What is your job?

[Gokyabgu]

I love CRPGs, but i can not spend much time as i used to. I am working in a bank now and earn enough money to upgrade my rig and buy games, but not enough spare time. When i am in university i did not have enough money to upgrade my rig but had plenty of time to play every RPG throughly and slowly. I bought NWN2 and Gothic 3, but can not play them much. They are now lying in my harddisc waiting for some holiday season. Then, there is a girl friend factor who i plan to marry and usually i spend much of my nonworking time with her. I usually watch her playing PS2 games with my sleepy eyes, because i become too tired at evenings to play any RPG. Because, RPGs need concentrate and dedicating like girl friends ;) I think it is time for me to abandon my broadsword and plate mail. :'( So, what is your job and can you find enough time for games?

[Dr. A]

I'm a lowly programmer who plays on the weekends :)

[Danicek]

Software developer for Monster.com...

[Maylander]

Software developer and student. I hardly ever do anything that is not computer related.

[ToddMcF2002]

Hmmm.... Starting to notice a trend. Software Architect (which just means old software developer!). ;)

[Myrthos]

Project Manager, with an emphasis towards software related projects. In my spare time there is RPGWatch and a wishlist ;)
This leaves no time to actually play games...

[KazikluBey]

Software developer and student. I hardly ever do anything that is not computer related.

I wouldn't call myself a software developer, but the two other things are spot on - I'm studying computer science.

[titus]

student lawpracticus, former student IT but quiet because it was too heavy

[Corwin]

I'm now semi-retired!! :biggrin: Jealousy is a curse!! :p

[xSamhainx]

Im am jealous Corwin, tired of my corporate prison, yet I have decades before I can escape it.

Besides my head honcho post at the Catnip Connoisseurs of America (which is just a club where I donate my time for free 'nip), I'm am engineer in the fire protection industry.

[MonGoliat]

I study Medie and Komunikation, that means i Study: design, Journalistic, films, picture, and so on...

Thinking of taking a Bachelor in 3D or Multimedie Design...

[Kalia]

I am an elementary school librarian, formerly a 2nd grade teacher with about 7 years to early retirement....the benefit of starting work immediately out of college. :)

In my 'spare time', I do this, NWN 2 WarCry and a bit of freelance stuff with IGN. I try to squeeze in games when I can though I always seem to center on one or two a year. This year it's been Titan Quest and NWN 2. I'm looking forward to January or whenever it is that Hellgate: London will come out. After that, I guess it'll be Dragon Age....hopefully before I get too senile to play since they're taking so damn long to get the thing out. O.o

[nameless hero]

Student in IT and Office Assistant. Hopefully soon will be Web Master.
-I only have time to play games on holidays. Like Now! :)

[Jaz]

I'm a military sociologist by trade, but I have worked in many different jobs over the years (parole officer probably being the weirdest). I've been going steady for nearly ten years now, though, working as a PA/sysadmin (another weird combo) for a trading corporation. My (paid) side jobs include selling video games and writing.
I can play video games on Sunday mornings, or when I'm down with a cold (for example).

[Korplem]

Protecting America.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i120/Korplem/DSCN0463.jpg

Of course, my dream job would be a video game designer. But thats true for every gamer, right?

[Myrthos]

Of course, my dream job would be a video game designer. But thats true for every gamer, right?
Not mine. I've visited different studios and I can tell you it is not as glamorous as it sounds. Long hours, bad payment and a large possibility to be without a job once the game is released.

[Korplem]

Hey, I'm used to long hours and bad pay!

[Danicek]

Not mine. I've visited different studios and I can tell you it is not as glamorous as it sounds. Long hours, bad payment and a large possibility to be without a job once the game is released.

Yes, studios have been permanently closing their doors too ofter recently, very uncertain job.

[stealth]

Software Engineer by trade.

[Maylander]

In general, other software developers have better jobs than most game developers, at least in hours and pay. Of course, it may not be as interesting, but if you do become a game developer instead, you ceratainly do it because of a great desire and incredible motivation.

[roqua]

Fanancial Analyst II, my next promotion will have a III, that will mean I have 2 teams I supervise. 2 teams of 2 I's and a II. Wow. My job is very exciting and interesting. There is no IV.

