Whats your job? - MtF and GGs

[Brooke A]

This question is for our full time girls or GG's, what do you do for a living?
Can you support yourself on the wages you make? Have you had to change vocations or places of employment? I know in my line of work, ( mechanical trades) their are not a lot of girls to start with, Of course there are some, but not many. And I don't think that this would be the best career path for a T-Girl. But a girl needs money, so how do you ladies bring the bacon home?
BrookeA.

[Stephenie S]

I am in the medical field. Lots of work and no one seems to care what gender you are. I recomend it.

Lovies,
Stephenie

[kittypw GG]

I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Yes I could support myself and did until I got married at 43. I raised a son and helped him through college was able to buy my own home and live comfortably but not lavishly. You need a college degree in Medical Technology or a related field like biology, chemistry or even Microbiology. Then you need to do a 12 month internship (usually at a hospital) then pass a test sponserd by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Every year you need to complete so many continuing education credits. The field is dominated by women but In my laboratory we do have several men. We are one of those hospitals that provide education and training for the internship and right now we have 3 female students and two male. It is certainly not a bad gig and never boring. :D Many move on eventually to related fields and higher education. I have worked with people who have moved on to become Physicians, Physicians assistants and PharmD's. Many of my co-workers have achieved masters degrees in Health administration and participate in education.
Kitty

[crunchysoda]

Ok well *technically* I am *not* "working", but Im trained in Massage Therapy.
I just have to take my exam and then I can work.
At the place that wants to hire me, the therapist gets paid a commission +tips.
The commission is $15 a massage and the tip ranges anywhere from 0 to $30 w/the avg being around $5 or 10 lol. So yes if you had enough commission you *could* live off of that. Im sure it's different depending on where one lives.
It depends on what one can physically handle as well. I would not want to do more than 3 or 4max a day.

There are many more females in my line of work than there are men. At my school we only had one male out of the 15-20 students.

I think in this job, gender can play a role in how well you do, it depends on your clientele. Some people arent comfortable having a male work on them and sometimes vice/versa. Then there are always those perverts who think they are going to get a "happy ending", that's a whole other story.

For me personally it took a long time till I felt comfortable doing a trade (as in I give him a massage and then he gives me one, something we did on a regular basis to practice and train) w/the male student in my class. I liked him just fine but he was still a "guy" so it took months till I was like ok I *trust* him to touch me.
Im weird like that, I only go to female doctors for "female related" health.

Umm what was your question again? :heehee:

[Siobhan Marie]

I work in security here in the UK. It's long hours with not a lot of time to yourself, I've been in security for 8 years and it's where I plan to transition.

:hugs: Siobhán x

[Katie Ashe]

Well in short I'm an Component Electronic Specialist. In the service, my career was Ground Radio Maint with Secret Encription bandwidth. Basically I could work at any airport. I like to think I can fix anything electronic. I have been doing this for 17 years now, and are in process of finding new job due to economy. Average pay is around $14-16. At my last job I made $16.54 an hour doing QC/QA under the company engineer, for a computer company. I was there 4 years until they lost contract due to under bidding...

[Scotty]

Well in short I'm an Component Electronic Specialist. In the service, my career was Ground Radio Maint with Secret Encription bandwidth.


You and I may have attended the same school, I did EW systems repair.
I do IT stuff now...it's a living, jobs seem to be plentiful.

[PixieClarke]

Hi, I work in a small lab assembling prototype aerials to be used in the cellphone industry. Most of the work is in the lab but occasionally I have to climb the tower to test them...It's just under 100ft to the top and yes, I do wear lingerie all the time..Oh, I'm a Radio Ham and I inspect amateur built aircraft as well in my spare time.

[Sharon]

I work at home as a freelance copywriter and editor. The goal is to complete my bio and novel, but the paying gigs are giving me little time lately.

One problem that I not too long ago had is that a new client sent the payment to "Sharon," and I'm not legally using that name yet. Sigh..., I can just imagine the confusion and aggravation it will be when the change finally comes through -- but it will be aggravation well worth it.:happy:

[Sandra]

Domestic goddess in a residential college for young people with autism

[Linda Z]

Ceo + chief engineer, i own and run a small company-and make a Industrial product. I run my own show. I work with my wife of 20+ years with 3 kids.
life is good!
:happy:
Linda Z

[Joy Carter]

Retired from a career in law enforcement. Currently working as a commercial electrician. No place to ware dangly earrings. ZZZZZZZZZZAP !

[Paula G]

I work for an insurance agent. The pay is OK for the moment, but looking to get much a position much closer to home (hating the 40 mile commute one way).

[loriannetucson]

Law enforcement. Not a good job to be in during transition. The bravado can get way out of hand and really set the stage for a hostile work environment. The pay is great, the work is challenging, but lots of worries lie ahead.

