What's your occupation?

[SUGA]

So what do you guys do for a living?

I'm a digital designer in advertising.

[STOIE]

Well for those that haven't guessed yet, I am a Network/Unix Administrator.

[Cam]

I'm a System/Network Administrator.

[STOIE]

Serious!

Haha, didn't know that Cam...
Who do you work for?

Any specialties?
Don't tell me your windoze guy *shakes head* lol

[Cam]

I work for a large council (> 1000 computers, around 50 servers)

Lol I'm not specifically a windoze guy no...
I have to dabble in everything, unfortunately its too busy in there and you can never just concentrate on one thing or complete one job properly. Its always got to be like 10 at a time (management....local govt hierarchy...sigh)

I've setup a few production linux boxes. File server, nagios network monitoring, LAMP web server. But mainly administer Server 2003/2008 servers, enterasys/cisco switches and modems and microwave links, backups/restores and daily servicedesk chores etc.

Part way through CCNA at the moment, but only doing self study.
Use OSX, Ubuntu + other distros at home.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1473/screenshotresized.png

How about you?
:)

[Justin Fox]

Creative type person here!

[STOIE]

I use Ubuntu at work/home.
RHEL/Centos is everything else that I do.

Funny you mentioned Nagios, between Nagios and Cacti (RRDTool) are my major parts of work. Pretty much my over arching job role is service monitoring.
But, this comes along with full time Admin...

[nath_mk6]

Haha I'm a dole bludger, I mean Public Servant lol

Work for the department of defence designing support systems for new acquisitions but am searching for a way out! I think after 6 years in uniform and a few as a civvie here it's tome for a change :)

[STOIE]

Haha I'm a dole bludger, I mean Public Servant lol

Work for the department of defence designing support systems for new acquisitions but am searching for a way out! I think after 6 years in uniform and a few as a civvie here it's tome for a change :)

Lol Nath, I am too, with Environment :S
Doesn't change what I actually do, although I do get the APS benefits!

[J.T]

Structural Draftsman for an engineering consultancy.

[Frenchie]

VWgolf forum administrator/enforcer and on my spare time I work for City of Sydney Council in Health and Fitness.

[dopey]

I work in Network Control at RailCorp.

*hides*

[Aleks.B]

Salmat junk mail deliverer/leader deliverer (im 17 good job for my age)

[nath_mk6]

Lol Nath, I am too, with Environment :S
Doesn't change what I actually do, although I do get the APS benefits!

Are you saying there are benefits? huh where are they.....

Yeah there is a bonus but these days with all the cuts and cuts and well cuts there is way too much to do and not enough people, nothing like having to save $20billion over 10 years hey..... :(

[JoeStivo]

Civil Engineering student at UTS. Currently unemployed.

[sir_camel]

Work for a company that tours musicians around Australia. Manage the Education program in NSW. 1000+ concerts a year.

[rayray086]

Studying BSc/MTeach, hoping to graduate and find a job as a secondary school teacher. Currently working as a part-time tutor for primary and secondary school students. Refurbishing wheels on the side in my spare time helps a little too!

[sir_camel]

Studying BSc/MTeach, hoping to graduate and find a job as a secondary school teacher. Currently working as a part-time tutor for primary and secondary school students. Refurbishing wheels on the side in my spare time helps a little too!

Where you doing Mteach? Secondary science? I started one at Sydney in 06 but decided i didn't want to be a teacher so bailed. Tempted to go back sometime

[JohnnyG]

Salmat junk mail deliverer/leader deliverer (im 17 good job for my age)

Thats interesting my cousins wife her brother is one of the owners of Salmat

[rayray086]

Currently enrolled in UWS - I was doing BSc (Nutrition) for a few years in USyd, stopped for a year though as I wasn't doing well and was over it. I'm excited to go back to study now though.

Hopefully come out to teach Food Technology as the primary subject, and Biology as secondary. If I get bored of it, I'll have qualifications to possibly get into the food industry!

[Justin Fox]

VWgolf forum administrator/enforcer and on my spare time I work for City of Sydney Council in Health and Fitness.

That explains the gym ball then! :icon_lol:

[Serial Killa]

I do 2 things for the same company

I put stickers on cars (vehicle wraps/vinyls etc.) www.motographics.com.au

And also am launching a new type of IT support Company www.tekko.com.au

[SUGA]

Vehicle wraps! Awesome, might need your services one day! ;)

[Big Yellow]

Structural Engineer in a medium size engineering consulting firm.

[Frenchie]

That explains the gym ball then! :icon_lol:

Can't hide that ball ! extra airbag :)


I do 2 things for the same company

I put stickers on cars (vehicle wraps/vinyls etc.) www.motographics.com.au

And also am launching a new type of IT support Company www.tekko.com.au

Do like the sound of vehicle wrap !!

[Serial Killa]

Yeah I definately see/drive some interesting machines!

[Pharkus]

Tax person at a Top100 ASX listed company.

[10d]

Agriculture

[shida]

Wow lots of Govt employees here!! Local, state and Feds!

I work for Department of Services, Technology and Administration (formerly Dept of Commerce) - as an Learning and Development Coordinator. I develop and run foundational training for all our staff, I love it, people listen to me blab on all day. :) I am looking at getting some more experience in the less transactional side of HR though, more consultancy and client relationship managing.

I also recently became a Bright SPARK Volunteer with St Vincent De Paul. Basically 1 day a week I tutor one or more kindy to year 6 refugee kids at a western Sydney school. I start this Thursday :)

[nath_mk6]

theres a person with a sense of public duty....

ahh the life of a public servant...................and the pay :(

o well one day we'll all have that $1M p.a. salary for 3 mins work a day

[Paolo]

Final year of Bachelor of Business @ UTS
Majoring in Finance, sub-majoring in economics and business information systems
Currently working for a salary packaging business in the city in which i process claims and will move to applications to build some experience to get me into one of the big banks!

[Frenchie]

Nice Paolo.!!! Big $$ and connections coming your way...keep at it

[Pharkus]

Nice Paolo.!!! Big $$ and connections coming your way...keep at it

Might wanna keep on top of the news. I hear they are considering changing some aspects of FBT that would make packaging redundant.

[R32Perth]

Bank manager, speacilising in Property Finance (finance for major property developments etc). Dont hold that against me ok hahahaha.
Looking for a change, Mining Industry seems to be interesting me at present.

[JohnnyG]

And also am launching a new type of IT support Company www.tekko.com.au

I tried your URL dosen't seem to be working

[Serial Killa]

That's not good for an IT company!

lol

I'll take a look at it. I think our ISP has been giving us grief of late :(

[AP]

I am a Restaurant owner...

[Howie]

I own an engineering consultancy. Bit small at the moment but always keeping an eye out for new talent.

[Serial Killa]

I tried your URL dosen't seem to be working

Works now :)

It was the ISP

[windyzz]

ITSM technical Consultant / system admin ><

[anth]

graphic design/graphic arts in the printing industry. 5yrs into it, time for a change.

[ml16]

2nd Year geology student/undergrad exploration geologist. Work for a junior explorer now, will probably get into geotech a year or two after graduation.

[bigwill]

just completed a bach of applied science (orthoptics), currently doing part time bar work, casual work at 2 eye clinics and waiting for a response from another eye clinic for a full time position...

[nath_mk6]

just completed a bach of applied science (orthoptics), currently doing part time bar work, casual work at 2 eye clinics and waiting for a response from another eye clinic for a full time position...

Good luck with the job hunt will, hate looking for work and I'm doing it right now :(

[bigwill]

thanks nath! all the best for your new change and a change in lifestyle.

hopefully I find out where i stand in regard to that position by thursday this week.

[Cam]

Good luck bigwill.

