GTKY 7/10 - Occupation!

stassischroeder

For the newbies - GTKY = Get To Know You. 

Drop some info about your job/career! Feel free to add your SO's career if you so wish  

littlebug2010

I’m a 6th grade math teacher at a charter school in MA. When I had DS, I was a web developer. The maternity leave is so different for these two jobs, and I’m nervous about getting enough time with the baby. 

DH is a software engineer. His company is insane, they just added more paternity time. I think he gets more time then I do this time around. 

stassischroeder

@littlebug2010 Holy crap! That's so awesome that DH gets a good amount of paternity time! Maybe parts of the US are starting to catch up with the rest of the world....    How much time do you think you'll get this time?


AFM
I work in economic and community development in a small, rural community. So, I wear about 5 different hats, which includes essentially playing Sim City in real life, and managing our charitable gaming organization. The perks of my job are that, while I work for a 9 person board of directors, no one really keeps tabs on me. So, as long as I get things done and keep the cogs turning, no one really cares what I do  I'm originally a city gal, so living and working in a small town is refreshingly casual and laid-back. 

ETA: DH works in oil production. 

WorkingOnMyNightCheese

I'm the Executive Director of a statewide arts nonprofit. We're relatively small though, so like @stassischroeder I wear many hats and also get to run amuck with little oversight from a (also 9 person!) board of directors. I was a wedding and portrait photographer for about 10 years, but gave it up when DD was born because one full-time job was plenty.

DH is a retail manager for a day job (awesome benefits) and also an artist.

littlebug2010

@stassischroeder I think I get 2 paid and somewhere around 10 at 60%. My charter does allow a full year off (not paid) with your job secured. I don’t think I could handle a year off though. DH gets a full 12 100% paid. 

stassischroeder

@littlebug2010 that's not too bad. Not great but not horrible. I don't typically get any formal paid maternity leave, but last time I used banked sick leave. Not sure what will be the case this time, but honestly I could probably negotiate for something because my board of directors can't afford to lose me lol. And, I'm like you and couldn't handle (nor afford) a full year off. 

keeksie84

I teach Family and Consumer Science in a public middle school.  I spent 6 years teaching 2nd and 4th grade, but decided to change it up when I returned from maternity leave after having DD.  Although I'm still getting used to all the big feelings middle schoolers have, I'm loving it!  I get to teach sewing, cooking, personal finance and social/emotional skills.

DH owns bike shops, which has its pros and cons.  The biggest con is that he is so busy during the summer that we rarely see him.  It makes summer vacations almost impossible.  

@littlebug2010 Do you think you'll be able to take the rest of the school year off?  When does school get out for you?  Washington State just passed a pretty great law and I think I'll get 12 weeks paid, which is INSANE.  Last time I used all the sick leave I'd been hoarding for the previous 5 years.

littlebug2010

@keeksie84  wow your school sounds amazing!  I wish ours had more of a focus on life skills. Sigh. I don’t know about taking the rest of the year off. I will have to see how I’m feeling. I might though. It would be a few weeks unpaid, but it might be worth it. 

stassischroeder

@keeksie84 I agree with @littlebug2010 and think it's awesome that you teach life skills! Man, personal finance and social/emotional skills should be a part of every curriculum! 

varimama

I am currently a SAHM to DS. Before him I was a Photolithography Process Engineer at a semiconductor company. DH is a Product engineer at the same company I used to work for. 

EmilyLove25

Are you ready for a nap? Allow me to bore you with my job: I just switched positions at a four year university in Ohio. I was the Director of Academic Support for all the Student Athletes but in June started as the Associate Director of Student Success in Enrollment Management. We basically strategize via data analytics how to develop interventions and programing to increase retention and graduation rates for specific student populations (and then help implement those programs etc). OMG I fell asleep writing that! Summer is WAY more laid back, and I love that! Fall is crazy. Hopefully in March I’ll say “see you in the summer, suckers!”

@littlebug2010 That is GREAT about DH having 12 paid weeks. My DH gets four paid… I’d love it if he got more! 

You all have interesting, meaningful jobs!

mondo77

I manage web development at a large nonprofit. I’ve worked there a long time and love my team, which are located all over the country, remotely. I work from home mostly and go to the office once or twice a week. Ideally I’d be working part time but that isn’t an option for my role. I have FMLA and short term disability for my leave, the standard 12 weeks. 

A lot of people, including me before DS thought I could work from home with a baby but that does not work for me! I can make it work when my son is sick but usually end up putting in some hours after he goes to bed. My 3 year old is in an awesome daycare we hope to use for this LO too.

DH is a network engineer at a local university. 

stacey6689

I am a Social Worker at the county Juvenile Detention Center. So basically, I am surrounded by children all day everyday. lol I will make 5 years here in October. Prior to my current job, I was a Family Service Worker for the division of citizen services in my county. Everyone in my department is at least 15+ years older than me and had their kids long ago so I am going to have to talk to my HR rep to find out about maternity leave. 

DH is a Police Officer. 

mondo77

@EmilyLove25 your job doesn’t sound boring, it  sounds important. College is expensive, so dropping out of college before achieving the degree is a problem!

