning English, and equipping their teachers with techniques and strategies to support them in the classroom. I LOVE the population I work with and this is my tenth year in this specialty, but being in education (in Texas, pffft) AND navigating all the disparaging political talk about immigrants can be extremely defeating. I find myself constantly torn between wanting to stay (in public ed and in the state) and fight it out, but also being exhausted by not seeing much positive change. We are losing incredible, dedicated, veteran teachers in droves here due to purposeful underfunding of our public schools and nasty public rhetoric being pushed about educators from our governor on down, and I worry a lot about what that will look like for my own school aged child, too. It’s a tricky spot to be in, but the kids, families, and school staff I work with are all amazing. We’ll see what happens.

I’m a middle school Special Education teacher (learning disabilities) in West Virginia. I’m at a “city school,” where we have so much diversity with regards to ethnicity and socioeconomic levels. My husband (an assistant Principal) and I made the decision to send our own children through this school system, which has its challenges (abysmal funding and disappointing political values in West Virginia) but I get to be near and with my own kids throughout the day. My students are navigating the effects that covid and poverty have had on their academic levels, and I’m grateful to be a positive person in their lives every day.

I lead communications at an academic hospital’s health research institute – I love that I get to take complex ideas and scientific discoveries and make them accessible to everyone!

I teach 7th grade English and Reading Intervention in a high-poverty school in Colorado. I LOVE my job! I often joke with my coworkers “What if we had to sit in a cubicle all day?” There is never a dull moment! I’ve taught middle school for 18 years- 15 all in the same building. For the first time, I have the second generation of my students. I have a former student’s child in class! Man, time flies!!

I’m a social worker. I specifically work as a case management specialist to homeless individuals. The work I do entails me getting them housed and then meeting with them monthly as a case manager to give them support. I love to connect with people and give them the opportunity of a better life. Not all programs, grants, etc. are prefect, but when you’re able to give someone their own home for the first time in their life and then watch them succeed? That’s pretty amazing.

I work as a Patient Care Technician on a trauma floor in a city hospital, which was a career change for me a couple of years ago at age 55! I am on my feet running for 12-13 hours at a time, but I love the fast pace and working with patients. I have also found it very empowering to take on such a physically demanding role at my age, as well as learning new hands-on skills (phlebotomy, etc.). I honestly can’t imagine myself behind a desk again!

Six months into a job change from academic librarian to medical librarian working in a hospital. I really enjoy my work, but missing my old colleagues.

I’m a History professor at a large public research university. I truly won the lottery – jobs in my field are so incredibly scarce – and I love every part of it; the research, the writing, the teaching, even a fair amount of the committee work! I live in a small rural town, the kind of place I could never imagine ending up in let alone loving, yet I do. It is so great seeing so many women talk about having such a wide variety of jobs they love

I co-own several local newspapers in the midwest. Believe it or not, we even have our own newspaper printing press (woman-led and she’s a total rock star!!). It’s incredible!

I am a Registered Dietitian working in bariatric surgery at a large healthcare system – outpatient side. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to establish long-term relationships with our patients and support them in their goals. For me, every day involves teaching a pre- or post-operative nutrition class in a group setting, and then the rest of the day is individual nutrition counseling appointments which can run the gamut from routine check-ins to resolving vitamin and mineral deficiencies to managing outpatient tube feeding or TPN. A new initiative that is exciting is our healthcare system is starting to do simultaneous liver transplant + sleeve gastrectomy which is really broadening the pool of patients who are eligible for transplant. I’ve had the opportunity to help develop the nutrition protocols for that within our hospital which is not something I would have imagined doing when I started in this field. I learn so much every day from our patients and my incredible coworkers, and have good work-life balance which is important for my family.

I’m a librarian. I’ve worked in a lot of different library jobs and contexts over the years and I’m currently an instruction librarian at a Community College. I’m lucky because I really love my work. Jobs have their bads and their goods, but my work is lovely. I get to help students with their research projects, teach lessons in information literacy, and work with great faculty. I like to tell people I became a librarian because I’m a little (a lot) nosey, and I like to know a little bit about a lot of things. Yesterday afternoon I helped students research AI in healthcare, the evolution of mental health treatments in America since the 19th century, and how technology has changed police investigations. How cool is that?!

I’m an architectural historian and a history lecture in Ireland! I write about Irish architecture in the nineteenth century, and I do my very best to keep students interested during my lectures on aspects of Irish history!

I’m an obgyn, but specifically I do something called family planning, which means that I provide abortions, miscarriage/pregnancy loss care, and complex contraception care (like figuring out birth control for people with medical conditions, abnormal bleeding etc). I’m lucky to practice in a semi-restricted state, which means that – with only some surmountable barriers – I can take care of almost anyone who calls our clinic. I love what I do and feel extremely lucky to have found a job that aligns with my personal beliefs, lets me take care of strong and amazing patients, and provides me with a brilliant, supportive community. Plus I get to feel challenged and use my hands and teach. It can be exhausting and frustrating for all the reasons you can imagine, but it’s the best.

