Workerbee

on February 9, 2010
in All Posts

I woke up extra early today to tackle my To Do List.

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I’ve had some questions recently about what the Husband and I do for a living.  Both of our careers are a little unique so I thought I’d share some details!

 

The Husband is in his last semester of a Master’s program to become a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (basically, this includes acupuncture and herbology).   The Husband has a full day of classes Monday through Wednesday and works in the school’s clinic two nights a week – he needs over 1,000 hours of clinical experience to graduate!  Thursday and Friday, he works as the office manager of his parent’s holistic clinic.

 

Until last September, I worked as an Urban Planner/Technical Writer for a small land development company in California (I worked for the company’s Pennsylvania office and then worked from home when I moved to Florida).  I worked there for 3.5 years.   In September, I secured a book deal through Gotham Books for the Operation Beautiful book (which will be published in August).  I quit my job to write the book, and now I’m self-employed.  I earn a living through doing freelance work (I write non-fiction magazine style articles for a site called Unigo) and the blogs.  I also help run our family’s supplement website.

 

Being my own boss is scary (I don’t have a steady income and pay through the nose for health insurance!), but it’s worth it and fits my personality much better.  Also, due to market conditions, I lived in constant fear of being fired from my old job, and I do NOT miss the stress of layoffs.

 

We are planning to move to Charlotte this summer, and I am going to help the Husband launch his clinic and continue to write.   In a few years, I hope to be a full-time Mommy!  But not anytime soon.  🙂

 

Onwards….

 

Breakfast!

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I woke up this morning CRAVING protein!  That almost never happens in the morning, so I thought I’d honor my hunger.

 

I had a scrambled egg and two Morningstar faux sausages:

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Plus, grapes:

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And some carbs in the form of 1/2 a whole wheat bagel.  🙂

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Now that you have more information on how the Husband and I put doggie kibble in Maggie and James’s bowls, I want to hear about YOUR job.  What’s your job title and what are your responsibilities?  Is this the career you imagined having or a temporary gig?

{ 203 comments }

 

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete February 9, 2010, 8:32 am

    Before my husband and I moved to Germany two years ago, I was a geological engineer in Tucson. Now, I volunteer at least 20 hours a week with the Red Cross teaching indoor cycling on base and am working full time towards my masters in environmental engineering. plus traveling it up! I only have 5 more months left in Europe!!

  • Jenn @ Livewellfit February 9, 2010, 8:34 am

    Morning!
    I recently left my full time job this past fall to pursue an entirely new career. Scared out of my mind? Um, a bit! 🙂 But it’s a good scared. I am now in a full time program to become a certified wellness coach. It took me almost 2 years to decide to make this jump but it has been the best thing I have done YET! I know absolutely no idea what may happen but I’m here and taking a step forward everyday!

    I’m so inspired by all of the work you have done through your blog & Operation Beautiful! You will continue to inspire women everyday!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:50 am

      You can do it!! 🙂

      • Jenn @ Livewellfit February 9, 2010, 9:51 am

        Thank you thank you! It’s been a wild ride so far and I imagine it will only get crazier. 🙂

        I will say this: waking up to do something I love now makes everything else worth it! I hope that everyone experiences that.

  • megan February 9, 2010, 8:35 am

    I’m a web developer for a law firm. It’s a good job, but not my passion. I would love to own a cookie baking company! And be a stay at home mom (in a few years when we have kids)

  • Jojo February 9, 2010, 8:37 am

    I’m getting my Masters in Clinical Psychology. I’m currently on internship at the most amazing private practice in the suburbs of Chicago. It is exactly what I want to be doing and I can’t wait to graduate and get started for real! I also have my own book idea that, unfortunately, I can’t seem to find the time, to put into a proposal. All in good time!!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg February 9, 2010, 8:38 am

    Hey Caitlin– was there a specific reason for Charlotte? Just wondering! My college boyfriend was from Charlotte, and I always loved visiting his family there! It’s such a nice combination of big city/small town!

    I teach composition and creative writing classes at Penn State University, and I teach online composition classes as well. I like this gig now, and it will be even better when we have kids because it’s very flexible and not *too* demanding.

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:51 am

      It just seems like a good place to open a business and start a family!

  • Kate February 9, 2010, 8:40 am

    I recently left my full time management job at Indigo Books & Music (bookstore chain in Canada) to go back to school full time at the local college. I am in a two year program for Office Administration Medical and Legal, and I have many ideas of what I want to do with this (work in a cancer clinic, be a project manager at the university…I have given myself so many options by entering this program).
    I think I was inspired by bloggers to do what I really wanted rather than settle because I didn’t think I had any other options after graduating from university (sounds funny but I think I always knew I would need to get a college diploma to get the job I wanted).
    Thank you for all the work you do on a daily basis, you are an inspiration to me!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:58 am

      thank you for the nice comment 🙂

  • Kristine February 9, 2010, 8:41 am

    I am in a program similar to your husbands where I have classes 3 days a week and work in a clinic the other 2 days. I don’t get paid at all, but it will be worth it in the end. Oh, i’m getting my Doctorate in Audiology. 🙂

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:59 am

      my brother and sister in law are audiologist and they bank – good career choice!

      • Kristine February 9, 2010, 9:01 am

        oh my gosh, you have no idea how much I needed to hear that right now! Haha! It is good to hear about other Audiologists in this world! We are a small field. Thank you!! 🙂

  • Allison February 9, 2010, 8:41 am

    Right now I’m a full time student, but next year I’m going to medical school so I can be a doctor!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet February 9, 2010, 8:41 am

    Your grapes for breakfast look so delish and juicy…I am craving them. Jobs are personal trainer and person who sits at work and does nothing. That’s basically the best way to describe it. 🙂

  • Madeline - Greens and Jeans February 9, 2010, 8:42 am

    I’m currently the Assistant Manager of a cycling and running store in Phoenix. This is definitely not what I want to do but it is a stepping stone for my dream job!

  • Amy February 9, 2010, 8:44 am

    I have a BA in Music, and a minor in French. I had great plans to be a teacher. I did a little supply teaching while in university and quickly realized it wasn’t for me.

    I now work for the canadian gov’t as a contracting and procurement officer. Right now, I’m on a very exciting assignment working on the upcoming g8/g20 summits. Love it!

  • Kalli@fitandfortysomething.com February 9, 2010, 8:44 am

    Thank you for letting us know what you do.

    I am a middle school teacher and have been for 12 years. I just got my masters and hope to get an assistant principal job in the very near future.

    My passion is health and fitness but I feel like I live it daily while I work the “real” job….

  • Marian February 9, 2010, 8:46 am

    Currently an optometry student, but soon-to-be optometrist come 2011, so I sympathize with your husband’s time management skills!

  • Julie February 9, 2010, 8:50 am

    I think what your husband does/will be doing is so fascinating!

    I work with a specialized police unit doing mobile crisis intervention. Basically I drive around in an unmarked police car (well I don’t drive, I sit shotgun!) and we respond to 911 calls involving people in psychiatric distress. Our goal is to work with the people, set them up with mental health treatment, and crisis plan…but sometimes if we think the person is unable to be safe, we emergency petition them to the hospital to get evaluated. It’s the most intense, interesting, fast paced, and fun job I’ve ever had. I always feel tough with my bullet proof vest and police bodyguards 😉

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:59 am

      dude that is an AWESOME job!

  • LeeAnn February 9, 2010, 8:53 am

    I have been reading your blog for awhile now and I wanted to let you know that you are such an inspiration to me! I read your blog every morning to get motivated! Thanks so much! And, you will LOVE being a full time mommy! It’s awesome!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:59 am

      thank you 🙂

  • Neely February 9, 2010, 8:53 am

    I am an affiliate accounts manager for a tech firm. It sucks!

    I am in school (again) to become a radiographer/x-ray tech.

    My dream job would be a cake decorator or bakery owner.

  • Caitlin@TheTwentyFifthYear February 9, 2010, 8:54 am

    Charlotte is a great town – definitely a perfect size to raise a family (which will be the cutest thing ever to see little HTPs running around). I am working in health care management right now but it is definitely not my dream job. While I don’t worry about cutbacks or getting laid off because my company is pretty secure, I do miss writing. I was a reporter for about two years until I just couldn’t afford a living on it anymore. I know that I will get back to it someday and until then, there’s always blogging!

  • alexe @ soyaetchocolat February 9, 2010, 8:55 am

    I currently work as a TV director on a weekend news show but I’m going back to school next September to get my degree in Kinesiology. After 6 years in television production, I’m bored… I now want to become a personal trainer. I’m starting to work as a receptionist in a gym on the week days next Monday! I’m so excited!

  • Eve @ Nutrition by Eve February 9, 2010, 9:00 am

    Being your own boss can totally be scary, but is so worth it! I started my own business (nutrition counseling) in November 2007 and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I love that I can decide how I want to run my business, make my own hours, and really take it to where I want it to be. I can move the business with me wherever I go (we want to move out of NYC to the suburbs in 2 years), I’ll need to start over but at least I’ll have an established name! And I can work part-time when my baby comes in May 🙂 I’m lucky since my husband has a big corporate job, so I don’t need to deal with health insurance stuff. I also really like being able to take care of some personal things during the day and not have to be confined to set hours day to day.

