What jobs have you had?

Since leaving school, I’ve had a fairly varied employment history. Some planned, some accidental, and a few that probably only made sense at the time. Looking back, it’s been an interesting mix of industries, responsibilities, and experiences — enough to keep life from ever getting too predictable.

I started out as a baker and confectioner after doing my work experience in a bakery. Truthfully, I’d wanted to do my placement at a bank, but my mum decided I “wasn’t academic enough” for that route. So flour, ovens, and early mornings it was. I was made redundant just before starting my apprenticeship, which felt unfair at the time, but probably taught me early on that job security is mostly an illusion.

After that, I ended up at Rolls-Royce. If I’m being honest, I suspect my paternal grandfather’s reputation as a well-liked senior management figure helped open that door. Over the years I worked across several departments and roles there, on and off rather than continuously. One useful thing that came out of it was gaining my first FLT certification at 17, which at the time felt like serious machinery and responsibility.

From there, my career path becomes less “carefully mapped out” and more “adapt and overcome.”

Some of the more notable roles along the way included:

• Soldier in the British Army as a Supply Chain Operator
• Close protection and VIP security
• Research and Development Engineer in both the automotive and aerospace industries
• Aerospace X-ray Technician
• Head of Hospital Security — including at the same hospital where my children were born
• General Manager and Bar Manager across several pubs and a nightclub
• Wax Injection Operator for one of Rolls-Royce’s sister companies
• Warehouse Manager, Social Media expert, and Photographer — all somehow at the same workplace
• NVQ Assessor for PMO (Performing Manufacturing Operations)
• Quality Engineer in a clean room environment

There’s probably a lesson somewhere in all of that about versatility, resilience, or refusing to stay in one lane for too long. Personally, I just see it as a working life built by saying yes to opportunities, learning quickly, and figuring things out as I went. 

Some jobs paid the bills, some taught discipline, some taught leadership, and a few simply gave me stories worth telling later. Looking back now, I wouldn’t really change much — even the chaotic bits served a purpose in the end.

Interesting footnote.  I’ve never been out of work or signed on (unemployment benefits) since leaving school. This mentality of doing any job to keep the money coming in is a reflection of my maternal grandfather and his moral code.

Stay safe

Bc