What decade did you start work in? And how was it for you?

[175mph]

I was offered the use of ours but being a good socialist I declined. I did get to use it when we had visitors, complete with silver service. I also dined in a very nice one at Stanton Ironworks.

I would have gladly accepted the invitation.

To answer the thread question, in 2015. (I'm not that old, less then 30 years old).

 

[DaleCooper]

When I left my first job I was presented with a high-quality slide-rule as a leaving present.

Slide rules! I suppose that's a disappearing skill. It must be more than 40 years since I used one. I've still got my first scientific calculator (Texas TI-30 Galaxy) sitting in front of me now, it's about 35 years old but still as good as new.

 

[Cowley]

Slide rules! I suppose that's a disappearing skill. It must be more than 40 years since I used one. I've still got my first scientific calculator (Texas TI-30 Galaxy) sitting in front of me now, it's about 35 years old but still as good as new.

I’ve got a friend that specialises in rebuilding cob barns who I pick a lot of work up from.
I’m just about to start a three month job through him painting £500k’s worth of barn conversion (all Farrow & Ball distemper paint at £95 for 5 litres), and when I tried to do the initial quote he suddenly produced a slide-rule to work out the square metres of paint required.
I panicked to be honest and just gave him a day rate...

 

[DaleCooper]

I would have gladly accepted the invitation..

The class of clientele was better in the staff canteen.

 

[Journeyman]

My very first job was at Zodiac Toys on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas 1989 - I was fifteen and still at school at the time. They laid me off after the January sales, and I then had a paper round until I left school in 1992. I did a year of voluntary work after that, as a sort of year out, but I didn't go to uni until much later. First full time job was in 1993, also in a toy shop! I was there for seven months. It was alright most of the time, but the boss was quite an aggressive and unpredictable man who clearly had a drink problem. If you ever needed to ask him for anything, he'd usually rant at you for ages. He was very proud of our shop, though - it was part of a small chain with about ten other shops, and he was absolutely ecstatic when we won the Shop of the Year award at a company function.

There was a core of full-time staff who were all reasonably decent, but we had to put up with a grim selection of bloody awful part-timers who often only lasted one day!

Ultimately it got extremely boring, and I ended up applying for a booking office job with South West Trains in the spring of 1994. I got it, and spent two very enjoyable years there, seeing it go from being part of BR to part of Stagecoach. I left in 1996 to go to uni, when I was 22, and when I graduated in 1999, I joined London Underground as a grad trainee. Best move I ever made.

 

[yorkie]

As you will know, I am not in your target audience for this thread but...

I started work in 2012, my first job was in a seafood factory...

...as @507021 has replied (and 2012? blimey! feels like only yesterday!) I will say that I started work in the "noughties" in the NHS; being part of a large department in a large organisation really helped me and led to everything else.

It also enabled me to do lots of different jobs rather than just one thing; I started by shadowing various different people in different parts of the team for about a week each. The idea of doing the same task at the same desk every day will really appeal to some people, but not to me. It did feel strange when I finally had my 'own' work to do and was no longer shadowing someone. It also took a bit of getting used to when my staff swipe card let me into so many restricted areas. If I had not got that job I think things would have turned out very different for me.

It was in my first job that I discovered I thrive on variety and so this has been something I have been keen to continue ever since. When I think of how varied some of the things I've been paid to do are, I really do feel very grateful and lucky for the opportunity.

I would advise anyone who is unhappy in their workplace to find something else - even if the pay is lower; for me I need to be happy in my work.

I have only ever worked for organisations that I felt were doing something positive for society and I have no plans to change that.

 

[Busaholic]

I have only ever worked for organisations that I felt were doing something positive for society and I have no plans to change that.

Same here - two London boroughs, housing advice in one, dispensing library books in another, NACRO charity leading to working for Probation Service, very short spell with Wellcome Trust then self-employment as a (very) independent bookseller.

 

[175mph]

My very first job was at Zodiac Toys on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas 1989 - I was fifteen and still at school at the time. They laid me off after the January sales, and I then had a paper round until I left school in 1992. I did a year of voluntary work after that, as a sort of year out, but I didn't go to uni until much later. First full time job was in 1993, also in a toy shop! I was there for seven months. It was alright most of the time, but the boss was quite an aggressive and unpredictable man who clearly had a drink problem. If you ever needed to ask him for anything, he'd usually rant at you for ages. He was very proud of our shop, though - it was part of a small chain with about ten other shops, and he was absolutely ecstatic when we won the Shop of the Year award at a company function.