  • Jenny February 9, 2010, 9:02 am

    I really enjoyed hearing more details about you and the Husband’s careers. I think the best part is the WAY you talk about it and think about it. You have a great perspective on things, and I think that is key to be satisfied with your life.

    I’m currently hoping to be admitted to graduate school for neuroscience and/or experimental psychology this fall. However, nothing is for sure yet, but I’m keeping my head held high.

  • M February 9, 2010, 9:02 am

    Civil litigator. Nothing nice to say at the moment!

  • Michele February 9, 2010, 9:03 am

    After many many years of law school, bar study, work in the real world, and then library school, I recently started my awesome new job as a Catalog & Reference Librarian in a law school library.

    Your blog inspires me in many ways. This morning, I’m wondering about time management. So many people seem to accomplish SSOOOOO much throughout the day. I struggle to do everything I want to do and need to do while also making sure I get eight hours of sleep. How do you do it?

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 9:05 am

      my biggest tip is to “triage” your to do list – it is sooo helpful.

      http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2009/11/foodbuzz-awards-and-to-do-triage.html

      • Michele February 9, 2010, 9:10 am

        Thanks for the thought. I tend to do that at work, but it’s time to introduce it to my personal life.

    • Cyclist Kate February 9, 2010, 9:25 am

      I struggle with time management, too…what helps me enormously is making a to-do list the night before on a yellow pad to place on my desk so I can refer to it throughout the day and planning my day out in google calendar. Somehow, seeing where I want to be in my day helps me get motivated to accomplish what I need to accomplish. It’s also kind of fun to look at a to-do list at the end of the day with everything marked off.

      • Michele February 9, 2010, 9:30 am

        Gotta love those yellow pads of paper! 🙂 I surmise even the most organized people struggle with time management. It’s a constant challenge, and I suppose that’s the point. We’re never done. We just have to keep going, and keep marking things off the list. I’d be interested to see if people separate their work lists from their personal lists. When I do make to do lists, I tend to put them together. That way, I see things “for me” mixed in with the things “for work.”

    • Kara February 9, 2010, 10:01 am

      That’s encouraging- I really want to be a law librarian, but don’t know how to pay for the JD! Right now I’m a just a regular librarian : ).

      • Michele February 9, 2010, 10:05 am

        I’d be more than happy to e-mail with you about opportunities in law librarianship… both with and without the JD. It isn’t a requirement for all law librarianship positions. I’d prefer not to post my e-mail address on the site, but I think Caitlin might be able to hook us up. Send her your e-mail address, and maybe we can e-mail.

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com February 9, 2010, 9:03 am

    Interesting work the husband does!
    I’m a student – it’s not what I thought it’d be like at all!! I can’t WAIT to enter the world of work (as what, I have no idea). But I have lots of responsibility too cos I live in my own house – lots o’ cooking and blogging for me!
    And wow at alexe above – a TV director! How cool!!
    I’d love to be a nutritionist actually, but a psychology degree isn’t exactly helpful for that :/

  • ashleigh February 9, 2010, 9:04 am

    You are your husband have such fun/ different careers, it’s nice to see you both going after you dreams and working very hard for them! i want to be a full time mommy someday! I used to be a nanny and i LOVED it and knew that being a full time mommy was what i was destined to do… now i just need to find a husband 🙂

  • Haleigh February 9, 2010, 9:05 am

    Your husband’s job sounds fascinating and unique! At the moment I am doing clerical work but it’s just temporary until I start studying again in August.

  • Carolina John February 9, 2010, 9:06 am

    I liked being self employed, but I found it to be much more stressful than being an employee again. you guys are going to have fun in charlotte.

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers February 9, 2010, 9:06 am

    I love hearing about unique jobs! I work in a dialysis clinic- I like it, but it’s mostly the same thing day in and day out, and most of time is spent writing notes about what I talk to people about. I’m working on finding a way to start working for myself- flexibility of schedule just fits my personality better!!

  • Maura February 9, 2010, 9:06 am

    I just recently graduated from college with a BS in Biotechnology. Now, I work at a hospital in Boston doing cancer research. I absolutely love my job but it is only a temporary position (2yrs, maybe 3 yrs max). I am in the process of applying to medical schools too.

  • Abby February 9, 2010, 9:07 am

    I want to be a full time Mommy, too!!! BUt you’re right..not anytime soon!

  • D February 9, 2010, 9:12 am

    I’m still in university (5 months until the real world) so I work at a part-time gig just to fill time and save up a little…key word being little. I work three days a week at a little diner…and I’m not even sure I have a job title 🙂 In highschool I worked at a French bakery several days a week, whe I think i was a “retail associate”. I had to do EVERYTHING though, so they really should have given me a cooler title. My “retail” responsibilities included working the cashier, making coffee, serving, cleaning, organizing displays, making sandwiches, cookies, spreads, soups, etc, mixing dough, baking bread, making gift baskets, decorating tarts and cakes, filling and delivering personal and wholesale orders, training new staff, prepping stuff for events, etc. Oh, and I had to be “on call” in case of…a bread emergency.

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story February 9, 2010, 9:15 am

    I run a maintenance crew of 2 guys and supervise the maintenance of 400 beach vacation rental homes in coastal NC (about 4 hours from Charlotte!). I think it’s a stop on my journey, an important one, but I don’t think it’s my forever job.

  • meg c. February 9, 2010, 9:15 am

    I just quit my job as a tax accountant to work for a place called Marathon Sports in Boston. it’s a really cool, small, local company that specializes in running shoes and gear. so far I love it and there are amazing people who work there- i feel like we have so much in common!
    everyone is a runner in some regard and the job is amazing so far. i’m so glad i took that giant pay cut to work here, but it’ll probably be temporary as i’m currently applying to grad schools.

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! February 9, 2010, 9:19 am

    I work in Commerical Real Estate as a Assistant Real Estate Manager and I really like my job! I have been in the field for almost 10 years now.

    However, I did not imagine myself doing this for a living……I wanted to be a teacher most of my life, but once I got prego (while in college) I had to get a full time job for insurance reasons and ended up in this field and have been her ever since. =)

  • Christie @ Honoring Health February 9, 2010, 9:21 am

    I work for a prestigious golf club and my title is Administrative Services. I would love to work for myself and am working towards reaching that goal, hopefully in the next couple of years. I would also love to write books and practice at that by blogging 😀

  • Ashley February 9, 2010, 9:21 am

    I’m currently finishing up my undergrad in Health Promotion. This summer I will be interning at a cardiac rehabilitation clinic where people go after they’ve had heart attacks to learn how to exercise and make exercise a life-long thing. It’s so exciting to see people come from almost no quality of life to feeling good enough to actually run for the first time in their life (I may have been moved to tears once or twice)!

    After I get my degree, I will be getting married and then plan on getting my nutrition and wellness and/or sports nutrition certifications. 🙂

  • Allison February 9, 2010, 9:21 am

    I love your blog! You really inspire me to live a cleaner life and to stop “fat talk”.

    I am currently work in HR, but am making a major change and am going back to school to be a teacher.

    I have to admit I am a little sensitive about your “Full Time Mommy”…just because I work outside of the home does not make me any less of a “Full Time Mommy”. Maybe the right phrase would be stay at home? Although you would probably maintain your blog and that would still be work. But I just wanted to point that out because as a first time mom of an 11 month old, I have mom guilt all the time! Work, stay at home, work, stay home, when I was home I felt guilty I wasn’t working and sometimes needed the “me time”. Now that I am working, I feel guilty I am not home. But no matter what I do…I will always be a full time mommy!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 9:23 am

      good point. i won’t stop working at all when i’m a mom – i’ll run the blogs, write, and manage the clinic. but being a mommy is full time regardless of what other things you do – including another full time job 🙂 don’t feel guilty for working… so many moms work and we all turn out just fine! you are probably doing an excellent job!

    • Lauren February 9, 2010, 10:31 am

      I work in HR too, and I am going to go back to school for speech pathology! I’ve been saving up and throwing money toward debt, and I hope to be enrolled fall of 2011. I debated going into teaching as well! Do you feel like you’ve become jaded about HR? I feel like all I do is constantly think about how I can best protect the company when people ask straight-forward questions, listen to people complain (and often they are valid complaints), and enforce policies I don’t agree with that are meant to save the company money…Which would be fine except I understand the bonus structure of my company and I know that while we all took pay cuts, the execs are getting bonuses when the company meets arbitrary goals. There really is no true company-provided “resource” for people working in corporate America, you know? I wish more people understood that…it’s almost like they’re set up for failure when they come to me expecting I will be able to solve problems. And I hate that I feel so strongly. On the bright side, I count my blessings every day that I have had this experience. It made me even stronger in my resolve to find something I would really love.

  • swimsutra February 9, 2010, 9:21 am

    Are you still working on getting your physical therapy degree? (Sorry to be nosy, just curious since you talked about it on the blog a few months ago). 🙂

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 9:24 am

      knew someone would mention that!

      i have been accepted to the program but i just dont know if i will start. if i start, it will be in august 2011 (i deferred a year).