[Bartacus]

Industrial Engineer in the field of Electronical Design does it say on that small piece of paper. My work however has less to do compared to my degree: At the moment I'm working at a service desk (a bit more intelligent then a calldesk), but next year it will be a roll out(installing pc's -> HW & SW)

[Cormac]

I collect income tax.

[Corwin]

Fanancial Analyst II, my next promotion will have a III, that will mean I have 2 teams I supervise. 2 teams of 2 I's and a II. Wow. My job is very exciting and interesting. There is no IV.

Looks like it's time to multiclass (or should that be multiskill??). :biggrin: You gain XP, you go up levels, where have I seen this before?? :)

[Arma]

I'm a first year sociology student, though I have my thoughts about it. Speaking of odd job combinations, right now I'm a credit consultant in a firm that specializes in microcredits and work part-time in a fast-food restaurant, so I can finance my university studies.

[HiddenX]

job:
System Analyst, Software and Database Designer

spare time:
System Analyst, Software and Database Designer + playing crpgs + reading books

(... yes ... it is unusual, but my trade is my hobby, too)

[Kalia]

I collect income tax.

*holds up +5 Wand of Tax Deduction* Back, vile creature!




:D Just kidding...I'm sure it's a thankless job most of the time.

[Cormac]

I'm sure it's a thankless job most of the time.

It's more like all the time !

[Uriziel]

I'm an amateur gynecologist with a profound interest in perfecting my art. My hobbies include the art of spanking, formal attire during elevator experiments, and bitch slapping Mudd. I should also mention I am profoundly adept at lying about any abilities I might or might not possess, but it is my story and I'm stickin to it ;)

[Maylander]

Hehe brilliant Uriziel.

[Shagnak]

Software Developer.
Before that I was academic staff at a university (Comp Sci), and before that, a lab technician. Those are the "normal" careers I have had, I'll leave out the more bizarre temporary jobs I have done.

(Damn, there seems to be a lot of programmers in CRPG-land!)

[Rendelius]

Creative Director for BBDO in Austria.

[JDR13]

Casino Dealer.

Even when I'm on the job, I'm on the game!

[Ammon777]

I lucked out in life. I am schizophrenic and cant work, I live with my parents, so the US government kindly gives me money every month (about $600). Which means I have money to buy a computer (with mom's help) and play MMORPG games non-stop all day every day. My life rules! :)

[Ammon777]

Although amateur gynecologist sounds like my dream job.

[bjon045]

I have been unemployed by choice for the past 4 years. Worked too hard during my early 20's and am now learning how to enjoy life ;)

[Pinhead]

I work driving armoured cars and sometimes personal security. Currently aiming for foreign service in 2008.

nref kebab and cheese doodles for getting me out of shape =)

[txa1265]

My current title is 'Principal Optical Physicist' ... but 'Optical Engineer / Statistician' is a better description of my work, and teh balance is shifting more to the statistician side over the next few weeks with a job change within the company I work for. I'm in the semiconductor industry with a company that makes materials that are used in producing high-end computer chips ...

[Horst Wessel]

Undertaker, believe it or not... But trying for the federal police- and seems like I'm almost there. Ah, I'll miss some things about my present occupation. But not the income.

[roqua]

I hope you won't miss what we all think you are talking about.

[roqua]

My current title is 'Principal Optical Physicist' ... but 'Optical Engineer / Statistician' is a better description of my work, and teh balance is shifting more to the statistician side over the next few weeks with a job change within the company I work for. I'm in the semiconductor industry with a company that makes materials that are used in producing high-end computer chips ...

In MA? What company is that? I thought Micron in ID was the last US manufacturer? I'm not saying I don't believe you, just that its news to me. But I also didn't know Turbine (the mmorpg company) was in MA until the sent me an invite to go play LOTRO (I got it too late to go do that).

[txa1265]

Rohm & Haas Electonic Materials (formerly Shipley) - make photoresist and other photo-optical materials for use throughout the chip & wafer fab process.

[Cm]

Was a Nurse Manager until I had to retire early. Unless I am having medical issues I spend a lot of time volunteering for my Church and for the Veterans of Foreign War.

