What Do You Do For A Living? *Photo Heavy*

[beardo]

It'd nice to be out in the garden on weekends and getting paid for it. I get to hang around dirty railway lines in the city and yes the taxman bends me over for it too

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Ok, my turn....

Started off my working career as an apprentice electrical mechanic with a local group training organisation. Was sub-hired to what was then the Australian Construction Services based at the RAAF Base at East Sale, where I was employed doing all sorts of routine maintenance and project works, from domestic to light industrial.

After about 9 months of this I decided that being an elec mechanic was not for me. Had always had the intention of finishing my apprenticeship and then returning to uni to complete an engineering degree. So, I by-passed the middle part and went back to uni where, 4 years later, I completed my electrical engineering degree.

My first employment after uni was as a public servant with the Department of Defence, again based at East Sale, where I provided logistics support to the RAAF’s fleet of Hawker Siddeley HS748 aircraft. The fleet consisted of 6 navigation trainers and two VIP aircraft, plus we supported the two Navy HS748s that were used for land based electronic warfare training and general transport duties.

Here’s a couple of pics (not mine) of the aircraft I worked on:

RAAF A10-608:


Working end:


Navy N15-710:


I worked on these for around 4 years, where I oversaw the incorporation of a number of significant avionics fleet upgrades, provided avionics engineering management oversight to the engineering team, assisted with the development and establishment of a procedural system that complied with the airworthiness regulatory framework in which we needed to operate, and then finally, management of the life support items fitted to, and used by the aircrew operating, the aircraft. This included items such as life rafts, life preservers, oxygen masks and systems, helmets etc.

When talk of taking the HS748 out of service started, I looked around for alternates and took up an opportunity as a contractor to defence with a private company in Sydney. The Navy aviation organisation I was working with were coming on board with the same regulatory framework under which I had previously worked, so I was in a prime position to help them to convert over. Unfortunately, the move to Sydney did not work out for either me or my partner, so when an opportunity to return to Sale came up with the organisation I had previously worked at, we jumped at it. Our jolly to Sydney lasted all of 18 months.

So, back at Sale, I was now working on a different aircraft to previous, but still with the Department of Defence. It was just called Defence Materiel Organisation now. And the aircraft I was working on was the PC-9/A, which most people would commonly know as the aircraft used by the RAAF Roulette aerobatic team. What most people don’t know is that the primary purpose of that aircraft is flying training and that the fleet consists of around 65 aircraft: 42 at RAAF Base Pearce near Perth, 16 at RAAF Base East Sale, 4 at RAAF Base Williamstown near Newcastle (used as Forward Air Control aircraft) and 3 at RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide. During my 8 years on this aircraft I was involved in the same engineering management as previous aircraft types, but at various times I also was responsible for the management of the ejections eat fitted to the PC-9, managed the entire PC-9 team which included engineering support, spares management, repairable item management, maintenance contract management and budget management amongst other things. Eventually I decided to head down the contract management path and so received some excellent education in that field. I then managed the maintenance contract for the two major PC-9 fleets which was valued at around $15M pa.

Here’s a couple of pics (not mine) of the aircraft I worked on:

A23-054 in No 2 Flying Training School colours:


A23-052 in Roulette (Central Flying School) colours:


A23-032 in FAC (4SQN) colours:


And a chart showing the variations in colours over the years:


As things sometimes go, I got screwed over by a couple of work colleagues so decided it was time to look around to see what else was round. An opportunity came up in the contracting field with a locally based electricity generation company, so I left Defence in 2008 to start the next phase of my career. After about 18 months in the contracting role, anew opportunity came up within the maintenance and engineering side of the business, which paid more so I once again changed fields to go back towards an engineering role. This time it was doing maintenance co-ordination. I could not believe that someone doing maintenance co-ordination was being paid more than the engineers doing the engineering, but who was I to complain?!? I was getting paid more than my old role and had the opportunity to be exposed to a side of the business that I had not really seen to any large degree. My day to day work consists of taking input from users of defects in the plant I look after (instrumentation, electrical and control systems) and combining that with routine maintenance activities to ensure that our plant is available, all within the assigned budget.

