Week four prompt: A life list of jobs you have had – from a newspaper route to babysitting to marketing manager, tour guide to waitress – what have you been up to all these years?
I left school in year 12 and went to New Zealand for a holiday. I came back all refreshed and ready to job hunt in earnest.
First job – I sat the public service exam and was accepted. I was placed in the education department, working in Brisbane city. I worked for the then ‘Planning and Statistical Services, Education Department’. This was quite a mouthful for those times that I answered the phone. I was an admin assistant and basically just used the computer to type up everyone’s letters and did a whole lot of filing and even more photocopying.
I did spend about 8 weeks working for the Education Minister, on the top floor of Education House. For a very shy and nervous 17 year old, I actually loved it.
My next job was at the Western Australian Cricket Association as a Secretary and Receptionist. The best part of the job was being there when the cricket matches and footy matches were on; being able to use the gym; and climbing to the top of the light tower once.
My next job was for Midland TAFE in Western Australia. I was a support person. This job was made somewhat bearable by a lovely lady called Maureen. I would eat my lunch up in her little area, and she chattered about everything and anything.
Interspersed between these jobs have been literally hundreds of temping jobs. I have been here, there and everywhere doing office work.
For a little while there I did Mystery shops. Sometimes up to three a day. McDonalds, Bottle Shops, Jewellery shops, Coles, Boost Juice, Banks, Furniture shops, and the list goes on. It was lots of fun, but I found that the running around to different places used a whole lot more petrol than it was worth. This was especially true if you were just paid in a meal or a juice.
Now I am a stay at home mom to my four children, and I have to say that this job is the most satisfying and the most enjoyable job for me.
Melanie