[reginaNJ1]

Ill echo laurii ann. career fire fighter all the same issues maybe more as we live work and sleep tougther hard to hide but so far i have managed , but sooner or later i am going to come out

[LeeAnn_cd]

I have my own company I do Internet marketing management and consulting and website development. One thing I do is website development and re-design, E-commerce and Shopping Carts, Interactive Product Catalogs. I also do other things but would take up too much time to explain.

[mollytyler]

Lucky to work in entertainment industry. Started out very androgynous in NYC and when transferrd to LA, the slow transformation continued. EVeryone here knew and accepted...it was just a small glitch with a NYC partner who though nice was old school..when he retired Molly went fulltime at work also...and has been for over a year.....As I said, with the liberal entertainment job it was much easier i believe....though there are some assholes in every industry.....comfort level is a key ingredient to transitioning at work...I was lucy to work in heavy female department and they were all very accepting...you jsut need to analyse each step you take and the reactions/reprecussion in wheatever industry you are with now. but....GOOD LUCK and follow your heart!!!!!

[Cara Allen]

This thread is really, really interesting to me. I am just beginning to make my transition, and I know that I will not be able to work in this field (I sell construction equipment to contractors.)

I have been loosing sleep over what will happen when I start to show, and I have to move on. Has anyone been in this position, and what did you do?

I am trying to work my way through this, but am unsure where I will go. I am 57 years old, and while there is no perfect time to make a transition, I find myself looking at a career change with about 10 years of work left before retirement....

I have a Bachelor's degree in Business, and am wondering what others might think about what I might be able to do? I thought about getting my touch typing down, and perhaps working secretarial, but my family and I might just starve on minimum wage....

Perhaps someone knows what classes I might be able to take (certificates?) for a quick turn-over into a new career. It would probably have to be a high demand career.

I really am worried about this, but never thought about laying this out on the forum... Please help?????!!!!! Your input is really valuable to me.

[MichelleWentworth]

I have met a number of TG people who work for government departments in the inner-city of Sydney. I met 3 MtoF girls in one day doing administration at RailCorp (railways). Two of them did not pass at all. Australian civil service wages are very good.

I know of one person in the police force transitioning. That is going to be difficult!

I would recommend to anyone transitioning that a college degree and a high level of skills would be very helpful.

Other ideas include selling insurance over the phone. It is easy to start your own agency. Computer programming if you can develop those skills.

Remember: How well you do in life financially is related to how well you can save and invest money. Once you have a middle class income your level of pay won't make much difference. Read how Warren Buffett selects stocks. Find out what "peak oil" is and where money comes from. Who prints money and how money is created by banks. How much debt does the USA have? There are enough hints here to make your rich!

[Cara Allen]

Remember: How well you do in life financially is related to how well you can save and invest money. Once you have a middle class income your level of pay won't make much difference. Read how Warren Buffett selects stocks. Find out what "peak oil" is and where money comes from. Who prints money and how money is created by banks. How much debt does the USA have? There are enough hints here to make your rich!

You sound like an investment counselor, Michelle! Are you?

[MichelleWentworth]

You ask if I am an investment adviser. I was a stockbroker for 11 years. I am a project manager for now and, as the gold price moves higher, I will be wealthy enough to work in the music industry after transition. This is why I have a budget for surgery etc in transition of about US$120,000.

Most investment advisers are much better salesmen than investment analysts because that is what they do; sell financial products. I was not much of a salesman but eventually learned to take my own advice. My road to wealth was way too risky to recommend to anyone else. I took every cent I had and everything I could borrow and put it into one stock. Citigold did well.

***********************
Other job options for TG people: House designer, you work all using AutoCAD at your computer doing the plans and drawings. There is quite an artistic element to this work.

Lawyer: Your client base can come from the GLBT community.

Accountant: All companies need their bean couters.

Help Desk: If you have basic IT skills and are a good communicator these jobs are easy to get and the staff turnover is high. Many of the help desks I have encountered the people barely speak English.

Unskilled: Life will be tough. Find a partner.

[Cai]

Other job options for TG people: House designer, you work all using AutoCAD at your computer doing the plans and drawings. There is quite an artistic element to this work.

Lawyer: Your client base can come from the GLBT community.

Accountant: All companies need their bean couters.

Help Desk: If you have basic IT skills and are a good communicator these jobs are easy to get and the staff turnover is high. Many of the help desks I have encountered the people barely speak English.

Unskilled: Life will be tough. Find a partner.

(I'm not answering the question, I just needed to say this -I hope that's alright)
Options for TG people (just like options for GG's) include anything you want to do and are trained for, outside of the military and clergy. Being TG does not prevent you from taking a great job. It makes things harder, sure, but not impossible.

[Cara Allen]

My road to wealth was way too risky to recommend to anyone else. I took every cent I had and everything I could borrow and put it into one stock. Citigold did well.

***********************
Other job options for TG people: House designer, you work all using AutoCAD at your computer doing the plans and drawings. There is quite an artistic element to this work.