I’m a bookkeeper which is so not glamorous, but it allows me all the flexibility I need.

I’m a lawyer – I facilitate commercial real estate transactions around the country

Experience Designer for a US based hospital system’s innovation team. Yes, the US healthcare system is broken and we need more systems thinkers & human-centered designers!

I’m the Finance Manager at a booking agency. We have a roster of artists that we book at live music events, festivals, clubs, etc and I have the privilege of handling all the money. I love the work I do and the lovely people I work with in the music industry.

I’m a clinical dietitian (at a huge city teaching hospital) by day and a volunteer paramedic by night! I don’t know anyone else who has my combo, but I love that my job and hobby fit different parts of me (I thrive when I know expectations but also love an adrenaline rush). Go figure, my favorite part of both is the same—the people! Meeting my patients where they are and guiding students to be the next generation of loving and thoughtful dietitians and EMS providers.

I’ve worked in health IT policy and projects for the past ten years and before that I was a Foreign Service Officer. But really, what I do? Emotional support lobster–be there for people but also give them a little pinch when needed. I listen to people and help them arrange and rearrange their brains around their projects and ideas.

I’m a genetic counselor at a large academic medical center.Genetic counseling is a great blend of science and helping others….no day is the same. Love my coworker and the families we meet!

I am a Volunteer Services Manager at a hospital in rural Minnesota. I work with all of the generations – oldest volunteer is 91 and the youngest is 16.

I write novels and screenplays (and used to write advertising campaigns (which are slightly easier lol)

I am an attorney. I would for local government in an effort to help children. While I certainly do not make as much as I did in firm law, the job is incredibly rewarding. And most importantly, allows me to be home with my daughter and husband at night.
PS. It is interesting seeing all of the employment variety from COJ readers!

I’m a chef who is married to a chef. We own a catering and meal delivery business and have a side hustle hawking vegan dried camping meals.

I am an editor for a local Greensboro arts & culture magazine. It’s pretty straightforward — I plan out the issues, select stories, edit them and write a feature and column each month! But the best part is that I get to work with amazing, creative people , and meet and write about amazing, creative people!!!! I absolutely love what I do. And it’s nice to feel like the work we put forth in the magazine has an impact on local lives, too.

I’m an in-house lawyer in Paris!

I’m a director of accounting for a school district. It’s a challenge, but I’ve only ever worked in school district business offices. The imposter syndrome is REAL as I’m only 33 and the second youngest person in my office to this day. We just finished our final audit and I’m in the process of learning how to produce our annual financial reports. We have had the hardest year in terms of turnover and hiring new people. I’m hopeful it will get better, but it’s really weighing on me right now.

I run the development department at a foundation. I’ve built my career as a fundraiser, nonprofit administrator, and grant maker working at educational institutions, performing arts organizations, and museums. It’s very rewarding and surprisingly lucrative with fun benefits like invitations to performances, gallery openings, and access to insider intel on the cultural scene in my city.

I’m an executive director for an inpatient substance abuse program. It’s the 4th program I’ve helped to get off the ground to be successful and hopefully the last that isn’t ALL MINE! I finally have some investors and savings to move this dream forward. I love my job…it’s chaotic and crazy and never the same and there are lots of boring parts too but watching humans transform in front of my eyes will never get old. Also I have lots of fun stories to tell at parties lol.

I teach 8th grade math in a Philadelphia charter school. The job has really high highs and very low lows, and I’m riding the wave.

I work in tourism in Paris! I’m in customer service and really enjoy the fun people on our team. It’s also very flexible so I can work some from home and be there to pick up my kids.

Fun to read all of these! I’m a copy editor at a major nationally distributed newspaper.

I am a staff assistant at a federally funded research facility for a project that will bring back core samples from Mars! It’s a great job. I coordinate chaotic calendars, schedule travel, prep charts and reports and support a team of smart, kind, and brilliant people.

I’m the assistant manager at a small public garden on the coast of Maine – a real, live dream job for me!

I’m a grants manager for an architectural & engineering firm. Basically I work with our municipal clients to pursue and apply for state and federal funding opportunities, and then hopefully if they are awarded said funds, they hire us to administer the grant! It’s not the most rewarding job day-to-day but its the most stable and straightforward job I’ve ever had. Before my current job, I was a development director for an affordable housing non-profit and a volunteer/program manager for a soup kitchen. I loved feeling like I was making a meaningful difference, but god it was emotionally exhausting and demanding for such terrible pay. Sometimes it’s okay if your job is just a job!

I am a botany professor at a small university. Best job ever getting to talk about and work with plants all day every day. It’s the humans that are difficult…