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) February 9, 2010, 9:23 am

    I was just blogging about dream jobs today! 😀 I’m hoping to make a living freelance writing and have a few prospective jobs lined up for when I move back to the US but the dream job would be a full-time travel writer or to work for Travel Channel. That’s the DREAM.

    I like being my own boss. I’d hate going into an office every day from 9-5, or 9-6, or 8-8!

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner February 9, 2010, 9:24 am

    My title is “Asset Manager” and basically I am responsible for overseeing a portfolio of low-income properties all over the country. I have to make sure they are operating ok and visit occasionally, it has nothing to do with my (math) degree and hopefully isn’t forever 😉

  • Ambre February 9, 2010, 9:24 am

    I am a Medical Assistant at a Cardiologist practice. I love my job and (most of 😉 lol) the people I work with. I’ve been working as a Medical Assistant for four years now – and two years ago one of the doctors I worked for (in a bigger office) left the practice, and opened his own and asked me to join. I’m the only M.A. in the office – I bring back patients, do vital signs, review their medications with them, do lab draws, EKG’s, hook up holter monitors and event monitors, take phone calls from patients, fill medications, etc.. I love the job, but I don’t think it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.

    My dream/goal is to go back to school for teaching.. I think I’d enjoy that more, and think it would be more rewarding. 🙂 We’ll see if that happens…I hope so!

  • Aynsley - WrenLife.com February 9, 2010, 9:26 am

    I own a marketing consultancy with two other parters. I’m experiencing my dream of owning a business and with two amazing women,we make a great team!

  • Tricia February 9, 2010, 9:28 am

    Just had to comment that you certainly got out of land development at the right time! My husband has been laid off three times from this field. He is also an urban planner! Very frustrating career choice but he loves it. Thankfully I have a good job and can be the bread winner. I am actually a registered dietitian by trade but there is no real money in that so I am in medical sales. Much more my speed but I do love reading all these healthy blogs out there!

  • Cyclist Kate February 9, 2010, 9:30 am

    I graduated from university in December and am now a “grad special” to the marriage and family therapy program, which means I’m taking classes while I wait to see if I’ve been accepted to the program yet. It’s pretty intense and there’s a lot to learn but I’m very excited to be able to work with people in therapeutic relationships someday.

    Also, I work for a hip little coffee shop three days a week. As much as I sometimes wish I could just do school and lose some of the stress, it’s actually really nice to have a forced break from school pressure a few times per week, and I love my coworkers, so a lot of times it just feels like I’m hanging out with friends (except I go home with money in my pocket).

  • Lauren February 9, 2010, 9:31 am

    Work in NYC in the advertising industry. I got my B.A. in Music Industry and Political Science which led me to get my graduate degree in Communications Strategy. I have been up in the city 3 years this fall. Its been quite a whirlwind and if you asked me 5 years ago that I’d be here in the city, I’d probably laugh at you.

  • Juli D. February 9, 2010, 9:36 am

    I’m a Contract Administrator for an international accounting firm – I basically maintain the databases, assist partners/managers in setting up the work in the system, etc. I went to school to be an elementary teacher, but couldn’t get a regular job and teaching is hard! The work never stopped and stress was intense, and I value my friends/family too much. So I’m not doing something I love, but I’m doing something that keeps me happy, stressfree and with my family. My H is a homebrewer and our pipedream is to open up our own brewery.

  • Kelly February 9, 2010, 9:37 am

    I would give anything to have a job where I could work from home. I work at a major Pharmaceutical company in NJ as a document publisher, have been here for 2.5 years. Basically I stare at pdf files and format them all day. I was a journalism major in college, so this is definitely not where I expected to find myself. I’m hoping to someday have a career more centered on writint (at home!) so I can be an full-time mom.

  • LindsayRuns February 9, 2010, 9:38 am

    I love my day jobs,(subbing at middle school, tutoring, special needs govt paid “babysitting”) but they are definately jobs and not careers. I waffle back and forth between 4 careers, I can’t decide which direction to go in…and I want to be a stay at home mom in a couple years, so the pressure to get going is a little overwhelming…

  • Whitney @ whitinspired.wordpress.com February 9, 2010, 9:39 am

    I’m a staff accountant at a large local CPA firm. I mainly do audits of non-profits and employee benefit plans. I really enjoyed it for the first few years, but now I’m to the point where I don’t want to be doing this forever. I’m not a sit behind a desk for 8 hours kind of girl. I would love to do photography full-time, but you cannot do that overnight and there is I still have to learn.

  • Mellissa February 9, 2010, 9:39 am

    I love reading what everyone does! I am an Account and Marketing Manager for a small company and I love it. I have been at this job about a month and it suits me much better than my previous role at a huge corporation.

  • Grace February 9, 2010, 9:42 am

    I recently discovered your blog. Congrats on the book deal!

    I’m self-employed too, but work for one company and so far it’s pretty steady and secure. Oddly enough, the company I work for is based in Charlotte. Hope you love it there when you eventually move.

  • pen February 9, 2010, 9:44 am

    I’m so impressed by people who are able to be their own bosses. I wouldn’t have the self-discipline…because, like right now I should be doing work…but I’m reading blogs. Le sigh.

    But, I’m an Assistant Public Defender (and despite what my clients think I am actually a real attorney :)). This is one of those, maybe a career, maybe not, deals. I can’t decide yet. The job is absolutely exhausting dealing with murder, sexual assault and the like all day every day. If I learn how to handle it better, emotionally, then maybe a career…otherwise…I’m headed to something that is a little less draining. 🙂

  • Therese February 9, 2010, 9:46 am

    I love hearing about everyone’s jobs and careers! So interesting!!!

    I currently work as a receptionist/invoicing clerk for a company that designs and manufactures point of purchase product displays. It’s extremely dull work. But I’m in school part time to finish my psych degree. I plan to work for myself as a life coach specializing in weight loss as I’ve lost 90lbs and climbing and so I have a unique position in which to do this. I want to help people realize just how exceptional they are, help them to realize what their goals are and help them to achieve them!

  • elliebelle February 9, 2010, 9:48 am

    I am a buyer for a home sewing/hobby catalog. I like my job – but it certainly isn’t the demographic that I love. (our customers are women 55 years+). I love sewing and athletic wear so I wish I could merge those two things…hmm, maybe someday!
    It will be so exciting to see how your move to Charlotte goes! Thanks for the everyday inspiration!

  • laura dishes February 9, 2010, 9:51 am

    I’m a Sales Assistant at a global financial services firm. I work in institutional fixed income, as well as wealth management. I match trades, respond to client’s questions, and make sure all accounts are in good standing. I graduated w/ a degree in Marketing, but oddly enough, have worked in Finance since graduation. 🙂

  • Erin @ Erin Eats and Exercises February 9, 2010, 9:51 am

    I work in sales for a veterinary distributor (its like medical sales but for vets) I graduated with my BS in animal science and wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I knew I didn’t want to go to vet school but I have always loved animals and knew I wanted to work in some sort of animal related field. I was a vet tech for a while in a busy emergency hospital (about 1.5 years) to gain some more hands on experience with small animals (I have a large animal..aka horse..background). I knew I wouldn’t be a lifer there as well. It was very, very stressful and there were many nights I slept on my office floor because we were so busy that I couldn’t go home. One day I got an email from a friend of a friend asking if to interview for the position that I am in today. I jumped at that offer and here I am! Loving my job and still being involved in the veterinary field! …and blogging!

  • Whit February 9, 2010, 9:53 am

    Oh my gosh. The Husband is totally Pete from Private Practice, isn’t he?

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 9:59 am

      HAHAH YES he is!! He totally is!!

      (Does that make me… Violet? Addison? I don’t want to be crazy.)

      • Whit February 9, 2010, 10:17 am

        haha, I think you are ok on that front. Although on the craziness factor I think I’d rather be Addison than Violet.

        • caronae February 9, 2010, 12:47 pm

          If the husband is Pete then I totally love him! And you would be Violet, I think!

  • BethT February 9, 2010, 9:59 am

    I work as a recruiter for a university. It’s ok. I don’t love it. I secretly want to be a stay at home mommy too…maybe I’ll move back to NC and we can start a mommy/blogger/awesome lady club together?

  • Olga @ Healthing It February 9, 2010, 10:00 am

    I loved this post and reading all the comments about what people do! It’s so interesting to learn about a variety of interests and professions.

    I just graduated college a semester early in December with a double major in Journalism and Legal Studies. I just got hired as a reporter for a magazine that covers the health care industry. I hope to stay in a position for a year and then go on to grad school…and then a PhD. I just love learning!

  • Darci February 9, 2010, 10:01 am

    Thanks for sharing!! I was curious why you guys were moving.

    I am the Associate Director of Financial Aid at the community college in my town. It can be very frustrating at times, but also incredibly rewarding when students come back and thank me for helping them get their degree and acheive their goals!

    PS I also am hoping to be a full time mommy one day as well!! 🙂

  • skinnyrunner February 9, 2010, 10:01 am

    i commercial fish in alaska in the summers. its a family thing so i knew i’d get into it, but i didn’t expect to for this many years!
    being self-employed is pretty sweet.

