So what did you ladies do before you became a SAHM?

[SuperStar]

Just curious...

I worked at TCBY for a year in high school (and developed a case of temporary lactose intolerance from all the yogurt :lol )
I was a waitress at a retirement home for a year.
During college I was a receptionist, a waitress, and I worked at a nursery/ garden center (not all at once).

Nothing too interesting for me...I definitely didn't have a hard time giving up my career(s) to stay home!!!

[USAmma]

I worked for a semiconductor company right down the street from Intel, Motorola, and Microchip. I made a lot of $ for a beginner tech writer, but the company started to go downhill and the stress level was awful. I hated office gossip and politics. I'm so glad I got out of there. I miss the money but I love being a SAHM most of the time.

Also worked YMCA summer day camp as a counselor, and some odd jobs in high school and college. I was even a night janitor for the college campus one summer, after working at the Y all day. Cleaned a church on Saturdays, worked in the nursery on Sundays. Also subbed in the same church's private school as K teacher when the teacher had to go on bedrest unexpectedly.

[*andiflipping*]

I worked at my local pharmacy and Quizno's...NOthing to exciting...

?...I work every other weekend as a pharm tech..Dh stays with ds...Do I get to say I am a SAHM... :wink

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

I've done lot's of things but my jobs when I got pregant with ds1 were cooking in a vegitarian restarunt and modeling for art classes.

[annethcz]

When my oldest child was born, I was in grad school and I was working part time in customer service. I didn't have a career, so the decision to be a SAHM was an easy one for me.

[RiverSky]

Purchased everything for a computer manufacturing company, very technical, high stress, multi-tasking, so much fun (perfect for me). I'm so glad I did it and now I'm glad to be a SAHM. How lucky am I? Extremely!!!

[wildmonkeys]

I worked for a year as a social worker in residential center for abused & neglected kids.

I spent two years in grad school where I had a couple of social work internships (a nursing home and with an elected official) & taught gymnastics to pay some bills.

I then spent several years working in a large Washington, DC child welfare association researching, training, and advocating for more effective services and increased resources for abused and neglected kids.

I still do some freelance writing on child welfare issues & am back to teaching 2 hours worth of mommy & me gymnastics per week with ds2 while ds1 is in school.

As an aside --- back in high school & college I worked at TCBY, at a YMCA Day Camp, as a waitress, and for State Farm. what can I say, I can't say no and I can't sit still :bouncy

So do tell, were you a nude model? My best friend in college used to nude model for art classes and I was always jealous of her guts and confidence :thumb

BJ
Barney & Ben

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

So do tell, were you a nude model? My best friend in college used to nude model for art classes and I was always jealous of her guts and confidence :thumb

BJ
Barney & BenYes I was a nude model. And no I didn't and don't have a great body. I was however raised with very little in the way of nudity tabos. Our whole family used to go to nude beaches when I was a kid. The weird part wasn't so much being naked as being the only one in the room who was naked LOL. The hardes part is standing still for 1/2 and hour.

One time I was standing in the line in the grocery store and one of the students from a class I had stood for was just ahead of me. I could tell I looked familier to him but he wasn't sure from where. Then it dawned on him. He said "I know you, I didn't recognise you with your cloths on!" Then he realised what he said and turned bright red!LOL :lol

[lrmama]

I worked at a nuclear power plant as a chemistry technician for a couple years. Before that I worked at a local air pollution control agency. And in high school, I worked as office help in an ice cream cone factory (we got free ice cream in the lunch room!) :)

I keep thinking of things I'd like to do once we have all of our little ones in school, and none of the things that I want to do are in my field of study. I guess you learn what you really want to do after you get out of college!

[OakBerry]

I worked at a local hospital as a nurse.
Before that I was medical assistant at a walk in clinic, a nurses' aide in two different nursing homes, and I worked in the kitchen of a nursing home, a pet store, and for an anwering service.

I really enjoy being home and my back enjoys it too!

[suziek]

I had a million jobs in college--bread and breakfast manager and muffin maker, waitress, bartender, housecleaner. I worked for a year at a rehab for teenage addicts immediately after college. I was a news photographer for a decade, working for newspapers, wire services and magazines and worked briefly as a reporter, and then as an editor. I liked most of these jobs, but none as much as the one I have right now. It's part of the reason I keep having babies.....

[mariposita]

I led long-term international exchange programs, both for exchange students coming to the US and two programs abroad in China and the Dominican Republic. I had been doing this for 7 years.

I miss being paid to live aboad - just wish I could be a SAHM while living abroad!

[klondikesky]

Newspaper researcher in high school, waitress and restaurant hostess in college, librarian and admin.asst. for a religious research center after college. Began to suffer from fibromyalgia to the point that I had to quit my job. Volunteered very part-time at a crisis pregnancy center. Then became pregnant with dd1. The pregnancy hormone shock seems to have sent the fibro into remission, and I've been fulfilling my life dream since then of raising a family full-time. :love

[Drummer's Wife]

I was a Montessori Teacher when dd was born :) Loved it but was so happy to be able to stay home.