There was a core of full-time staff who were all reasonably decent, but we had to put up with a grim selection of bloody awful part-timers who often only lasted one day!

Ultimately it got extremely boring, and I ended up applying for a booking office job with South West Trains in the spring of 1994. I got it, and spent two very enjoyable years there, seeing it go from being part of BR to part of Stagecoach. I left in 1996 to go to uni, when I was 22, and when I graduated in 1999, I joined London Underground as a grad trainee. Best move I ever made.

From what I've heard about Zodiac Toys, they went bust later on in 1990 anyway.

 

[Journeyman]

From what I've heard about Zodiac Toys, they went bust later on in 1990 anyway.

That sounds about right. My subsequent full time toy shop job was with Toystack, another company no longer with us.

 

[Dai Corner]

I started work in 1979 in the life assurance and pensions industry, working in Bristol for a company which was in the process of relocating from London. It was only meant to be for a year while taking a break from my degree in Electrical Engineering but I was still there 25 years later!

First job was calculating premiums using actuarial tables, pen, paper and four-function calculators. Communication was principally by Telex and formal documents were sent to the typing pool. I spent most of the 80s and 90s computerising (as we called it then) our business processes.

There was lots of competition for staff so pay and conditions were excellent with a flexible 35 hour week, free canteen, non-contributory pension and subsidised mortgage. Oh, and a subsidised bar!

 

[telstarbox]

I started my first part-time job started in 2005, but my older design engineer colleagues have reminisced about booking time on a shared minicomputer (in a separate room!) whereas now there is a fast PC on everyone's desk. I've also never used a fax machine and hopefully will never need to now..

 

[DerekC]

My first job, admittedly only in what would now be called a "Gap Year", was in 1966, working for Rotax Aircraft Equipment (taken over by Lucas and long closed down) on the "burr bench" - the lowest job in the factory except for cleaning the floor. I learned a bit about cleaning up castings and a lot more about people and the way the world works. I recall the foreman telling me proudly that they were still being paid by MoD to produce parts for the Valiant bomber, which had been scrapped some years before. Took part in my first gate meeting and strike (only lasted half a day).

 

[Lucan]

I recall being asked to go to the shop next door and ask for a long stand.

Not me, but one railwayman's memoirs I read said that the first task he was given at the depot was to polish the railheads with Brasso.

 

[AJM580]

Started work in 1982 at Norfolk County Council, then in 1984 got a job at one of the two DHSS offices in Norwich. Still there 35 years later having worked on most of the departments there. Back then everything was done by hand - no computers until 1990s. Office was handy for lunchtime spotting sessions at Norwich Thorpe - flexible lunch hours came in handy for some quick runs to Yarmouth and back on the short sets of even the odd spin to Diss to get a 47 or two

 

[High Dyke]

Started on a Government slave scheme...sorry YTS training. Whilst I enjoyed the work, including having to sign the Official Secrets Act; it was the meaningless act of being cast aside by the company i was working for that really depressed me. Said firm employing an apprentice a few weeks before my course ended, despite assurances that there was an apprenticeship for me at the end of my course.

 

[Bevan Price]

First job 2 years in London working in a chem. lab. in 1960s. 10 minute walk to work.
Pay just under £16 per week (£800 per year); Taxman took £4; Rent was £4.
So just under £8 per week for food, travel (leisure, etc.), entertainment, film, etc.....

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Being quite a bit younger than most patrons on the forum (despite having being a member here for almost a decade! ) I entered the world of work in 2016 with my first full time job as an engineering apprentice with a very well-respected and prestigious engineering consultancy. The job was a building services engineering apprenticeship, with a view to specialising in a chosen specialism eventually, mine was very clear in that I wanted to be an electrical engineer. At the same time, I’d set myself up in business as a freight forwarder for sending cargo to The Philippines.