  • Ami February 9, 2010, 10:03 am

    Why do you keep calling him The Husband when we all know his real name now?? LOL

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 10:04 am

      hahah his real name was never a secret! but there are always new readers and they don’t know who Kristien is. easier just to call him Husband than explain everytime. Also, Kristien sounds like a girl. 🙂

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place February 9, 2010, 10:03 am

    You guys have fun careers!

    I’m a television news producer. I live in fear every day that I’ll be laid off. In fact, 100 people at my company were let go last week. I’m glad I wasn’t one of them but know it could happen any day.

    My fiance owns his own production company and does mainly wedding and corporate videography.

  • The Healthy Hostess February 9, 2010, 10:04 am

    I am a third grade teacher but I am going to be a full time mommy soon! April is fast approaching and my belly is growing!
    🙂 I am hoping to work on the blog or do some writing next year, but we will see how busy Baby H keeps me!
    🙂

  • Megan @ Healthy Hoggin February 9, 2010, 10:07 am

    I’m a greeting card illustrator, and I love my job! When I had to move with my husband to Los Angeles, my boss was nice enough to let me continue working for my company from home. I actually miss working in an office environment, though! I love the social and creative energy in my workplace, so I hope we’ll move back someday soon!

    Good luck with your move to Charlotte! How exciting!!

  • Laura February 9, 2010, 10:10 am

    Hi Caitlin! I am a children’s book editor, and I actually work for Penguin! That’s why I was so excited to read that Gotham will be publishing your Operation Beautiful book! I have a really great job, and it’s exactly what I thought I wanted to do all throughout college. My passion, like most of your readers, though, is fitness and nutrition. I am at the point now where I am trying to figure out if it’s enough for me just to pursue these passions on the side through volunteering, etc, or if in order to be fully happy, I need to make a major career change. Though if someone told me I could have whatever job I wanted and be paid the same as what I make right now, I would open a brewery with my boyfriend, who’s an incredibly talented homebrewer. Beer is one of my biggest passions and we always talk about opening a brewery or brewpub either in New York, where we live now, or Pittsburgh, where he grew up!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 10:12 am

      YAY penguin and gotham!!!! do you know miriam at gotham?

  • Kelly February 9, 2010, 10:11 am

    I am a nutrition manager through a gym. But I am also working on getting some frelance writing deals!!

  • chrissy February 9, 2010, 10:20 am

    I’m a librarian at a university and my partner is finishing up his Masters in Environmental Science. Once he graduates, I’d like to go back to school and get my MFA in creative writing – applications are in the mail, so keep your fingers crossed!

  • daisy melo February 9, 2010, 10:21 am

    I work at the Maury Povich Show. You are NOT the father! haha. I do the travel fo rit so I make sure we get these guests in for their paternity tests and cheating spouses. I love it! Every day is different

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 10:22 am

      you win the coolest job award.

      • Morgan February 9, 2010, 3:32 pm

        agree. I bet you have some pretty awesome stories to tell!

  • Avery February 9, 2010, 10:21 am

    I’m in school full time to be a sgin language interpreter! I love it! Can’t wait till I’m finished. Very different from my former job, professional horseback rider!

  • daisy melo February 9, 2010, 10:22 am

    I also have to say I love your blog. I love how its not just about what you eat. You give such a positive message and offer such vital information such as how to buy a bike. thank you for all that you do!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 10:22 am

      thank you so much 🙂

  • Jesse February 9, 2010, 10:26 am

    You are so inspiring! I’m working on making a change in my life ~ but first I need to figure out what is it I want to “do”.

    For now, I’m an admin assistant for a large shipping company and I loathe my job. I thought I would be perfect in this type of a position with my knowledge and experience and expertise in organization but I’m bored and restless and stressed about my future. Like I said, I’m hoping to make some changes this year and I’ve got the gears in motion, but it will be a slow process. If we didn’t rely so much on the paycheck I’m sure I would have quit already.

    I have a BS in business/marketing but I don’t really have the desire to pursue a marketing career. The hardest part about wanting to make a change is trying to figure out what I want to do so I don’t end up in yet another job that I hate in a couple of years.

    Maybe I just need a few more in-between jobs to continue to pay down some debt so I can be a full-time mommy some day too 🙂

  • Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run February 9, 2010, 10:27 am

    Wow that was fun to read everyone’s profession. Great post! I’m a Communications Specialist at a healthcare organization that specialized in medicare and medicaid. It’s a long way from where I started, but it’s working for me right now. I’d like to have kids in the future and am hoping this job will be flexible enough to let me work at home and/or go part-time.

  • Jenna @ EatingGreen, StayingLean February 9, 2010, 10:27 am

    I think it’s SO great that you get to be your own boss! I work at a restaurant temporarily, having just graduated college…but eventually my dream job would be to own a cafe/health food store. So we’ll see, hopefully I’ll win the lottery soon 🙂 haha

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels February 9, 2010, 10:28 am

    Hey Caitlin

    Thank you so much for giving us some personal details. My bf has always wanted to be self employed and I had always wanted to be the big CEO wife. In fact we had always planned that he would take care of our kids when we have them (although years away). Lately I’ve been thinking that self employment might be the way to go for both of us. When you quit your job for your book and freelance writing it was so courageous and maybe down the road I’ll have to find that courage too.

  • Ciorsdah February 9, 2010, 10:31 am

    I’m a PA to teh CFO of an investment bank in the UK, but I’m training to be a fund manager. All my training is paid for and I work regular hours, get time off for exams and study and I also get to do the things I love outside of work because I have such a regular work day!!

    I dance, volunteer and sing all in my free time and I manage to squeeze in training to climb Kilimanjaro in September as well and tempted to start training for a marathon as well.

  • Meredith @ Sweat Every Day February 9, 2010, 10:31 am

    I just graduated from college in December (a semester early!) and now I work for my best friends’ mom. She’s an attorney and I’m a hybrid of a personal assistant & office assistant. I also live with her because she and her husband are like another set of parents to me! This is definitely temporary as I hope to attend graduate school in the Fall for a PhD in Hispanic Lit!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing February 9, 2010, 10:35 am

    I’m a full time editor and also a part time student at culinary school and take a food writing class. I enjoy the people I work with a lot but the job is not something I want to do forever, which is why I am in school also. It is a good deal for now!

  • Laura February 9, 2010, 10:37 am

    I work for a specialty insurance company. I like it, but never once in my life did I think “gosh, you know what would be super? Insurance work”. I still say, even at 25 with 2 children, that I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up 🙂

  • Courtney R. February 9, 2010, 10:41 am

    Wow Charlotte. I live in Greenville NC now (I am the dietitian for ECU) but my parents live in Lincolnton, a small town about 45 minutes away from Charlotte. Small world!

  • Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life February 9, 2010, 10:42 am

    SOunds liek fun!

    My boyfriend is also in Medical school and it is scary to think we are not sure were his residency will be..

    I work for a casino in their corporate office doing finance in NYC. We have casino’s in Vegas, Atlantic City, NJ and Tunica, Mississippi.

  • Beth February 9, 2010, 10:42 am

    I admire you for having the guts to be your own boss!

    I am a software engineer, which is definitely not where I thought I would end up! I graduated two years ago with a degree in electrical engineering. At that time I thought I would get a job in RF design or signal processing. However, the software job kind of fell into my lap and I have found that I really enjoy it! Some day, I would love to combine my passion for software, signal processing, and running…possibly working for a company that makes cool running toys like Garmin!

  • tra February 9, 2010, 10:44 am

    i’m a part time student that is a personal trainer. am thinking about it for a full time career combined with a medical degree/p.a. but i totally never thought i’d be a personal trainer!

  • Lisa February 9, 2010, 10:44 am

    so great to learn more about you! Why have you guys decided to move to Charlotte? Just wondering if there’s a particular reason.

    I used to work in marketing in the music industry but realized over the past few years that my real passion is for health and fitness. I was recently laid off, but I believe it’s for the best because it’s forcing me to make a change in my life and follow my passion. I want to work in marketing for a company that deals with health and fitness issues, hopefully an organization that is working to reduce obesity. If you know of any in the NY area?! 😉

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 10:49 am

      We just think its a good place to start a family and raise a family!

  • Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama February 9, 2010, 10:46 am

    Right now I am a stay at home mom. I am so blessed to have this opportunity but I know this isn’t for me. I do a lot of side projects like quilt and sew, blog and I want to get back into school to do… something. ha! I change what I want to do on a daily basis! I am very passionate about childhood obesity and health so I know it will be in the nutrition and fitness area.

    • Wendy February 9, 2010, 12:22 pm

      I was home full time with my two kids for about 3 years. I loved it, but I know what you mean when you say it’s not for you! Good luck finding your path!

  • Leah @ L4L February 9, 2010, 10:47 am

    Job #1
    My title is Administrative Assistant. My duties entail working for 2 separate financial advising teams in our office and managing calendars for 2 advisors, managing 2 phone lines, filing, prepping for appointments, general client contact, submiting paperwork, etc.

    No, I never saw myself in this position and no, I don’t plan to make it a life long career.