[nath_mk6]

thanks nath! all the best for your new change and a change in lifestyle.

hopefully I find out where i stand in regard to that position by thursday this week.

Fingers crossed mate.

Yeah hopefully I can move on, so over my workplace, doing my bosses job for him sucks bum. Might actually have an interview for thursday with a private company, oooo a real job (outside of the public service) see if she returns my return call to set a time/date for the interview.

[defaultx]

Hey Guys,

I'm a communications manager for an IT distributor :)

[Frenchie]

Some serious talent on this thread !!

[zz2]

4th year architecture student and free lance photographer.

currently working as a student architect in a large commercail architects office

[Steve]

Site Services Manager (Hospitality) - Mining Industry

[burgs]

Mining Cable Projects and Sales Coordinator- Basically i sell large cables to the mines.
Also currently attending Newcastle Uni part time completing my Bachelor of Business Majoring in Marketing.

[Tensixty6]

Small business owner. Specialist engine reconditioning. Camshafts & related componentry.

[SUGA]

We got some smart people here :)

[SammyR32]

Project Manager (IT)

[Frenchie]

We got some smart people here :)

Imagine if we combined our knowledge/resources and power - we could do some serious damage in the world !

[Justin Fox]

World domination!!!

[Paul_OH]

Operations Manager for a Shipping & Offshore Service company - in the industry for 15 years and getting tired of it!

[Paul_OH]

Haha, no freight - we inspect equipment on board to ensure they're safe and in certification.

[ar44]

Accountant

[chewy7]

I've been doing a Data entry job part time since i was 18 and studying full time also. Graduated with a bachelor of Multimedia/Marketing..But lost interest in that field/lack of jobs....So I'm back at uni for another 4 years doing mechanical/automotive. So far its awesome! Loving the subjects....Hopefully this is the one!! :)

[Byza]

Property Leasing for a large national fashion company.... not too many people understand what I do as its a very small and tight industry but basically I put shops in shopping centres around Australia...

[bwen]

Dermatologist Surgical Assistant and PA

Studying Microelectrical Engineering though :P

[Capercat]

Electrical engineer, but I really just manage these days, can get boring at times.

[Pharkus]

Electrical engineer, but I really just manage these days, can get boring at times.

Doesn't give you the spark it once used to anymore?

[Big Yellow]

Electrical engineer, but I really just manage these days, can get boring at times.
Another engineer who drives a porsche!! I wait for the day that i can do that hahahahah

[anth]

Doesn't give you the spark it once used to anymore?

da-doom tishhh!!

[Cam]

:p

[zz2]

Another engineer who drives a porsche!! I wait for the day that i can do that hahahahah

assholes! in the mean time us architects are collecting food stamps :(

[G-rig]

Civil Designer, various Engineering projects including a lot of land developments/sub divisions, mining & water pipelines etc.

If you are a property developer we should get in touch (I have a fair few contacts including planners, surveyors & engineers).

[elisiX]

Head of Online Marketing & Design for one of Australia's largest domain registrar / hosting companies.

Some interesting careers and certainly a diverse range of people on the board. :)

[nath_mk6]

Another design type, hmm me thinks the Golf must attract them...

Sigh, for us boring PS....

[elisiX]

lol.. funny thing is I cannot code or design for my life.

Did 7 years in Credit Management in various Finance companies and have ended up in Operations for an IT company the past 2 years.

I spend most of my day's managing budgets, staff, costs and so on. Have a manager who works for me who looks after the technical side of things.

[nath_mk6]

sounds like a good wicket, got any vacancies for a loggie/admin type... ;)

[∆pex]

Worked in Graphic Design (print/publishing/environmental) for a number of years (think I know Justin from the old days @ BB)
Currently in construction doing Formwork Carpentry.

p.s. The wife and kids is probably the most demanding job of all! :eek:

[GTom]

Civil Engineering student at UTS. Currently unemployed.

Haha, yeah so am I, but taking about 12 months break from it, giving me the shits, so much red tape it's not funny! (only have about 3 semesters left...

[G.:Rowler]

IT nerd. Software installer package configuration and testing, SOE build design/updates, solution design, project management etc, etc = BORING

After 6 years of doing the same thing change is on the horizon. Wish I had studied something creative when I left school :)

[Mister_duck]

Work freelance in the film and tv industry work on films big and small ones, commercials, drama, music clips, work in the grip dept which bascially means safety and movement of the camera ie rigging cameras on cars for car adverts, setting up cameras on cranes, dollys and other general stuff like that. Also do a bit of lighting as well.
job can be hard at times, work long hours, strange hours as well, not your normal 9-5 hours, weekend work as well, though it is a good job cause you get to meet a lot of different people, work in different locations, pay is pretty good as well lol .

[10d]

Nice Colin. Have no idea what you do. Interesting line of work.

[schoona]

I'm starting RIGHT at the bottom. I'm an apprentice Fitter/Machinist or Engineering Mechanical Cert III in fancy new age term. I am at Centennial Mandalong and having a great time learning the trade, the industry (underground coal mining is so much more than open cut), business structure/ workplace relations etc...

I hope to progess through to doing Mechanical Engineering mid-week whilst on weekend night-shift in later years and really start a good career from there :)

[Mister_duck]

I'm starting RIGHT at the bottom. I'm an apprentice Fitter/Machinist or Engineering Mechanical Cert III in fancy new age term. I am at Centennial Mandalong and having a great time learning the trade, the industry (underground coal mining is so much more than open cut), business structure/ workplace relations etc...

I hope to progess through to doing Mechanical Engineering mid-week whilst on weekend night-shift in later years and really start a good career from there :)

When i was younger i wish I had taken more interest doing fitter/machinist work as my dad has got a shed full of half decent equipment, a cnc mill, cnc lathe among other toys.
Actually not a bad job if you are any good at your work.

[schoona]

It can prove quite beneficial yes :) For my trade I can machine (basic lathe and mill work at present) but my worksite and hopefully future employer (I'm with a trainign company :( ) dont have these facilities on site. Not required so I wont be using these everyday.

But certainly get the basic skills and you can start making plenty of useful things. Progress to toolmaker and gunsmith even. Im sure there is a TAFE course that you can do over a small number of weeks to gain the basics and just teach yourself, find reference material after that ;)

[visconti]

Web developer.. Working for one of the TV channels :)

[Rkds]

Year 12 student, wanting to do law.
On Saturdays I work at a mechanics, starting my own online dealership/ parts seller.

[stephen8512]

Uni student currently studying Bachelor of Commerce Accounting/Applied Finance double degree at Macquarie

Part time working at a call centre taking inbound calls regarding home loans and mortgages. lol. easy gig, easy money and not too strenuous with my study load either.

[Seph]

Learning and Development Consultant for a listed finance company. Specialize in E-Learning and blended learning techniques.

Still studying too - Masters of IT Management (following on from a Bachelors in computing science and technology)

[benough]

I'm in the Spatial industry. My current role is a GIS Administrator for Parramatta City Council.

[nath_mk6]

I'm in the Spatial industry. My current role is a GIS Administrator for Parramatta City Council.

excuse my ignorance, but whats the spatial industry?

[ml16]

excuse my ignorance, but whats the spatial industry?


Surveying...i believe

[scotty1991]

New occupation..
Full time telecomunications retail

[saad]

Work for an IT/Satellite Engineering firm, mostly doing IT Consulting, writing, going to meetings, and some internal network admin stuff, like the recent network refresh - i like it as its different everyday, and pretty relaxed, but am yet to find my true calling. Will be applying for a job at a management consulting place soon, as I don't have an IT background, and this place is a very well respected firm in Canberra, but perhaps not an ideal place to build my career, as everyone who works here has had atleast 5-10 years before joining. Worked at an insolvency firm for a few months, which i hated so I quit and got this gig - did accounting and finance at Uni.

