Pros:
I have a specialized job which appears difficult and impressive.
I don't have to deal with customers or co-workers.
I get to surf the Web and drink coffee and watch cable TV.
I get to wear jeans and polo shirts and not a business suit.
I sort of set my own hours.
I know the job like the back of my hand.
I'm paid okay. Not enough to buy a Ferrari, but enough to subsist and go on cruises.
My job is fairly secure compared to most peoples'.

Cons:
I work in a dark, windowless, noisy room.
I'm basically a blue-collar monkey operating a machine.
I have to work goofy hours and days.
I have to come in at a moment's notice for problems.
I get no holidays (didn't even know that was legal until I got this job, but it is).
I'm unappreciated.
It's a dead-end job with no upward mobility.
It's physically taxing and isn't something I can do forever.

pros: good pay, good hours, set my own schedule, get to really help people, get to choose where I live.
cons: highly stressful, one mistake can cost me my license.

pro:
good pay
excellent benefits
job security(so far, been here 28 years)
variety

con:
late night call outs
constant training
stress

sec

Pros:
money is ok, I guess.
Huge 4X4 war room like plasma screens to watch tv and current events
Literally do not do any work for weeks at a time but browse web
Actual work is generally easy
Good Learning experience

Cons:
Plasma screens are stuck on Fox news and weather channel only, recently all turned off.
Building and job is very secure. 4 different codes and 3 different badges before I get to my desk, also no windows.
Have to remember 5 different passwords all containing at least 15 characters, 2 upper, lower, numbers, special, etc.
Cant bring my phone in since it has a camera
Almost every good site is blocked, youtube, etc.
Literally have no work to do weeks at a time but browse web.
Cant wear Jeans, shirt, only on weekends.
Working with servers on the biggest network in the world, little mistakes can be costly.
Boring.


My old position was awesome with all the traveling. I hate being stuck at a desk the entire time. I dont know If I could do this forever.

I'm literally thinking of getting into MMA or boxing professionally.......

pros:
constant blessing
unexpected joy
it's my passion - i love church, God, faith, religions - and I get to eat, live, breathe it.
watching people grow and help change the world
seeing lives changed constantly
seeing old people learn something new and become impassioned and empowered
something happens every day that I didn't know I could do or would do, but I've been given the power to do it
the optimism of it - people are good and there's always the hope that people will become even better
hope - no matter what I see in the world that's discouraging, I'm always surrounded by the good that counters it
mission - I get to be a part of a church who's soul yearns to help people
flexible hours

cons:
flexible hours - middle of the night/early morning/Saturdays/Sundays/ doesn't matter day or night - I'm available, on call, and never able to really get away, unless i leave the state and even then it is questionable
fish bowl living - although I'm human, people expect more out of me and I never will and simply cannot always live up to the expectation
being "on" constantly
Lack of friends or avenues for friends - because of the stereotypes of who ministers or even "Christians" are supposed to be, many people are hesitant or feel as if they cannot be themselves around me....it makes for making friends a little difficult; being friends with parishioners is way too complicated and I have a staff of 2 and I'm also their supervisor
The people - sometimes working with 250 people is a real pain in the ass

this,absolutely this

It's great when the money is rolling in, and sucks when you are looking around for some help in a down economy/bad month, etc..

Overall, I like what I do. I'm just tightening the belt an extra notch for the next 12-18 months....or so.

Thanks man, and yeah i think it will be a challenge. They told me it will take about a year to get everything here. It is fun so far, and im training alot right now nad the atmosphere is great. I am excited and love it already, and opp. will come thanks to this inside the company, and wherever. I am so glad i am IN, it's been a good year plus since ive seriously looked for an IT job that could jump start everything for me!

I like the people i work with, including my boss.

However I work Louisiana claims, you want to talk about the scum idiots of the country, most of them live there.

the other con for me - salary...I don't do it for money, but I feel like after 35 people have joined since January (keep in mind we are a small suburban church in an old neighborhood and used to worship less than 100), I should at least get a raise.

I need 2 or 3 of me and my job would be kicking ass.

this

Is this something that gets voted on? Or do you have a higher power?

It gets voted on.....the majority of the problem is budget. Like every business/church/organization, the economic crisis is not helping our giving....and forcing people with fixed incomes to pay me more, just seems highly unethical

I did a career change when I was 35 and became a respiratory therapist.

Pros
rewarding
The people, you get to meet and see alot of different people, both good and bad
challeging and no 2 days are really ever the same
job security
pretty decent pay
benefits are really good
flexible schedule

Cons
Stress, this could be a pro too, some people absolutely being in trauma situations and love the adrenaline rush that comes from those situations as well

You will see things that no matter how hard you try, you won't forget and wish you never had

Long hours. 12 hour days that can turn into 14 and sometimes their is no sitting down and you are running your ass off from the moment you step foot in the door