[Corwin]

What foreign wars are you a veteran of CM?? :)

[Cm]

The one between myself and you for one. *looks for her fire sword*

[Moriendor]

Was unemployed for almost a year until recently and now I'm (again) a sales/consultant dude in the IT area ;) .

[Corwin]

Glad to hear you're back among the ranks of the gainfully employed once again!!

[roqua]

Rohm & Haas Electonic Materials (formerly Shipley) - make photoresist and other photo-optical materials for use throughout the chip & wafer fab process.

It amazes me that there is a non-pharmaceuticals company in MA that actually creates an actual tangible, physical product you could touch. Not many left, or at least I never here of them, know people that work at them, or come across them job hunting.

[magerette]

Horticulturist for many years--which is mostly manual labor with a fancy name prone to bad puns(--you know, "you can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her think" etc).

[Korplem]

Horticulturist seems like a very relaxing job. Maybe thats what I should do...

[magerette]

Well, it's probably a lot more relaxing than IT, collecting taxes or being an undertaker;) It's also a very easy major. But the pay pretty much sucks.

[Corwin]

Everything I ever tried to grow died!! I think I have a black thumb!! :)

[Danicek]

Well, I had to lookukp 'Horticulturist' in online vocabulary. Never heard it, quite strange word. I guess, gardener is used much more often.

[magerette]

Everything I ever tried to grow died!! I think I have a black thumb!! :)

Corwin, have you tried water? It's an amazing elixir which, when applied with reasonable regularity, will regenerate and even buff most plants.
Sunlight also helps, of course.;)

@Danicek-yeah, it's pretty much a ten-dollar word for a two dollar subject, but it occassionally persuades people into thinking you know what you're doing...

[Jaz]

Back at U, we called the lab engineer who supervised the botany grounds 'our carnation specialist' :biggrin: .

[Korplem]

Margerette, if you don't mind me asking, how easy is it to make a living by being a horticulturist? Does it matter that I have no experience growing... anything ( :p )? I honestly think this would be a good job for me once I'm done with my current job. I would probably only do it for a short time though since I could make a lot of money with the experience I have at this job.

Ahh, it's nice to just day dream about having such a chill job...

[magerette]

Margerette, if you don't mind me asking, how easy is it to make a living by being a horticulturist? Does it matter that I have no experience growing... anything ( :p )? I honestly think this would be a good job for me once I'm done with my current job. I would probably only do it for a short time though since I could make a lot of money with the experience I have at this job.

Ahh, it's nice to just day dream about having such a chill job...

Remember, you will be outside in the rain, heat and cold, lifting, digging and chainsawing, mowing and weed-eating and heaving trees into holes. The glamor might wear off after a bit;) (The big tractors are fun, tho.)
But there is no reason not to try it out--there are some cush jobs on big estates, or running your own landscape biz, that do rake in the dollars.
In my experience, anyone who has ever grown a tomato or an african violet feels quite free to consider themself an expert, so jump in and plant something. If it immediately dies, consider returning to your alternate profession. :)

[magerette]

Back at U, we called the lab engineer who supervised the botany grounds 'our carnation specialist' :biggrin: .

That's an easy field compared to "reincarnation specialist" :p

[Danicek]

@Danicek-yeah, it's pretty much a ten-dollar word for a two dollar subject, but it occassionally persuades people into thinking you know what you're doing...

Well, it really seems to be quite nice work (when things are going well). After all you see results of your work quite clearly comming up from the ground. We - software makers - have sometimes real problem to get the motivation.

[Zaleukos]

PhD student in Computer Science, specialized in Image Analysis.

[Bartacus]

@txa1265: Feels weird to meet someone who actually works in the field(and I do mean the general goal of your compagny -> semiconductors) I studied for.

[Neo]

I currently work as a Telemarketing Outbound Agent. Simply said; I sell you people crap you don't need :). Hate me or love me, but I make my money.

[Corwin]

You don't sell me anything!! I'm one of the people who instantly hang up!! :)

[Danicek]

@Neo, that must be hard work. Provided that most people react the way Corwin would react ;].

[Neo]

Well that's not completely true. You will find it amazing how many people buy stuff. In a 6-hour workday I usually can get up to 20 people to say yes. Last saturday I had a total of 29 :). Our "target" is 3.6 per hour.

