My list: bagging groceries at Kroger; work-study job in my college's English department (all four years); summer jobs at a psychiatry clinic (data entry) and a psychology group practice (medical records); library assistant; assistant to the publisher and CEO of a small architecture magazine, then assistant editor, associate editor, web editor, back to associate editor, and finally managing editor of the same magazine; executive editor at a different magazine; guest editor and then senior editor at a blog/web magazine (and programming chair for its conference); freelance writing, blogging, and some copywriting during all these magazine jobs; and finally full-time freelance writer and author since 2016, holy moly!
Mine would include babysitting (on and off from age 12 to 30), religious sermon transcriptionist, performing arts teacher (singing, piano, and drama), playwright, director, hostess, waitress, coat check girl (at The Park in Chelsea), spa receptionist, temp at a sump pump company, magazine assistant, Jill of all trades at a small children’s book publisher, copyeditor and proofreader at an ed tech startup, conference organizer, nonprofit executive director, poetry teacher, memoir teacher, novel teacher, book coach
1. As a pottery worker, making handles for mugs...
2. As a fish-gutter (mostly salmon), by far the nastiest job I've ever had...
3. As an IT help desk operative for all the slaughterhouse meat inspectors across England (and in doing so, a member of the British civil service bound by the Official Secret Act)
4. As a Starbucks barista...
5. As a crockery washer in a restaurant...
6. As a nightclub 'bouncer', in which my finest moment was confidently saying to someone bigger than me "oy, you, son, you can f*** off right now" - and incredibly, he did...
7. As a litter-picker in a shopping village...
8. As a fairground ride attendant (primarily on a machine called The Cups which was *incredible* dangerous and I shudder to remember it)...
9. As an archaeologist digging a Viking-age fishing settlement in Orkney...
10. As a story consultant for small businesses, which I actually really loved...
11. As a wholly incompetent personal assistant in an insurance company, until they, um, "declined to renew my contract" (fired me)...
12. As a cardboard box-folder (assembling tens of thousands of boxes for everyday household goods for an extremely small piece-rate from home)...
13. As ballast on a boat (long story, can't believe I got paid to do it)...
14. As, in my most ridiculous job yet for which I am probably the least qualified, a science newsletter writer.
I've been a waitress, a student help desk clerk, and a camp counselor. I worked in homeless shelters, in confidential domestic violence shelters, and as a victim advocate running support groups through the county jail. I've worked as a finance assistant in a non-profit and a natural foods coop. I also ran the cash register and worked the customer service desk at the latter, and eventually became the Finance Manager. I ran an independent bookstore, worked as the business manager of a plumbing and heating company, freelanced writing reports about progressive shareholder proposals coming up for vote at annual corporate meetings, and now I'm the office coordinator for the study abroad office at my local university. All the while, I've been a weaver, a potter, and now a writer for the last 17 years.
Impressive list, Asha! And so many crucial roles here, advocating for those who really need it. Plus running an independent bookstore! And making your own work at the same time. A triumph, honestly.
It does make me feel like birthing a book is akin to birthing twin elephants. I don’t know if there are twin elephants, but just one requires a couple of years. So, now I’m staring down what I can only describe as elephant twins. But my bills get paid, which allows me to continue to live indoors, have wi-fi, and take care of myself and my kids, so elephant twins it is!
My creative work for context, I'm a writer (playwright mostly, although a substack newsletter, and some poetry as well), editor and creative consultant
Pre-College: church nursery worker, minor league baseball stadium soda hawker; During college: Sears cashier (I wrote haikus in the cash wrap), campus tour guide, student manager of campus tour guides, student manager of admissions programs, admissions office student front desk worker, theatre office admin assistant, new short play literary magazine senior editor; Post college: theatre ticket office worker, development associate for non-profit theatre; During grad-school: admin assistant for a unit in the Office of Alumni and Development, admin assistant for the theatre department; Since grad school: giving day coordinator (a development event), transcriptionist, temp admin work for a summer camp, theatrical licensing representative, temp synopsis writer for Netflix, temp content ops specialist for a streaming distribution company, visitor services associate for a non-profit arts organization, event support for that same org, venue manager for an immersive play about rasputin; Currently: small business jewelry fulfillment associate, temp sales ops admin for a distribution company, theatre channel director for an up-and-coming short-form distribution company (Tiny Scripted), blog copy editor, newsletter developmental editor, creative consultant, substack writer, playwright
...I feel like I might be missing a few one-offs as well.
I was a personal assistant for a life coach who had me transcribe her 100+ hours of video of her hallucinations while microdosing. back in the 2000s, so all by hand on a computer
What a treasure find you are ! I read Jillian Hess' Substack and your writing process. I LOVE the library is your source. I adore those Post-its in the books. I am Indian ( South Asian) and have been struck by fellow writers who buy every book they need-- I simply cannot spend that kind of money. You have reassured me its OK. Thanks fot all the writing points- saved !