Gonna try and get into med school, see what happens, which is one of the reasons Im doing my masters right now. I really like the idea of being a Dr, but not sure if Id like the lifestyle, but i really want to be a surgeon...

I've also always wanted to own my own restaurant and/or cafe...I still would like to eventually do my own thing, as I can stand working for other people, and I think this is what will happen, fingers crossed.

I also DJ, and do photography freelance on the side for some extra cash. And gonna start detailing soon too :)

As you can tell, I do too much, and dont really know yet what I want, but I think it will be my own business in the end.

[Cam]

excuse my ignorance, but whats the spatial industry?

All to do with mapping Nath.
Its a bit like Google Maps on a much smaller scale
:)

You can add different layers for roads/surveys/environmental etc. One random example is finding whereabouts a certain type of tree lives.
If you pull up this layer it shows you on the maps. There is a much much more you can do with this though thats only a small example.

I've worked with our GIS tech he has a very interesting job.
I'm not actively doing GIS work though, I'm on the other side of the spectrum looking after the servers etc.

If you're after examples though take a squiz here if you're interested.
http://gis.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/maps/

[mshl1979]

Intersting Cam...

I work for Microsoft as an Account Mananger looking after Local and State Government Customers in QLD. My colleague looks after NSW Local Government (Sarah Cunningham)

[shauno]

It seems like the majority on these boards are either in IT or graphic design...

I'm a Cisco Network Engineer for an IT integrator.


I'm a communications manager for an IT distributor :)
Which one? Probably buy stuff from you guys :)


Web developer.. Working for one of the TV channels :)
Which one? 40% chance I work for you guys too :)

[chugga44]

tooth carpenter

[Cam]

Intersting Cam...

I work for Microsoft as an Account Mananger looking after Local and State Government Customers in QLD. My colleague looks after NSW Local Government (Sarah Cunningham)

I'll run the name passed our Ordering/Purchasing desk the girls have probably dealt with her before
:)

[G-rig]

GIS would be pretty good, some mates of mine used to work at Geoscience Australia down in ACT but have been in UAE doing stuff for a few years.

[Ankush]

I am an Analyst in Corporate Space in one of Major four banks

[tomtom_r32]

In I.T, looking after the RailCorp account. I need change!!

[dopey]

So you're one of them Fujitsu clowns, eh? :p

[zz2]

tooth carpenter

you ditched the air tools for a hammer drill, orbital sander and a hammer?

i wanna know how do you do extractions?!

[chugga44]

you ditched the air tools for a hammer drill, orbital sander and a hammer?

i wanna know how do you do extractions?!

the screw driver and pliers...simple

[WingnutR32]

Another IT system/network admin here for a reasonably sized bus company

[random]

Retired... gambling at home, i mean stock market and other investments projects, doing a bit of uni at the same time as i didn't felt like it when i left school. used to be a sports agent as well as a few other things.

[kaan]

Small business owner ...work seven days,good many no life

[tomtom_r32]

So you're one of them Fujitsu clowns, eh? :p

LOL!, yes Fujitsu, clown maybe!! :lol:

[vdubin]

Family business - Garden Maintenance / Design / Landscape. Love it

[funkymonkey]

Web/mobile application developer for Penguin Books Oz. Currently working on iPad stuffs... probably the only guy in australia thankful that Apple's constantly delaying iPad release locally. Gives me more time to make all the cool shit work properly.

Also code on the side for J-Spec Imports and Skylines Australia.

[nath_mk6]

nice job there F.Monkey

[benough]

excuse my ignorance, but whats the spatial industry?

It's essentially making databases have a location. Google maps is a prime example. GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems.

We built our own mini google maps for council, using land and property info as well as other planning, environmental and assets datasets.

[Robby_jai]

thought i'd add to this thread and revive it a bit and see what else people do for a buck around here.... went searching for this thread.. when i saw zz2's thread about his building and was curious what he did :) (pretty dam cool too zz2)

I also noticed nobody in the banking game on this forum :) So i thought i'd add to it :)

I'm a Portfolio Manager for one of the big four banks managing all their Enterprise Finance and Risk Portfolio. I essentially manage a team of specialists focusing on the banks finance operations, risk management and legal/legislative compliance matters.

There's a huge focus on Risk Management and compliance ever since the GFC.

Interesting work and quite a specialized area.

[Greg Roles]

Orthopaedic rep for total joints. I'm basically bunnings for the surgeons and attend theatre to be technical support, good gig, hours are all over the shop but it really feels like a part time job. You see some pretty interesting things, and some things you don't ever want to see again!

[r207]

Spend the best part of 10 years in Advertising/Magazine Publishing, gave it up 5 years ago for family business, Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale,

now.....well im retired

[nath_mk6]

Spend the best part of 10 years in Advertising/Magazine Publishing, gave it up 5 years ago for family business, Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale,

now.....well im retired

Not yet your not!

[Byza]

Spend the best part of 10 years in Advertising/Magazine Publishing, gave it up 5 years ago for family business, Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale,

now.....well im retired

Hahah such a baller !!

[Romp]

guess ill add to this

im a stock analyst at a top tier institutional stockbroker

basically i research stocks, value them and influence dealing and opinion on the market

[Mr Scruff]

guess ill add to this

im a stock analyst at a top tier institutional stockbroker

basically i research stocks, value them and influence dealing and opinion on the market

Sounds interesting.

I'm a Copy Editor for a Business to Business advertising publisher. Mind numbing work but the hours are good.

It's time to move on though, it 's the first proper job since I was allowed to stay in the country & i've taken it as far as i can because the next step up is occupied by the company owners best mate so there is no chance of getting his job. Time to start my publishing empire...

[Bakks]

I work as an analyst for one of Australia's largest corporates. Work includes mergers and acquisitions, analysing major capital expenditure projects and a lot of ad hoc business improvement work.

[Stalker]

why not....

Senior Manager with a big 4 accounting firm...but I'm no accountant. ;)

Work in our Advisory team, focusing mainly on state govt agencies. Current manage around a dozen or so internal audit contracts and look after a fair few other process improvement, risk management and compliance projects as well. Have been here 9 years (straight out of Uni) and don't have any plans for leaving. Hours are sometimes a bit nuts...actually it never really stops...but it is doing a good job at keeping a roof over my family's head, a couple of nice cars in the garage and we don't really have to worry about every increase in interest rates or the price of food or petrol. I also really enjoy what I do. Fair amount of variety, good team of people and my clients (for the most part) are good to work with. :)

[technopato]

Nice thread this... A lot of IT people on here.

Moi: Enterprise Architect for a large Pharma. Basically specialize in the Design of IT systems specifically with XenApp (aka Citrix), Vmware and Windows. Been with my company going on 11 years now. Tough gig espescially in the last 6-12 months. My team has shrunk from 23 people down to 2!

Money is good but hours are shit espescially working for a multi national and 4 timezones!

[Ideo]

I have a degree in Urban Planning, used to work in property development, now write legislation and policy on planning matters for the government. Also studying my MA in Environmental Law.

Decent hours, great team, pretty good pay.

[Robby_jai]

Hey Stalker... my experience with Big Four..... great names great reputation....and you get to learn a lot in your career and also good opportunities... but gees they pay rubbish... i found while you may get paid well when compared to internal staff... when you compare it to the outside world....... you get paid rubbish... i left the big four to go into banking and the pay they offer vs big four is insane.... my advice ;-) look else where to get paid big bikkies.. banking and insurance is all cashed up :)




why not....

