CDers, what is your vocation?

[Jennifer Silverstone]

I know it's a bit of a cliche for a TV, but I'm a truck driver! I like the solitude mainly, I function better on my own. Not really a team player. Previously I have worked in various warehouses and factories, and was a manager for a year (when I was 20, so they could pay me peanuts). I also play guitar, write science fiction and used to be good at art!

[aggi123]

I work Undercover Loss Prevention. But I majored in Television Production...go figure

[Violetgray]

Thanks. I always select all of my words wisely.

I respectfully disagree. I don't think most would jump to that word associaton necessarily. While artistic endeavours are indeed creative (by conveyence of feeling), their "intellectual" merit is subjective or debatable (hence, the study/interpretation of the Arts), whereas intellectual vocations (such as engineering) facilitate creativity of a more problem-solving/practical nature and are generally denoted by accepted standards of higher fact-based education and much larger paychecks. :P

I think it would depend on how you define "intellectual." Let's remember that there are several different types of intelligence. Saying that it is simply scientific or, "Fact Based" ability would be an incomplete definition. Also, just as there are higher standards of "fact based" education there are also higher standards of artistic education, like Peabody institute, or Juliard. Is the intellectual merit of art subjective? Yes. But just as there are simple and complex examples of engineering, there are simple and complex examples of art.

Also, one might argue that problem solving by thinking outside the box is a right-brained activity, even in a field like engineering. And it is very true that the average engineer probably makes more than the average artist (you never hear the phrase 'starving engineer') But I'd be willing to bet that the top artists make FAR more than most of the top engineers.

[Sully]

I am an IT Tech and part time guitar player in a rock band... I would love to go on stage dressed up...

[gender_blender]

I think it would depend on how you define "intellectual." Let's remember that there are several different types of intelligence. Saying that it is simply scientific or, "Fact Based" ability would be an incomplete definition. Also, just as there are higher standards of "fact based" education there are also higher standards of artistic education, like Peabody institute, or Juliard. Is the intellectual merit of art subjective? Yes. But just as there are simple and complex examples of engineering, there are simple and complex examples of art.

Also, one might argue that problem solving by thinking outside the box is a right-brained activity, even in a field like engineering. And it is very true that the average engineer probably makes more than the average artist (you never hear the phrase 'starving engineer') But I'd be willing to bet that the top artists make FAR more than most of the top engineers.

I personally would not label most art as "intellectually demanding" beyond the luck of guessing how to appropriately convey emotion, but the standards of engineering/science-based education are far less open to interpretation and more based upon effective and practical results.

You make an excellent point which coincidences with my own. While the rarity of becoming a succesful artist (perhaps comparable to entering the lottery) can yield a greater financial result eventually, an engineering/science-based education commonly places graduates into stable and well-paid positions. An education does not an artist make, but can prepare one for enthusiastically inquiring "Would you like fries with that?"

Best,

[stacy-marie hanna]

i work in a supermarket
im a checkout chick!!

stacy-marie

[natasha]

service writer in a auto shop
mechanic
auto parts sales
Public Works for the last 20+ years

[Samantha Girl]

I think there might be something to the left brain theory. I'm an artist myself. I think to a certain extent artistic types are more open to new experiences and/or not following societal conventions. It's kind of our job, to a certain extent, to challenge what's supposedly "normal"

just my 2 cents

[Princess_of_Hckloins]

I work as a retail meat cutter in a small town. Outside of work, my interests are amateur radio and TV-FM DXing.

[DeeArel]

Gargage man

[StaceyJane]

former U.S. Army Combat Lab Tech
Now I work as a regular civilian lab tech in an Army Hospital

[SuzanneBender]

Kay what a fabulous thread. When they get long like this I typically don't read them all but I did this one. I have many vocations. My first job lets me put them all together psychology, teaching, and writing. Don't ask about my second job because I can’t tell.

[SuzanneBender]

I personally would not label most art as "intellectually demanding" beyond the luck of guessing how to appropriately convey emotion, but the standards of engineering/science-based education are far less open to interpretation and more based upon effective and practical results.

You make an excellent point which coincidences with my own. While the rarity of becoming a succesful artist (perhaps comparable to entering the lottery) can yield a greater financial result eventually, an engineering/science-based education commonly places graduates into stable and well-paid positions. An education does not an artist make, but can prepare one for enthusiastically inquiring "Would you like fries with that?"

Best,

Just like us this issue is not binary. It takes the right combination of science and art to be successful. The greatest scientists and engineers realize that to create even in the presence of absolute rules you must have art and the greatest artists and composers will tell you that there is a science that underlies there greatest works.
The brain wouldn't be that great of an organ without both a left and right half.

[Alice Green]

Artist, mostly ceramics, but paint, draw, ect... I can just about do it all.

[Violetgray]

Just like us this issue is not binary. It takes the right combination of science and art to be successful. The greatest scientists and engineers realize that to create even in the presence of absolute rules you must have art and the greatest artists and composers will tell you that there is a science that underlies there greatest works.
The brain wouldn't be that great of an organ without both a left and right half.

Very well put Suzanne!

But GenderBlender,

Guessing? Luck? Surely you jest? Once or twice in a lifetime sure, but to do it consistantly and professionally takes skill and talent. I'll use my field of stand-up comedy as an example. You're in a room with a couple hundred other people, you don't know them, they don't know you, but for the next 20 minutes you'll have to say things that'll make 90% of them laugh. It takes a special combination of timing, tone, inflection, and wit to accomplish this, not to mention being able to read your audience and get a feel for their moods, and dealing with drunken hecklers in a way that everyone will enjoy, and not make the situation tense. Ever seen "Showtime at the Apollo?" Where people get booed off the stage? Ask a comedian or musician on that stage how far luck and guessing takes them.