Congrats on your book- I have a previous one of yours ordered and coming.
I am disappointed the London Writer Salon is all paid now- even their daily writing sessions. Hate it when the Brits make everything a business---
Thank you for the kind words, Navneet. I'm very happy to provide evidence that you can do all the research you need with library books! And I really hope you will enjoy mine
On mine (in no assorted order, but keeping it to post-college):
-selling shoes at the Columbia Sportswear flagship store
-influencer campaign management for a PR company to promote backpacks and sunglasses
-corporate content production for a car brand
-so so so so much blogging for dismal amounts
-leading food tours
-after school art club teacher
-chef for artist residency
Full-time freelance writer/artist since 2013, but have whittled down the contract/client work I do, so these days my income is almost exclusively from writing my newsletter and books + selling my art. This means that I now do thrilling things like working in the Shipping Department packaging orders and serving as a bookkeeper. Never a dull moment.
Indeed it is, Mason Curry! One of my earliest Substacks was about this same subject. I think I took it down. Maybe I'll put it back up. Re: professional whistler - yes - there was a British TV show called "3rd And Bird" a little more than 15 years ago and my dear colleague/musician/pal J. Walter Hawkes got in touch one day and said he was a crappy whistler and could i come to his studio and do the deed, for $200? He was scoring the show, and "Birds," you know. I had whistled on a studio recording we did of the 1931 song "Heartaches" so he knew I could whistle. And there you have it. There's a video of me doing it somewhere, but I don't think I liked the way i looked so I didn't put it up.
Chick-Fil-A shift supervisor, Baker, Grading assistant, waitress, university dining hall supervisor, dining hall computer system manager, tech support for a university fiscal department, personal trainer, running coach, elementary physical education teacher, child protective services social worker, preschool administrative coordinator, university band travel and administrative coordinator, administrative assistant for a research project, exec. assistant for an associate dean. Oh, wait, forgot the summers where I was a summer camp cook.
And yet I still had time to read both your books and am starting the new one this week :) !
Wow. And I thought MY list was wacky and expansive. Impressive (also mildly exhausting). One thing she does NOT have on her list is puppeteer. I can put that one on mine. ;-) Thanks for sharing this.
Okay, I'll start. 1) babysitting. 2) worked in the library 3) fast food (specialty - salad bar set up and cash register) 4) mini-mart 5) A&P 5) wholesale construction supply company secretary/receptionist 6) cashier and sandwich maker 7)dental assistant and admin 8) secretary for a shady telemarketing place 9) secretary for a sports marketing company 10) admin officer for a newspaper / media conglomerate 11) office manager for think tank 12) hotel sales (4 times) 13) development officer for a non profit 14) business owner (3x) 15) waitress 16) retail (multiple times) 17) corporate in house recruiter 18) 3rd party recruiter 19) contract/retained recruiter 20) resume writer 21) odd jobs doer - cleaning, clearing out, filing, organizing 22) hair cutter 23) pet-sitter
maybe more? I feel I should have created more art in all this time!
You deserve all this greatness, and more! I had an email from my favourite bookstore yesterday saying that my copy of your new book is in---I just have to go collect it. Exciting!
My list: bagging groceries at Kroger; work-study job in my college's English department (all four years); summer jobs at a psychiatry clinic (data entry) and a psychology group practice (medical records); library assistant; assistant to the publisher and CEO of a small architecture magazine, then assistant editor, associate editor, web editor, back to associate editor, and finally managing editor of the same magazine; executive editor at a different magazine; guest editor and then senior editor at a blog/web magazine (and programming chair for its conference); freelance writing, blogging, and some copywriting during all these magazine jobs; and finally full-time freelance writer and author since 2016, holy moly!
1) I made custom sweaters
2) I designed jewelry
3) I designed medals
4) I transcribed conferences
5) I made dolls
6) I taught art at middle schools
7) I taught history in vocational courses for adults
8) I worked as a press officer for the theater
9) I wrote for the culture section of a couple of daily newspapers
10) I oversaw the production of catalogs at a printing house
11) I created illustrations for books
12) I designed scarves
13) I sought out clients to sell dental supplies
14) I proofread manuscripts
(These are the first ones that come to mind, but I’m sure I’m forgetting some)
I am loving reading everyone’s lists!!