And that is where I am at today, although for the last 6 months I have been assisting with the implementation of a reliability centred maintenance-based maintenance development and review process. That opportunity is about to end and I go back to my old role next week. Below is a pic of the view out of my window as of today. As of next week, it is just a grey wall again



The scale of the place is quite difficult to comprehend from photos like this, but to give you an idea, the two chimneys on site (and the one at the sister plant next door) are rated as the equal 11th highest structures in Australia, only some 10 metres shorter than the Rialto building in Melbourne. The boiler house building is only 110m (or thereabouts) tall in comparison. The chimney base can been seen to the right of the photo whilst the boiler house is the building in the middle.

I hope one day to be in a similar role to what Ghia5L has, but that is a hard nut to crack. It will mean another change in the field I work in, but my working history shows that I don’t have any problems with adapting to the environment around me to achieve my goals.

I'd love to get back into the aviation field, especially now that I have my pilot's certificate, but the comparative income difference between aviation and the electricity generation industries just doesn't make a viable option

[Lotte]

I work as a quality engineer (qualified mechanical engineer) in the comms/rigging industry. Most of my days are spent completing handover documentation and quality auditing builds through photos. The rest of the time I'm auditing pre built antennas and headframes, or going to site to make sure the crews are up to safety standards and doing their jobs properly.

After hours I'm studying a BA with a major in music, and i'll go the academic route with that I think. Looking at an honours year doing popular musicology. Then lecturing and a PhD

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by Lotte

After hours I'm studying a BA

Me too what a coincidence

[Lukeyson]

Its been cool reading through what everyone does, after seeing quite a few names on here for years, interesting to know.

I was in retail for 13 years, the later part of that was in management, really didn't like it.

Been quite a few years since then and I am in leadership in a govt dept and I enjoy my job.

[adumb]

Another train driver here! Not freight though just 'self loading cattle' from all over Victoria. The early mornings do get to you after awhile but I am essentially my own boss and I'm not stuck in one place all day. Previously I was a department manager at Woolies was probably too young and my heart wasn't in it so I hated it. Have never looked back!

[beardo]

Any of you fellas have the pleasure of working this easter?
Pit upgrade at Geelong

[beardo]

And cleaning out a few mudholes with this mean bastard

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

And this is the view I have this week...

[provked]

I sling bog for a living, just changed shops after 15 years about 8 months ago, dream job, if there is one, more cash, less travel time and good clean shop. I also some custom and resto stuff at home to pay for my toys

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by beardo

And cleaning out a few mudholes with this mean bastard
image
image

I worked every day over Easter and loving it. It will be a great pay, but the tax man will love it even more.

Question about mud holes, is there any permanent fix that can be done? Or is it that temp fixes are just cheaper? Because we always get them in the exact same spot a couple of times a year and they fix only for it to come back several months later.

[beardo]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I worked every day over Easter and loving it. It will be a great pay, but the tax man will love it even more.

Question about mud holes, is there any permanent fix that can be done? Or is it that temp fixes are just cheaper? Because we always get them in the exact same spot a couple of times a year and they fix only for it to come back several months later.

Usually there aren't too many ****s given with mudholes. Just dig out the mud and ballast, roll out some geofab under the track and fresh ballast. If they put a bit more money into it, it wouldn't be hard to set up a drainage system properly, which ideally should be done before the track is laid. But doing it after would cost a fortune

[towtaltowing]

Originally Posted by 66 STANG

There is no comparison to the traditional petrol karts. These things are torquey right off the mark and the acceleration / handling is unbelievable for rental karts!! They even sound like true F1 cars too!!

except when the controller slows you down from his hand controller

[66 STANG]

Originally Posted by ply-boi

except when the controller slows you down from his hand controller

This usually only happens when you can't control the kart properly or are driving like a ****head on the track!

[Uncle Niceguy]

For anyone familiar with a timber mill, l work on the green chain.

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[SYZ]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Below is a pic of the view out of my window as of today. As of next week, it is just a grey wall again
image

Loy Yang A (and B next door)?