Before that I was an assistant, an afterschool program aide, a dietary aide in a nursing home, and a babysitter :D

[Red Sonja]

I was a nuclear engineer. When DH retires from the Navy (hopefully in about 6.5 years) then I'll go back to work.

[Getz]

I was a corporate accountant.

I would like to continue with accounting part-time eventually. Not full time corporate though. The hours are too long and it is too stressful. Maybe do bookkeeping for a Mom & Pop business in a few years.

[rockergirrl]

I was a project manager

[afishwithabike]

It ran out, but I used to do elder and infant care. Started out in a Long term nursing home. Xferred to a Hosp did home care for hospice and disabled, and ER prep to fill in the rest of the hours. The hardest ones to care for were hospice because you knew they were going to die and they weren't ALL old. Some were babes.

[Attached Mama]

High School - worked at a greenhouse during the summer and developed and taught an after school ballet program at a private elementary school

College - McDonald's; cafeteria; school janitorial; selling NordicTrack fitness equipment (fun), at a publishing company doing shipping, proof reading; as a bank teller

After College - AAA travel department; at a credit union as a receptionist and then teller; at the Limited; in a family business as a self-employed property title researcher; as a realtor and finally back to my first love (for a job) teaching ballet. Oh yeah - and I also modeled for artists - but not nude.

Then I quit teaching and after several years of working my tail off performed with a small ballet company for a season.

But being a mommy is my favorite! :throb :heartbeat

[teacup]

I couldn't even begin to list all the piddly jobs I've had since high school, but the majors are radio news editor (college) and editor (just after graduating, mostly books, with a brief hiatus doing medical documents).

I freelanced for about a year before el bebe showed up. In fact, I almost fell over when my husband told me what I made last year. (She'll be a year this month.) Even taking two full months off after she was born, I made about as much as I had the year before.

I love editing. I just wish I could work more during the day, so I could be free on evenings and weekends, and that I could do fewer computer titles and maybe even some fiction and nonfiction...but that's a whole different craft...I digress.

[Throkmorton]

I had plenty of jobs. I was a drug counselor until it got too stressful. I was a housekeeper at a hotel which, oddly, was less stressful and paid twice as much.
I worked as a receptionist in a TV repair shop, a painter's assistant, a cashier, a fruit picker amd various other wacky jobs.
When I go back to work eventually, i am tossing around the idea of taking up accounting of some sort. I don't really know why.

[yogamama]

For 11 years I worked as a federal grants manager for the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Developement in the Community Development Department.

My job was to monitor the use of federal funds by units of local goverments via reports, audits and on-site program reviews for affordable housing, economic development projects, social services, homeless programs... I probably would have stayed, but it got hard to explain that I STILL didn't want to travel since my 2 1/2 year old child was still nursing.

I had MANY jobs in college (working at an achitecture museum/foundation was my favorite) and high school.

Now I teach yoga a few nights a week.
Kathleen

[artgoddess]

I worked in product development for a company that made women's lingerie and swimwear. It was a ton of fun, creative, great buisness trips etc... But it didn't pay very well, and I put in a ton of hours, so nothing to go back to and be a mom at the same time.

Before that I was accounts receivable manager for a big furniture company (boooring) before that a Bartender (fun job, I met my DP doing this) and while bartending I worked for a lot of non profits, doing fund raising and campaigning stuff.

[zannster]

I was a graduate student (kinesiology w/exercise physiology focus). Prior to that, I worked for a year as a directory assistance operator. Hello, city and state please?

[fanniefarkle]

I was a paralegal for 7 years. I was glad to give it up--too many divorces, custody battles, etc. It got to be a drag. If I go back to work, I would rather just work in a drug store or book store (I used to stock for Wal-Mart and rather liked it as long as I was busy).

[wannabeamamma]

I worked as a sales consultant for a home theater company for 4 years before I got preggo and had my babe. Before that I was in investment banking.

[LizaBear]

I worked at a hotel, doing the "night audit" for a few years before quitting to stay home and have my babies.

Before that, I did a myriad of menial jobs - cash work at a grocer, drove deliveries for a car parts store, worked in the ticket office of a small concert hall, a few years working at Burger King, babysitting, worked at BlockBuster too for a while.

[DoubleOven]

:tiphat:

[suprgrl]

I was a senior treatment counselor for a therapeutic experiential program in central VA. It was emotionally and physically stressful, so after my fourth month of pregnancy I began working more directly with the parents rather than the students. I really miss working with the kids some times. It was both the hardest and most rewarding thing I've done. Some of the kids still keep in touch with me! It is good to see some of them entering their 20's and being responsible, happy people.
Prior to that I worked at a psych hospital in the children's ward (hated it), tutored college Anatomy and Physiology students, owned a business buying and selling used college textbooks, was an office assistant at a healthfood store, and taught at a pre-school.
I wonder sometimes what I will do in the future when I decide to go back to work. Who knows. Health and natural healing really interest me....along with too many other things to narrow my interests.