Mine would include babysitting (on and off from age 12 to 30), religious sermon transcriptionist, performing arts teacher (singing, piano, and drama), playwright, director, hostess, waitress, coat check girl (at The Park in Chelsea), spa receptionist, temp at a sump pump company, magazine assistant, Jill of all trades at a small children’s book publisher, copyeditor and proofreader at an ed tech startup, conference organizer, nonprofit executive director, poetry teacher, memoir teacher, novel teacher, book coach
Amazing list!! From the spa to the sump pump company and beyond 🚀
1. As a pottery worker, making handles for mugs...
2. As a fish-gutter (mostly salmon), by far the nastiest job I've ever had...
3. As an IT help desk operative for all the slaughterhouse meat inspectors across England (and in doing so, a member of the British civil service bound by the Official Secret Act)
4. As a Starbucks barista...
5. As a crockery washer in a restaurant...
6. As a nightclub 'bouncer', in which my finest moment was confidently saying to someone bigger than me "oy, you, son, you can f*** off right now" - and incredibly, he did...
7. As a litter-picker in a shopping village...
8. As a fairground ride attendant (primarily on a machine called The Cups which was *incredible* dangerous and I shudder to remember it)...
9. As an archaeologist digging a Viking-age fishing settlement in Orkney...
10. As a story consultant for small businesses, which I actually really loved...
11. As a wholly incompetent personal assistant in an insurance company, until they, um, "declined to renew my contract" (fired me)...
12. As a cardboard box-folder (assembling tens of thousands of boxes for everyday household goods for an extremely small piece-rate from home)...
13. As ballast on a boat (long story, can't believe I got paid to do it)...
14. As, in my most ridiculous job yet for which I am probably the least qualified, a science newsletter writer.
What a list, Mike! If I ever need a bouncer, you will be first on my list.
I would like a whole essay about making mug handles please.
I feel I could really shine as ballast, but the opportunity hasn't come up yet. New ambition!
I've been a waitress, a student help desk clerk, and a camp counselor. I worked in homeless shelters, in confidential domestic violence shelters, and as a victim advocate running support groups through the county jail. I've worked as a finance assistant in a non-profit and a natural foods coop. I also ran the cash register and worked the customer service desk at the latter, and eventually became the Finance Manager. I ran an independent bookstore, worked as the business manager of a plumbing and heating company, freelanced writing reports about progressive shareholder proposals coming up for vote at annual corporate meetings, and now I'm the office coordinator for the study abroad office at my local university. All the while, I've been a weaver, a potter, and now a writer for the last 17 years.
Impressive list, Asha! And so many crucial roles here, advocating for those who really need it. Plus running an independent bookstore! And making your own work at the same time. A triumph, honestly.
It does make me feel like birthing a book is akin to birthing twin elephants. I don’t know if there are twin elephants, but just one requires a couple of years. So, now I’m staring down what I can only describe as elephant twins. But my bills get paid, which allows me to continue to live indoors, have wi-fi, and take care of myself and my kids, so elephant twins it is!
My creative work for context, I'm a writer (playwright mostly, although a substack newsletter, and some poetry as well), editor and creative consultant
Pre-College: church nursery worker, minor league baseball stadium soda hawker; During college: Sears cashier (I wrote haikus in the cash wrap), campus tour guide, student manager of campus tour guides, student manager of admissions programs, admissions office student front desk worker, theatre office admin assistant, new short play literary magazine senior editor; Post college: theatre ticket office worker, development associate for non-profit theatre; During grad-school: admin assistant for a unit in the Office of Alumni and Development, admin assistant for the theatre department; Since grad school: giving day coordinator (a development event), transcriptionist, temp admin work for a summer camp, theatrical licensing representative, temp synopsis writer for Netflix, temp content ops specialist for a streaming distribution company, visitor services associate for a non-profit arts organization, event support for that same org, venue manager for an immersive play about rasputin; Currently: small business jewelry fulfillment associate, temp sales ops admin for a distribution company, theatre channel director for an up-and-coming short-form distribution company (Tiny Scripted), blog copy editor, newsletter developmental editor, creative consultant, substack writer, playwright
...I feel like I might be missing a few one-offs as well.
"Sears cashier (I wrote haikus in the cash wrap)" — YES!!
I was a personal assistant for a life coach who had me transcribe her 100+ hours of video of her hallucinations while microdosing. back in the 2000s, so all by hand on a computer
Amazing! Hope you got paid by the word.
Dear Mason Currey,
What a treasure find you are ! I read Jillian Hess' Substack and your writing process. I LOVE the library is your source. I adore those Post-its in the books. I am Indian ( South Asian) and have been struck by fellow writers who buy every book they need-- I simply cannot spend that kind of money. You have reassured me its OK. Thanks fot all the writing points- saved !
Congrats on your book- I have a previous one of yours ordered and coming.
I am disappointed the London Writer Salon is all paid now- even their daily writing sessions. Hate it when the Brits make everything a business---
Navneet
Thank you for the kind words, Navneet. I'm very happy to provide evidence that you can do all the research you need with library books! And I really hope you will enjoy mine
I am obsessed with this list!
