What do you do?

dewalt_russ · August 2007

I'm a journalist. I write for a newspaper chain in Queens. It goes without saying that I am poor. But the work is interesting, and a far cry from the homogeneous doldrums of my hometown in Northern California.

dead_geek · August 2007

I'm in the animation industry and design characters for shows. Working now mostly out of the house. The pay is like a roller coaster, good sometimes and bad sometimes. I also have a web comic.

thecolonel · August 2007

I'm a dead multi-million dollar chicken salesman. Mmmmmmm chicken.

prospectplacegirl · August 2007

I am an art director at a mag you've probably heard of. I work too much, and make just enough so that my cat has a roof over his head every night.

alafairnadia · August 2007

goddamned ungrateful cats everyone's got. blargh. next thing you know they'll be demanding gucci collars.

underthehill · August 2007

Head of IT department for a not-for-profit, started as a college intern in '93.

asil · August 2007

Librarian and artist. Pay is not great but the occasional artwork sale helps out. Used to work in software development for a financial company; took a pay cut to do something I can actually feel good about.

gideon8 · August 2007

vagabond

emily · August 2007

Fun thread, sorry I missed it while on vacation...

I used to work in book publishing, which was unchallenging and soul-deadening, and it felt like I spent all day on this board. Went back to school for my MLS, and just started a new librarian job. I'm more interested in the technology end than, say, the children's storyhour end, which is what people usually envision, though.

I also pulled off the feat of taking a job that I can feel good about and actually getting paid significantly more--that's how much publishing sucks. :twisted:

livetotravel · August 2007

I head up the communications dept of a major reproductive health and rights non-profit - media, marketing, advertising, web and on-line programs, pubs, activism, etc. Very competitive salary that allows my 2 Pekes to live in luxury while their mother and I travel a lot. My alter-ego is agent provocateur.

the yarn monkey · August 2007

ProspectPlaceGirl wrote: I am an art director at a mag you've probably heard of. I work too much, and make just enough so that my cat has a roof over his head every night.

Which one? Left Mags in 2000. PM me. If you've heard anything, I heard there's some "interesting stuff" goin gon at T/W and Hachette.

innocent x · August 2007

The people who seem to have lower paying jobs in more creative fields: how do you afford this neighborhood anymore?

daver · August 2007

Computer Systems Programmer in NJ. Far. Pay is good, but some financial obligations leave me _very_ little for the next few years. Hope to quit and do something else a bit more rewarding in different ways after the obligations are seen through.

laura b · August 2007

By day: saving the world, one grammar correction at a time.

By night and weekend: saving the world, one stray cat at a time.

leet · August 2007

Innocent X wrote: The people who seem to have lower paying jobs in more creative fields: how do you afford this neighborhood anymore?

Well, soon out of necessity I'll be getting a roommate to share my 500 sq. ft. apartment with.
Also: less eating out, more cooking at home. Netflix rather than movie theaters. Yearly visitor pass to the Botanic Garden. Public library instead of bookstore. Buying less clothing and shoes. Not taking taxis. Buying things used rather than new. Doing without things you want, like new eyeglass frames.

asil · August 2007

Innocent X wrote: The people who seem to have lower paying jobs in more creative fields: how do you afford this neighborhood anymore?

Moved to PH in '96 and was lucky enough to find a rent-stabilized apt. Couldn't afford to move here now.

lberghol · August 2007

I'm a Storyboard artist (sometimes animator) working for an animation studio in Midtown, and doing freelance at night. The hubby works in the Objects Conservation Dept. at the Metropolitain Museum, and paints on the side.

Pays okay..could be better...

santa · August 2007

The people who seem to have lower paying jobs in more creative fields: how do you afford this neighborhood anymore?

I wouldnt say that I work in a "creative" possition but I work for a small record label and make very little. I live in a jr 1bed which is no more than 300 sf a few blocks of flatbush on the park slope side which I split with my gf who teaches.

we manage but Im a recent college grad so Im still in the eat cheap food and drink cheap beer mode.

so to answer your question I cant afford the neighborhood or anywhere for that matter.

karl the druid · August 2007

i often work in many creative positions

but my legs go numb standing on my head

vanilla · August 2007

Innocent X wrote: The people who seem to have lower paying jobs in more creative fields: how do you afford this neighborhood anymore?

we live in "creative spaces". and no, i don't mean artist lofts - check craigslist! (it's sick).

annarebeck · August 2007

I'm in the process of switching from all-purpose freelancing (copyediting books, coordinating workshops for a British marketing consulting concern, and transcribing focus groups) to a full-time copyediting position at a men's magazine. I'll take a bit of a pay cut, but it sure will be fun to go to the dentist. And I share a decent-sized rent-stabilized 1BR on PH's ugliest block with my freelance writer boyfriend. He may move out; if he does I'll either stop eating out or turn my living room into a bedroom and get a rommate.

lilbangladesh · April 2008

I proofread at an accounting firm. With the overtime, pay is real good.

Unfortunately, it's temporary.

gc72 · April 2008

I'm a copy editor at a big corporate book publishng company. This is akin to being an all-glove, no-bat late-inning defensive specialist on a baseball team, which means I don't get paid well or get any recognition unless I make an error. . . . Still, my current gig is low-key and relatively low-stress and I get paid okay for a copy editor (i.e., not much). I do freelance copyediting and copywriting on the side, which means I'm pretty much working all the time.

Thinking about taking some Web courses over the summer (Web design certificate from FIT) and becoming a Web content editor. Or maybe a marketing copywriter. Or maybe a managing editor at a big corporate book publisher. . . . Because it would be nice to start earning more money and have a weekend off once in a while.

quig · April 2008

In no particular order:
Artist, Web Monkey, Landlord.

madman · April 2008

I do mostly evil things for mostly evil companies and they pay me well, at least, well enough that I just signed a contract to buy my first apt. I guess that just means more evil is in my future.

Sigh

I used to roast coffee. :roll:

filmlover44 · April 2008

madman wrote: I do mostly evil things for mostly evil companies and they pay me well, at least, well enough that I just signed a contract to buy my first apt. I guess that just means more evil is in my future.

Sigh

I used to roast coffee. :roll:

Marketing, huh? Either that or Corporate Lawyer.

brooklynboy3 · April 2008

Subject: Recruiter

Consultant, speaker, author.

Work is steady.

McGraw Hill published a book of mine a few years back.

Working on a novel.

Life is...interesting.

H

joehep · April 2008

madman wrote: I do mostly evil things for mostly evil companies and they pay me well, at least, well enough that I just signed a contract to buy my first apt. I guess that just means more evil is in my future.

Sigh

I used to roast coffee. :roll:

I do totally evil things for fun. The pay stinks, but the fringe benefits make it all worthwhile.

:twisted:

christina · April 2008

Update. Same job, better pay, longer hours, no more European benefits.

underhill_mt · April 2008

I toil away for a large conglomerate that treats me worse than the dog crap I pick up when I walk my pooch.

Hopefully this is soon to change. Had an interview last week. *fingers crossed*

What do you do?

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