[joshs]

hrothgar, on Mar 13 2006, 05:26 PM, said:

joshs, on Mar 14 2006, 01:16 AM, said:

FrancesHinden, on Mar 13 2006, 02:37 PM, said:

Originally a mathematician, I now work in "strategic planning" (strategy some of the year, planning some of the year, research some of the year) for a large multinational company, emphasis on the financial side.

I bummed around mainly playing bridge for 4 wonderful post-grad years at university living on a student grant. Never got round to writing up, got a real job instead.

Currently commuting weekly from Surrey (England) to the Netherlands and not enjoying it.

Is there somewhere that fits your job description other than KBR?

Royal Dutch Shell is noted for the quality of its strategic planning group...
Ifs often considered a rather plum assignment

Oh, are they in surray also? there probably are a few companies that fit this discription.

[Walddk]

The only place worth mentioning in Surrey (county south of the Thames in London) is The Brit Oval. The Oval cricket ground in Kennington is the home of Surrey County Cricket Club and was the venue for the first test match between Australia and England.

In 1882 a spectator is said to have bitten through his umbrella handle during a tense defeat of England by Australia. This was the first time England had lost on native soil and The Sporting Times produced an obituary lamenting the death of English Cricket.

During England’s next tour of Australia, the victorious England captain was presented an urn of ashes- said to represent the cremated ashes of English Cricket. The Ashes are now presented to the victors in test matches between the two nations.

Roland

[Deanrover]

Strangely enough, The Oval is in London, not Surrey.

[FrancesHinden]

I'm sorry this thread seems to have gone into a diversion about Surrey!

English counties are slightly odd things. The Oval certainly is in Surrey but it is also definitely in London. Similarly, Lords, which is Middlesex's home cricket ground, is is Middlesex but is also definitely in London. Historically, 'London' as a county didn't exist: there was a city called London which was in various counties; mainly Surrey south of the river Thames, Middlesex North of the river. We now have this huge hulking thing called London which has a number of 'metropolitan' boroughs and a mayor/assembly. But the cricketing counties have been around a lot longer than that: there is no London county cricket team. For bridge things are much more relaxed, if you live in London you can choose whether to join London county bridge association or Surrey/Middlesex depending on where you live.

By the way, Surrey is not just 'county South of the Thames in London'. There's a lot of Surrey that isn't in London and is quite a way outside London, including lots of commuter towns, some lovely little villages and attractive countryside.

FWIW I do work for Shell, there's nothing confidential or embarrassing about that, but it didn't seem in line with the tone of this thread to name (commercial) employers. My husband & home are in Surrey, not Shell's UK offices.

[Walddk]

I suggest that you get a position at Surrey County Cricket Club, for three reasons mainly:

1. Much closer to your home.
2. It will please Jeffrey.
3. You can get me tickets for the tests and ODI's.

Furthermore, they certainly need an expert on "strategic planning" there. Not sure what they are doing in Division 2!

Roland

[Deanrover]

You can get tickets for the tests and ODIs by becoming a member. Actually I went to the South Africa tests 3 years back and they mailed me some forms enabling me advanced booking for the following summers internationals. I wasn't a member.

[Winstonm]

I'm sorry this thread seems to have gone into a diversion about Surrey!


I'm from Oklahoma - the only Surrey I know is the one with the fringe on top.

[slothy]

I have had quite a few professions in my life (anyone who accidently or otherwise read my BBO profile before i changed it may understand why i chose these particular professions )

In 1990 i was an author. My first publication 'Scrabble Strategies For Dyslexics', written in Braille was a failure after my publishers decided to print the first edition on crepe-paper...

So i gave this up...

In 1991, i became a gynaecologist. Despite my 'I offer a Better Cervix Than Other Gynaecologists' slogan this career was short-lived after i realised i didnt have the tunnel-vision for this particular job...

So i gave this up too...

In 1992, i took up my long passion and became a concert pianist. However, after the organiser for an outdoor concert in Hyde Park didnt let me wear gloves for my performance ( it was such a cold day!) ...

i gave this up too....

