Working

Do you remember your FIRST JOB AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL?

What was your first job and does it still exist today?
If it does the job is possibly very different from when you started working.
You were paid in CASH which usually came in an envelope with your name on it.
There were no computers, no mobile phone as equipment was very different then.
It was popular to leave school at an early age to learn a trade which would then be a lifetime occupation.

Share the memories and experiences of YOUR FIRST JOB after leaving school.
Do you remember how much you were paid or what you liked to spend your pay on?

WORKING TODAY and when is it TIME TO RETIRE?

After all these years of working hard retirment is possibly an option to start considering either now or sometime in the next few years.
Are you looking forward to retiring and planning lots of great things to do in retirement?
The plan might be to start working part time as you cannot afford to retire just yet.
Are you looking at working for many years yet as you enjoy work or cannot afford to retire.

Share you thoughts on working today and retirement.
Can you afford to retire or do you need to keep working for a while yet?

Leave your comments about your First Job and working today.

Please leave us a comment:

Name:
Year of Birth:
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Comments:

karen from bairnsdale region born 1958	My first job at 14 while still at school was working weekends and holiday periods as a shop assistant in 'Patties Bakery', later at barely 16 I was fulltime. My first pay packet was about $28 for a 40 hours a week in 1973. For many years I worked at menial, dirty jobs, as well as more enterprising ventures as a single parent while studying. I had many different job roles, for a time I was wearing various hats during the working week, making life interesting, however worked very hard just to make ends meet. I gained quite a few qualifications including two Diplomas and a few Cert 4's to gain work that I would love, however I have never totally found that satisfaction. Worked for 8/12 years as an 'Assistant in Nursing' and do casual 'Massage Therapy', & now adding 'Fitness training' from home. like to be busy, I like learning, like to be stimulated, challenged, care for people to keep fit. A balance is important. I am now simply grateful for work when all is said and done Comment posted: 19th November 2011, 10:25:04 pm
Lachlan Terry from Townsville born 1957	Early childhood living on the family property in the bush (near Hughenden). Parents moved to Townsville so all the children could do high school. Started a plumbing apprenticeship in 1973. First Year apprentice wage then about $15 per week of which $5 went to Dad and Mum for board and now you wouldn't think you could live on $10 a week.Married twice, divorce twice but have 5 wonderful children ranging in age from 33 to 8 year old and 5 wonderful grand children from 7 to 1 year old. Went back to the bush on the family property for many years after completing the apprenticeship. Did a stint working in the mines in N.W. Q'ld and operated our own freight business servicing the mines for a number of years. Was then diagnosed with M.S. about 2000 and found it difficult to get employment so turned to cab driving for the next 5 years until I had to leave that as well and now on a disability pension. I do volunteer work with the Boy Scouts (my younger sons) and also on the local Comm. Radio. Comment posted: 5th November 2011, 12:15:53 am
janelle Jackson from heidelberg west born 1959	I left school after form 4, I went to work in a factory in Percy street ,West Heidelberg. I had to catch a bus every day and walk up the street to the factory I worked in , it was called wilcox stationary Pty Ltd . I made folders , expanding files and other filing keepers. It involved using a lot of glue,paper ,manilla paper, cardboard, pieces of wood, staples and strong springs, I worked there 3 years. I think my wage was about $60 per week, my money helped my family survive as was the eldest of 5 girls and my dad was always getting retrenched. I went to 2 other factory jobs after that one my last one being holeproof in Brunswick where I was a machinist for 8 years , my experiences in factory work have left me with some physical disibilities and now I only do volunteer work and I'm on a disability pension. Comment posted: 1st October 2011, 07:02:05 pm
