As promised, I've brought this post to the top.
On June 1st, I asked our readers the question - "What is your primary occupation?"
(Physicist and engineer) Ed Minchau collated the 633 responses as of 1:46 am, June 3rd. Do read the whole thread - many of our readers have multiple or specialized fields of expertise that general categories don't quite do justice to.
engineers: 61
computer programmers/consultants/systems analysts: 47
management: 46
military: 36
educators: 31
scientists: 28
small business: 28
technicians/technologists: 27
accountants/bookkeepers/economists/taxation/insurance: 24
construction/electricians/plumbers/carpenters/contractors: 23
financiers/brokers/bankers: 21
farmer/rancher/cowboy/agriculture/veterinary: 19
stay-at-home parents: 18
consultants: 18
sales: 16
pilots/air traffic control: 15
lawyers/legal assistants/advocates: 14
doctors/nurses/healthcare: 14
pastors/priests/missionaries/social workers/psychologists/counselors: 13
civil servants: 12
artists/musicians/photographers: 12
manufacturing/machinists: 10
writers/journalists/reporters: 10
police/corrections/security/investigation: 8
students: 8
truckers/railroad workers: 8
statisticians/actuaries/data analysts/librarians: 8
architects/draftsmen/urban planners: 8
radio/television/telecom: 7
mechanics/heavy equipment operators: 6
oil workers: 6
real estate: 4
forestry: 3
purchasing/logistics/warehousing: 3
secretary/administrative assistant:3
quality assurance: 2
map maker/surveyor: 2
human resources: 2
other: 12total: 633 (ignored obvious duplicate entries, general comments)
Oh, and ... whorehouse piano players (aspiring or claiming to be): 10
piano teachers (listed under educators): 2
Responses are still trickling in.
Thanks to everyone who participated. To quote (air traffic controller) "Yukon Gold" - "Boy, what a bunch of highly-educated, highly learned and experienced bunch of mouth-breathing knuckle draggers we are."
And to think - we do it all in our pajamas!
Note - submissions are still welcome, but please refrain from using this thread to chatter about the survey. If you wish to discuss the survey, please do so here.
Original post continues below:
About 18 months ago, I asked readers to share their ages in a dedicated comments thread, in response to yet another media portrayal of blog readers as "tech savvy twenty-somethings". As it turned out, around here the "tech savvy" includes a lot more 40, 50 and 60 year olds than most people would have guessed.
Today, I have a different question: What is your primary occupation? (or occupation prior to retirement). No need to provide extensive information, just a quick job title (eg. in my case, "freelance commercial artist".)
I already know you encompass a pretty wide field of expertise, based on some of the discussions here. I think it would be interesting to find out just how wide it is.
I'd like to encourage those who are regular readers but who don't typically comment to participate in this one. You aren't required to provide a name or valid email address.
Veterinarian
I play piano in a whorehouse.
Actually I'm an attorney, I just say the other thing so that people won't think less of me.
Retired...formerly marketing and sales.
20 years Canadian Navy and still going
Capitalist Oppressor
Actually I'm a Soldier, I just say the other thing because that's what the people who think less of me will read anyway.
Software devloper, business solutions. Formerly construction engineer.
Retired pulp mill superintendent.
Good survey to do, Kate, Im always amazed at the range of expertise shown by your commenters.
Structural Engineering Technologist
Engineer, electronic designer.
Refrigeration operator
Environmental Technologist.
But Kate, what about the stereotype? Shouldn't we reinforce it?
Software Engineer teaching Video Game Development at a private Art College.
electrical contractor
Trace chemical analyst
Freelance insurance consultant (RE:product research, development, market analysis, pricing, etc.)
Planetary astrophysicist. Mostly origin studies but some Saturn ring dynamics lately.
Retired - Head of Information Technology - (gummint)
Computer and network technician.
Part-time professional photographer.
Part-time professional writer/editor.
Drilling Rig Engineer
15 years as Building Operator, 22 years in military. Now retired.
Naval Electronics Technician (Sonar)
In english that means I maintain and repair all the sonars and navigation systems on HMC Ships
Senior Systems Analyst
IT analyst, 35 years old
VP Industrial Construction Company
no till farmer from Sask.
Home based in Newfoundland.
Employee of Calgary based company.
Java developer.
Energy sector allocation, production accounting and marketing software suite.
Life long friend of Jeff Swain above. Funny to see you here!
Retired - ex Nuclear Operator
I might as well say "professional writer." I can't stay away from the keyboard for a prolonged length of time.
I'm currently a geophysicist after getting an engineering degree.
Registered Neurophysiology Technologist.
Maintenance worker at senior housing-I look after old people
Owner of software development company. Consultant. Chartered Accountant (by training only, not by personality).
Missionary.
PS You forgot to close the bold tag.
Senior buyer for a Colorado city. Ex-auto mechanic, ex-air traffic controller (PATCO lives!). 3 years military, 1965-68. Montana farm boy, still.
Accountant
P/T Business Analyst, Consultant, Owner
P/T Herb Dist.
Great Blog!!
Professional Blogger,
Software Designer
Aspiring writer,
Formerly 9 yrs in the reserves.
Professor of Mathematics (semi-retired)
Quality control systems consultant.
Raper and Pillager of Earth Resources
Actually Exploration and Mining Geologist (semi-retired)
[I say the first because that is what the greenies call us as they whiz by in their *metal* cars (burning a fossil fuel), talking on their *extracted* cell phones, to a *metal* tower, that relays their message to the greenie on the other end who is waiting to get on a *metal* plane (that will burn fossil fuel) which will deposit them next to the *metal* cruise ship (that will burn fossil fuel) as it takes them to a place where most miners can't afford to go) ;-)
Car Sales.
I hope to one day move up in life and play the piano in a whore house.
Lawyer and conservative/Conservative/socialist/political correctness/idiocy critic
Airline/bush pilot Ie I fly into native villiges with a 40 seat airplane.
police officer
President - biotechnology company
I designed the internets while working for Canada's most hated airline. I have left there and now work as a pharmacy technician and do a bit of freelance writing.
- Owner of Consulting Company
- Control Systems Engineer
doctor
Agricultural Broker
Hey Kate you can start a new business! Bringing like minded people together for business opportunities, job opportunities maybe even dating opportunities.....LOL
Keep up the good work Kate - can't imagine a day without reading SDA!
Geologist (gummint), retired. Currently into AGW denial.
Building Developer