What do you do for work?

[ashParadise]

I was reading peoples' about me's and found myself curious to see what people with indie web as a hobby do for work!! Since it's a creative and technical hobby I imagine the demographic would skew to creative and technical careers as well, but you don't know what you don't know!

Personally, I moved from the tech industry (IT and tech support for like 10+ years) a few years ago to open/operate my own business. Now I do branding and merch design, as well as operate a retail store that sells retro-inspired apparel, physical media (movies & games,) art and more! So I'd say my current career is very tied in, and my time working with and learning about computers primed me for making my own site.

So, what's your job?? Does it have anything to do with your indie web interest? 

[sphinx]

I do greenhouse work. We grow ornamental plants for wholesale, so not open to the general public. Our clients are hotels, resorts, landscape companies, and large private estates. I care for the plants. Planting, watering, pest control applications, moving, up-potting, pruning, weeding, etc. It doesn't sound like much but on a mass scale it's pretty tiring.

Before that I worked in an office handling accounts for a webhosting company, so I have a little bit of a tech background but not very much. Even though I love web stuff I prefer working outdoors in nature.

[ValyceNegative]

I'm an artist! I work for both privates and companies, so I do regular commissions but also logos and mascots, textile patterns, art installations / window design for shops, covers, posters, dedicated fonts...

So yeah, exactly the kind of job generative AI is trying to destroy. ;w; while nothing has changed on the private commission side (believe me, privates that advocate that trash because "it's a cheap alternative" would have never bought any commission in any case) I've had the occasional shop saying "oh that's okay, this time I can make the poster myself". Luckily, they regret it soon after as audience comments on the uglyness and lack of readability/useful information on those tacky generated flyers.

[schlime9k]

I work at a small retro-game store. I used to work for a very large general retailer (will not say their name) but it was hell because of course it was: a whole bunch of customers, some very stupid, a manager that was simply against me all the time, and menial work that I was bored of the second I started.

Now at the store I work at, the work is awesome because I'm surrounded by old games that I need to care for (which I do :D) customers and coworkers that share the same interests as me, and a manager that DOESN'T suck !! 

[honeyontoast]

I do greenhouse work. We grow ornamental plants for wholesale, so not open to the general public. Our clients are hotels, resorts, landscape companies, and large private estates. I care for the plants. Planting, watering, pest control applications, moving, up-potting, pruning, weeding, etc. It doesn't sound like much but on a mass scale it's pretty tiring.

What a coincidence! I used to work on a plant nursery dealing with outdoor or greenhouse raised plants. Repotting, weeding, "lifting" (taking plants for orders), and pruning. It really is tough work, but it was also probably my favourite job. Sadly I had to leave because it didn't pay enough for us to survive.

Before and after my time at the plant nursery, I've been a software developer. It pays well enough, it's secure, and I get to work from home, but I don't know if I'd say I enjoy it. I often wish I was working outdoors.

However I have a sick cat that often needs medicine, and being able to work from home means I'm always here to do it.