Ronna

[*GreenMama*]

I was a Drama Teacher in the NYC public school system. I enjoyed the teaching, but not the beaurocracy. Plus the principal was a few fries short if you get my drift. Had to give it up when I developed hyperemesis with this pregnancy. I'm on medical leave, but since I'm not going to be going back after baby I guess I'm a full-time SAHMTB.

No regrets here!

[mightymoo]

I was a program manager at a software company. I designed the software, wrote specifications, work with the developers & testers on the scheduling, etc. Before that I was a developer, but I got bored being in my office all day all alone - I much preferred the interaction I got as a PM.

Basically I got to make decisions and tell people what to do (or convince them they should do it). I loved it and I hated it. It was a lot of stress and my level of enthusiasm waxed and waned over the years. I do miss it, especially since my DH is in the same line of work and I help him with his job sometimes (how to present something to his boss, help him craft an email here or there, etc)

I would like to go back to doing that, but I feel like I'm going to be out of date on the technology. I am currently taking the real estate salespersons course because my parents would like to have me help them with their real estate business. This will be a good way for me to get a little extra cash without having to work for anyone who expects me to work certain hours or outside the home, so that's good.

I'm torn on what I want to do when teh kids reach school age. Ideally I'd like to be here when they get home from school (I am not cut out to home school), but I don't want to be home the rest of the time really... we'll see.

[Tori Gollihugh]

The only "career-type" job I had was teacher and I feel exactly the way DoubleOven does! I might not even return to it if our house was in danger... I'd probably return to waitressing (since I made almost as much doing THAT as teaching!) with less stress and anxiety!

H.S. English teacher - wouldn't ever go back to the classroom in a thousand years unless our financial position somehow got so bad that we'd lose our house if I didn't.

[Peony]

I was an RN, I worked on ortho. I also worked in DH's office on my days off from the hospital, I kept his books for the companies. During college I waitressed and worked as an CNA in a nursing home.

[hsingmamato3]

Before I was a SAHM I was a high school student. :blush

[phathui5]

Me too. There was no "before kids" here.

[bri276]

I was an executive assistant to the president of a construction company. (before I finished school to do that, I worked a series of jobs related to child care like nannying, daycares, etc and some crappy retail jobs in high school)

[Galatea]

I did a year of law school and then taught high school Spanish for a year. I also would never teach again. This summer I am going to get a master's in library science, part-time.

[SleeplessMommy]

I am an engineer, retired. Used to work in the semiconductor industry. Now all thoses jobs are in China!

[kimmie-pooh]

A nurse at a pediatrics office. :love

[earthmama369]

Most recently, I was a student, getting my master's degree in secondary education (social studies), followed by a 3-year detour into the world of editing. I worked for a small company that handled the editing and typesetting for a bunch of different art historical projects (the Met, Art Bulletin magazine, Getty Museum, etc.). It was fun and I loved the work, but my boss was psychotic. I decided not to go back after my maternity leave. I wish I had quit as soon as I got pregnant; it would have been less stressful.

I'm loving being at home with my daughter in a way I never thought I would. I was sure I'd be crazy by now. :lol Maybe I am, but it's in a good way. We're having a lot of fun.

[Mooney]

I worked as a research tech in chemical, cancer and pharma labs for 5 years after college.

[Skim]

nak

Interesting!

Taught comp. part-time at the local tech. college, freelance editing, grant writing, personal creative writing (unpaid lol)... etc.

Before that did other teaching PT at the univ. I went to grad school, radio show host, marketing/PR for a braille translation software co., and gobs of office work and underpaid temp jobs.

[M&Mmommy]

interesting thread, thanks!

Until 1 1/2 years ago I was a six sigma project leader ~ called a Black Belt, I'm not kidding, in a corporate office no less. I remember laughing about what the Dilbert cartoons would say if they heard of it, and then they did. LOL, too funny. Talk about taking oneself seriously. I'm a certified six sigma black belt. People listened.

Then I left to stay home with my two dds and have not looked back. I do miss the 2/3 of our family income that halted the day I left, though ....

[FancyD]

I worked in the service industry, mostly retaurant work. My last job before DS was running a unionized university kitchen :irked: Just didn't work real well. I had hyperemesis starting at 6 wks, and the smell of old smoke, oil and booze had me on EI pretty quick.

[CountryMom2e]

I was a mangement consultant with one of the big 4 accounting firms (actually, the consulting division was bought by a huge tech firm which I hated working for, LOL!). I had earned my MBA in Customer Relationship Marketing through the company two years before I left. I liked my job, not the company that bought us - so I volunteered for a round of layoffs, planning to pursue a new career when our attempts at TTC were successful! Since I was getting more in unemployment that I could get working part-time, we decided that I would stay home while pg.

We had always planned that one of us would stay home, or that we would shuffle our jobs to both work part-time. Neither of us feels that children should be in day care. DH changed jobs so that part-time wasn't an option for him, and I realized that it would be difficult for me to work part-time and nurse full-time.