Unfortunately, very early on, I realised the job was not as I expected. Rather than an engineer apprentice, it became clear I was being used essentially as a cheap draughtsman. And worst of all, I was chained to my desk. Despite the initial outlay of being out on site all the time and undertaking surveys, it took nearly 2 years for me to attend a site visit. Fast forward to May 2019, id realised that I was not born to spend my life behind a desk (nothing against people that are! I am aware that a lot of people prefer this type of career!) and this culminated in a lot of things going on in my mind which resulted in me being signed off with Anxiety. I handed my notice in. I’d realised that I’d spent 3 years in a job I did not like.

Having read Yorkie’s post, I can also echo his advice; no job is worth your health, and you spend most of your life at work hence it is important to find something you really like, irrelevant of the salary. Since leaving in August 2019, I have decided to take a year to focus on my business (which behind the scenes over the last 3 years, I have built up to a full-blown removals and light-transport company) and explore other things. After a year, I aspire to join the ambulance service as an EMT and follow my second career choice.

 

[Cowley]

Being quite a bit younger than most patrons on the forum (despite having being a member here for almost a decade! ) I entered the world of work in 2016 with my first full time job as an engineering apprentice with a very well-respected and prestigious engineering consultancy. The job was a building services engineering apprenticeship, with a view to specialising in a chosen specialism eventually, mine was very clear in that I wanted to be an electrical engineer. At the same time, I’d set myself up in business as a freight forwarder for sending cargo to The Philippines.

Unfortunately, very early on, I realised the job was not as I expected. Rather than an engineer apprentice, it became clear I was being used essentially as a cheap draughtsman. And worst of all, I was chained to my desk. Despite the initial outlay of being out on site all the time and undertaking surveys, it took nearly 2 years for me to attend a site visit. Fast forward to May 2019, id realised that I was not born to spend my life behind a desk (nothing against people that are! I am aware that a lot of people prefer this type of career!) and this culminated in a lot of things going on in my mind which resulted in me being signed off with Anxiety. I handed my notice in. I’d realised that I’d spent 3 years in a job I did not like.

Having read Yorkie’s post, I can also echo his advice; no job is worth your health, and you spend most of your life at work hence it is important to find something you really like, irrelevant of the salary. Since leaving in August 2019, I have decided to take a year to focus on my business (which behind the scenes over the last 3 years, I have built up to a full-blown removals and light-transport company) and explore other things. After a year, I aspire to join the ambulance service as an EMT and follow my second career choice.

Very impressive Alex. Thanks for posting that.

 

[swt_passenger]

Slide rules! I suppose that's a disappearing skill. It must be more than 40 years since I used one. I've still got my first scientific calculator (Texas TI-30 Galaxy) sitting in front of me now, it's about 35 years old but still as good as new.

A slide rule was an indispensable tool during my engineering apprenticeship circa 1970, and I’d used them throughout secondary school. Nowadays the term “slide rule pass” seems to be used regularly by football commentators, who mustn’t realise that many youngsters haven’t a clue what they are?

 

[Grumpy Git]

Nowadays the term “slide rule pass” seems to be used regularly by football commentators, who mustn’t realise that many youngsters haven’t a clue what they are?

...... and neither have the commentators .

 

[swt_passenger]

...... and neither have the commentators .

Probably true...

 

[DaleCooper]

A slide rule was an indispensable tool during my engineering apprenticeship circa 1970, and I’d used them throughout secondary school. Nowadays the term “slide rule pass” seems to be used regularly by football commentators, who mustn’t realise that many youngsters haven’t a clue what they are?

Another thing which I used as a draughtsman back in the 70s was the diagonal scale. I doubt if you'd find one of them next to CAD workstation.

Thinking about it there were lots of odd instruments we used back then - planimeter, French curves, flexicurve, trammel, erasing shield, pump compass...

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Another thing which I used as a draughtsman back in the 70s was the diagonal scale. I doubt if you'd find one of them next to CAD workstation.

Thinking about it there were lots of odd instruments we used back then - planimeter, French curves, flexicurve, trammel, erasing shield, pump compass...

I can confirm having spent 3 years as a CAD draughtsman, we had nothing of the sort beside us! Everything done on the computer. All angles and lines etc are done automatically (dependant on the software being used).

Having said that, I much prefer working by hand. All my coursework that involved technical drawings were done by hand. I remember once scouring our whole office for anything remotely related to old-school draughting! In the end, I had to source a second-hand drawing board online!