    Job #2
    Sales Associate at Nordstrom

    It’s a part time gig to give me a little additional income. No, I don’t plan to do it full time or permanently but it helps us get through the bills.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) February 9, 2010, 10:47 am

    i’m basically a customer service rep for an alpine ski apparel company. i love the company i work for, not so much the job though. i’d definitely say it’s a temporary thing until I figure out what path i need to take for the long-term. my passions are food, writing, exercise, and an overall healthy lifestyle (as are most of the bloggers on here 🙂 so hopefully i can somehow move into that in the near future!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) February 9, 2010, 10:51 am

    I’m a Lieutenant in The Salvation Army. My official title is commanding officer. Basically it means that Hunni and I run all the ministries and social service out of our location. We write grants, lead bible study, run our food pantry, preach, teach sunday school and kids church, bible study, women’s ministries and anything else we can think of. We also at times are the janitor, bus driver, and cafeteria lady/man. Busy busy but we love it.

  • Marlene February 9, 2010, 10:52 am

    I seem to change careers every two years. I used to work for a Federal Government Agency that gives grants to artists, then quit that to be the Operations Director of a small artist-run-centre, and then I left that job to work in the City Clerk’s Office in my city. I’ve been here for just over a year, and I’m starting to get itchy feet.

    Oh, my degree is in Theatre Performance. I thought I was going to be an actor. Funny how things don’t work out sometimes.

    Right now my dream job would be to run a community centre, or start a B&B.

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) February 9, 2010, 10:54 am

    You story is very unique and pretty awesome, Caitlin:)

    I graduated from ISU in May 2007 with a degree in journalism. I couldn’t find a job in the field, so I instead got a job as a department manager of Von Maur. Six months later, I got an administrative job at a huge insurance company in town, and a year later was promoted to a Project planner. Which is where I am at now.
    I also *just* became an independent trainer at a gym in town part-time, hoping that becomes full-time soon 😉

  • Emmanuelle February 9, 2010, 10:54 am

    I am a Personal Assistant to the CEO of an Events Company working in the fashion industry, my boss is great and the job is OK but that’s not what I love.
    I have this crazy dream of opening a nice place off the city (but not too far… and I don’t even know in which country), you know a place where you can have a cup of tea while reading a good book, oh and there would be some yoga classes from time to time…
    I don’t know if I will ever be able to do that, but I started just yesterday a 4-month evening course in management to refresh a little bit what I learned at university what seems like ages ago. I will (hopefully) be done with it in June, and in September I am starting a yoga teacher training course. I am taking advantage of still having a job that allows me to pay for all this stuff, evening classes and trainings can be sooo expensive!

  • Katharine February 9, 2010, 10:54 am

    My mom is an acupuncturist! (And going to school to follow in her footsteps is something I might do in the future.) At 42, when my parents divorced, she went from being a full-time mom to going to school for acupuncture. I think it’s such a wonderful career, and I totally agree with their philosophy. Anyway, just wanted to share – acupuncture tends to be somewhat unknown. 🙂

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:03 pm

      yay for your mommy!!!

  • katy February 9, 2010, 10:54 am

    i’m the box office manager for a minor league baseball team. i do what you’d expect a box office manager to do (sell tickets) and i also do, oh, everything else – including maintain the team’s website. it’s what i THOUGHT i wanted to do for the rest of my life, but i don’t think so anymore. that all being said, i have no idea what i want to do when i grow up 😉

  • Gracie February 9, 2010, 10:55 am

    I’m a pharmacist and I love it. I get to help people every single day, and usually my job makes me laugh (sarcastically, though). I chose this career because I don’t like taking financial risks – I’m very financially conservative – so I really admire people who have the bravery to freelance or be self-employed!

  • stephanie February 9, 2010, 10:58 am

    I used to be an ICU nurse…which I loved and found so fulfilling. But not nearly as fulfilling as my new job, being a full time Mom and wife! Somehow, a full day at home with a 1 year old is harder than a 12 hour shift in the ICU! I absolutely adore it, love it, cherish it, wouldn’t trade it for millions $$$; being a mom makes my heart sing and I get teary eyed at least once a day with the shear joy of being able to stay home with my babe.

  • Alison February 9, 2010, 11:00 am

    I’m a stay at home mom, which is my ideal job. The pay is lacking, but the benefits are immeasurable. We only have one child, but the neighborhood kids seem to make themselves quite welcome here, so I stay pretty busy. In my former life I did a little of this and a little of that, but at the age of 33, I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. In the meantime, I follow my soldier husband wherever the Army tells us to go, hoping and planning to establish a career (and roots!) one of these days. But in my heart, I’ll always be a mom first.

    My sister lives in Charlotte; it’s a really great city.

    • Alison February 9, 2010, 11:04 am

      I also meant to add that my mom is a writer and did the freelance thing for many years. It was great for her while my sister and I were growing up. However, she sure did hate tax time; the tax laws are brutal to the self employed.

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair February 9, 2010, 11:00 am

    This was an interesting post because I’ve been wondering the same thing! Right now I’m a full-time student and I work part-time in a marketing and PR agency. I will be going full-time there once I’m done school. I also do freelance work on the side!

    I absolutely love my job, but don’t think I’ll be able to do it for more than a few years. Ultimately I really want to do full-time freelance and work from home! Any tips on breaking into freelance writing full-time?!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:04 pm

      Craiglist.com sometimes has great resources for freelances!

  • Kristin February 9, 2010, 11:01 am

    I have a Bachelor’s degree in photography but I am a full time nanny and a part-time digital archivist for a cable company.

    For some reason when I was little I didn’t really believe that I could be whatever I wanted when I grew up.I wanted to work with elephants. I don’t know why I didn’t think that was possible. I love photography and dream of living in Africa, publishing my own photo documentary books but could never stop thinking of elephants and all other animals I love. Last spring I volunteered with a group of elephants for 1 month and since then I feel like it is the only thing that would truly make me happy. I just don’t know how to transition back to school after already having 95,000.00 in school loans.

    You are such an inspiration for taking a leap and a risk to quit your job and write and I wish somehow I could do the same thing with photography and school for zoology. Any zoologist readers out there?

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion February 9, 2010, 11:04 am

    My full-time job is at The Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University. My official title is Assistant to the Associate Dean/ Dean of Accreditation and Administration. I mostly coordinate the School’s Assurance of Learning Efforts. Assurance of Learning basically means are our programs teaching the students what it is supposed to teach them, do they graduate will the skills necessary to have a successful career in what they get their degree in. I also, help with other Accreditation tasks and recently took on helping out the Assistant Dean and Academic Director, Undergraduate Business Programs with various things such as event planning ect.

    My part-time job is at the Bunker Hill Knights of Columbus where I am the function coordinator and am in charge of booking the two halls in the building, managing payment and making sure everything is set up correctly for each event.

    I am also a part-time Grad Student at Suffolk University, which is not actually a “job” per se. I am pursuing and M.Ed in School Counseling and will graduate in May 2012.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople February 9, 2010, 11:06 am

    I currently work at my church in early childhood ministry. I work with kids ages 0-5. I have been volunteering there for a couple of years (and continue to do so) and just for about the past year have been working there. It is fun, but can be frustrating at times and I really would love health insurance! I can’t afford to pay for my own and I don’t work enough to get it from work.

    But I am glad I don’t have to worry about layoffs! My husband is currently laid off for the second time in the last year. He’s in engineering and there just isn’t any work!

    What we REALLY want is to become parents. Been trying for about three years. One day, when it’s right, it’ll happen!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:04 pm

      at least the trying part is fun 🙂 i hope you conceive soon!

  • Lisa February 9, 2010, 11:12 am

    I have my master’s degree in violin performance and I work full time as a violinist and a private lesson instructor. I teach between 20-30 students and I freelance for many events such as weddings and religious ceremonies. I also play with a few non-classical bands in a folk and rock context. Like you, I am self-employed which has its perks, but also its disadvantages. (I hear ya on that health insurance thing!)

  • Krista February 9, 2010, 11:13 am

    I am a payroll administrator for a large school board. Considering I hate math and actually failed it once in high school, I NEVER thought this would be where I’d end up. Do I like it? Not at all, but the pay and benefits are phenomenal so I suck it up. What I *really* wanted to be was a surgical nurse!

  • Stacey February 9, 2010, 11:14 am

    I am a nanny, have been for 4 years now, and I am getting to the point where I am itching for something new! I am on my last year of college, so if I can just hang in there 😀
    Yay! You are moving to Charlotte! I live 20 minutes from Charlotte 🙂
    P.s. Jas and I LOVE the morningstar sausage patties, especially the ones that have maple in them…nom nom nom

  • TC February 9, 2010, 11:16 am

    I work as an Administrative Program Coordinator at a School of Social Work. Basically, a couple of professors are doing a big research project and I coordinate all the nitty gritty details. I like it, but I’m still not sure what I really want to do. I thought this was it, but now I’m not so sure.

    Both of your jobs sound really awesome. I go to an amazing acupuncture place (http://www.phillyacupuncture.com/). It’s a Community Acupuncture Clinic so all patients pay on a sliding scale…a very cool idea! Check it out!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] February 9, 2010, 11:19 am

    I’m an unemployed full-time college student and wish I had some sort of part-time income.

  • Kelly February 9, 2010, 11:20 am

    i am a kindergarten teacher. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I’m definitely sticking with it for now because a secure job is hard to come by, but maybe not forever.