From what I learned people react most by your attitude. That's why I made a little... percentage circle.

60% Attitude
30% Voice
10% Product

[txa1265]

Since we seem to be on a telemarketer tangent ...

My biggest issue is when there is 'no one home' - I pick up the phone and say hello and nobody answers for several seconds. It is worse when I'm at work, answer with my name ... and a few seconds later I hear 'Can I speak to ...' ... there goes *any* chance of engaging me ...

Local stuff - surveys, charity, etc - where it is an actual *person* doing the call and immediately there to talk, is much more likely to get a positive response from me.

[Neo]

That 'no one home' has a special reason. We work -- at least at our company -- with 2 different kind of call-systems.

One of them is called Tapi. Your computer has his own database and calls people randomly; you hear the phone going over and you engage in a coversation immediatly when someone picks up.

Another one is called Dialer. Dialer is controlled by one large system, who calls people. Once someone picks up the phone, the Dialer moves that person to any available computers, which means that we get the phonecall when somebody already answered. This means we don't hear the first 3 seconds of the call, thus there is a small gap between the "hello" and our response. This makes people hang up quite often, and thats why I kind of hate Dialer. I prefer Tapi.

[KasperFauerby]

I work as a 3d game engine programmer. As someone mentioned it's not always so glamorous and there can indeed be long hours and some stress.. and the pay would be better in other areas of software development. But I couldn't imagine doing anything else for the moment :) All in all I consider myself lucky for getting to work with the stuff that really interests me and I never wake up and feel like I don't want to go to work.

[Danicek]

@Neo, quite interesting story. Seems like we're getting some insight into these calls we are get so oftern.

[magerette]

I work as a 3d game engine programmer. As someone mentioned it's not always so glamorous and there can indeed be long hours and some stress.. and the pay would be better in other areas of software development. But I couldn't imagine doing anything else for the moment :) All in all I consider myself lucky for getting to work with the stuff that really interests me and I never wake up and feel like I don't want to go to work.

That means you've got the right job. :) When you hate to go to work every day, you need to quit and do something else.

So what games do you get to work on? Or do you just work on the engines, then other people license them?

[Korplem]

When you hate to go to work every day, you need to quit and do something else.

If only it were that easy... :-/

[Corwin]

It is easy, it's called retirement!! :biggrin:

[Danicek]

We have luckily still sometime to arrive at that Corwin.

[KasperFauerby]

Well, unfortunately I haven't been able to work on any RPGs (yet) :( On the other hand - working on a game tends to really spoil the experience of playing it when it's finally done, so maybe I should resist the urge to work on one and just play and enjoy those others do for me :)

I work at Deadline Games who has released a number of "niche" adventure games during the 90s and are now doing 3rd person AAA action games for PC and the consoles. I'm not really involved in game design or in implementing the game play code, but are doing a lot of cool stuff in our tech department :) I started out doing graphics stuff (shaders etc) but have now switched over to implementing stuff for the "core" of our next-gen game engine. This includes the maintenance and development of our own scripting language, creating a visual debugger for the script language, collision/physics etc. In the long run I find this to be more challenging and interesting than doing fancy graphical effects all the time.

[magerette]

I bet you're one of those people that can do algebraic equations in their head. :)

I imagine writing or physically building up a game could take a lot of the surprises out of playing it as you say. Fortunately, you can probably understand, mod and correct a lot of the half-finished games that a lot of us mathematically challenged folks grind our teeth over. You are lucky to find all that fun hidden inside all the hard work ;)

@Korplem
Really, seriously, you can always quit and do something else. Sometimes it's complicated to find it or get there, and it's always scary--but trust me, its worth it.
Just start thinking of what you really really would like to be doing, then try to find a way to get there. Good luck!

[Corwin]

I thought everybody could do algebraic equations in their head; what could be simpler??!! :)

[magerette]

Yes, and I thought everybody could grow plants ; )

Of the two skills, Corwin, I'm sure the algebraic ones are more useful.( Unless, of course, you are stranded on a desert island and need to grub up some roots and berries...)

