... probably not a thread for those of you who already had a pre-planned vocation mapped~out in one or other of the graduate professions.
Mine was [unexpectedly] as a lowly insurance clerk (1961-67) at the Perth Head Office of a worldwide organisation formerly known as 'General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd', referred to locally as the 'GA' or 'GAFLAC'. - later, merged with Commercial Union ... in turn, absorbed by Norwich Union and, ultimately, Aviva.
How about yours???
Already had a Saturday job there, then
16-18 was Trainee Manager at a large Pet store plus Provender Merchant in York, much to the annoyance of my parents. Learned customer service, buying and selling, typing invoices and statements (we had 500 customer accounts), and accounts to trial balance for the business.
My first job was to pack the freshly printed control knobs on a washing machine into card board boxes.
I was not however by any stretch of the imagination..A Knobjockey.
Originally Posted by fred
... classic, Fred!
My first job was in 1957 as an apprentice mechanic at a Roots Group dealers greasing and spraying Humbers and Hillmans was the very first thing I was taught to do on my first day, and the first car I did was a Hillman Californian!
My first job was in 1957 as an apprentice mechanic at a Roots Group dealers greasing and spraying Humbers and Hillmans was the very first thing I was taught to do on my first day, and the first car I did was a Hillman Californian!... did the foreman send his apprentice mechanic out for a tin of "elbow grease", by any chance, Michael?
You must have been the brightest boy in the class when you were at school Arthur
Alas ... not always bright enough to avoid getting caught on one occasion while scribbling down a ratherYou must have been the brightest boy in the class when you were at school Arthurdubious
... as the [female] teacher was able to
- even though it'd been written in pencil.
Oddly enough ... the teacher I've mentioned is still very much ALIVE - albeit, now in her nineties and confined to aAlas ... not always bright enough to avoid getting caught on one occasion while scribbling down a rather...
... a BIG change from when she taught ME in 1957 - at which point, she drove a canvass~topped sports carOddly enough ... the teacher I've mentioned is still ALIVE - albeit, now in her nineties and confined to aback and forth to the school I attended.
Fat slob union bosses priced British workers out the market. .they didn't look to the horizon. ..they didn't see the take up of pauper basket case countries like our new enforced European brothers waiting in the wings rubbing their dirty little hands ready to pounce.
I refused to buy a Foreign car, on principle.
If Brits hadn't bought them the foreigners wouldn't have had a market, and we'd have had time to sort out the trade disputes etc.
But, it seems we really like doing ourselves out of jobs.
I disagree. Are there Renaults, Peugeot and Citroen cars on our roads? The french workers were paid more than our workers and had longer holidays so I really dont know what your talking about. The fact is the french and germans invest in their products whereas we rely on foreign investment that is the problem.
The Unions wanted top dollar for second rate work. .the cars coming out of Longbridge Oxford and Swindon were rubbish. ..the French and Germans cars were and still are quite the opposite. .. admire Graham's loyalty but, if we'd all done likewise we'd still be driving car's where the windscreens popped out driving over a kerb. ..my first father in law only bought British cars. ....the times I remember him in his garage with best part of the engine spread over the garage floor while mother in law was ranting and raving at him to get the car fixed now....the cars were an embarrassment.
Even the film industry made fun of the unions. ..do you remember the carry on film. ..the one about making toilets. ..those days are long gone, thank Goodness.
My first job was spring making. In the days of manufacturing.
I worked for my much older cousin as an apprentice paint sprayer and panel beater. ..from the summer of 76.
My take home pay per week after no tax and stoppages amounted £11.
Appreciation of money was learnt from an early age.
Qualified aged 21 in 81...I promptly gave it all up for a life on the road.
I can't remember my exact first job, but I used to do all sorts of things when I was 14 or 15, including helping local farmers with their hay making and cider making, mowing lawns for old ladies, washing cars.... all sorts! I did anything I could to get some extra pocket money.
But I don't know what kids that age do these days. I can't imagine them loading a trailer with hay bales and riding on top of it back to the barn!
The work was great for me. At that young age, it taught me the value of money and that you need to work for a living.
It's a pity that more of today's younger generation haven't learnt that lesson.
Kids on farms still do it, just that things are more mechanised now.
I used to drive a tractor and trailer on the road at harvest time, when I was 13 years old, perfectly legally.