  • Niki@ Niki's Neverending Adventure February 9, 2010, 11:24 am

    I am a nurse!! Surprised there aren’t more nurses out there!! I worked in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for 2 years and LOVED it!! I am now in GRAD school to become a CRNA, AKA nurse anesthetist. Basically the person who puts you to sleep in the OR and makes sure you wake back up!! It’s very exciting and a lot of responsibility! But, it’s what I love and I can’t wait to graduate in Dec. 2011!!

    Great post by the way! Loved reading about everyone’s jobs!!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday February 9, 2010, 11:28 am

    I made a list of things that I want to do with my life and none of them on that list include my current career path. My husband only works part time so I’m stuck here until his job becomes permanent. Then, off to do my own thing! Whatever it is I decide that to be.

  • Angela February 9, 2010, 11:39 am

    Hi Caitlin! This is my first post EVER on your blog, I stumbled onto your site a few months ago and have been reading ever since!

    I’m a nurse in the Orlando area and I work with mainly post-operative patients. I really enjoy my job and schedule (3 12-hr shifts/week), but I have a lot of other interests I wish I had time to pursue: photography, theatre, etc. I eventually plan on going back to school for my masters and becoming a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (I LOVE the elderly).

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:05 pm

      hi angela!! 🙂

  • Beth February 9, 2010, 11:44 am

    I have a Master’s in Public Health and my passion lies in disease prevention…creating materials and planning theory based interventions to prevent such things as HIV and obesity. I used to work in HIV prevention for the Centers for Disease Control and that wasa very rewarding job. However, the contract ran out and now i work for a local hospital in the cancer program ensuring patietns recieve the best possible care as an evaluator–but i don’t like it at all. I am planning to move to charlotte in a couple years too! I used to live in asheville and I love the weather in NC!

  • shannon February 9, 2010, 11:46 am

    I have been a reader of HTP for a while now and want to first and foremost say thank you for being a great example of healthy, balanced living for me and so many others.

    I found your post today really interesting and out of curiosity I clicked on the link you provided for your family’s supplement company and looked around a little bit. I have to say that I was pretty surprised to see advertised on the blog part of the website a product that can help you “drop two dress/pant sizes in two weeks without going to the gym!” and “perfect for the busy housewife or executive who does not have the time for complicated diets or regular exercise programs.” This seems so antithetical to the healthy lifestyle that you are promoting through your own blogs. I hope that I don’t sound critical by pointing this out, but I am very interested to hear how you feel about these products and their claims.

    By the way, I work as a pediatric nurse. Some days I love my job and some days I wish I did something completely different (but what?). Most of the time, though, I think I found just the right job for me.

    Thanks again for all you do!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:06 pm

      I do not write those posts, my father in law does, and the diet actually does work for the people who use it (including my mother in law, who lost 15 pounds and kept it off). I certainly do not agree with everything they sell for my personal usage, but it has worked for others.

  • Jen @ VegetarianInTraining February 9, 2010, 11:46 am

    My title is Quality Control Chemist. I do testing for a small medical device company. We make cancer treatments. I make sure everything is safe and sterile when it leaves our facility. Not exactly what I trained to do (I have a Masters in Plant Pathology) but it’s a good job, and the people I work with are fantastic, so I can overlook the lack of plants. 🙂

  • Susan - Nurse on the Run February 9, 2010, 11:56 am

    I’m a nurse! I looked through all the comments looking for nurses…I thought there would be more! Anyway, my main floor is a medical/surgical/oncology/hospice floor (aka EVERYTHING), but we float to telemetry (floors with patients with heart monitors) all the time. I think I like nursing (maybe), but I hate where I work!! I don’t know which direction I want to take, but I either want to be a nurse practitioner (need to get a masters degree) or do something with health promotion. I like the idea of keeping people healthy versus taking care of them once it is too late!

  • Nicole, RD February 9, 2010, 12:07 pm

    I’m a Registered Dietitian working in diabetes. I love my job and for now, wouldn’t change a thing! I would, however, like to write and ease into that career if and when we begin a family. I’d love to be home with my lil ones!

  • Lisa February 9, 2010, 12:11 pm

    I am an actress, so I can sympathize with you regarding the unsteady pay check and pay out of my butt with health insurance, but well worth it. I am currently the title role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. I have been blessed to be what we call a ‘working’ actor since I graduated college in spring ’08. My job is amazing, I travel all over the country performing with different regional theatres, and national tours, while in and out of nyc. Hopefully to be there for good in a short while. Love your blog caitlin, you never cease to inspire me 🙂

  • Heather February 9, 2010, 12:11 pm

    I teach 5th grade at at private school and coach basketball. I love the holidays but want to eventually be a full time mommy when we have kids!

    your grapes are making my mouth water! I ahvent had grapes in awhile.

  • Wendy February 9, 2010, 12:13 pm

    My job situation is in a transitional state right at the moment, so I’ll give you a quick history…I have BS and MS degrees in Animal Sciences with an emphasis in Dairy Cow Nutrition. After I finished grad school, my husband and I moved to GA to work for a large dairy farm. I was the calf manager there. After a year, we moved back to my hometown in MO to work on my family’s moderately-sized dairy farm. I worked as calf & heifer manager, and kept the farms records/books/accounts. When my daughter was born about a year after that (I worked on the farm up until the day I went into labor!), I quit working on the farm to be a full-time mommy, but continued to do the farm’s books from home. I had my son 2 years later, and when he was about a year old, I went back to work on the farm part-time. About a year after THAT, I was approached by the HS principal in my hometown b/c the science teacher was getting ready to retire and he wanted me to come teach chemistry & phsyics there. Now, a year later, I am deep into the process of earning my teacher certification and license, which involves lots of studying & substitute teaching. Though I miss working with cows and calves, I am really, really excited to start my teaching career next fall!

    So, I guess my current job title is Mommy/Bookkeeper/Part-Time Dairy Farmer/Student/Substitute Teacher 🙂

  • Kelly February 9, 2010, 12:24 pm

    Hi Caitlin,
    I work for Structure House, a residential weight loss program in Durham, NC. I love my job because I get to interact with people everyday on different parts of their weight loss journey. It’s an extremely inspiring place to work when I get to meet and hear from people who have lost 100 pounds or more, doing most of the work at home like most of us have to do. I work in internet marketing, so part of my job is going to blogs like yours and interacting with people about what’s working for them and if I can be of any help, then I try to do so. Eventually I would like to start a blog so I’m really glad there’s so many great ones like yours out there for me to get inspired by!

  • Sarah February 9, 2010, 12:25 pm

    I just wanted to drop a suggestion for something to look into for health care (and maybe you already have). My husband is self-employed and on a Health Savings Account. These don’t work for everyone but it’s great for him. Basically he has a really high deductible (e.g. cheap!) insurance policy PLUS a health savings account. The high deductible policy is mostly for the unlikely major catastrophe (max $2000 out of pocket in one year) but it also provides just $20 co-pay on regular doctor visits. The HSA is a savings account really similar to an IRA but it’s for health related expenses only (and it’s PRE-tax!). So basically, where he used to spend over $150/month on a regular insurance plan, now he pays about half that and puts the rest into the savings account, which means we get to KEEP that money if it goes unused (for retirement eventually). The funny part is, if we have a major car accident or something, he will likely end up spending less than I will on my employer provided typical insurance policy.

    Just an FYI if you didn’t know. These don’t work for everyone but if you don’t have a lot of doctor visits it might be something to look into. (I know you had some major tests done recently so maybe not? Just FYI, we’ve struggled with self-employed insurance for a long time before discovering the HSA deal.)

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:30 pm

      thank you for the info! i used to have an HSA through my employer – maybe i should look into it again.

  • Niki (Running in Pink) February 9, 2010, 12:29 pm

    I’m a physical therapist now, and I love my job, but it took a few years of undergrad before I knew what I wanted to do as a career. After my husband and I have our baby in August, it would be great to just be a stay-at-home mommy, but when I think about all the years and money I put into getting my degree, there is no way I could give up my career after only practicing for a year!

  • Andrea @ Run, Eat, Date, Sleep February 9, 2010, 12:30 pm

    I work as a mortgage loan officer and processor at my family’s mortgage company in Delaware. I’ve recently been given the task of starting a branch of our company in Orlando, Florida. It should be open by summer. For a while, I’ll be running the office by myself and will be my own boss. Ack!!!

    That’s pretty awesome you’re moving to Charlotte! Maybe I’ll get to meet you in Orlando before you move.

  • Juli @ BlessMyHeart February 9, 2010, 12:31 pm

    I’m a middle school band director and my husband is a graphic designer. We are saving his paycheck as much as possible so that he may go out on his own next year. He’s not going to be happy until he is his own boss.

  • Sarah February 9, 2010, 12:36 pm

    Workerbee, I envy you! I love it when I get up early and get loads done. Unfortunately I’m in a funk at the moment and can’t get up at a decent hour, never mind early!

    I love the idea of being my own boss and it’s something I’m working towards doing, I hope. At the moment I’m doing my Masters, which is FREE and I live at home, so a job isn’t all-important to me yet.