Senior Manager with a big 4 accounting firm...but I'm no accountant. ;)

Work in our Advisory team, focusing mainly on state govt agencies. Current manage around a dozen or so internal audit contracts and look after a fair few other process improvement, risk management and compliance projects as well. Have been here 9 years (straight out of Uni) and don't have any plans for leaving. Hours are sometimes a bit nuts...actually it never really stops...but it is doing a good job at keeping a roof over my family's head, a couple of nice cars in the garage and we don't really have to worry about every increase in interest rates or the price of food or petrol. I also really enjoy what I do. Fair amount of variety, good team of people and my clients (for the most part) are good to work with. :)

[GBJ-R32]

Currently completing bachelor in commerce majoring in accounting. (also just got accepted to complete a second degree in business law)

If anyone can get me into a good company let me know.

[Stalker]

Hey Stalker... my experience with Big Four..... great names great reputation....and you get to learn a lot in your career and also good opportunities... but gees they pay rubbish... i found while you may get paid well when compared to internal staff... when you compare it to the outside world....... you get paid rubbish... i left the big four to go into banking and the pay they offer vs big four is insane.... my advice ;-) look else where to get paid big bikkies.. banking and insurance is all cashed up :)

Yeah, in general I'd agree with you, but I'm pretty comfortable where I am and if things stay on track in 4-5 years I'll be up for Partnership. :)

There is definitely more money out there, shit Chevron are basically giving the stuff away at the moment, but I like where I am and the pay (well my pay at least ) is great. Can't speak for anyone else or the other Big 4. I assume they all pretty similar though.

[mikinoz]

I've done a lot in my time but mostly these days I'm a dad.

[_Just]

I'm an IT Technician for a Global Oil and Gas company. Have been with the company for 6 months now and was previously doing a Junior Sys Admin role for a Telco. Was with that company for 9 and a half years before changing jobs.

[Romp]

Yeah, in general I'd agree with you, but I'm pretty comfortable where I am and if things stay on track in 4-5 years I'll be up for Partnership. :)

There is definitely more money out there, shit Chevron are basically giving the stuff away at the moment, but I like where I am and the pay (well my pay at least ) is great. Can't speak for anyone else or the other Big 4. I assume they all pretty similar though.

i started off big 4, did my 3 years, got my CA, quit the day i got it, moved to broking and never looked back! Partnership is a cruisey way to earn half a bar each year for life but if you want to put in the hard yards you can earn much more, much sooner without trying to win the rat race. Of course all up to the individual ... question of lifestyle vs pay etc.

[Stalker]

i started off big 4, did my 3 years, got my CA, quit the day i got it, moved to broking and never looked back! Partnership is a cruisey way to earn half a bar each year for life but if you want to put in the hard yards you can earn much more, much sooner without trying to win the rat race. Of course all up to the individual ... question of lifestyle vs pay etc.

Glad to hear it. Seems to be a common approach.

...but please don't make the mistake of thinking I haven't (and don't continue to) 'put in the hard yards'. The comment that Partnership is cruisy is also ridiculous. Keen to know what you are basing that opinion on?

[Longwall.:r32]

Family business- Longwall Coal mining equipment supplier

[Robby_jai]

kinda in agreeance with you romp :)

my big four bank doubled my pay that E&Y was offering me... and dangled a 6 figure bonus in front of me to entice me :)

happy to say i got my bonus last year.

Partnership is great... and a good way to ensuring a rock solid income for the rest of your career...

but if you take the punt and go outside the big four..... man it opens your eyes :)


i started off big 4, did my 3 years, got my CA, quit the day i got it, moved to broking and never looked back! Partnership is a cruisey way to earn half a bar each year for life but if you want to put in the hard yards you can earn much more, much sooner without trying to win the rat race. Of course all up to the individual ... question of lifestyle vs pay etc.

[vanboy]

I've worked in Student Services for the last 5 years or so, primarily Student Welfare with international students. Also helped found an online magazine for Int Students in Melb - Meld Magazine (http://meldmagazine.com.au)

The wife is the corporate.. so right now i'm gearing up to potentiall be an expat +1 over in Asia

[Stalker]

kinda in agreeance with you romp :)

my big four bank doubled my pay that E&Y was offering me... and dangled a 6 figure bonus in front of me to entice me :)

happy to say i got my bonus last year.

Partnership is great... and a good way to ensuring a rock solid income for the rest of your career...

but if you take the punt and go outside the big four..... man it opens your eyes :)

Fair enough.... maybe I'm being naive.... You boys have any hook ups in Perth? ;)

[Romp]

Glad to hear it. Seems to be a common approach.

...but please don't make the mistake of thinking I haven't (and don't continue to) 'put in the hard yards'. The comment that Partnership is cruisy is also ridiculous. Keen to know what you are basing that opinion on?

hey mate,

Not saying partnership is bad at all... infact its a bloody awesome outcome. It pays well and the hours and lifestyle is great for the $$ you earn. Just saying if ur an achiever (and it sounds like you are) there are other options out there that you should be made aware of to make money earlier and faster that you dont need to limit yourself into partnership but all this comes at a cost and its lifestyle

My opinion is based on my own real life experience - I was in your position also gunning for partnership. Both me and a friend moved from chartered to bank around same time. Im still here, he went back to chartered on lifestyle choice. 40-50hrs a week is norm at chartered, he is also a senior manager and his hours are flexible. If you ever leave you will see the stark contrast with the longer hours, work intensity per hour is also higher and the stress levels are much different.

[Bakks]

kinda in agreeance with you romp :)

my big four bank doubled my pay that E&Y was offering me... and dangled a 6 figure bonus in front of me to entice me :)

happy to say i got my bonus last year.

Partnership is great... and a good way to ensuring a rock solid income for the rest of your career...

but if you take the punt and go outside the big four..... man it opens your eyes :)

Nice bonus for someone working in a cost centre! Sounds like I need to get out of corporate....

By the way, insurance isn't cashed up (I work in insurance, well for another 3 weeks). We've been smashed by the recent weather events, bonus's will be light / non existent this year unfortunantly and pay already isn't that flash compared to resources (especially as previously mentioned someone like Chevron).

[ducatiboy]

I'm a Sales Manager for a very well known global beverage brand.... looking after a team that sell to the liquor / hospitality industry in Sydney.

Background is that I've got a degree in marketing (but never worked in 'marketing'), and got a MBA a few years ago.

[Stalker]

hey mate,

Not saying partnership is bad at all... infact its a bloody awesome outcome. It pays well and the hours and lifestyle is great for the $$ you earn. Just saying if ur an achiever (and it sounds like you are) there are other options out there that you should be made aware of to make money earlier and faster that you dont need to limit yourself into partnership but all this comes at a cost and its lifestyle

My opinion is based on my own real life experience - I was in your position also gunning for partnership. Both me and a friend moved from chartered to bank around same time. Im still here, he went back to chartered on lifestyle choice. 40-50hrs a week is norm at chartered, he is also a senior manager and his hours are flexible. If you ever leave you will see the stark contrast with the longer hours, work intensity per hour is also higher and the stress levels are much different.

Fair enough. Thanks for the detail. I do understand that there are big $'s out there for those that wish to chase them, but ultimately I'm happy where I am and probably not as ambitious as I used to be. A wife and 2 young kids that all require some of my time and attention has a lot to do with that. ;) I'm working in the range 50-60 hours a week and am definitely not interest in working any more that than. I guess you could say I'm comfortable, but don't see this as cruisy by any stretch of the imagination. I also have a thing about banks, so can't say I ever see myself working for one. If I do ever move, I reckon it would be into mining and resources.

Interesting thread this. :)

[Wannabee]

Ken Oath it's interesting, I have absolutly no idea how you cats work 50-60 hours a week, I am exhausted if I do 25!