[noddy383]

I've just read through the whole thread and I have to say it's really interesting reading about what other people do and why they love/hate their jobs.
Through uni I did the usual 'it pays the bills jobs, fast food, tutoring, gardening, cleaning etc.
After I finished uni I did my radiography internship with a big public hospital in the Melbourne CBD and really enjoyed the busy atmosphere and never knowing what would come through the doors next.
Unfortunately come the end o the year they told us that they had 1 job for 7 interns. I wasn't the lucky one. So I kicked around and ended up getting a job in a market research call centre. It was the worst and most soul-destroying job I've had. On the upside I got to spend lots of time scribbling and doodling, which was great for my painting hobby.
Now I work at a medium-sized private hospital for a private medical imaging company and have been for nearly 5 years. I love the work and the people. The weekends and overnight on call work get a bit tiring, but I'm lucky enough to have found the perfect job for me. I meet lots of different people every day with interesting stories and perspectives on the world and while I spend most days at one site, I change between X-ray, CT and fluoroscopy and still make it upstairs to the operating theatres occasionally. As they say, variety is the spice of life.

[Stefan]

Not sure this will Work.

I'm a Contracts Manager working for a large Multi National Builder. This is yours truly giving a guided tour of the nearly completed building.

Not usually this glamorous, I'm usually just sending copious amounts of emails.

Nice view from Level 31.



Looks like a recruiters photo.

"this is what your job will be"

Then you just spent 90% of your time behind a computer...

[MITCHAY]

Well I got a promotion in another area and by that I mean getting paid more in an area I don't know anything about when I should have been at that level for a while now. I'm getting transferred back into the area I'm at now though.

Sometimes it's better the devil you know but funny how it all happens when they might lose you

[NC1183]

I make my living fixing power lines, everything from Low Voltage going into your house to 66 000volt sub transmission lines and do it with the power still turned on

[arronm]

I consult on why things break, how to fix them and how to make a new one that wont break.

Mining, oil & gas, construction, public section.

Then at the end of the day I drink beer....

[bernbo]

Originally Posted by noddy383

I've just read through the whole thread and I have to say it's really interesting reading about what other people do and why they love/hate their jobs.
Through uni I did the usual 'it pays the bills jobs, fast food, tutoring, gardening, cleaning etc.
After I finished uni I did my radiography internship with a big public hospital in the Melbourne CBD and really enjoyed the busy atmosphere and never knowing what would come through the doors next.
Unfortunately come the end o the year they told us that they had 1 job for 7 interns. I wasn't the lucky one. So I kicked around and ended up getting a job in a market research call centre. It was the worst and most soul-destroying job I've had. On the upside I got to spend lots of time scribbling and doodling, which was great for my painting hobby.
Now I work at a medium-sized private hospital for a private medical imaging company and have been for nearly 5 years. I love the work and the people. The weekends and overnight on call work get a bit tiring, but I'm lucky enough to have found the perfect job for me. I meet lots of different people every day with interesting stories and perspectives on the world and while I spend most days at one site, I change between X-ray, CT and fluoroscopy and still make it upstairs to the operating theatres occasionally. As they say, variety is the spice of life.

It's great to see there is another rad on the forum. I work in a big tertiary public hospital and spend most of my time now in MRI with the rest in ED doing CT and xray with the occasional shift in PACS. This is my second career and have been in it for 10 years, before this I did a trade in optical mechanics and was a branch manager for a big optical retailer. Funny you mention market research, as my wife is a research director and writes all those surveys you would have been calling people for! uploadfromtaptalk1465079109352.jpg
This is the same model i spend my time on.

[SM1DY]

These are a couple recent jobs of which I am so proud. Clients and the project teams have been great and they have delivered an amazing product.

Broadbeach Bowls Commonwelath Games Refurb >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikoo2UDRrMo

Hillcrest Christian College EYC >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3bT9rLlh3I

[SM1DY]

Sorry, missed one. Not one of mine, but an absolute diamond. I feel privileged just to be involved.

Habour Quays Aged Care >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEyV2c4YWaU

[BradZ]

Orchard Technician
If you eat almonds, chances are I was the one who picked them up haha

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