A Lifetime of Diverse Careers: From Early Jobs to Retirement

My journey through various jobs has been an enriching and diverse experience, spanning from my early teens to my current, last full-time employment. Throughout my life, I have held over eleven jobs in total, including those taken up in my formative years and those I pursued in college and subsequent careers.

Early Years and Job Variety

As a teenager, I started out with simple jobs like babysitting and farm labor, which I often performed for multiple employers. While babysitting, I would sometimes take on multiple families, and similar for farm work where I helped with berry picking or animal care during vacations. These early jobs laid the foundation for my future employment.

Throughout my university studies, I managed a few apartments and served food, earning my Master's degree. This period marked a transition as I felt my career path might shift. However, it was during my college years that I realized I had already done everything I had ever wanted to do.

Corporate and Military Career

Following graduation, my career took several turns, including working at a Little Caesar’s as a manager, driving for Lowe’s, and supervising a local shipyard warehouse. Then, I embarked on a long and fulfilling career as a logistics technician for foreign navies under a U.S. Government contract, which spanned 20 years. During my time in the U.S. Navy, I was promoted to a senior position where I managed the logistics for the Space and Warfare Systems Center for 4.5 years.

My work schedule during these last four careers was demanding, with me spending 2-3 hours a day on tasks. My wife and I carefully considered our finances and realized that our house was fully paid off by July 2013. In November 2013, I submitted my retirement paperwork, and we found that we were earning more than when both of us were employed.

Highlighting Key Careers and Skills

Some of the jobs I held include the following:

US Navy: 20 years as a logistics tech Little Caesar’s: 1 year as a manager Lowe’s: 8 months as a truck driver Local shipyard: 7 years as a warehouse supervisor U.S. Government contract: 20 years as a logistics tech for the Space and Warfare Systems Center Nursery business: Owner of Faber Flowers welded creations

While I pursued a variety of jobs, my career in software development remained constant. I worked with no more than three or four different companies and held the position of a senior product manager at the last one. My career has been characterized by a deep interest in technology and a drive to manage and lead teams effectively.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my job history, it's clear that my career was not just about work, but also about personal growth and the pursuit of my passions. While I may be considered a retired person, my career has been rich with diverse experiences and a strong sense of accomplishment.