[Robby_jai]

you obviously dont know the bonus structures here at the banks for senior managers ;-)

they are obscene to put it bluntly. but the fact is .. its needed to stop our rivals pinching our staff..... quiet literally Westpac and CBA engage in a game of tit for tat pinching... we head hunt their staff and they head hunt ours.... so the big bonus is dangled in front of the top guys to keep them there ....


PS while in the true sense of the word... I am technically working in a cost centre.... the cost centre I work for is business critical ;-) Compliance, Legistlative and legal matters and risk management is hardly something a bank has a choice on :P


Nice bonus for someone working in a cost centre! Sounds like I need to get out of corporate....

By the way, insurance isn't cashed up (I work in insurance, well for another 3 weeks). We've been smashed by the recent weather events, bonus's will be light / non existent this year unfortunantly and pay already isn't that flash compared to resources (especially as previously mentioned someone like Chevron).

[Stalker]

Ken Oath it's interesting, I have absolutly no idea how you cats work 50-60 hours a week, I am exhausted if I do 25!

Coffee plays a considerable role... :) haha

[Wannabee]

haha I can imagine mate!

[random]

.

[Sammy]

I work for Sennheiser in their professional department, i look after all things broadcast, production etc....

[random]

I work for Sennheiser in their professional department, i look after all things broadcast, production etc....

can you get me a set of nice headphones? thanks. :)

[Sammy]

can you get me a set of nice headphones? thanks. :)

what are you after?

[Pharkus]

what are you after?

Hmmmm HD800??? =)

But at that sort of a range I'd really want to listen to those and a set of Grado's first before buying. Sorry if I'm jumping onto Den's coat tails here.

[Ideo]

some of you guys work insane hours!! 60 hours a week? no thanks. not at my age anyway, i like working to my own hours lol

I used to do 65-70 hours a week when I was working in the private sector.

Was only for the high 80s as well. Not particulary worth it.

Now doing 45-50 in government and earning a fair whack more. Works better for me.

[schoona]

3rd Year apprentice fitter. Finished all my TAFE, halfway through Mechanical Engineering Diploma (Joys of RPL!).

[dev17a]

I just have a normal clerical office job using keyboard / mouse / calculator in a small Chartered Accountants firm...

Once addicted to day trading and have had big gains and losses..............

Now I do much less trading.

[saad]

i started off big 4, did my 3 years, got my CA, quit the day i got it, moved to broking and never looked back! Partnership is a cruisey way to earn half a bar each year for life but if you want to put in the hard yards you can earn much more, much sooner without trying to win the rat race. Of course all up to the individual ... question of lifestyle vs pay etc.

Hey Romp

interested on how you went from accounting to broking/valuation? Sounds promising

As for me, I did accounting and finance at uni, had a few short stints at a few places, and now finally something solid, and am due to start with IBM in May as a Project Co-ordinator. Hoping it leads into project management or similar, and to earn the really big $$$. Looking forward to kicking some arse and getting noticed!

[ml16]

Woah, corporate nerdy people. Good stuff.

Student, studying geology (final year) and working for a large engineering firm.

[Wannabee]

ml16 - Mining Sector?

[shakespeare]

State Manager for Pharmacy Wholesaler

Keeps me busy, I get to drive the R to visit customers and I actually do enjoy my job :)

[Robby_jai]

pretty much the same way most people do it i suspect saad.. which is through hard work.. learning and be willing to do the shit jobs required to learn the trade.

you pick an interested field.. you work in that industry and you get experience.. regardless of what ever it pays you and you work your arse off and dont expect hand outs or expect to be paid 100k a year like a lot of the younger graduates seem to think these days.

i went from an IT Degree working as a DBA for the first 3 years of my career to turning my whole career around and working in Accounting, Banking and Finance specialising in risk, finance, compliance and thats not even my degree of training.

its not that hard. hard work and perseverance and persistence and patience is whats required... a skill that is lacking in quite a lot of the younger instant gratification generation these days



Hey Romp

interested on how you went from accounting to broking/valuation? Sounds promising

As for me, I did accounting and finance at uni, had a few short stints at a few places, and now finally something solid, and am due to start with IBM in May as a Project Co-ordinator. Hoping it leads into project management or similar, and to earn the really big $$$. Looking forward to kicking some arse and getting noticed!

[ml16]

ml16 - Mining Sector?

They specialise in heaps of stuff. Will PM you.

EDIT: he is banned, lol.

[saad]

pretty much the same way most people do it i suspect saad.. which is through hard work.. learning and be willing to do the shit jobs required to learn the trade.

you pick an interested field.. you work in that industry and you get experience.. regardless of what ever it pays you and you work your arse off and dont expect hand outs or expect to be paid 100k a year like a lot of the younger graduates seem to think these days.

i went from an IT Degree working as a DBA for the first 3 years of my career to turning my whole career around and working in Accounting, Banking and Finance specialising in risk, finance, compliance and thats not even my degree of training.

its not that hard. hard work and perseverance and persistence and patience is whats required... a skill that is lacking in quite a lot of the younger instant gratification generation these days

Thanks man. It seems that in this day in age, you can go from one field to another, as a lot of the skills seem to work across fields? I'm not really 100% what Id like to do, but IBM sounds promising, a good place to start a proper career, and a stepping stone to greater things. Who knows I might love it and stay for 20 years! Looking heaps forward to it, and like I said, kicking some arse, and getting notices by the higher ups!

[Romp]

Thanks man. It seems that in this day in age, you can go from one field to another, as a lot of the skills seem to work across fields? I'm not really 100% what Id like to do, but IBM sounds promising, a good place to start a proper career, and a stepping stone to greater things. Who knows I might love it and stay for 20 years! Looking heaps forward to it, and like I said, kicking some arse, and getting notices by the higher ups!

Sorry just saw this.... I had a friend who did the same transition a couple of years before me so that is what opened my eyes to it. Brokers look for people with CA background as a good basis to get trained up.... They pay is still better than chartered but alot more hours so $$ per hour probably worse but the pay curve can be quite steep. Pm me if your interested and i can tell you more

[Stalker]

Thanks man. It seems that in this day in age, you can go from one field to another, as a lot of the skills seem to work across fields? I'm not really 100% what Id like to do...

I don't think many people actually ever really know what they want to do 100%. Job hopping definitely isn't the answer, but I agree that core commerce skills seem to be quite transferable across industries these days, and that being prepared to take a few risks and put the effort in can reap the rewards.

I picked up my degree in Accounting and IS which helped me get in the door here. While that background serves me well, I don't use those skills on a day to day basis. I rely on the knowledge and experience I have built up over the past 9 years. Patience and perserverence are key factors, as Romp has already mentioned.

[luthernil]

I'm an electrician.

[kaitan]

pretty much the same way most people do it i suspect saad.. which is through hard work.. learning and be willing to do the shit jobs required to learn the trade.

you pick an interested field.. you work in that industry and you get experience.. regardless of what ever it pays you and you work your arse off and dont expect hand outs or expect to be paid 100k a year like a lot of the younger graduates seem to think these days.

i went from an IT Degree working as a DBA for the first 3 years of my career to turning my whole career around and working in Accounting, Banking and Finance specialising in risk, finance, compliance and thats not even my degree of training.

its not that hard. hard work and perseverance and persistence and patience is whats required... a skill that is lacking in quite a lot of the younger instant gratification generation these days

I a customer service officer at St George Bank. As what robby said is right....just a lil patience and perseveaance is what ya need. I've got a bachelor in marketing but now i'm heading towards the Banking and Finance industry who knows what I might end up at the end of the day? I'll take it as it comes and get as much knowledge and experience as i go along :D

[GTom]

So many people working for the banks that just love to rip us off with exorbitant fees and charges >D .... Couldn't help myself, just had to complain about that crap.

[luthernil]

I'm an electrician.