    I’m really grateful to be in a position where I don’t have to work at a job I don’t like, and can take the time to figure out what I want to do with my life. At the moment I’m teaching English as a foreign language (with an emphasis on conversational English) privately. I also occasionaly freelance as a translator and proof-reader, but I really need to expand my client base in these areas.

    I’d also like to try freelance writing, but I’m not sure how to go about it. If you’ve any tips, I’d really appreciate them, although I know how busy you are!

  • Kt F @ ThroughTheFinish February 9, 2010, 12:43 pm

    As far as an income goes, I am currently unemployed and living off my credit card and random babysitting jobs. I KNOW this is terrible. I can’t find a job =( But I’m also a (one credit short of full-time) student and will, GOD-WILLING, be in nursing school full-time starting next semester. I want to be a nurse practitioner long term! I can’t wait to get into clinicals!

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 12:45 pm

      Living off your credit cards isn’t terrible if that’s what you have to do – just don’t get in over your head and charge unnecessary things (which i’m sure you aren’t). i lived off credit cards all through college and now i’m 100% debt free and have excellent credit. it can work if you are responsible with it!

      • Kt F @ ThroughTheFinish February 9, 2010, 1:07 pm

        I try to be careful, but I have been known to be a little impulsive at, say, Target! Haha, no I try really hard to be careful. It’s just stressful to watch the bill go up over the semester… seems to correlate with my blood pressure 😉

  • Ashley @ Good Taste. Healthy Me February 9, 2010, 12:47 pm

    I’m Product Development Manager and basically I handle all the new vendor accounts and new products we offer. I assist with our catalog compilation, as well as pricing updates etc. It’s definitely not glamorous but I’m happy to have a job and enjoy the people I work with. I hope to get a job something nutrition/diet field related in a few years….but we’ll see!

  • Steffi February 9, 2010, 12:51 pm

    I work for Energy Management firm here in Phoenix for past 9 months, and I am a Rebate Analyst…I help research and process rebates for retailer and restaurants who use energy efficienct lighting and HVAC and Energy Star equipment.

    Its been an interesting journey for me! I used to be in retail construction management, traveling the country, checking on my sites, and I thought I would be lifer until I was laid off last January and it was HUGE awakening, that construction IS NOT A STEADY FIELD. Also was rude awakening was that I am not indestructable. I was finishing up last 2 weeks training for half marathon, doing AMAZING, and injured myself(runner’s knee, IT Band tendinosis) on my last 12 mile run before I began tapering. So not only was I laid off, I was laid up! The time off allowed me to go full time to PT and to do some things I wanted to do at home. But being injured definitely put things more into prospective and was bit humbling.

    I lucked out and just before my severance ran out, I secured job with my former employeer’s energy managment firm on a great referral only! There was no job even posted.

    I love my new field and was able to apply my past 10 years expereince in construction. It is very exciting and rebates is all in news and topic of Obama’s speech few weeks ago.

    I am also getting my certification to be nutritional consultant. I used to be personal trainer in the 90s, but never maintained my certification with classes, but sure would love to do it again..very competitive her in AZ though.

  • caronae February 9, 2010, 12:53 pm

    I’m a student and I work part time in an oral history archive. I LOVE it! I basically get to read/edit/process people’s life stories every day. It’s amazing. I learn new things about history every day, and I never get bored because the projects I work on range in topic. One day I might be reading about early United Nations history and the next day I might be reading about FDR’s New Deal agencies. It’s great.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing February 9, 2010, 12:59 pm

    Your jobs are so unique! I would love love to be my own boss.

    I am a full-time student with a part time job at an afterschool program where I currently work with kindergarten and 1st graders. I LOVE my job. No, it’s not permanent but I’d love work with kids (just NOT teaching) somehow but I’m not sure yet. Maybe open a nursery? I’ll be graduating with a business degree, by the way. I tried teaching and it was just not for me.

  • Laura Georgina February 9, 2010, 1:03 pm

    I’m a research assistant at an university, where I work on grant applications and funding projects (in theory). In practice, I’m a glorified secretary. There’s nothing wrong with secretary work, but it’s not what I signed up for at ALL! I REALLY hate my job and my office is really unfriendly.

    However, I’m grateful that I’ve had this (bad) experience because it has made me resolve to change careers and get out of university administration (which I didn’t plan on doing but just was convenient–I have an MA in English). I’ll be quitting in a few months and either going back for a degree in International Relations or working full-time for a newswire service (where I currently work part-time from home at night).

    Whew! What a mouthful. I REALLY love seeing what other people do–so interesting, and it’s nice to see that other people are in the same career shift boat as me!

  • Tiffany February 9, 2010, 1:12 pm

    Your husband’s job sounds very interesting AND fun! I am currently in my last semester of getting my Master’s in Communication, and I have an internship working on my university’s alumni magazine, as well as a part time job with my old internship doing odd jobs. In a couple of weeks, I am starting another part time job doing cognitive brain training. I’m not sure where I’m expecting to end up with all of this, but the jobs are really just to make some extra money, seeing as my internship is unpaid. I’m enjoying the communications/editorial aspect of my internship and degree program, so maybe that’s what I’ll get into after I graduate. However, if I could be in any field, I would go into Market Research. It’s hard, though, as it is a small niche industry. I can hope, though. 🙂

  • Marisa (Loser for Life) February 9, 2010, 1:18 pm

    Wow, how cool to hear what everyone does for a living!

    I am a Child Rearing Specialist (aka stay at home mom):) It pays diddly and my kids probably want to have me fired sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

    BK (before kids), I owned and operated a nail and skin care salon. Never know it by the looks of my nails now… 🙂

  • Angela (The Lady Loves to Eat) February 9, 2010, 1:19 pm

    I’m a Starbucks barista and it sucks haha. I’ve worked for Starbucks for almost 5 years, it’s a really hard place to leave because the pay is great and so are the benefits. I’m just not really sure what I want to do career wise at this point in my life I have lots of things that I wish I could do as a career but I’m just not sure how profitable it would be.

  • Allie February 9, 2010, 1:34 pm

    I love Charlotte! My Nana lives there and it’s one of my favorite places to visit.

    I work in an entry level position at a production company (we make commercials) in L.A. That’s fine for right now, because I just got to L.A. a few months ago. It’s definitely on track towards my dream job!

    The husband is getting his PhD in Marketing right now. Again, on track to his dream job. Couldn’t ask for much more than that!

  • Sarah February 9, 2010, 1:52 pm

    This was incredibly interesting! You always get the best conversations going on your blog, Caitlin!

    I am working 2 days a week as a nanny while I finish up my last year of my Master’s in Public Health. I also intern at a nonprofit organization that does gender-specific outreach to youth in public schools and in the community, focusing on violence prevention, self-esteem and positive peer relationships, health and well being, and leadership development. In addition to our youth programming, we also offer programming and seminars for adults (parents, teachers, community members) who care about teens. I am really passionate about what they are doing and I hope it could turn into a full time position for me after I graduate 🙂

  • Matt February 9, 2010, 1:53 pm

    I am a “support staff member” at the weight room in the aquatics center. I basically just sit there and swipe people in while doing homework/facebooking 😉

  • Angie (Losing It and Loving It) February 9, 2010, 2:03 pm

    Oh breakfast looks great! Yum!

    It was great getting to know more about the two of you. As for me, I work from home as an affiliate/Internet marketer and blogger plus I am a Virtual Assistant and do various tasks for other business owners. I love having my own business..it’s definitely not a temporary gig.

  • Catherine February 9, 2010, 2:05 pm

    I’m a private equity insurance broker – dealing specifically with mergers & acquisitions. Clearly new deals are a bit hard to come by right now, so even though this isn’t my dream job, I’m absolutely sticking with is because lots of similar companies are not doing so well so I’d be hard-up to find another job in my industry! Then again… if I lost my job I’d go do the exact opposite and follow my dream of being a caterer/nutritionist. In fact, I’m actually starting classes soon at culinary school in NYC after work in case I do in fact decide to get outta corporate America. 🙂

  • Ellen Collis February 9, 2010, 2:20 pm

    Oh wow, loaded question for me since I lost my FT job over the summer. I’m a magazine writer/reporter, working freelance from home. I’ve worked for some great mags, but sometimes so much time goes by in between assignments, I’m not sure if I’m still ALLOWED to call myself a writer. I do though. I’m also a professional ice cream eater. Yeah…really good at it 😉

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Cassie February 9, 2010, 2:53 pm

    i’m an auditor for a big 4 accounting firm. it’s tiring, but i do enjoy the challenge of doing something different every day. i can’t see myself doing it forever – hopefully one day i’ll join the ranks of the stay-at-home mommy too! not for a loooooong time though 😉

  • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness February 9, 2010, 3:54 pm

    I am the marketing manager for a non-profit foundation that runs three major concert venues in Milwaukee 🙂 In a nutshell, I plan the marketing for each individual show that we do (300+ per year!). It’s awesome to get to work with so many different artists, see all of the concerts for free, and sometimes get a catered dinner backstage. There are definitely stressful moments and it’s high-pressure all the time, but I do feel like I am living the rock n’ roll dream 🙂
    I blog about some aspects – check me out at http://lauramke.blogspot.com

  • Emily @ The Front Burner Blog February 9, 2010, 4:05 pm

    Caitlin, I can’t wait for you to move to Charlotte!! You will have to join me and Kath for HOT YOGA on Saturday mornings – it is awesome 🙂 Next time you come up for a visit to scope out the city, we should plan to do lunch!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write February 9, 2010, 4:18 pm

    Wow. People liked this question!

