The best job I ever had was actually volunteering (I've only officially had one actual job so far). I like to volunteer in general, but I got into convention staffing last year, and had such a wonderful experience, that I signed up for a few others.

My department is always registration, either pre-registration or walk-ins.
I never knew I was able to be so social and in control! People have told me before that I wold be good in a leadership position, but I never realized that for myself until I started staffing and managed to keep lines of people in order and directing foot traffic. In September, I wound up staffing nearly 12 hours with only an hour 1/2 break, but I loved every minute of it. I didn't even feel tired at all until after I got off shift.

It's exciting to get to see so many different people with similar interests (since we literally see EVERYONE), and be able to get them more excited for the weekend by being the first friendly face they see at the convention. And the other staffers are great people to work with.

I don't get paid, but I *do* get 1.) a free badge, 2.) free food/snack, 3.) to help people, 4.) a controlled social interaction environment (which I need; this has made me so much more social and willing to be social) 5.) job-related experience in customer service and problem solving, and 6.) an awesome time.

This also inspired me to get more involved with helping to plan and host events for a local anime club, which has been an amazing experience.

It's so great to hear someone has a job they like. Thanks, Shadowsong.

My best job was the one I quit 5 years ago. I was a medical clerk for eleven years, did administrative assistant duties, taught volunteer clerks how to use the computer registeation system.

I felt unappreciated (pay grade did not include all the training I did and all the admin duties), gossiped about (very catty staff I worked with) and frustrated with upper mgmt. After being there 11 years, I was one of the dinosaurs that every company needs, remembering past staff and occurrences. And I put 100% into caring for the clients, pampering them even, and trying to keep everyone in the dept happy. I felt disrespected and stressed out by the decisions mgmt made.

I quit in July 2008, when they refused me part time work that I needed to help my elderly parents. They never filled the position, using nursing staff, volunteers, and now, I hear, no one at all at my desk. They enjoy the benefits of one less staff member to pay. At meetings, I am told, for years my name came up, about how much better it was when I was there. One staff member told the CEO that the most foolish thing they ever did was let me leave.

I fell into a four and a half year depression. However, I was holding my father when he died, and was with Mom throughout her life-threatening illness last November. So, did I do the right thing......??

If I could do it over, I would have kept my nose to the grindstone, ignored office drama, appreciated my low salary, and accepted what mgmt decided instead of questioning it.

Without a college degree, dont know if I will ever have the security again that I felt there. And no, Im not going to school in my midfifties. Thanks for listening.