I'm now in school part-time studying to become an accountant. My plan is that I can finish my degree, study for the CPA exam, and do some part-time work from home while the kids are little, then once they are in school I can add some more part-time hours until I'm licensed. Once I have my license I want to have my own estate & trust administration practice part-time from home.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I went to work right out of high school at a store as cashier/cook. Stayed there for just a few months. Then went to work at a sewing factory making military clothing/supplies i worked there just shy of 9yrs. I quiet because my dh went to work nights and I only got to pass him as i was leaving and he was coming in from work. Not something I could live with. The only thing I miss is the woman i work with. I dont have any other adults my own age to talk to now. I got pg 3 months later and have been home since. And wont be going back until both both kids are in school and only if i can find a job were i can be here when they leave and when they come home.

[Village Mama]

I was a barista for 3 years or so. I waitressed in a sleazy bar for a few months. I was a teacher aide/ tutor in the English as a Second Language department in the local college. Then I worked in a bank as a teller. As well as being a full time student through a couple of years of that.( I burned out!)All of this before I had my son at 20!!! I have been at home for 5 years now!

[kimbies]

Went to College....then worked for an automotive supplier in Metro Detroit for 7 years (marketing & communications)....moved to Germany for 2 years and learned to speak German cuz I couldn't work over there- at that point I realized that one could have a meaningful life without working 60+ hours per week like I was used to....moved back to the US and finished my MBA (still not working)...rescued a pitbull puppy from downtown Detroit who was my first baby...decided to join the working world again after I got my MBA and did marketing for a health club- then found out I was prego right after I had accepted the job (ooops!) then had ds 9 months later and have been home since the day he was born....

I don't miss working- I talk to my hubbs everyday about what's up in the auto industry, new marketing programs, etc....I try to keep my brain fresh with what's going on....I do want to work again someday but only part-time if financially possible at that time.

[Christine&men]

Used to be the Assistant to the VP Sales & Marketing for a hotel company. Sounds exciting? Right. Sales people are primadonnas (well, maybe not all, but the majority that I met). Luckily they also travel a lot and I had the office to myself... Ahem, did a lot of research when I was pregnant and alone in the office, even once fell asleep after lunch in my comfy chair... :blush

[tink79]

I worked in accounts payable, before that - bartending, before that - underwriting, before that - I was a barista/asst manager at a coffee shop - the one job I truly liked doing :) While I stay home with my daughter, I'm in school, planning on teaching art at this point.

[kayjayjay]

What an interesting thread...I rarely get asked what I used to do. :lol

I used to be an architect. DH and I met in college, we were in the same program. We got married a few months after I graduated, and I worked for about 2 years before we had DD1. I stayed home with her for a year then went back to work. I finally quit for good when DD2 was born.

DH would like to start his own business and the plan is that we will work together eventually, which is what we wanted from the time we met.:)

[Storm Bride]

My last job was as an accounting assistant for a large international testing company (chemicals, agricultural products, ores, etc.). It was a hellish commute and the work wasn't very interesting.

Before that, I was the Operations and Accounting Assistant (ie. 75-80% of the Operations department and about 40% of the Accounting department) for a small brokerage firm. There should have been a minimum of 7 people doing the work that three of us took care of. The work was interesting, but the company was screwed up, and we all got laid off when they were shut down by the Securities Commission. Morale sucked, and the office politics were unbelievable. I may go back into the field one day, but I'm undecided - it's a real pressure cooker.

Before that, I temped for a few months.

Before that...10 years as the Girl Friday in a packaged office building. The job can't be described adequately (hell to list on a resume) but it included reception (50 lines - avg. of 35 companies) a lot of word processing, some accounting, some graphic design and just about anything else you can think of for the various tenants, which included computer engineers, advertising agencies, modelling agencies, a courier company, a dating service, lawyers, accountants, a travel agency, several different marketing outfits, a log broker, etc. The job didn't pay that well, but my boss really appreciated me. It wasn't as challenging as it could have been, but the exposure to all the different fields was interesting. I'd probably have stayed if my boss hadn't retired. But, the new owner was a jerk. And, now I'm finally home with my little ones (I had to work until ds1 was 10).

[Rachel Flores]

In high school I worked as a restraunt hostess and at a bookstore doing every non-manigerial job there is to do in one.

In college I worked as a library aid, mac lab assistant, bookstore cashier, ran my own summer camp (just for one summer, but it was fun. Didn't make much money though, I kept spending it on activities), assistant teacher at a preschool.

After I graduated with a BA in psychology I wanted to go to grad school and work as a school counsler, but wanted some job experience first. I subbed at an elementary school, mostly with the sever and profound special needs class. I really liked it and found it very rewarding. I decided to go through alternative certification (take classes while teaching) and get my teaching certificate. I got THE WORST 1st year teaching job EVER and left in the middle of the school year (very long story). I no longer want anything to do with public school and may homeschool my kids. After that job I wanted a break so I worked at a bookstore. BTW, I LOVE working in bookstores, but the pay and hours are awful. I took a 5 month "break" working there and then, knowing dh and I wanted to start a family soon, found a job as an infant daycare teacher. I worked there till I was 8 months pregnant and am now a SAHM.

