Hey Pandas, How Did You Decide On Your Current Career Or Job?

Grew up watching "This Old House" tv show with my dad. Now I'm a licensed Architect designing custom homes! Absolutely love my job, this is what I was meant to do!!

I never thought I would end up where I am, and I love it. I studied business admin at university and thought I would end up as an admin assistant somewhere. When I moved to this city, I met an attorney and I followed him in his career path (when he switched jobs, he had it written into his contract that I be hired, too). I worked with him for 13 years and then when he retired, I realized that I had all of this experience with public boards, boards of directors, event management, team building, and writing. I came to work at this company to manage their board of directors, and after about two years, I found another position at the same company which threw me back into a creative field, which I love, and I have learned so much and been promoted repeatedly. I am so fortunate to work for a great company and in a creative field.

I became too disabled to continue as a photographer and thought others might want to talk about it so I started the www.invisiblenotbroken.com podcast. Others heard and hired me to do technically sick podcast (technology and disability podcast) I run a 10 minute history podcast for kids for fun [i can’t believe that happened {

Took physics in high school because it was all boys. Ended up loving physics but none the boys!

I’m a psychologist- some days are so rewarding and other days- not so much. I became a psychologist because mine helped me so much and I am constantly fascinated by why people do what they do.

Well, I realized I was always engaged in doing creative tasks, even in my line cook job, so I decided to pivot my career to be a creative. I did a lot of courses and read a few books, started landing freelance jobs, and eventually landed in a comfortable spot at Bored Panda.

Since I was little, I was fascinated with science, especially biology and chemistry. My mom, a nurse, encouraged this. So... I got my MD and went into research (minus a few years of practice). Pet passion remains Patient-Centered Medicine, but right now, helping set up study groups for Long Covid effects, and continuing with patient support, information, and advocacy. I didn't so much choose as just... know. This is my path. And a long strange road it is!

I haven't worked in over 15+ years and now my kids are older I wanted to get back into the work force. My references, resume and skills were no longer relevant and I didn't want to do retail again, I asked for some ideas on a Facebook group and someone mentioned phlebotomy (blood collector). This was over 3 years ago and I just couldn't stop thinking about it so I took it as a sign. I have just completed my Cert III in Pathology collection (which I enjoyed) and will be looking for a job very soon.

I was forced to resign, that same week my recruiter happened to find me an awesome opportunity!

I wanted to be able to perform professionally, however, I wanted to be able to survive especially since we are in a recession. I am just working at a University more to make sure I can eat and pay to see someone for my mental health...

Dollar tree.
It was actually the first job I'd ever gotten, straight out of highschool. I was applying literally everywhere ànd no one would hire me because I had no experience. But of course as we all know, you get GET experience if no one will hire you.
This is exactly what I said at the interview. "I know I don't have any experience but I'm a hard worker, I do what I'm told, and I learn quick. the only reason I don't have experience is because I can't get it until I actually get the job."
She hired me on the spot.
Cashiering wasn't my first pick. And originally, I hadn't planned to stay there longer than six months or so. So enough to get my foot in the door before applying somewhere with better pay and more hours.
But I turned out to really love working there. My coworkers were extremely kind and the managers all pretty much adopted me immediately. The regulars that come in are just some of the sweetest people you could ever meet. And it's surprisingly rare that a customer gets angry with us. Everythings a dollar, you know what your signing up for before you even walk in.
I realized I'd gotten very lucky having such a good, healthy work environment. So I decided to stay a little longer.
I eventually got a second job, biggest mistake of my life and I swear I will NEVER work there again or recommend it to ANYONE! I quit after 4 months. Soon as my general manager found out I quit the other job, she asked me if I'd apply for the soon to be free assistant manager position. I said yes and haven't regretted it since!
Still, probably won't work there forever. But I'm not leaving anytime soon if I can help it.

I desperately needed a change. I've worked retail my entire adult life, I would start out happy but end up miserable and knowing where I was wasn't worth what I was feeling. I took time off. My husband makes good money so we decided to get by on his salary for a while but I discovered staying at home made me miserable, he's very controlling with his money and I hated having to depend on him. So i went back to job hunting. I didn't want to go back to retail, but I wasn't qualified for much either. I couldn't go back to school because I had no money. Then a position came up at a ferry company. I was laughably under qualified for it but after several days, talked myself into applying, the worst thing that could happen was they said no.
It's been the best decision I've ever made. I got to travel for free for training, met new people who are amazing, there's so much room for growth, if I decide to move I don't need to change my home port and can even add to it, the money I make is amazing! The hours are long and I'm on a live-aboard vessel where I spend two weeks on, two weeks off, repeat and somehow even that has ended up as a perk! I have found what I was meant to do.

I work in dentistry.

I was terrified of the dentist as a kid (had more than one bad experience), but when a good dentist took the time to help me feel more comfortable, everything they were doing became interesting to me. Like arts and crafts. The idea of going to dental school seemed too daunting, so I started working as a dental assistant. The dentist I worked for kept telling me to go to college, because I could be a hygienist and make a lot more money than assisting (and have less stress). I finally went to college, took my boards, and became a registered dental hygienist in 2005. I could not have imagined myself doing this as a child, but I love it and hope to be able to (physically) do it for a very long time.

I'm a writer and I literally had every intention of being one. I loved reading books and novels, one day I asked myself, Wait, you idiot, why don't you be a writer?
And so here I am.

When computers became reality and not just a fad. I taught myself how to repair them and landed a job on a helpdesk. 26 years later I am a Sr. IT Desktop Support Technician for a global company. My passion is writing so over the last 26 years I did tech writing at each company I worked for. But, I am also an herbalist so most of my articles on are based on the benefits of herbs for better health.

I work in communications - messaging and advertising development. Majored in it in college. I wanted to be a theater major, but I knew I wasn't going to support myself doing that, and communications seemed like the next best thing :-)

Had 3 jobs for years resulting in my 3rd burnout. Then I finally started to listen to myself and found my true nature (in nature :-)). Now I am an ordained Vodun priestess and hve vowed to help people with spiritual issues wherever I can.

I have always loved to read. Learned to read at age 4 and nearly always have a book in my hand and a few books on my night table. Began volunteering at my childhood library by shelving books and even organized a monthly book club for the branch. When the manager found out I had a college degree but was still waiting tables, she offered me a part time job. I was over the moon ecstatic. Working part time (with another job to supplement my income) at that branch led to full time at another library I didn't like much but was stuck for 7 years led to the branch where I currently work and have been here another 7 years. I love this branch so much more. So in total it's been just about 15 years, and I plan on retiring from here in another 12-15 years. I can't imagine working anywhere else.

They hired me within a day. I needed a job fast. Do I regret it? In a way, yes. I've gained very little transferrable skills.

I fell into the legal field completely by chance. I’d worked security, retail, and for a mortgage company. I ended up applying for a job as a legal assistant in a foreclosure firm, and I’ve been in the legal field for 8 years now. I am happy with some of my job. The firms I’ve worked in (and my current firm) pay well, I get to research and write for a living, and I enjoy meeting new people. I’ve had the privilege of working with wonderful people and it’s a tight knit community. The only things I don’t like are that I always feel I have imposter syndrome in unfamiliar areas of law. But the blessing is that I receive ongoing training and lots of feedback, so I usually don’t make the same error twice.