My boy started working on Saturdays when he was 16, and on til he left school with his A levels at 18. He was also working evenings at Dominos Pizza by then though.
Both of my Filipino stepkids had jobs as soon as they could legally work (paper rounds at 13, I think it was...then working in shops).
Aww my very first job is looking after of the adults with learning disability (wake night), it's a challenging job but working with them is such a great feeling
ADAM
GRACE
That's an extremely worthwhile occupation ... I doff myAww my very first job is looking after of the adults with learning disability (wake night), it's a challenging job but working with them is such a great feelingto you for rising to the challenge, Grace.
Having, for the most part, been based in warm, cosy offices throughout MY working life ... I sometimes look back and realise how fortunate I was, compared to the harsh outdoor conditions my dad endured - particularly during the bitterly cold winters of the early '60s (notably in February 1963) - when, as a middle
aged man, he'd to battle his way throughweather - complete with heavy chains fixed to the wheels of his van and a shovel on board - in order to ensure his customers living in remote, outlying rural areas received their regular grocery deliveries.
My first job was a right blower..
Only lasted a day - I was late - got caught speeding cos I missed the bus and had to tackle my dad and borrowing his car, working in a photography shop.
The guy who owned it was aand didnt offer much training or help, I lasted a day was given a £10 and told not to bother coming back..
Put me off working for life..
That's the spirit, Tone! Joking apart ... it's really good to see you back here posting again.
Put me off working for life..
Thanks Arthur! Much appreciated!That's the spirit, Tone! Joking apart ... it's really good to see you back here posting again.
My first job was with PNB (Philippine National Bank) as a file clerk and also with Mc Donalds (service crew) and also some weekends at my uncles optical clinic (greeting patients) ..I am a busy teen at sixteen
Oh btw, if i can remember it right i was paid 6pesos an hour during those yearshahaha at least i can afford to buy my own pair of Levis jeans , give my mum some ''little'' cash from my salary and the rest goes to my savings
''Don't be serious..Be Sincere''
My first job was as an apprentice electrician earning £4 19s 11d a week which i did until deciding to study electrical engineering at a higher level.
Mine was [unexpectedly] as a lowly insurance clerk (1961-67) at the Perth Head Office of a worldwide organisation formerly known as 'General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd', referred to locally as the 'GA' or 'GAFLAC'. - later, merged with Commercial Union ... in turn, absorbed by Norwich Union and, ultimately, Aviva.
How about yours???
But the interesting bit is I gave up that career to go into computers and this eventually led me to work for Commercial Union as a programmer/analyst. I lived through the mergers with GA, then Norwich Union until AVIVA also made me redundant in 20002. Coincidence!
Indeed, a coincidence ...!
During MY time with General Accident, I was one of hundreds at Head Office who sat an "Aptitude Test" to determine whether or not they'd prove to be suitable candidates for training as future Computer Programmers. Alas, I wasn't considered.
Can't remember the exact criteria (as nearly half a century has elapsed since I "tried my hand" ... but I do recall the examiners setting their sights on applicants [ideally] scoring an 'A' pass (of which, I later heard, there were comparatively few) or at least a 'B'. Like the vast majority, I'd been graded 'C' which didn't qualify.
So ... well done on your commendable achievement.
My first job was at 14 working as a kitchen porter in a holiday camp.
My first job was a temporary one at a lampshade factory in 1959, for £2.54 a week they said I would be spot welding but it turned out to be bending little bits of wire U shape, to make little hands that were then spot welded to a figure on matchbox holders, thousands of them, they were for the Woolworth stores.
I left there after a few months then worked in a Brewery for 10 months
Then started training as a plant fitter.
Had many jobs in my 49 years of work, mostly as a mechanic, 10 years as head mechanic for our local ambulance service.
The best job "Retirement" and I consider I have worked hard for the state pension and any benefits I am entitled to.
Mick.
Last edited by mickcant; 9th June 2013 at 15:19. Reason: addition of info
Good luck to you Mick!!The best job "Retirement" and I consider I have worked hard for the state pension and any benefits I am entitled to.
Mick.
I left there after a few months then worked in a Brewery for 10 months
Then started training as a plant fitter.
Had many jobs in my 49 years of work, mostly as a mechanic, 10 years as head mechanic for our local ambulance service.
The best job "Retirement" and I consider I have worked hard for the state pension and any benefits I am entitled to.
Mick.
You deserve it mate!! Enjoy.
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