On mine (in no assorted order, but keeping it to post-college):
-selling shoes at the Columbia Sportswear flagship store
-influencer campaign management for a PR company to promote backpacks and sunglasses
-corporate content production for a car brand
-so so so so much blogging for dismal amounts
-leading food tours
-after school art club teacher
-chef for artist residency
Full-time freelance writer/artist since 2013, but have whittled down the contract/client work I do, so these days my income is almost exclusively from writing my newsletter and books + selling my art. This means that I now do thrilling things like working in the Shipping Department packaging orders and serving as a bookkeeper. Never a dull moment.
The coolest art club teacher, I’m sure!!
I let middle school students play with xacto knives 😂
haha, sure! Enjoyed your post. :)
Dishwasher
Housepainter
House cleaner
Bartender
House bass player
Jazz piano player
Tin Pan alley piano player
Session rockabilly guitarist
Courier
Delivery boy
Builder of cement steps
Dog walker
Dog watcher
Auto journalist
Musician/performer/published songwriter
TV host, network television
Cross-dresser (Long story)
Strip-o-grams
Singing telegram deliver-er
Elvis Impersonator
Professional Whistler
Bass guitar string salesman
Cat and dog watcher
eBay seller
Driver for hire
Debris hauler
Backyard debris-clearer
Waiter
Figure model
Is this for real?? I was with you until "Professional Whistler"
Indeed it is, Mason Curry! One of my earliest Substacks was about this same subject. I think I took it down. Maybe I'll put it back up. Re: professional whistler - yes - there was a British TV show called "3rd And Bird" a little more than 15 years ago and my dear colleague/musician/pal J. Walter Hawkes got in touch one day and said he was a crappy whistler and could i come to his studio and do the deed, for $200? He was scoring the show, and "Birds," you know. I had whistled on a studio recording we did of the 1931 song "Heartaches" so he knew I could whistle. And there you have it. There's a video of me doing it somewhere, but I don't think I liked the way i looked so I didn't put it up.
As of now:
1. Fast Food Cashier
2. Bookstore Cashier & Customer Representative
3. Deli Clerk
4. French Tutor
5. University Teaching Assistant
6. Bookstore Taskforce
7. Freelance Editor & Translator
8. YouTuber (Negligible)
9. Driver for Construction Crew
10. Flight Attendant
11. Produce Clerk
12. Self-Published Poet (Negligible)
Started working at 17, currently 28. Some of these jobs I’ve had for years, often times one job bleed into another, etc. 😅
Love this, Sandra! I always suspected that many (most?) deli clerks and flight attendants are secret poets.
You might be onto something 👀
Chick-Fil-A shift supervisor, Baker, Grading assistant, waitress, university dining hall supervisor, dining hall computer system manager, tech support for a university fiscal department, personal trainer, running coach, elementary physical education teacher, child protective services social worker, preschool administrative coordinator, university band travel and administrative coordinator, administrative assistant for a research project, exec. assistant for an associate dean. Oh, wait, forgot the summers where I was a summer camp cook.
And yet I still had time to read both your books and am starting the new one this week :) !
Amazing list! Really hope you enjoy the new book 🤓🙏
Wow. And I thought MY list was wacky and expansive. Impressive (also mildly exhausting). One thing she does NOT have on her list is puppeteer. I can put that one on mine. ;-) Thanks for sharing this.
Puppeteer is a good one!
Okay, I'll start. 1) babysitting. 2) worked in the library 3) fast food (specialty - salad bar set up and cash register) 4) mini-mart 5) A&P 5) wholesale construction supply company secretary/receptionist 6) cashier and sandwich maker 7)dental assistant and admin 8) secretary for a shady telemarketing place 9) secretary for a sports marketing company 10) admin officer for a newspaper / media conglomerate 11) office manager for think tank 12) hotel sales (4 times) 13) development officer for a non profit 14) business owner (3x) 15) waitress 16) retail (multiple times) 17) corporate in house recruiter 18) 3rd party recruiter 19) contract/retained recruiter 20) resume writer 21) odd jobs doer - cleaning, clearing out, filing, organizing 22) hair cutter 23) pet-sitter
maybe more? I feel I should have created more art in all this time!
This is quite the list, Peggie! I would say it's impressive that you've created *any* art in all this time — well done.
haha - long enough life I guess! always falling forward in pursuit of alignment (not the best advice, but advice nonetheless). Cheers!
Such a joy to chat with you and love the book!
Thanks so much, Kat, the pleasure was mine!
You deserve all this greatness, and more! I had an email from my favourite bookstore yesterday saying that my copy of your new book is in---I just have to go collect it. Exciting!
Please enjoy!!!
There's nothing quite like a good list! Safe travels to Chicago!
Thanks, Jillian!