In 1993, i did a brief stint as a masseur. But, after a week in the job, i rubbed my boss up the wrong way. He got angry so I threw in the towel (which ensured i got fired as this was the only thing he happened to be wearing at the time)...

So, i gave this up too...

In 1994, the Church announced me as the Second Messiah. But i found it too much of a sacrifice and i was never able to get my message a-cross.

So, i rang John Paul II and told him that it wasnt my calling... and he replied if it wasnt me calling then who was calling??? ....anyway....

In 1995, i became a matador. This spearheaded for a quick end when it didnt reconcile with my newly-found vegetarian life-style. Alas,'never the twain shall meat'. Anyway, what they say about the glory of being a matador is a load of bull...

So, i gave this up too...

In 1997, I became a Kama Sutra guru, offering couples the opportunity to explore their sexuality. Despite my penetratingly insightful tutorials, i was sacked when husbands complained about me giving their wives 'hands-on', 'filler-in' sessions...

So i gave this up too..

In 1998, i briefly became a Samurai Warrior. But, whilst employed as a mercenary during the Afghan uprising, riding into battle on a horse with a sword in my hand was no match for 12 year old guerillas with bazookas...

So i gave this up too...

In 1999, i was a bridge professional. Had i played my cards right, I may have been very successful So, after a quick cup of Lavazza coffee..

i decided to give this up too...

i am currently working as an electrician, but i will pull the plug on this soon. I, (also,) design (inaccessible) web-sites and co-ordinate a voluntary organisation to give asylum-seekers educational opportunities that the rest of us take for granted...

[FrancesHinden]

How many times did you change sex in that career?

[Badmonster]

kenrexford, on Mar 6 2006, 05:29 PM, said:

Criminal defense and appeals. Mostly drugs. And, despite some thoughts I have shared, I get paid in money, not barter.

I do customer service for a limo company, but I wish I were a paralegal for Ken.

Oh not for the drugs, but because it sounds interesting.

[slothy]

FrancesHinden, on Mar 16 2006, 04:20 PM, said:

How many times did you change sex in that career?

Well frances, i am metrosexual, which has got me arrested a couple of times by the gendarmes late at night in the Paris subway...

[barmar]

I'm a Technical Support Engineer for Symantec (that makes at least 3 of us with ties to Symantec -- Richard didn't mention that he worked in the same building as me until he went back to school last year). I'm in 2nd level support, so we don't man the phone lines that customers call all their cases into, we just get the hard ones advanced to us after those guys give up. So I have a decent amount of time in between cases, or waiting for customers to get back to me, when I can browse this and other forums.

[helene_t]

2nd line support is great work I think. I used to do it for Borland. Learned a lot about their software, things it would have taken me much longer to learn otherwise. Also got a lot of contacts with users working for potential future employers.

[aisha759]

I've had lots of little jobs, like scooping ice cream to billing insurance..simultaneous and written translations for a medical corporation based in the US, which owned many hospitals worldwide...
I continued free lance translations up to about 2 years ago.... :(unfortunately, the pay wasnt so great, and the work was quite demanding.. ( i didn't have time for bridge and watching all my favorite TV shows
I have been an aerobics instructor for 15 years...but that's not really a job for me, its what i love to do, and i get to workout for free and i'm the boss for a few days a week... something i'm not at home

[slothy]

her in blue cardigan said:

I have been an aerobics instructor for 15 years...but that's not really a job for me, its what i love to do, and i get to workout for free and i'm the boss for a few days a week... something i'm not at home

Hang on..

are you anaerobic instructor or an aerobic instructor??

[luke warm]

sounds to me like she'd make an exceptional elementary school teacher

[Fluffy]

I have a recently adquired degree on computer science, sadly didn't find anyone interested on hiring me yet (anyone interested?)

By now I make some money from bridge, teaching and playing.

[Gerben42]

Ph.D. student in Astronomy, hoping to finish real soon now.

[the saint]

I am a Rocket Scientist.

And that is true.

[GeeGee]

Computers, computers, computers since 1970. Retirement, retirement, retirement, soon, please....