Jim from Mandurah born 1950	I started my working life as a Cadet Draftsman in 1968(although I really wanted the Cadet Surveyor's job) on $24.36/wk and by the first pay day had received a pay rise to $25.52/wk. I was studying Engineering part time and didn't complete the course so I got a job as a Surveyor's Asst and then studied Surveying and completed that in 1978. I was fortunate enough to obtain a job in the Mining industry and have been there ever since as a Surveyor, Planner and now Planner/Supervisor. 1968 seems like yesterday, but $24.36/wk seems unbelievable. Comment posted: 6th August 2011, 10:46:43 pm
Dev Ogden from Crows Nest born 1955	Have been an accountant and administrator since starting work at age 18. Lived in the States for 31 years and now in oz since April 2008. Currently I am a logistics officer for a pharmaceutical company but looking for that illusive better paying job in the 60K - 70K range; recruiters have automated replies to queries which is a huge stumbling block and job hunting is a full time job in itself. I am a highly organised person who can run an office and provide excellent customer service. I was born and raised in Sri Lanka and I have travelled extensively and gained numerous years of diverse experience. Apart from my age another stumbling block is that I want employment between Chatswood and Sydney CBD - I have commuted all my life and now want a break from that aspect. My Partner Jim and I live in Wollstonecraft and lead very active lives. I would love to hear from anyone who knows anyone who is looking for good old fashion work ethic - my home phone is 9437 5658 Thank you Comment posted: 7th July 2011, 06:54:10 am
Colin from Tailem Bend S.A. born 1953	I started out cutting plastic and cardboard for a bookbinding company for 6 months, left and did an apprenticeship as a French Polisher.After a 5 year ( appr ) left and worked at Hills Ind at Osullivans Beach for 11 years and worked my way up to a leading hand machine setter.Now i am semi retired and work part time in a bottle shop in Tailem for 7 years and love my Lawn Bowls great life. Comment posted: 21st May 2011, 03:39:30 pm
Phil Owens from Dungay NSW born 1950	I began my working life as an apprentice automotive electrician and except for a short time while travelling, I've been in that trade, and my wife and I have run our own business for over 20 years. I have hopes of retiring in a few years and maybe hand the business over to my 2 sons who are now learning the trade. The job has changed totally, from repairing cars with old 3rd brush generators to modern alternators now controlled by engine management computers. A modern car or truck or earth moving machine is one of the most complex things the average person can come in contact with. There are no courses available to reskill as technology advances and other than buying all available books or CDs to keep knowledge upgraded, keeping apprentices who can return from trade school with the latest information is the only way. I've had many apprentices over the years and been fortunate most were good, one even came second in the world skills contest a few years ago. Comment posted: 27th February 2011, 07:38:19 pm
Jennie from Bacchus Marsh, VIC born 1950	My first real work was in TAB's when we hand-wrote the tickets! The queues on Cup Day were probably an opportunity to party for a lot of people but we behind the counter could only write faster, heads down, counting the bets and figuring out the cost in our heads! I was early on given the responsibility of lockup and cash control on Saturday nights in downtown Clayton. The pay was good and the hours (Monday and Thursday nights and eight hours at least on Saturdays) added to my Education Department Studentship so that I didn't have to deal with poverty as well as all the other distractions of University Life. I became a teacher, reluctantly, and there are many other chapters in my Book of Work but I find it amusing now to note that I've returned to working with money, being a financial manager for this region in a worldwide company. Only now, I need Excel skills. Somehow, writing tickets by hand seems so simple and almost a relaxing way to work! Comment posted: 8th February 2011, 08:59:07 pm
Steve from Killarney Vale NSW born 1958	Started life as an Admin. Assistant then swapped roles to become a Chainman/Survey Draftsman. Had to leave that to spend 18 yrs as an unpaid carer, picking up some cleaning work on the side. Have since worked in a factory as a toolmakers assistant, and the last 4 yrs in Asset Maintenance and Bus Driving in a retirement village. Comment posted: 18th November 2010, 10:23:50 pm
Michael from Berrigan born 1951	I started work at age 15 as an apprentice Boilermaker, still doing it to this day (44 years) looking forward to retirement. (oneday) Comment posted: 14th November 2010, 05:12:23 pm