[Robby_jai]

So many people working for the banks that just love to rip us off with exorbitant fees and charges >D .... Couldn't help myself, just had to complain about that crap.

did I hear you didnt pay enough fees ??? ;-) want me to add some more fees to your account>D

[schoona]

did I hear you didnt pay enough fees ??? ;-) want me to add some more fees to your account>D

A personal reply fee was just charged as a result of your enquiry Tom, sucker.

[GTom]

did I hear you didnt pay enough fees ??? ;-) want me to add some more fees to your account>D

LoL, seems the general consensus with banks these days, you tell them to reduce fees they chuck more on :p.

I do find it rather funny that some "Big 4" banks actually don't print ID for their staff one of the reasons being they don't want them heckled in the street for working at a bank :p :lol:

[Robby_jai]

hahahah i have a massive great big ID with my banks signature color and logo and my name and mug shot slapped all over it :)

surprised i havent been abused while travelling to work yet..

most ppl assume when they see your ID you work in a branch some where....shits me :)


LoL, seems the general consensus with banks these days, you tell them to reduce fees they chuck more on :p.

I do find it rather funny that some "Big 4" banks actually don't print ID for their staff one of the reasons being they don't want them heckled in the street for working at a bank :p :lol:

[keungleung]

Digital Marketing Manager - putting up ads on google, yahoo, facebook etc for all those big companies with lots of money & crazy targets to reach.

Surfing the net during work hours = my job :)

[Brick]

Partner in a Big 4 firm. The $ are good but certainly question occassionally when assesed against hours and risk.

[moostin]

I, was being to think that everyone works in a bank? Anyway, I run my own business (franchise) Snap On Tools. It's fun most of the time.

[YouSnooze]

Anaesthetist (hence the user name). 13 years to get my specialist qualifications including uni years. Takes a long time, eh? Good thing is the lifestyle benefits. I only work Mon-Thurs and earn an excellent income. No intentions of working more than this.

[CSR]

Lots of talent here...

I work as the export manager for south-east asia, middle east and oceania as well as the domestic brand manager for a medium-sized wholesale company which distributes firearms and shooting/hunting related equipment / accessories.
We carry 28 agencies which grows every year, every time increasing the workload.

Been working here for 2 1/2 years now, pretty much since I finished high-school in 2008. It's a family business which means the pay is lousy and the job is hard but love the challenge and the industry, which gives me a few times a year where I can travel for work and tag on a vacation.

[Paul_OH]

I, was being to think that everyone works in a bank?

Well that sounds better than a forum full of bankers :)

[DonJuan]

i'm an architect... the lucky guy who gets to play with crayons and pencils... i love it!!! love designing houses and other structures...

[Steve]

Site Services Manager (Hospitality) - Mining Industrynot any more.

Professional Driver

[zz2]

back at uni doing my masters of architecture.

may god have mercy on my soul

[benno]

Anaesthetist (hence the user name). 13 years to get my specialist qualifications including uni years. Takes a long time, eh? Good thing is the lifestyle benefits. I only work Mon-Thurs and earn an excellent income. No intentions of working more than this.

Hey cool mate. I'm an ED SHO, trying to figure out what I want to do when/if I grow up. Anaesthetics is a distinct possibility, I really like the physiology (and yeah, lifestyle ;) ) . But the other critical care disciplines are quite attractive too. ICU is pretty sexy and ED can be really fun and exciting.

It's going to take be a fair bit longer than 13 years though! Sounds f*ing awful when you add it all up...

[Footguy]

Self employed Podiatrist...

My brother in law is an anaethetist. Been fully qualified for 2 years now. Works 4 days (40-45 hrs/week) a week and making serious bank. Watched him slug out 13 or so years of training to get there. You cant begrudge what they get paid....No real life till he was almost 35...

[frazza]

IT Manager for an Auto Group, been in IT for about 25years now starting as a bench tech, through software development, you name it i've had a play with it at some point. I specialize in telling people what to do :D LOL!

[BIO]

engine program coordinator for an automotive company

[ktl]

electronic engineer, operations manager for an electronic assembly factory

[MissVuks]

High school PDHPE teacher/year advisor in a very low socioecomically disadvantaged school.

[Cam]

High school PDHPE teacher/year advisor in a very low socioecomically disadvantaged school.

Year Advisor? Damn that would be a tough job
;)

[MissVuks]

Considering I'm year advisor to the rattiest year group that has passed through the school in the past 10 years lol someone's gotta do it :P I do like them...... sometimes lol

[MarcsGTI]

Real Estate - Business Development Manager

[II-S3-II]

Technical Director @ Wunderman (Advertising)

[DonJuan]

back at uni doing my masters of architecture.

may god have mercy on my soul

Hey goodluck with your masters! I have 2 grads who finished last year... No student works longer hours

[zz2]

Hey goodluck with your masters! I have 2 grads who finished last year... No student works longer hours

cheers Don, it certainly has its moments :(

[razz]

Regional operations manager for an urban retail brand.

[stephen8512]

Soon-to-be Auditor at a one of the largest mid tier accounting firms in Australia

[BBR32]

pro tennis player /coach

[Nathan_b]

Account Manager for a telco - looking to get out soon and join the family business (manufacturing)

[Steve]

Job change

Will be working at Osborne Park Volkswagen (WA) in the Service Department.

[Stalker]

Job change

Will be working at Osborne Park Volkswagen (WA) in the Service Department.

That's convenient. ;) Congrat's.

[mk5]

thats awesome steve when do you start ?

[joshuaa187]

Full time 2nd year Commerce student majoring in Accounting and Finance. :)

[Stalker]

Full time 2nd year Commerce student majoring in Accounting and Finance. :)

That was me 11 years ago....damn I feel old. :( You've got a slightly better car than I did. Did love my 1989 Yellow Camry though - especially the brown interior. Good times. :D

[Steve]

thats awesome steve when do you start ?Monday

[joshuaa187]

That was me 11 years ago....damn I feel old. :( You've got a slightly better car than I did. Did love my 1989 Yellow Camry though - especially the brown interior. Good times. :D

Really looking forward to real world business.. :) Accounting and finance at Uni is getting pretty dry and boring. Look on the bright side, time flies when your having fun ;)

[Stalker]

Really looking forward to real world business.. :) Accounting and finance at Uni is getting pretty dry and boring. Look on the bright side, time flies when your having fun ;)

That it most certainly does! ;)

[sir_camel]

Currently working for a Major Performing Arts Company that is funded by both state and federal governments to tour musicians around Australia. I look after the education program in NSW. I have what i call a Bachelor of Unemployment (Bachelor of Music).

Thinking of a career change though. Both options are pretty different. Either Primary Education or Urban Planning. Both would need 2 years of study. Would probably have to sell the Golf to fund it and hopefully buy something more exciting again down the track.

[Byza]

.... I will be working for one of the largest property/super/banking Institutions in Australia in 3 weeks!.. Very happy are being head hunted and all my hard work has finally paid off.. been a long time coming for me!!!! Cant wait for the new challenge!!!

[10d]

.... I will be working for one of the largest property/super/banking Institutions in Australia in 3 weeks!.. Very happy are being head hunted and all my hard work has finally paid off.. been a long time coming for me!!!! Cant wait for the new challenge!!!

BOQ?? Or AMP?

[DonJuan]

hey byza, congrats... hope it works out great.
where abouts will you be located... central bris?

[Jig]

.... I will be working for one of the largest property/super/banking Institutions in Australia in 3 weeks!.. Very happy are being head hunted and all my hard work has finally paid off.. been a long time coming for me!!!! Cant wait for the new challenge!!!

Congratulations Byron. Deserving news!

[Byza]

Thanks very much guys!!! Really looking forward to it!!!

