What's the best job you've ever had?

[gbb]

I worked in sesimic exploration.
Brilliantly exciting, travelled the world and got paid for it and was tax free.
Mega stressful at times but that's why was paid the big bucks, I actually thrived on the stress which seems nuts as at the time it was tough.

Thats how we were surveying the Vale of Belvoir for coalseams.
Old school approach, geophones connected to miles of cable across the countryside, connected to a truck with all the recieving equipment. Holes drilled alongside the cables, explosives detonated 10ft down, geophones pick up rebound signals etc etc.
Some years later I happened across a survey where they'd simplified the whole process, a truck with a lowering vibrating bed, all self contained i guess.
Seismograph Surverying Limited (SSL) iirc, i used to work for, often wondered if they still exist

 

[Binky]

Thats how we were surveying the Vale of Belvoir for coalseams.
Old school approach, geophones connected to miles of cable across the countryside, connected to a truck with all the recieving equipment. Holes drilled alongside the cables, explosives detonated 10ft down, geophones pick up rebound signals etc etc.
Some years later I happened across a survey where they'd simplified the whole process, a truck with a lowering vibrating bed, all self contained i guess.
Seismograph Surverying Limited (SSL) iirc, i used to work for, often wondered if they still exist

I worked for Horizon Exploration when we did land seismic work, did multiple surveys for the Coal Board as it was back then all around the UK and yes used dynamite as a sound source.
The truck with vibrating pad is known as vibroseis truck, I spent a year in Italy doing surveys for likes of AGIP with those.
I later joined Norwegian Company PGS and worked offshore on marine seismic all over the world.

 

[gbb]

I worked for Horizon Exploration when we did land seismic work, did multiple surveys for the Coal Board as it was back then all around the UK and yes used dynamite as a sound source.
The truck with vibrating pad is known as vibroseis truck, I spent a year in Italy doing surveys for likes of AGIP with those.
I later joined Norwegian Company PGS and worked offshore on marine seismic all over the world.

When you think about it, its such a niche industry, what's the chances of two people who worked within it just happening to use the same completely non related forum ?
Small world sometimes...

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Working in a special needs school - There was primary and secondary on the same site and I was basically there to help where needed, so I could be working with a 5 year old still in nappies one moment, a hulking big 18 year old the next.

The variety was great and I enjoyed every second, but it also made me come to realise that I was a bit rubbish at it all and that I should find something else to do instead.

Having brain damage myself, all the kids loved me because I was like 'them' (or at least, they sensed something with me), but alas, I knew it wasn't really for me, much as I liked it.

 

[All uphill]

Working in a special needs school - There was primary and secondary on the same site and I was basically there to help where needed, so I could be working with a 5 year old still in nappies one moment, a hulking big 18 year old the next.

The variety was great and I enjoyed every second, but it also made me come to realise that I was a bit rubbish at it all and that I should find something else to do instead.

Having brain damage myself, all the kids loved me because I was like 'them' (or at least, they sensed something with me), but alas, I knew it wasn't really for me, much as I liked it.

That sounds great. I know what you mean about kids being very perceptive about the adults around them. I can imagine they loved your sense of humour!

Ever think of going back to it?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

That sounds great. I know what you mean about kids being very perceptive about the adults around them. I can imagine they loved your sense of humour!

Ever think of going back to it?

Thing was, it was through a Council course and I was thrown in without any training (which would have helped immensely).

As for going back... I went through a couple of nervous breakdowns (before I returned to this forum) about how I had been treated as a kid at school and so on and I developed a dislike for kids of a certain age...So I really don't know.

I have done my 'bit', so I am not sure I'd go back now.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

@All uphill the infant section was little more than a glorified nursery at times.

Also, have you ever smelled the combined sh*t from a bunch of 9 year olds?

They could use that in biological warfare! 😆

 

[classic33]

Thats how we were surveying the Vale of Belvoir for coalseams.
Old school approach, geophones connected to miles of cable across the countryside, connected to a truck with all the recieving equipment. Holes drilled alongside the cables, explosives detonated 10ft down, geophones pick up rebound signals etc etc.
Some years later I happened across a survey where they'd simplified the whole process, a truck with a lowering vibrating bed, all self contained i guess.
Seismograph Surverying Limited (SSL) iirc, i used to work for, often wondered if they still exist

Appears the answer is No.
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Seismograph_Service_(England)
and
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00409888

 

[MontyVeda]

Almost every job I've had felt like the best job at first. Sometimes that feeling fades in weeks, sometimes it can take years. Every job I've quit, I'm glad I've quit it.

 

[Hover Fly]

A toss up between lake boats, various, and museums, various. Boats for fresh air, exercise and scenery, museums for working with beautiful things, some of the things I saw and handled brought a lump to my throat.

 

[Drago]

Working in the states as an Executive Protection Operator, known over here as a Close Protection Officer.