I'm not sure what type of job I'd get if I HAD to go back to work. I do plan on going back to school once my kids (only have one so far) are older.

[RedAnt]

I was a volunteer coordinator for a mental health program. Prior to that, I worked with homeless youth. I don't miss work at all right now, but I sometimes wonder what type of work I will do once my dd is in school.

[RainbowSquidney]

I was a social worker working with HIV/AIDS population.
Although it was very rewarding, I like my new job much better!!! :)

[Godiva]

Well I was barely out of high school before I got pregnant, but in that year I was a college student, horseback riding instructor, car salesman (woman), and a website designer. The only one I really liked was the horseback riding instructor. Actually I will be sorta going back to that soon. I'm going to board horses on my property so I guess I'll be a WHAM then.

[Liam's_Momma]

I was fabulous, skinny and well rested. :lol
jk.
I was a colorist in a salon.

[JayGee]

I has my first child at 33, so there were a lot of years between graduating from college and staying home. I went to grad school for 2 years and then worked as a research assistant at the university, as a research assistant at the National Board of Medical Examiners, and as a research associate at a medical school. Lots of research :).

[meowee]

Not much of anything, really... I tutored in ESL and worked in a library... was a grad student... wrote a lot of my own research.

[beebalmmama]

I worked at a bagel shop, was a barista on and off, waitressed on and off, while I did some internships with some organic farms and environmental organizations teaching kids. Most recently I was waitressing. I don't want to go back to work until I figure out what I want to do. Looking at teaching yoga and thinking about going back to school for a Masters which can actually get me a job that pays. :lol

[boobybunny]

H.S. English teacher - wouldn't ever go back to the classroom in a thousand years unless our financial position somehow got so bad that we'd lose our house if I didn't.


And even then you shouldn't.

[Alana]

I was a WAHW (work at home wife :lol ) Dh and I got married a year after graduation. i ran a business from home, did volunteer work, worked with foster teens, and helped out at our church. The year before I had ds...I was a Vet. Tech, that was the only time I worked out of the home.

[4given2]

Before I became a SAHM, I was a chemist at a chemical company. I worked there shortly after I graduated from college. I was married two months after starting the job, and I got pregnant 5 months after that. Before my daughter was born, I was very corporate minded and was trying to climb the corporate ladder. I fellt like the only way I could do that was that I had to hire a nanny,but as I got further along in the pregnancy my priorities began to change. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, I saw my daughter climbing the slide at the playground, and not being there to see that.

I have been a SAHM for 7 years now, and everytime I see my kids climbing on a slide, making sandcastles, or watching them swing, I KNOW I made the right decision.

[KayasMama04]

I worked at Bealls and then was a SAHW ...

[Nickarolaberry]

I was a political scientist. I was a professor at a couple universities, then I went to work for a policy think tank in Washington, D.C.

I don't miss it AT ALL. Now I'm trying to figure out what I want to be when my kids grow up. :lol

[velochic]

Computer programmer. That is seriously for the young. I just don't have the mental capability to write millions of lines of code, integrating everying into a big project, anymore.

[peypeymama]

A major department store sales manager. I worked in the buying office as an asst. buyer & then a buyer before the company moved the offices out of state. I stayed put & worked at a local store.
I was there 11 years before I quit... 3 months after returning from my 100% paid maternity leave.

I just couldn't be the kind of mama I wanted to be working 65+ hours a week!

[giarose]

Cool thread!

Before I had ds I was a migrant health education specialist (I actually had to look up the title on my resume, I couldn't remember :o ). No certifications or anything like that, just hands on experience working on issues dealing with migrant and seasonal farmworkers. I specifically used to train promotoras de salud (lay health workers) on a breast and cervical cancer outreach and education program so that they could educate women in their communities and encourage them to go to the doctor to get paps and mammograms. It was a lot of fun but I had to travel a lot so when ds was born I decided not to go back. I now do some occasional consultant work for them, which is nice and helps pay the bills.

Before that I had a state job working as an exec. asst. to the director in the Tex/Mex Border Affairs office of the SOS. I had moved from the border to the big city to go back to school (law/grad school), but I met dh and we started, um, procreating immediately.

And before dh but after college, I was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for a couple of years on the Tex/Mex border, where I worked with a legal aid firm doing outreach on legal issues and public health issues of migrant and seasonal farmworkers as well as working on cases.

highschool was too long ago, but I also worked scooping ice-cream!! I had the "scoopers forearm" ...

[Electra375]

BC- I was in college, a military officer's wife doing those officer wife charity events, and substitute teaching.
So I guess I've always been at home!!! I tried working as a teacher after I finished college, I couldn't take the crap from the administration so I left the position. Loved teaching though.
I now work from home doing accounting work for a popular natural family company that employs other stay at home moms as consultants. Many of whom are here on MDC I believe :wink
I've got the best of both IMO. And the envy of my HS classmates at our 10 yr reunion a few years back.
It sounded more glamorous that it is... Accountant working from home to be with her kids and a great husband. I guess it does sound good!