[VR53KS]

After 6 months of doing SFA this year I am semi-employed now :lol: Working in one of my parents' shops (Luneburger German Bakery) near Wynyard Station and it's a bit of a mess to get used to. Sudden 6:30am starts, ughhhh. :icon_neutral:

[*thad*]

Instrumentation Designer - Currently contracted to a very large oil and gas company in the Perth CBD.

[saad]

Project co-ordinator (Project manager in training basically) at one of the largest IT companies in the world. However looking to move into sales very soon, which is looking more and more likely

[Nezmo]

I'm a mining engineer for Rio Tinto. Working in Drill & Blast. Loving it. Blowing shit up is very therapeutic.

Just started a Masters in Mineral Economics. Hopefully to get me set up for a corporate position in the near future.

[Ideo]

Currently working for a Major Performing Arts Company that is funded by both state and federal governments to tour musicians around Australia. I look after the education program in NSW. I have what i call a Bachelor of Unemployment (Bachelor of Music).

Thinking of a career change though. Both options are pretty different. Either Primary Education or Urban Planning. Both would need 2 years of study. Would probably have to sell the Golf to fund it and hopefully buy something more exciting again down the track.

Mate, drop me a PM if you want about planning. Happy to have a chat about things.

[QIK-R]

I just started a new gig as a sales rep for carpet call in nsw.

Im originally from the automotive sales background, selling new and used cars... so this is a bit of a change for me!

[MasterKevin]

UNi student by Day
Full time piimp by night ;)

[stephen8512]

I just started a new gig as a sales rep for carpet call in nsw.

Im originally from the automotive sales background, selling new and used cars... so this is a bit of a change for me!

call call carpet call the experts in the traaaade!!

hahaha sorry mate couldnt resist >D

[QIK-R]

hahaha i get that a lot!

[andrey.def]

IT security expert for Moscow branch of international company.
System administration (linux, windows, network, IDS, PKI...), threats, risks, vulnerabilities, C&A - that is mine.
By the way, I am currently looking for opportunities for relocation to Australia ;)

[foosta5]

Full time Mechanical Engineering student at Uni Melb

done work experience at Doncaster BMW as well, which was awesome, even serviced an E46 M3 and an J.C.W. Mini Cooper S

but looking for any experience with CARS!!

[foosta5]

I'm a mining engineer for Rio Tinto. Working in Drill & Blast. Loving it. Blowing shit up is very therapeutic.

Just started a Masters in Mineral Economics. Hopefully to get me set up for a corporate position in the near future.

sweet, thats so awesome, do you know if Rio Tinto hire mechanical engineers?

[ml16]

sweet, thats so awesome, do you know if Rio Tinto hire mechanical engineers?

Yes they would. Be invloved in processing side of things i'd imagine. Jump onto the Rio website and have a look.

[chopz]

High School teacher - art, photography n visual design

[Dave30]

Animal technician

[derek]

After 6 months of doing SFA this year I am semi-employed now :lol: Working in one of my parents' shops (Luneburger German Bakery) near Wynyard Station and it's a bit of a mess to get used to. Sudden 6:30am starts, ughhhh. :icon_neutral:

walk past Luneburger every morning (the one inside Wynyard Station) ...... mmm hazelnut croissant

[KazkaseRo]

I just started a new gig as a sales rep for carpet call in nsw.

Im originally from the automotive sales background, selling new and used cars... so this is a bit of a change for me!

Also from an automotive sales background...

currently working in sales as a BDM for a new group buy website, also developing my expanding detailing business

[DonJuan]

anyone know of any jobs for architects going at the moment?

[GregoInc]

I'm in IT at Melbourne Water... nothing like water and poo to keep you busy.

[morph]

Systems Engineer / Consultant @ CSC

am I the only one wondering how the heck uni students are affording a R? :P

[Footguy]

I believe its called a Phd....

[ml16]

Systems Engineer / Consultant @ CSC

am I the only one wondering how the heck uni students are affording a R? :P

Nope. I'm a student and i can't afford shit. I also wonder the same thing.

[ChrisR32]

Might as well throw something in thats different. I own a Laser Hair Removal clinic.

[iluvbrownale]

Own some retail stores. One is the Snowgum franchise in Sydney CBD. Although, in order to facilitate my move to Tassie, it's up for sale. Interested people looking for a new life with very good financial and lifestyle rewards, sms me on 0405 415 631.

[Ideo]

Systems Engineer / Consultant @ CSC

am I the only one wondering how the heck uni students are affording a R? :P

They can't. Parents can.

That said I'm a uni student, but it's a MA I'm doing part time whilst working full time.

[Robby_jai]

now thats a very typical stereotypical response.. i happen to know a few students who can afford expensive cars and it has nothing to do with their parents... its called hard work and knowing how to save money!


They can't. Parents can.

That said I'm a uni student, but it's a MA I'm doing part time whilst working full time.

[zbeasty]

APAC Financial Controller for a large multinational IT Security company.

[Ideo]

now thats a very typical stereotypical response.. i happen to know a few students who can afford expensive cars and it has nothing to do with their parents... its called hard work and knowing how to save money!

Depends on age I guess. And probably uni course. But when I was at uni every student with a nice car didn't buy it - but this was law/arts more than finance/commerce so could well be different. But, in my experience most 20 year old students aren't going to drop 60k on a car. Broad generalisation, but there ya go.

Funniest thing I ever saw was at Sydney Uni and the Socialist Alliance types were out in force talking about smashing the capitalist system. Then loaded all the signs into a brand new Merc C class coupe that you'd be pretty damn certain she didn't buy herself ;)

[ChrisR32]

now thats a very typical stereotypical response.. i happen to know a few students who can afford expensive cars and it has nothing to do with their parents... its called hard work and knowing how to save money!

I know im new around here, and dont want to start a debate, but I would love to know how someone can study full time and work enough hours to afford a 60k - 70k car, because thats a fair bit of money in any language. And if they can, can they please share their savings plan with me because i would have had to live on bread and water when i was studying to save that much.:)

[CSR]

I'm not a uni student but i'm 20 and struggled to buy this second-hand R32 and i've been working full time for the last 2 years with zero expenses to pay - also would be interested to know how a full time uni student can save up that much.

I have plenty of uni friends with nice cars but I know for a fact none of them paid a single cent for them, though on the flipside I don't appreciate people ASSUMING that I can't afford my own car just because i'm young, for all we know the uni student can have a bank loan for most of the car's value and there are some jobs that pay well and can be done at night / weekends (trade labourers, DJ's to name a few).

[VR53KS]

They can't. Parents can.

That said I'm a uni student, but it's a MA I'm doing part time whilst working full time.

This isn't the first thread where you've displayed a negative attitude towards parents who buy their kids a car and I'm wondering why you feel so strongly about this matter? My dad bought me mine, it was either that or his 2002 Audi A3 and I asked him to buy me the VR instead. Does that make either of us - me for asking, and him for complying - worse people than those who are required to be self sufficient from day zip?

[Ideo]

This isn't the first thread where you've displayed a negative attitude towards parents who buy their kids a car and I'm wondering why you feel so strongly about this matter? My dad bought me mine, it was either that or his 2002 Audi A3 and I asked him to buy me the VR instead. Does that make either of us - me for asking, and him for complying - worse people than those who are required to be self sufficient from day zip?

Sorry if it comes across that way. I can understand parents helping out with buying cars like that. Plenty of friends got old excels and things like that in a similar way, hell I bought my sister an e36 318i for about 6k because she needed a car. But something like an R?

Mostly jealousy on my part, I guess, I put up with a lot of crap at uni - pretty much I was the only houso amongst a lot of wealth and got a lot of shit from the very wealthy types doing my course that I developed a visible chip on my should. Took a lot of hard work, a lot of long nights and crap loads of pressure I didn't need - I'm paying as much of my parents debt off because they sure as hell can't and sometimes I just ponder how things might have been different. It's nothing against those who got cars through parents because of xyz. I might have been in a similar position had things turned out differently - sensible, good value first cars. It's bloody expensive cars.