"guessing" implies that either you have the answer or you don't. It's not that simple, and honing an art can take many years. If, with your art you can express yourself skillfully, the emotion and sentiment in your work will resonate with someone. It takes a certain kind of intelligence (and business savy) to create a book or song or movie that millions around the world will enjoy. It may not be an intelligence of a sort that you can comprehend, but it's the reason that Mozart was called a genius.

And while yes, it is easier to become a successful engineer than an artist, I think that you misrepresent the amount of working artists out there. You see them all over TV, You hear them all on the radio, Their books are all over the subway, Their drawings and paintings are in restuarants, shopping malls, their character designs are in video games. I think that working artists are more common than lottery winners. There are more successful engineers because being a successful artist is MORE demanding, not less.

And I think that to a certain extent you prove MY point. The sciences require less creativity specifically because they are fact-based, and when an attempt at a creative solution fails, you can always go back to the drawing board. Numbers are always going to be numbers, after all. Musicians and actors don't have that safety net. The world of professional art whether in music, acting, ect. is very, VERY results driven, and can be extremely competitive, and I don't think you comprehend the even the kind of intelligence it takes, let alone how much of it.

Btw, Thank you for this discussion I'm really enjoying it, and it is relevant to the topic I think, so hopefully the mods won't smack us and say, "Shut up!"

[Samantha Girl]

Very well put Suzanne!

But GenderBlender,

Guessing? Luck? Surely you jest? Once or twice in a lifetime sure, but to do it consistantly and professionally takes skill and talent. I'll use my field of stand-up comedy as an example. You're in a room with a couple hundred other people, you don't know them, they don't know you, but for the next 20 minutes you'll have to say things that'll make 90% of them laugh. It takes a special combination of timing, tone, inflection, and wit to accomplish this, not to mention being able to read your audience and get a feel for their moods, and dealing with drunken hecklers in a way that everyone will enjoy, and not make the situation tense. Ever seen "Showtime at the Apollo?" Where people get booed off the stage? Ask a comedian or musician on that stage how far luck and guessing takes them.

"guessing" implies that either you have the answer or you don't. It's not that simple, and honing an art can take many years. If, with your art you can express yourself skillfully, the emotion and sentiment in your work will resonate with someone. It takes a certain kind of intelligence (and business savy) to create a book or song or movie that millions around the world will enjoy. It may not be an intelligence of a sort that you can comprehend, but it's the reason that Mozart was called a genius.

And while yes, it is easier to become a successful engineer than an artist, I think that you misrepresent the amount of working artists out there. You see them all over TV, You hear them all on the radio, Their books are all over the subway, Their drawings and paintings are in restuarants, shopping malls, their character designs are in video games. I think that working artists are more common than lottery winners. There are more successful engineers because being a successful artist is MORE demanding, not less.

And I think that to a certain extent you prove MY point. The sciences require less creativity specifically because they are fact-based, and when an attempt at a creative solution fails, you can always go back to the drawing board. Numbers are always going to be numbers, after all. Musicians and actors don't have that safety net. The world of professional art whether in music, acting, ect. is very, VERY results driven, and can be extremely competitive, and I don't think you comprehend the even the kind of intelligence it takes, let alone how much of it.

Btw, Thank you for this discussion I'm really enjoying it, and it is relevant to the topic I think, so hopefully the mods won't smack us and say, "Shut up!"

AWESOME post girl! Art is literally EVERYWHERE, it's kinda underappreciated nowadays

[Leilani]

I work as a business development manager for a major food service chain. It is my job to aid in the operation and profitability of a number of different franchise locations as well as help develop previously untapped marketing elements for those owners to build and grow their business. I also ensure the franchises are operating within the parameters as set forth by the Franchisor to protect the brand integrity. Wow I feel like I am writing my resume here

[Juanita O]

I have been retired since May of 2008, the jobs I have had are auto parts counter, mechanic, Air Force where I work as a munitions maintenance specialist. After leaving the air force i worked for the air force as an aircraft mechanic (civilian) for 30 yrs. Retired and loving it.

[Billie Jean]

Nurse. Billie Jean

[DaisyG]

Mechanical and electrical engineer, 43 years designing and building a wide variety of electromechanical products. All capital goods, nothing for the consumer. Ought to be retired by now; but still having fun, still creating new things.

Daisy

[renee k]

Airline Pilot
Technical background

ME TOO! Airbus driver for a low cost airline.

[BarbiB]

Medical Device Engineer, CAD Designer, Toolmaker, Master mechanic

[Malori Cross]

In no particular order:

Artist
Truck driver
Commercial pilot
Chef
Mainframe Computer Operator
Writer
Father
Web site developer
Mailroom clerk
Stockboy
Transportation specialist
Book author
Auto mechanic
Social worker
Retail salesperson
Carpenter

My brain swings both ways!

[KayC]

Your vocations are so varied it's impossible to derive any conclusions other than you come from all walks of life! That is cool in itself...truck drivers, policemen, nurses, artists, engineers, what a varied group we have here! And some of you have listed about 30 vocations...makes me tired just thinking about it! LOL Anway...good to know you all!

[abigailf]

I work in the IT industry. I have been in engineering, sales, marketing and management. I was also in the finance industry as a broker.

I don't believe left or right brained controls our desire to be TG. Hoiwever, I think being dominate left or right will determine how good you look when dressed up.