[Corwin]

It was very useful to me, I spent several years teaching High School Maths!! :)

[Korplem]

...you can always quit...

Actually, I can't quit for another 2 years, 8 months, and 28 days.

I sold my soul to the lowest bidder!

[magerette]

Actually, I can't quit for another 2 years, 8 months, and 28 days.

I sold my soul to the lowest bidder!

Ahh...I see. That would definitely complicate things.

At least you have plenty of time to formulate a plan for next time. I am a living example of the fact that we can learn from our mistakes--unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a limit on the number of diffrent mistakes one can make...;)

[Neo]

Just got home from a fantastic day of working. I actually managed to get 23 people to buy Digital T.v.

I'm a genius...

[Kendrik]

Wow it has been a long time since I posted here (or the "other place").

I work as a Detective Constable for a British police force. Hours are not good for a family man, pay is OK but I'm kinda old fashioned in that I actually enjoy making a difference and helping the victims of crime, which sometimes I actually manage to do!

[Corwin]

Great to see you finally found us all Kendrick; welcome to the Watch, where we too try to make a difference, though in a far more insignificant way!! :)

[narpet]

IT Director, but I spend most of my time coding instead of "directing" :)

I make time for my hobby (*cough* addiction *cough*) by playing late at night after I put the family to bed. This means I play games from about midnight until 2am almost every night... Yes... I don't get enough sleep, but I must have my rec time ;)

narpet

[JemyM]

Im 29 and unemployed since my life crashed 3 years ago. Im on my way back now.

[Sorcha Ravenlock]

I'm a housewife. I clean, cook, bake, bring children to school and pick them up, spend endless hours watching Dora the explorer, making play dough and admiring strangely colored blobs of paint that are suppose to represent me. :D

With the little one in school I now have several hours during the day which I spend aimlessly trolling forums and playing RPGs ;)

[GothicGothicness]

I am a semi-proffesional poker player... I love it! It really means living on the edge though..... when you are down $200 in 2 hours.... your start to panic about how you'll survive the month.... on the other hand when you are up $300 in 1 hour you start to feel pity for the 10 hour worker who earns less in an entire day!

[txa1265]

I'm a housewife.
The hardest and most under-appreciated (and important) job in the world ... I salute you!

[Corwin]

Yep, being married to a house is not an easy thing!! :)

GG, when will we see you on the World Series of Poker??!! I've never enjoyed Poker; too much luck- I made a LOT of money playing Bridge in my youth, it paid my way through University!! :)

[GothicGothicness]

GG, when will we see you on the World Series of Poker??!! I've never enjoyed Poker; too much luck- I made a LOT of money playing Bridge in my youth, it paid my way through University!!

Haha, I am working on it..... tournaments is not really my thing though... too much luck in that. In No Limit Hold'em round table the best player will win in the long run... however being a mathematic genius is not enough.... you have to be pretty darn good with psychology too.... that is what I love about it. Nothing is so much fun as calling a big bluff with bad cards.... and getting the reaction "#"%#%¤%%¤#%#¤%#¤%&#%¤%#%¤#%¤#%#%¤#%#¤%#%#¤%¤#%¤#%#%#¤%¤&%&&/%&(/(/))(/)%&#%¤#%#%#¤%¤#%#¤%#¤¤#%¤#%#¤%¤#/&/()&)(/"%#¤#!" on the chat...

On the other hand.... when someone has less than 0.5% chance to win and gets lucky on the two last cards... I am the one writing that on the chat hehe.

[curious]

@corwin-that sounds like you were a real vampire for a while;)

[chamr]

The hardest and most under-appreciated (and important) job in the world ... I salute you!

Damn Tootin'! Knowing what my wife does all day, every day, I know I couldn't do half as good a job as she does. I get off easy with cube-land.

Software development project manager in the data warehousing & business intelligence field

plus

wife

plus

two small children

plus

two energetic pit bulls

equals

very little gaming

[Gator]

Software Developer....seems to be quite a few of us.

[dteowner]

I've been thru several jobs recently (not by choice), but I started a new one two months ago and it seems to be going well so far. Manufacturing engineer making negineered steel tubing.

[Maylander]

Hehe, "being married to a house".. Corwin, you crack me up! :D