[RedAnt]

And before dh but after college, I was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer...

Me too! I served with a project to keep kids in their homes and community or least restrictive out-of-home placement when necessary. After that, I went to grad school for social work. The VISTA experience really influenced my career path too.

[LAHP100]

In high school, I worked at a cinema pub (waitressing, food running, etc.) and as a denim expert at the Gap. I loved it! I wanted to "go corporate" back when I was young & naive. :wink
In college, I worked for maybe two months. It was at that very short-term job (retail) that I met DH, so I guess it was worth it! During the summers, I waitressed and took care of my younger brother.
After college, I got married and took a job in insurance. I was probably the only one in my training class with a college degree, so I thought I would be miserable. Truth is, I really enjoyed that job! Then we moved (thanks, Army) and I did financial analysis for a bank up until a month before DS was born.

BC- I was in college, a military officer's wife doing those officer wife charity events, and substitute teaching.

Isn't it ridiculously hard to find a good job in military towns? Of course, we're Army, so we were in the middle of nowhere. I wouldn't mind most Navy towns.

[mama2cntrykids]

Well, although I'm not a sahm YET, I will be again in May. Before I was a sahm the first time, I worked at BK in HS and after that I mostly did office work. Currently I am working at a plant that manufactures cabinets, I like the job, but I like my kids more, lol.

[giarose]

The VISTA experience really influenced my career path too.

Awesome! I love meeting other former VISTAs. We should start a VISTA thread!

[marybethorama]

I was a political scientist. I was a professor at a couple universities, then I went to work for a policy think tank in Washington, D.C.

I don't miss it AT ALL. Now I'm trying to figure out what I want to be when my kids grow up. :lol

Don't tell my dh ;)

He's a sociology professor and he'd love to be a SAHD.

I wouldn't mind going back to work but I'm not very employable and I have no idea what I want to do.

[marybethorama]

I didn't exactly have a career.

I worked as a library assistant and a couple of other jobs, went to grad school, then worked in a university art museum before I quit to be a SAHM.

I had planned to continue with grad school and get a Phd. but I got sidetracked a little ;) (Their names are Harry and Timmy)

Since I followed my dh's job it would be really hard for me to go back to work in my field. One (more likely) both of us would have to commute 2 hours each way and all of my salary would go to daycare.

Not impossible but hard. The pay is very low and the hours are very family-unfriendly.

Now I have to figure out what I want to do.

[*~Member~*]

God you all are going to think I'm some sort of hillbilly. I went right from being a student to being a SAHM. I graduated school and had my daughter about a month later LOL (She was planned I was married)

[ErinBird]

God you all are going to think I'm some sort of hillbilly. I went right from being a student to being a SAHM. I graduated school and had my daughter about a month later LOL (She was planned I was married)

I'm not too far off from you! I have a degree in chemical engineering- graduated May 2005. Got married July 2005, concieved December 2005.

Toward the end of college, I realized that I wasn't going to be happy working as an engineer. Were I single and not "tied" to the city where my husband works... I'd defiantely be looking to go back to school for something- education, midwifery, urban planning, culinary arts ar eat the top of the list.

I was half heartedly looking for a job, interviewing after the wedding.... now I'm struggling with the idea of never working outside the home (at least not until my children are older).

[*~Member~*]

I usually get lots of comments cause I am a 21 year old sahm of two and my daughter was born right after high school. I keep getting told I NEED to go to college and I don't want to. I do what I want t do KWIM?

[melinoz]

I worked in marketing for a big travel company before staying at home with my dd. I also don't miss it a bit. I'm loving being home with her :)

[MotheringHeart]

Oh my goodness, did I have a job out there in the *real world* before I became a SAHM???

I've done lots of things: McDonalds, Retail in a major department store, nude modeling for art classes (it was a blast and relatively easy money), Resident Assistant (in college), Diversity Educator (in college) and then after college I was a youth advsior and summer/winter camp director for a Jewish Community Center in southern VA.

Who knows what I'm going to do when I grow up? I'm so fufilled by SAHMing, I just don't know!

[MamaTaraX]

I didn't even know this forum existed! Cool!!

Before I was a SAHM I was a housewife. I graduated high school in June of '97 and became pregnant with our first son in December of '97 :) I went to college that summer and I spent that fall being a happy (if unorganized *grin*) housewife. We'd been together for a year. I guess I'm "old-fashioned" in that I graduated and went straight into motherhood and girls stopped doing that regularly back when my mom did it in the mid 60s :)

Namaste, Tara

[mothragirl]

[QUOTE=Liam's_Momma]I was fabulous, skinny and well rested. :lol
QUOTE]

wow! we had the same job :lol

i have done a little of everything. traveling and doing odd jobs, lots of modeling. i miss it a lot.

[MamaRabbit]

Before SAHMing, I was a band and choir teacher at an international school here in Bangkok. I still help out once in a while, but I really don't miss teaching. Especially the meetings, detentions, required stuff. I do miss working with the students.