EmilyLove25

@mondo77 Aww that's nice of you to say

jzangri

I have been a police officer and now detective (special crimes) for 5 years. But, we are in the process of moving across the country. Which could be good timing. Not sure I could handle my job with also having an infant at home. Too many crazy people out there. I just got a conditional job offer to be a bailiff for city courts. DH is happy with that bc it's better hours and of course much safer. DH is an engineer with a company that contracts with the military. 

stassischroeder

@jzangri I read "special crimes" and now, in my mind, you're officially Olivia Benson 



Glad you've found a safer job, though!

jzangri

lol my husband calls me his "Olivia Benson." I love it but you just cant un-see and un-learn soooo many things. Im ready for a nice change of pace.

NTbaby17

Lots of interesting jobs on here! OR surgical nurse here 🙋🏼‍♀️, in a hospital, fast-paced, high stakes , very physical job but I love it. I get 12 weeks unpaid with short term disability supplement. Very hard job to breastfeed/pump at (can’t leave for a pump break during a surgery 😭, but made it work with my last baby) Hubby is a private bank client advisor who just found out he gets 6 weeks of paid paternity leave which we are jumping for joy about!   

lm45678

I’m a school nurse at a public high school in NJ. This will be my 7th year as a school nurse, 10th as a nurse. There are things i love and things I don’t, but I’ve never actually hated it enough to leave! Lol I will get 4 weeks paid sick time after baby, then 12 weeks supplemented FMLA and then the summer, so I’ll go back in September after this baby. The hours and maternity leave (including summer) are among the biggest perks.

My husband is a software developer. And that’s pretty much all i know about his job  

@littlebug2010 how cool about paternity leave! I need my husband to ask his company what their policy is!

chartput

I am a family physician. You may thinks this gives me an advantage because I had to do OB and delivered my fair share of babies in residency, but I think its worse! I know too much which makes me super anxious about everything, even if I know its normal lol.

DH is a 7th grade teacher and coach. 

This is our first and we are apprehensively excited.

phyllifish

I’m also a teacher..going back to Kindergarten this year after a few years in second (10 years all together). I teach in a rough school so I’m a little worried about the baby’s safety (last year I ended up having to do PT because a student threw a desk at me and pinched a nerve in my shoulder..thankfully missed my head) I have supplemental disability which will cover 100% of either 6 or 8 weeks depending on how I deliver, and then I’m eligible for an additional 89 days unpaid. (Our union is negotiating for better next contract but it won’t be until next summer). If I go on my due date, there’s exactly 12 weeks left of the school year, and we get paid during the summer. Haven’t decided what we’ll do yet, but the thought of leaving a 6 week old is already giving me a bit of a panic. 
DH is a title manager at a small insurance company..no official paternity leave but his boss told him he’d give him 2 weeks paid off when the baby is born.

iiirene

Another teacher here! Going into my 5th year teaching pre-k. Early childhood is my passion and I always said I didn’t need children of my own because I have 20 4- and 5- year-olds to love on. I can’t wait to let my teaching assistant know and tell my littles at the start of the school year! I need to reassess my contract but I think I get at least 6 weeks of paid maternity leave. My husband also gets paternity leave so that’s great news too

kagesstarshroom

I teach college for an English dept.! I'm a PhD student there, hoping to graduate and land my forever job over the next year/so. ISO copyediting/developmental editing gigs for the summer, though, since we don't get paid for two months (hashtag so broke rn) of the year--these months.

DH is a restoration carpenter. 

mrsvp614

Hi there! I'm the Executive Producer for the morning show at my local NBC affiliate. My shift usually starts at 2am, which is why I usually post early in the morning.
Overall, I like my job. I'm an Emmy award winner, and nominated for two more next month. I've been with my company for over 11 years. I love my team and what I do... but my hours suck so hard, especially now with a toddler. I usually work from 2a-10a (sometimes later for management meetings) then I go home and nap as long as I can after I run whatever errands are needed, then I wake up to pick up DS at daycare, cook dinner, do bath time, put DS to sleep, then I try go back to sleep immediately, so I can maybe get 4 hours before I wake up at 12:30 in the morning. This means I don't see my son until I pick him up at daycare in the evening, and I get about 2-3 hours where I see DH and DS, but while I'm running around trying to get a million things done. 
I've been applying to lots of other jobs, because I need "normal" hours to make my life function, and I'd like to find something that makes me feel like I'm having a more positive impact, because news is depressing. But I'm also under contract here for another year, and getting a new boss on Monday, so I'm really unsure what the future holds. 

If you're still with me (LOL) DH used to work at my TV station as a cameraman, but he now works at a media company and has normal hours and no longer has to hang out at homicide scenes or stand out in snowstorms. 

sunflower_auryn

You're all doing amazing work! Loved reading this thread. @EmilyLove25 I used to work in student life, so your job is definitely interesting and important! @MrsVP614 wow 2 am!? DH usually has to be at work at around 5 am and I thought that was early! 

