After reading my friend Kat’s blog yesterday, it got me thinking about work. She mentioned that because of the varied nature of her work, few folk actually knew what she did for a living. I too find myself with the very same predicament. Having had many different jobs in the past 15 years I can understand why people get confused, and why some don’t even bother to ask any more. So here, for anyone interested, is a brief history of my career. And if I’ve missed any, be sure to let me know!
1. Paper Shredder. Aged 13 I was in charge of shredding confidential documents in a factory. Great money but incredibly tedious.
2. Cream Girl. Still aged 13 I progressed onto selling bacon, yoghurt and, of course, cream door to door. Rubbish money but was good exercise.
3. Cafe/shop girl. I volunteered with the WRVS at 15 and was in charge of running a small shop and cafe in a busy hospital on Sunday afternoons. Great banter with patients and visitors. No money but great experience.
Tunnocks shopgirls
4. Bakery shop assistant. LOVED this job! I worked for 5 years in Tunnocks bakery every Saturday whilst at school/college.
5. Cloakroom attendant. Working in a nightclub at 16 was an inspired idea. Getting paid to enjoy all the fun, music and banter with no hangover. Sadly it all ended when the drugs squad raided one night and the management went on the run. Fun while it lasted.
6. Biscuit Factory. This was a summer job whilst I was at college. A proper factory job. Wore off the fingerprints on my pinky fingers by repeatedly lifting hot biscuits onto trays. They’ve grown back now though.
7. Call centre. Another summer job. I think I had one of the best call centre jobs on offer as all I had to do was call and welcome people to internet banking. Plus we had numerous fancy dress nights, learned circus skills and had free ice lollies and juice!
8. Pizza Hut. Briefly, after leaving college, I was still working 2 days a week in the bakery shop and was also signing on to top up my income. Feeling desperate, I took a job at pizza hut. I hated it. I was saved in the second week by a phone call out of the blue asking me to interview for……
9. ……Drama assistant. I started off helping with one class. By the summer I was working with 8 groups and was promoted to…..
10. …..Drama workshop director. I had great fun and really enjoyed working with young people. During my time I worked with some scary people, but this led me to making some wonderful friends!
SF2005
Being a drama workshop director was my main job for a few years. I did do lots of other work at the same time…
11. Keyboard tutor. A strange appointment as I can’t really play the keyboard. However, I can read music and help others to play. A definite case of those who can’t do – teach!
12. Dance tutor. I taught a weekly stretch & flex class to a group of 70 year olds. Fun, fun, fun!
13. Playscheme worker. Helped to provide relaxed yet fun out of school care/facilities for young people with a wide range of disabilities such as Downs Syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. Did this with my lovely big sister.
14. Face painter. I was sent to various festivals, events and fun days to paint faces. My specialities were tigers and butterflies.
15. Flower festival staff. Did various jobs including face painting, ticket sales, organising school groups and dressing up as characters such as yoda and a caterpillar.
16. Freelance drama workshop director. I worked regularly with groups in Ayr and some in Paisley. Great money but lots of travelling.
2006 Resi Staff
17. Resi staff. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Being a member of resi staff had it all. Worked with many memorable people and made some amazing friends. Summer 2006 was a particular highlight 
18. Workshop assistant. I learned so many new games from assisting with other drama tutors. Met some great people and a few not so great people.
19. Conference staff. Mainly dealing with buffets. Had some delicious free lunches!
20. Play safe Glasgow. I delivered loads of workshops to staff in Glasgow about how to have a happy yet safe night out in town during the Christmas party season. Great fun.
In the midst of all these jobs I started some regular work which I am still doing today.
21. Studio guest. I volunteer with Insight Radio two days a week as a guest on two different news based radio shows. Fantastic experience, great laugh and still as much fun as it ever was.
22. Peer Educator. I deliver health based workshops to young people in youth groups, schools and community settings. We work with a group of volunteers and we also run a young person’s sexual health clinic.
And that’s the lot! Well for now anyway…
Laura, you have such a wealth of experience, and such great perspective on every situation, you are destined to have a great career – wherever that may be!
I’m very lucky to be in two of your three photos, and know what an amazing time I’ve had alongside you; here’s to more fun and hilarity in the future, and some personal satisfaction!
xXx
By: Debbie on August 16, 2010
at 11:41 pm