Lawyer: Your client base can come from the GLBT community.

Accountant: All companies need their bean couters.

Help Desk: If you have basic IT skills and are a good communicator these jobs are easy to get and the staff turnover is high. Many of the help desks I have encountered the people barely speak English.

If you were to do it again, in today's market, would you do the same? I know that making assumptions about the market is like tossing all your money on one number on the roulette table...Congrats on your good fortune!

As for the jobs you listed, good call! I just checked the median income for help desk personel in the US, and the income is $32-42 grand a year. Not bad...!!! It';s not a huge amount of money, and you won't get rich, but it is a realistic living...

Another I have found is as an electrologist... It requires a 6 month certificate in this state (Michigan, and it varies by state,) but the pay hoovers around $30,000 a year. For those girls who have no skills or other education, this is a natural! AND you get your electrolisys free!!!!

This is good stuff... I wish more would contribute. I know I find this very useful...It's like the main stumbling block to transition, and many girls wind up broke with no options for making a living.

[Maggie Kay]

I am a self employed designer using AutoCAD. I design hobby items. Models and such. I sell the models and will have upwards of 100 designs shortly. This is my fifth career as I have been an analytical chemist, software engineer, electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and now designer. I write for a digital magazine for the hobby so I am a writer too. I just am not able to settle down in any one thing as my mind craves innovation and creativity. I don't care that I am not rich although being poor is a major pain sometimes. As I am TG, I know that I have to have anonymity in that my clients probably wouldn't want to deal with me as a female. Sometimes I find that being so private is a curse and want to shout it to the world that I am female but I have a family and they need the income. SO I live a dual life and have to pretend that I am one of the guys. Fortunately, I deal with everyone by Internet or telephone so no one really knows what I look like. Some might be shocked to know that the person they know so well is a woman....

[melissaK]

Nice stories. Change is scary for most of us. Changing jobs/careers rates pretty high on the fear meter. I'm not transitioning, but i scared up a couple MTF's who were in my career field (law) for tips, and it was "make sure you pass." Otherwise, probably the advice for MTF is the same as everyone: do what interests you and let your enthusiasm show, and you can likely stay employed, or succeed at your own business.

There was an episode of MASH that amused me for delivering some wisdom amidst the mission of offering a comedic escape from reality. Winchester's Korean houseboy was fed up with Winchester's, blue blood, more superior than thou, doctor arrogance and quit, saying "Korea very big country, must be better job somewhere." What a great self affirming insult.

hugs,
'lissa

[Stephenie S]

Well, I will say it again.

Healthcare. America needs healthcare workers very much, now and in the future. You can become a LNA in as little as 6 weeks, and you can become a Registered Nurse in 2 rather intense years. Physicians Assistant takes about 2 years also. Then there's Radiology, Pharmacology, Physical Therapy Aide, Recreational Therapy, a host of other health related fields that pay decent ($14.00/hour), to very well ($45.00/hour). As the American population continues to age, the demand for healthcare workers will continue to grow. It might be something to think about, especially as there does not seem to be much discrimination in healthcare.

Stephenie

[LeeAnn_cd]

My wife is a RN she's been one for 20 years been back to school 3 times . She presently has a masters degree in nursing and is a nurse ansthetist she is talking about going back to for her her doctoral degree you may be saying to yourself who cares but I am just proud of her and what she does. But anyway she also says that the health care industry needs people. But also she says its not really that easy to get a job alot of hospitals and hospital type settings want people with experience like she says how do you get experience if you make it hard for someone to get employed.








Well, I will say it again.

Healthcare. America needs healthcare workers very much, now and in the future. You can become a LNA in as little as 6 weeks, and you can become a Registered Nurse in 2 rather intense years. Physicians Assistant takes about 2 years also. Then there's Radiology, Pharmacology, Physical Therapy Aide, Recreational Therapy, a host of other health related fields that pay decent ($14.00/hour), to very well ($45.00/hour). As the American population continues to age, the demand for healthcare workers will continue to grow. It might be something to think about, especially as there does not seem to be much discrimination in healthcare.

Stephenie

[Sejd]

I work part time outside of the house and part time at home. Ideal situation. Im a an artisan and has worked in my special field for over 25 years. Lots of jobs if I wanted to work full time for others. When I work outside, I dress adrogenous and no one seem to care. I probably could get away with more, but I'm not pushing it since I can do whatever I want at home.
hugs
Sejd

[Cara Allen]

I am really interested in what people have to say on this topic. It seems like there are not one or two options, but many, many in areas I would not have thought to look.

I kind of like the nursing idea. Is it right to assume, for those of you in that field, that you might be more accepted as a transitioning TS? It seems logical, as the education level would seem to dictate at least a informed bunch of people to work with. Choosing the right career field has alot to do with a successful transition, wouldn't you think?