 

[coradiafan2000]

I've been doing voluntary work since I was sixteen, but in the summer of this year I got my first paid job cooking fries at McDonald's. It's far from ideal, I'm on a zero hours contract and I struggle to cope with such a high pressure environment, but it feels good to be earning money, even if it isn't that much.

Earlier this month I managed to acquire a second job, working on the checkouts in Tesco. It's only a temporary position over the festive period, although I may be offered a more long term contract depending how I perform so I'm doing my best. I much prefer this to my other job, the pay is better and I have guaranteed hours. The staff and customers are friendly, and I can be myself there.

I'm still very new to the world of work, and still have no idea what I want to do long term. I'm eager to listen to any advice anyone has for me.

 

[Dai Corner]

I've been doing voluntary work since I was sixteen, but in the summer of this year I got my first paid job cooking fries at McDonald's. It's far from ideal, I'm on a zero hours contract and I struggle to cope with such a high pressure environment, but it feels good to be earning money, even if it isn't that much.

Earlier this month I managed to acquire a second job, working on the checkouts in Tesco. It's only a temporary position over the festive period, although I may be offered a more long term contract depending how I perform so I'm doing my best. I much prefer this to my other job, the pay is better and I have guaranteed hours. The staff and customers are friendly, and I can be myself there.

I'm still very new to the world of work, and still have no idea what I want to do long term. I'm eager to listen to any advice anyone has for me.

Tesco in Merthyr is built on former railway land I believe.

My Godson has worked in retail and distribution since he was 14 (now 35), full time since he left school. Currently he's working for Amazon, has been treated well and is enjoying it. With Black Friday and Christmas coming up there's plenty of work available at up to £21 an hour, double the standard rate.

Two pieces of advice I'd give are:

Join a Trade Union. Even if they're not recognised by your employer they can still offer advice and support. You can opt out of the political levy if you don't want to fund the Labour Party.

If you find you're sat around doing nothing a lot of the time your job may be at risk so start looking for a new one. Employers who keep their staff busy tend to be the survivors.

Good luck in your career, whatever you end up doing!

 

[coradiafan2000]

Tesco in Merthyr is built on former railway land I believe.

My Godson has worked in retail and distribution since he was 14 (now 35), full time since he left school. Currently he's working for Amazon, has been treated well and is enjoying it. With Black Friday and Christmas coming up there's plenty of work available at up to £21 an hour, double the standard rate.

Two pieces of advice I'd give are:

Join a Trade Union. Even if they're not recognised by your employer they can still offer advice and support. You can opt out of the political levy if you don't want to fund the Labour Party.

If you find you're sat around doing nothing a lot of the time your job may be at risk so start looking for a new one. Employers who keep their staff busy tend to be the survivors.

Good luck in your career, whatever you end up doing!

I'll keep that in mind, thank you!

And yes, it is built on former railway land, from the right till I can see trains arrive and depart from the current station.

 

[LMS 4F]

I joined the Army as a boy soldier on 10-09-1963 at the grand old age of 16 years and 1 month. I was paid 7 shillings, 35 pence, a day for 7 days a week. We were actually given £1 to spend so we could buy polish etc. 10 shillings a week was put into a Post Office savings account which we couldn't access without an Officers say so. Another 10 shillings was put aside and paid when we went on leave three times a year.
My first leave was 4 weeks and I got £3 in hand the other £23 was in a warrant which could only be cashed at the Post Office nearest my home address. This was to stop us wasting it all in London apparently.
£10 was in lieu of the food I wouldn't eat whilst on leave and I gave that to my mother.
I spent the first three weeks of the leave working for Royal Mail as a Xmas telegram boy earning twice as much as a boy soldier.
I did 10 years, loved it all and would do it all again tomorrow. I only left because I got married and didn't think it was a job for married men.

 

[scotrail158713]

My Godson has worked in retail and distribution since he was 14 (now 35), full time since he left school. Currently he's working for Amazon, has been treated well and is enjoying it. With Black Friday and Christmas coming up there's plenty of work available at up to £21 an hour, double the standard rate.

From what I’ve heard your godson must be in the minority at Amazon then

 

[coradiafan2000]

From what I’ve heard your godson must be in the minority at Amazon then

That's what I thought, I've heard horror stories about the working conditions there. I guess he's in the lucky few.

 

[Dai Corner]

That's what I thought, I've heard horror stories about the working conditions there. I guess he's in the luck few.

From people you know who work there?