Before that, temp agencies, Blockbuster video (seasonal while I was in college).

[ladylee]

I was a marketing consultant for non profit orgs in NYC-and was also a yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner. :)

[SabDoulaMommy]

I was (hate to say was, b/c I'd really still like to be) office manager PT in a lactation center (we housed the lcs, pumps & other bf supplies) in a large hospital. Also taught childbirth prep & ocasionally infant care classes for said hosp. Miss it lots (not doing it now b/c we movd & the much smaller hosp here doesn't need me :()

[ZeldasMom]

I was a social worker.

[hjohnson]

I was a Data Entry Specialist for the American Cancer Society.

[jillybeans]

Let's see....in HS I worked at Dairy Queen. hahaha.
In college I had like 12 jobs it seemed. Whatever suited me that day. But my career was a nanny. Did that for 5 years. LOVED it, and sometimes wish i could do both. Then reality clicks in!

[Shiloh]

global oracle financials datawarehousing..
computer consultant
developer
techincal writer
close personal security guard =backstage concerts :) fun!
intelligence officer - army intelligence issued dog tags etc but wow they lost my paperwork twice...good thing our army wants women ;)

[Alkenny]

School and worked for a local newspaper (I was 19 when I had DD).
I went back to work when my middle son was 4 and worked until 2 months before I had the babe 2 years ago as a dietician/cook at a nursing home.

[iamama]

I had an upholstery shop that I ran by myself and did pretty good business. I can't believe that *I* was able to get so much done. 5 big furniture pieces a month! Who was I?

[KatWrangler]

I worked for a small engineering firm that also managed small water districts. I did Admin and Receptionist for the firm and Customer Service, Billing and Collections for one of the water districts.

Before that my jobs have always been Customer Service oriented. Except for when I sold Advertising.

[MommyMine]

I was a director of a non profit.

[mamapajama]

I was an interpreter, a student, and a manager at a group home.

[vamp127]

Wow, we are such an interesting and diverse group of mamas--but then again we already knew that didn't we?

Before SAHM'ing, I was a director of a CME program-developed the materials and ran the programs. Prior to that I was an editor at a legal publisher. On weekends I worked in a cool shop selling clothes to drag queens. I aways wished they would give me a make-over! While doing these things, I also went to grad school.

In college, I worked for housing & res. life for free room & board--year round.

In jr high & high school, I worked in an accounting department for a real estate company: collected rents, a/p, a/r, and payroll. Nothing like being 14yo and doing payroll for about 500 "grown ups"

[greenwoman2006]

Just curious...

I worked at TCBY for a year in high school (and developed a case of temporary lactose intolerance from all the yogurt :lol )
I was a waitress at a retirement home for a year.
During college I was a receptionist, a waitress, and I worked at a nursery/ garden center (not all at once).

Nothing too interesting for me...I definitely didn't have a hard time giving up my career(s) to stay home!!!

I was a bartender for 9 years before settling down to marry, and then have my Artemisia. I also did customer service (boring), but met a lot of nice people.

[Jwebbal]

Hmm, lets see? I was a Director of Religious Education at a UU church several years, then quit to stay home. Before that? Chef (decided it wasn't a family friendly profession), lesbian housewife, nanny (hated it), preschool teacher (ten years), pizza delivery driver (nights and weekends), camp counselor (summers after high school), and videographer (while in high school)

[Zen Mama]

I was a teacher.. back in the day. :lol I taught Kindergarten for many years, but when I got pregnant, I was teaching my second year of fourth grade.

[Salvia]

I worked in a public library.

[Kristine233]

Let me see...
Preschool teacher for a few years then a daycare director. (kids were with me on-site)

School busdriver (kids came with)

Then I sarted SAHM. I technically am a WAHM but I'm still at home :)

[sydsmama]

My, what an interesting bunch we are!!

I've done lots of things- cleaning, childcare, a hotel recreation assistant, waitressing...and then I went to school for massage therapy shortly before I got married. Did that for 5 years (just my cup of tea ), became a doula
( LOVED that!) and promptly got pregnant. We now have two kiddos and I can't imagine doing anything BUT staying home with them. This is hands down my favorite 'job'. I'm pretty sure we are on the road to homeschooling, so the next thing I add to the list may be teacher. And I'd really love to do some more doula-ing as the kids get older and are off the boob.

[scrapadoozer]

Hmmm, I was a paper girl (on and off for 8 years!), internet sales and SAHW. Not a very big resume I'm afraid. :)

[RedWine]

What did I do before I became a SAHM?

I went to the bathroom alone.
I sat and read the newspaper in peace and quiet.
I worked out on a consistent basis and had a kick-ass body.
I listened to whatever I wanted on the radio station -- LOUDLY.

Oh -- wait! That's not what you mean, is it? :p

First I was a professional singer and actress. Then I went to college, and then grad school. I got my Masters at Harvard in Biological Anthropology, and then left the program before receiving my Ph.D. so I could be home with my child (now children).