Shit, maybe it's where I live now, but I see kids who get expensive cars just bought for them absolutely trash them without a seconds thought. Just kinda pisses me off :)

Anyway, enough of me blathering on. Sorry if I got on your nerves. Wasn't supposed to be an all out attack.

Like someone else said, if any uni student paid for a 60k car by themselves please provide me with some advice on how the hell you managed it. Because it sounds like you are better with your money than I am.

[Stalker]

Personally, I had an awesome time in my '85 corolla while at high school / uni. $3.5k of part time work (took longer than I would have liked), but I owned her and it was more than suitable for a first car. It took a few dings and dents along the way and it didn't really matter. I'd be shitting myself with a $60k car as a new driver, let alone parking at unis amongst all the pesky other uni students, driving my dodgy mates around, etc.

Doesn't make sense to me, but hey, if you have the cash handy, parents that can afford to help out or the means to service the debt - more power to ya! :)

[Jig]

Ideo: your circumstance is somewhat unique because not only are you paying for your own liabilities, you are also paying for your parents. If you did not, then it might be a different story but that is the circumstance that you are in and its just how life turned out for you mate. Peer pressure in Uni or even high school days is very nasty. You need to ignore that completely and separate yourself from those who are not good influences in your life. You are doing the right thing here and this forum is pretty bad in the sense that you see people who spend more on their cars and others dont. Do not get dissuaded by them. Know what your worth and only pay what you can afford. As far as parents buying cars for their children and their children not understanding the value of having cars, the parents are as much to blame than the kids. Value of money needs to be taught at such a young age all the way up to when they leave home. Value of money needs to be seared onto their brain because at some point in their young lives, it will save them. Notice I also use the term "value of money" and not value for money.

As a parent though, I believe one of my jobs is to help my children to be debt free as much as possible without removing the responsibilities and experience of learning how to manage money and to be liable for something that teaches them good money skills. So, your doing alright ideo. Keep your chin up and focus on the big picture.

[onpole01]

As everyone is chiming in here i thought id add my 2 cents There is no way on earth I'd buy my child a 60k,let alone a 30K car. You don't learn the value of money by not learning to value money. Simply put, if your child wants a 60K car then let them work/save/invest/go without to achieve it. Only then do they realise the effort, blood sweat and tears they have put in to achieve it and will then learn to value the dollar figure around that effort.

Helping ur kids to be debt free is more around educating them and letting them learn from experience, buying them a 60K car is a temporary measure that may reduce debt initially however no lessons are learnt.

Let me categorically say I have no chip on my shoulder and anyone on here who's parents bought them a 30-40-50K car that's awesome! I think though you play the cards you get dealt and if you're parents/grandparents built the family's wealth and the kids benefit from it that's how it goes. Me personally no matter how much money I have I would not buy my kids expensive cars. By the time they get to driving age they will have worked/saved/invested/gone without to achieve buying their own.

[GregoInc]

[QUOTE=onpole01;105834] And sadly for my daughter that means (no matter how much lobbying) a car wont be a present for her 21st birthday... LOL

LOL. Maybe a Tiffany and Co Key necklace/pendant then for her 21?

[iluvbrownale]

"Mostly jealousy on my part, I guess, I put up with a lot of crap at uni - pretty much I was the only houso amongst a lot of wealth"

"Anyway, enough of me blathering on. Sorry if I got on your nerves. Wasn't supposed to be an all out attack. "

"Like someone else said, if any uni student paid for a 60k car by themselves please provide me with some advice on how the hell you managed it. Because it sounds like you are better with your money than I am".

Refreshingly honest comments there mate. Makes a change from some of the uptight people here who are prone to supposedly self deprecating remarks like "I really hate the way my neighbours in Point Piper are always so careless when they back into my Enzo and Q7 and Q5 and R but I guess i need to learn to park better!"

On the uni student question, I guess there's a couple of points I'll chip in. It'd be partly generational, in that in my day (when everything was black and white and people rode penny farthings and men wore hats) everyone went away to uni, got a stinking set of digs with a few mates and tried to not see their parents except each Xmas for a feed. After that, you tried every trick to avoid going back to your home town after graduation and couldn't consider living with your folks if they paid you to. Now, it seems so many students live at home and overwhelmingly, people in their early to late 20's live at home afterwards too which would be pretty cheap (i suspect parents aren't charging their kids market rent....). If you could spend your mortgage (or even rent) and food and bills on a car instead, to be honest, a Golf R is a paupers choice! Obviously this isn't how all students go about it but it's increasingly common.

There's also the priority issue. How many times have you sat in traffic on a busy road in front of some run down house thanking your lucky stars you don't live there, only to notice that there's a nifty set of wheels in the driveway? I suspect there's people on this forum who have grafted hard and sacrificed a lot to own their car whilst for others they may instead have properties, investments, a boat, a hanglider, who knows what. Worth remembering there's always a few big fish in a small pond. Each to their own.

[Footguy]

Nothing defines Gen Y more than a 50K car and living at home...

Anyway, moving along now...Anyone work as a drug dealer? They seem to have nice cars....

[onpole01]

Nothing defines Gen Y more than a 50K car and living at home...

Anyway, moving along now...Anyone work as a drug dealer? They seem to have nice cars....

Lol! :)

[shakespeare]

Nothing defines Gen Y more than a 50K car and living at home...

Anyway, moving along now...Anyone work as a drug dealer? They seem to have nice cars....

I kinda do (Pharmaceutical Wholesaler) :p

[Stalker]

Nothing defines Gen Y more than a 50K car and living at home...

Anyway, moving along now...Anyone work as a drug dealer? They seem to have nice cars....

Hahaha...awesome. :D

[*thad*]

update for me, in 2 weeks ill be an engineering data analyst. Includes pay rise *does a jig*

[joshuaa187]

Sorry if it comes across that way. I can understand parents helping out with buying cars like that. Plenty of friends got old excels and things like that in a similar way, hell I bought my sister an e36 318i for about 6k because she needed a car. But something like an R?

Shit, maybe it's where I live now, but I see kids who get expensive cars just bought for them absolutely trash them without a seconds thought. Just kinda pisses me off :)

Ideo, I'm still a uni student and my friends have old excels, lancers and so on. Sorry to hear about the crap you got from the wealthy whilst doing your course at uni. I don't see how people can give others crap from their financial status. I think I've seen more kids trashing commodores and falcons compared than an expensive car.

Without my parents there is no chance I could afford an R and I'm still in debt to them. I'm doing a commerce degree which has quite a small amount of contact hours compared to engineering. As a student, I studied during the day and worked part-time in a warehouse doing night shifts as a fruit and veg picker. During the holidays I would work about 5-6days a week and when Christmas and New Years were approaching that is when longer shifts were available and more money was to be made. That being said, I certainly don't take money for granted and hardly ever drink alcohol or smoke.

[frazza]

Anyone work as a drug dealer? They seem to have nice cars....

Yeah but i hear public liability insurance is a killer :D LOL!

[Jig]

Gregoinc @ Mark: Apologies a million Mark. I accidentally edited your post instead of clicking on the Reply with quote button. I forgot what you said so I could not reverse my trigger happy fingers. So sorry about this Mark.

[GregoInc]

And sadly for my daughter that means (no matter how much lobbying) a car wont be a present for her 21st birthday... LOL

LOL. Maybe a Tiffany and Co Key necklace/pendant then for her 21?

Wow, me thinks the forum had a hickup... especially since I didn't write the last bit??? Hmmm...