    I’m a freelance writer. I write corporate marketing, and I’m also writing a book about my weight loss experience.

    This is definitely the life I imagined.

  • Nicci@NIftyEats February 9, 2010, 4:55 pm

    I’m actually working two positions now: Exec Admin Assistant and Intake Specialist for a Governemnt Agency. I went to school for Nursing but switched to Business, then went back to Nursing. Then I became a Radiology Tech but I’m not using it at this time. I keep the license current so I can always work as a Tech.

  • Maria February 9, 2010, 5:54 pm

    To be completely honest I despise my job. Some mornings it’s hard to get up and drag myself their, but I took it over a year and a half ago because I needed a job. It’s a private preschool (funded by a prestigious university here in St Louis) near my house and my daughter attends. My oldest daughter used to before starting kindergarten. Originally I was hired to revamp the nutrition program, but that has yet to happen and I basically am a prep cook. I get a decent discount for my daughter’s tuition but work under a woman who thinks that premade frozen food being thawed out and served is cooking.
    I also am a healthy living blogger and writing has ALWAYS been my passion. I used to dream about writing for the Tribune and the Times when I was in school, but life took unexpected turns and having a baby before finishing college made things hard. Now you have to have a college degree to get ahead, but you can’t get ahead if you have babies at home. Things will work out someday…

  • Kimberly February 9, 2010, 7:31 pm

    I recently quit my first “real” (post-grad) job in marketing to pursue a Masters and later a PhD in Linguistics. I’m not sure what I plan to do with it quite yet (options include teaching, working for the government or large corporation, law, publishing etc.), but I just wanted to study something I was interested in. My dream job is to be a Book Editor; however, publishing is a really hard field to break in to!

  • Jen February 9, 2010, 7:48 pm

    Your hubby’s career sounds cool! My husband is a chiropractor here in Charlotte. Bet they’d have a lot to talk about 😉

    I’m a medical writer for a large health insurance company. I research medical journals all day long and “translate” them into consumer articles. I LOVE my job. It’s exactly what I went to grad school for. And I work from home full time. But being a work at home mommy would be my true dream!

  • MyThy as in "Mighty" February 9, 2010, 8:40 pm

    I’ve been a dedicated reader since HTP was SBR (See Bride Run). What a fun topic. I love how you are such an inspiration to many women out there, especially with Operation Beautiful. I emailed your blog to my lil’ sis who’s at Mount Holoyoke College in South Hadley, MA and she said they were discussing OB during their philosophy lecture!

    This is a great topic. I loved reading about what kind of jobs your readers have. Such a variety! See how you draw us all together Caitlin? 😉

    I am currently an unemployed “new” RN Grad. I graduated in May but am finding it difficult to land a job in ANY hospital. HR and RN recruiters cliam that budget cuts have forced them limit how many new grads they can accept (20 instead of 40-50) or they’ve decreased the program from twice instead of 3-4 times of year. Sucks b/c I feel like I’m forgetting all the nursing skills I learned!

    So far I’m job-hunting and volunteering at the local free clinic to stay up-to-date with my clinical skills and make contacts with the Physicians/Nurse Practitioners/Pharmacists that volunteer their time as well (aka, smooze). I’m living off my credit cards and the dedicated fiance. He’s got the job all his friends would push him off a cliff for: Senior editor at Road and Track Magazine (aka, drives fun cars and writes about them).

    • Caitlin February 9, 2010, 8:46 pm

      Thank you for being such a dedicated reader!!! I appreciate that so much.

      And sooooooooooo cool about your little sister! I hope the philosophy class said nice things. 🙂

      Good luck with your job hunt!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 9, 2010, 8:53 pm

    I am a grade 7/8 teacher. I just finished my second degree (in psychology) and am starting my master’s in ed psych in the fall. I eventually want to teach at the University.

    My husband is an architectural technologist.

  • Alicia February 9, 2010, 8:53 pm

    I am the Director of Special Events for a local non-profit. I LOVE my job and am very blessed to have found it in this job market. I just started in January in my new position, where I plan food & wine events that raise money for the organization. These events have guest counts of over 1000 people, with over 25 restaurants & wineries providing food & beverage. It’s a food blogger’s dream day job in my opinion!

  • Nic February 9, 2010, 8:55 pm

    Caitlin, you ask the best questions! I loved reading all these responses.
    I work in Bank Operations…not fun…not interesting.
    I’ve decided that my dream job would be to get paid for reading Healthy Living blogs all day. Or editing them…or reviewing them…;)

  • Kristin February 9, 2010, 9:21 pm

    From nine to five, I am a Project Manager for an offshore subsidiary of a global bank. It’s more interesting than it sounds!

    After five and on weekends, I’m a photographer and I’m about to start a program to become a holistic nutritionist. I’m hoping that those two will eventually become my two main careers. For now, the other is what puts money in the bank!

  • Erin February 9, 2010, 9:27 pm

    I’m a web developer for a technology start-up. Since I realized that rock star and actress weren’t going to work out a quite an early age, this is what I have wanted to do. 😀

  • Jaclyn February 10, 2010, 3:50 am

    full-time student and i would have to say its a temporary position…the pay isn’t great lol 😉

    • Caitlin February 10, 2010, 9:02 am

      this made me LOL

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope February 10, 2010, 4:41 am

    ICU RN. ’nuff said.

  • Ally February 10, 2010, 5:09 am

    Caitlin, I’m intrigued by the whole Technical Writer/Urban Planner thing – how do they fit together, or were they two different roles you were lumped with?

    I’m the Communications Coordinator of a science-based research centre, so my job is a mix of marketing, public relations, and writing/editing. It’s sort of what I imagined myself doing, but on a less fancy scale 🙂 Our office is small and we have a small team so we usually run around in jeans and flip flops. I want to wear suits in a fancy office building! One day.

  • megan February 10, 2010, 6:07 am

    I am a lawyer . . . blah. Definitely not my passion but it pays my massive student loan bills. Someday I hope to leave the practice of law and find a career that incorporates more creativity and flexibility. I’d love to have kids too. Honestly, your situation is pretty much what I hope for (although I totally understand the challenges). Way to make it happen Caitlin!

  • megan February 10, 2010, 6:07 am

    I am a lawyer . . . blah. Definitely not my passion but it pays my massive student loan bills. Someday I hope to leave the practice of law and find a career that incorporates more creativity and flexibility. I’d love to have kids too. Honestly, your situation is pretty much what I hope for (although I totally understand the challenges). Way to make it happen Caitlin!

  • Suzanne February 10, 2010, 7:50 am

    I’m a full time Multimedia Production technician which involves making everyone look ‘perfect’ in Photoshop for newspapers and magazines!(I know you will hate my job Caitlin!)
    I would love to be a stay at home mum to my 3 year old!

  • Anna February 10, 2010, 8:37 am

    I am… a student. How exciting!

    But in the past, I’ve worked in the fields of a small organic farm, at lululemon athletica, and 2 office-based internships in which I got to do a lot of writing that got published. But really, I have no idea what I want to do for a living. All I know is that I’m interested in environmental issues and health/nutrition and that writing is my strength. I also know that I will do anything to avoid being chained to a desk for 8+ hours a day. Soo… not sure how those pieces will all fit together but I have faith! Especially after reading about everyone else’s fascinating and diverse jobs.

  • Emily Eats and Exercises February 10, 2010, 9:05 am

    I am a classical musician. I am also self employed (ahhh. Health insurance!) but I do a combination of free lance performing and teaching violin and viola to students. I love playing music and um glad I followed my dreams but it can be stressful at times – financially and schedule wise.

  • Nicole (dishin') February 10, 2010, 9:29 am

    I am a global program manager for a software company. I pretty much handle all the training, marketing campaigns and employee communication for sales. It’s an okay position and hopefully I’m on the right track to my dream job. I have my master’s in communication management and love employee communications, employee recognition and social responsibility stuff! Dorky, huh?

  • Melissa February 11, 2010, 1:08 pm

    I’m a college student transitioning into relying more on my freelance work. I write regular articles for a business newsletter, and I just got my first big corporate logo design gig last week. It’s slowly becoming something I can rely on, and I can’t wait till it gets to the point that I can quit my data entry day job (not very exciting, to say the least.)

    I can’t wait till I’m making a living as a writer/designer. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of!

  • Danielle February 12, 2010, 10:17 pm

    I always wanted to be either a virolgist or a geneticist and work as a researcher for the CDC. After working in a lab in college under a professor that I didn’t like I decided to become a middle school science teacher instead. I don’t know that I’ll teach middle school forever but I do see myself staying in the field in some capacity (teaching HS, college or working in curriculum) until I can retire. I do still have dreams of working in a lab again, but I have a feeling that it won’t be nearly as fulfilling for me after teaching. There is something about seeing that *spark* in a student that I think I would miss if I ever left the classroom.

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