[Mybabymommy]

FO Manager in at a large Hotel in Edmonton Alberta.

I LOVED the job and the industry.

Sarah :o)

[DaladyRivkah]

Nothing particularly exciting, here. I was managing a small retail business downtown. We sold Heraldry and Heraldry related items.

I've always felt that being a SAHM was paramount in my parenting and thankfully, my husband completely agrees.

[UllaBulla]

I was a waldorf kindergarten teacher. My education was birth to 7, so I am doing my work at home with my son! I became a teacher for my children anyway, I knew I wanted to stay at home, and when they go to school, I will go back to work! It works great!:wink

[M&M-mom]

My first job was at Rax restaurant. During college, I worked at a Nursing home, babysat and worked in respite care with developmentally delayed children. After college, I was a RN, worked on a Diabetes Unit then a Labor and Delivery unit. I have been home since my first child was born in 2000.

[Cardinal]

I was a Japanese interpreter at an engineering firm for 2 years and then was in a master's program to receive my MSN in nursing. I dropped out when I found out I was pregnant. Hope to go back in a few years.

[MamaHippo]

Hmmm- in my life I have been: waitress, dry cleaners clerk (where i met my DH), teacher's aide, lingerie store salesgirl (HATED that, except for the discount), grocery checker at Wild Oats ( a very fun job), hospital receptionist, and barn girl at a horse ranch in Masonville, CO (mucked stalls, did morning feed and turnout, medicated and groomed horses, etc. This was my favorite job, up to that point).

I have a BS in Psychology and I was a Nurse Assistant at a residential hospice in Littleton, CO after I graduated. I took care of terminally ill patients at the end of their lives; doing the daily care stuff they were not able to do themselves, like feeding and hygeine, as well as talking to their families about the dying process and comforting them as they transition from life.I also prepared the bodies after death for the mortuaries and handled the transfers. It was very rewarding work and I enjoyed it a lot. I worked full-time until 2 weeks before my son was born, then took 3 months maternity leave, then went back one day a week until my son was 11 months old. Then my mom became seriously ill and is no longer able to care for my son. So I am now home full-time with my little one - which is what I really wanted to do anyways. I really have no desire to do anything else anymore.



Lisa

[gilleoin]

I was a mechanic at a dealership. Before that I had been a grease monkey at a quick-change oil place, a customer service associate, an assist. manager at a shoe store, a cashier, and a fountain girl.

I am currently selling homemade items and my artwork at festivals and soon, online :) I think I like this the best. I get the best of both worlds and hopefully I'll eventually do more than break even :p

[sparkprincess]

Teenager: waitress at an upscale restaurant and then at a diner, office work for a hearing-aid company
Married: medical records clerk at an ENT department, customer service rep for a small para-church organization, admin. assist for same para-church org.

I also answer phones/do office stuff for DH's computer company but not much these days.

I want to become a Bradley instructor and an LLL leader.

[treemom2]

Before graduating college I worked in a Battered Women's shelter on the crisis line and as an on-scene advocate. I also worked for my university's financial aid office for a summer and at (gasp) Wal-Mart for another summer. Oh, and one summer I worked at a canoe outfitter in Minnesota. When I graduated from college I worked in a couple of group homes for mentally ill adults for a while then landed a job in a Mental Hospital working with adults with various mental illnesses. After that my DH and I moved and I got a job as an Elementary School Counselor. Did about 15 hours toward my MS in counseling. Then worked as a Caseworker and Supervisor in a Transitional Living Program for runaway and abused teens. Went back to counseling in a Middle School while also working as a psychometrist in a Neuro-Psych's office until I was about 8 months pregnant. Since giving birth, I've done a couple stints working nights--once for a cellphone company doing customer service and another at a Nursing Home as a CNA. I sometimes get the urge to go back to work after SAHMing for a while, but I always quit and come back home full time with my kids. I really do love being a SAHM.

[Skye's_mama]

I used to work at a Vet clinic till I had our daughter..it was a really fun job..:wink

[LeahMaya]

Hi,
I was a doctor (dh dr to). Don't know if I want to go back or do somthing else, probably somthing else. I am over in the uk. I was workinga lot of ours in A&E sorry ER to you guys and I still find it hard to adjust to the slower pace with kids although I choose to SAHM and love it.
Anyway thats my story
Leah

[ZanZansMommy]

:yeah: DH & I are both doctors. I hope to go back sometime in the future.

[VickV]

I was an account manager when I got pregnant. Before that I was in marketing at a pharmaceutical company, and before that, marketing for IBM. I graduated with an Advertising degree, so I did a year in advertising too.

My favorite job was the vet tech job I had in college. If/when I go back to work, I'll either be doing that or will get my teaching credentials. I've done some freelance writing, as well, so I may start that again someday. But honestly, I've never been more fulfilled than I am as Isabel's mom :love

[britmama3]

I was a lawyer in the UK for 8 years before my eldest son was born. Although I enjoyed my career and worked hard to get where I did I would not trade being with my dc as they grow up for the world.