I work at an urban planning and policy organization in a large city and specialize in integrating public health considerations into our projects. I do a lot of research, policy advocacy, and technical assistance. DH is a crane operator.

stassischroeder

@NTbaby17 @chartput love having medical professionals in the group! I sure you'll be able to give us a great perspective from the "other side"   

keeksie84

I love this thread!  I have so many teacher friends that sometimes I forget that people have other kinds of jobs, lol.  

@MrsVP614 You have an Emmy?!  So cool!  PLEASE update us if/when you win your next two.  I don't know how you do that schedule!  Hopefully you'll get some clarity after meeting your new boss and can eventually switch to something with an easier schedule.

lemonlove86

This thread is SO fun to read!!! Love seeing so many teacher friends on here too!

I travel between all 3 elementary schools in the district I work for as an elementary instructional technology coach. I basically work with teachers on how they can most meaningfully incorporate technology/iPads into their curriculum! It’s a very fun job and I still get to spend time with kids, but now I’m like the “fun aunt” and get to show them cool iPad tricks and then leave when things get crazy 😂.  I just finished my second year in this role, previously I taught 3rd and 4th grade. 

I’ll use my sick days to cover maternity leave + the rest of the days until the school year is over, so I should be able to take off after March and stay home until school starts in August 2020! 

DH is a business analyst for a salt company. 

kmornelas29

Wow , a lot of teachers in here! I love it. 

I am am also a teacher. I have taught grades TK-5th, but this year I am currently interviewing at different schools since we moved, and I am teaching grad level courses once a week to those in the credential program. I love it! I also get paid on the side for YouTube content. I’ve been doing it since DD1, and it’s the best way to treasure all those memories. 

My my husband is an elementary school pe teacher and has been coaching high school basketball for going on 7 years now! 

kmornelas29

@phyllifish wow! That sounds rough. I once taught at a continuation school where the school office warned me if I had to go to the bathroom to call for security to escort me. I was pregnant with my first and terrified. The kids were sweet though. Many had kids, foster care, and they offered to make me food they learned to make in prison. I respectfully declined, but I appreciate the work you do! Those kids often need a good teacher more than anyone else. 

kmornelas29

@sivosk you should be able to do 12 weeks with FMLA, but I believe it’s unpaid? I know it’s different in different states with leave though. In Ca you only get 6 weeks if it’s your first year (teaching), after that you can get the 12. Good luck! Moms really should have 6 months! 

kishanicole1025

I am a social worker for a rural hospital that outreaches mainly to the indigent and underinsured population. Primary I focus on disability and Medicaid claims. I have been here for about 3 years now. For the most part I love my job, but working hands on with people who can not afford medical care can be absolutely heartbreaking. 

pdx2020

I’m an HR consultant and a recruiter, which can be super interesting. Hiring and workplace culture can be wild, and I love working with so many different types of people. The main reason I love my job is my office though. It’s pretty ideal — almost 90% women, so they definitely cater to us by allowing flex schedules, a lactation suite (with massage chair!), parental leave, and you can bring your kiddo to work for the first six months (after your paid leave). Also, my coworkers are great. We’ve got three office babies due in the next year so lots of celebrations coming up

Happy to give general info and pointers around HR and leave issues if anyone needs it. Lots of it is state (and org) specific, but it’s not too hard to figure out if you know where to look! 

jenEP

I was a child psychologist for several years (and in graduate school forever before that), specializing in childhood anxiety disorders, ADHD, and autism. While I loved my clients and studying child development, I did not love being a therapist. After DD #2 was born, I did a major career change and now do business operations for my DH’s family company. We make large metal buildings. I really enjoy the work and contributing to the family business. I work with DH, MIL, FIL, BIL and DH’s uncle, which can be crazy at times. 

stac4056

Amazing jobs! DH and I work for the same small restaurant group, it’s locally owned and operated but the majority of our locations are franchises. DH is a General Manager, so still works some evenings and I'm District so my on-site schedule aligns more with daycare hours. We’ve been with the group since the jump and all know each other very well, it’s fun objectively, but I feel that original post GIF for sure!! 

kantobean

I am a high school music teacher! I teach choir.

keeksie84

So many teachers/educators/school employees here! I love it. We'll have to start a Teachers' Lounge thread once school starts again. 

ella718

So many interesting jobs! I am a therapist and work in private practice, fee for service. The pay is decent but I get no paid time off. I am in the process of starting my own practice and hope to have that running by the time the baby is here, so that I can continue to run that and work for myself.

mrsklements12817

I’ll join in the teacher crew! This is my 7th year teaching special education integrated preschool. I love it, however, i get no maternity leave. My options are unpaid FMLA or use all my sick time. I also work very part time for a not for profit trade association as their financial person (invoicing, paying bills, etc) and run my own cake and cookie business too. I’m finishing grad school in a few weeks, so that’ll be one less thing on my plate. 

Hubby works in an engine lab, testing chemical additives for oil and fuel. He gets six weeks paid paternity leave. I’m glad he does but also a little jealous. 😊

bluguitarhannah

I investigate illegal discrimination for a university.  All gender based discrimination (stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, etc.) and other protected class cases.
My wife teaches high school math.  Last year, she had Geometry.  She's expecting Algebra 2 and honors studetns next year.