What satisfaction does your job bring you?

[Lucky]

A few months back, a lady that saw some one of my pictures in my newspaper called me up and spoke to my fiancee for about 15 minutes on how much she loved me work. Said she hated our paper so much, and was about to cancel after subscribing for 57 years, but when I was hired three years ago she liked me work so much she didn't cancel. A couple weeks ago, same lady leaves a message on my answering maching saying basically the same thing, that she loves my photographs and they make her happy.

So I printed the lady up an 11x14 of a picturesque fishing photo she called me about and dropped by her house today. First time I'd spoken with her, and she acted like she just won the lottery. Little ole' lady, probably 90. Her husband had died years ago, and this photo reminded her of her fish-happy husband. She was incredibly thankful to me, and before I could get home, she had already called and left me a message, telling me I was a miracle worker, and that I could never understand how much what I did meant to her. That I had "made" her holiday season, and that she was going to show everyone she knew the photo.

I've gotten compliments before, but this got me thinking....what happiness do others get from their job? I don't mean money, but rather...how does your job make you internally happy?

 

[Reckoner]

My job brings me no satisfaction whatsoever.

 

[PHiuR]

are you a photographer for a newspaper?

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: PHiuR
are you a photographer for a newspaper?

Yes.

 

[TraumaRN]

Emotionally it's like a high like nothing else for me. I work in a hospital in inner city Detroit, it really makes you realize whats important in life and just how precious it is, everyone is seemingly so happy go lucky at work but it's because we all know deep down that any of the patients in our beds could one day be us....last night I gave a couple 5 dollars just so they could get some food down at the cafeteria.....you'd thought they had been handed one million dollars....thats the kinda stuff I live for and just to walk into a patient's room and hear them say I'm glad to see you back...cant ever beat that feeling!

Detroit Receiving Hospital FTW! :thumbsup:

 

[DaveSimmons]

Creating software that gets used by thousands (or millions) of people is satisfying, knowing I've had an effect on the world and helped people to learn and teach.

At my previous job I was the lead developer of statistical analysis software bundled with college textbooks, with well over a million copies sold (over several years). The company was sold in '99 but some of my work is still in there, probably in another million copies by now.

At my current job I've been lead developer of all 3 of our applications, one still in beta. They are in use by instructors at over 2,000 universities in over 50 countries and the first 2 both won awards for "excellence in e-learning," the second one beating out Macromedia Breeze and IBM's Tivoli this year.

 

[gooseman]

I work for the American Red Cross. It is very rewarding knowing that in a small way I help save many lives, especially when it is the children.

 

[Eeezee]

This semester I worked as a TA grading papers. It was the greatest job I've ever had

1) Paid a stipend (don't clock in or nonsense like that). This almost makes no sense, as getting people to clock in allows them to take more time on grading the homework sets. Not that this matters; my grading is impeccable and fair. I much prefer the stipend system, since we all worked about the number of hours we were getting paid for (sometimes more, sometimes less)

2) Flexible hours. Get this homework graded and in the computer by next week so that the students can get their scores back before turning in the next assignment. It doesn't matter when you do it so long as it gets done. I wish to someday have a salary for this very reason

3) Awesome boss. The professor I worked for would not let us grade exams on a friday, since college students are supposed to be out drinking that night and it would be unfair. The professor bought us lunch or dinner whenever we had to grade exams (3-6 hours of work). He knew the exact tactics to be employed to catch cheaters, and we caught a handful (some of which almost slipped by, but were pwnd in the end)

4) Exam grading was so much fun. There are 6 graders plus the professor helping to grade problems. Each grader gets one problem on the exam. The class had 200-300 students. About 20% of students make outrageous errors or do something to make their tests incredibly funny to grade. That's 40-60 exams filled with priceless comedy. You should be able to figure out now why grading exams was so much fun. It's not that we're laughing at students who are authentically trying; we gave bonus points if it was obvious that someone was just struggling. We laughed at those kids that clearly hadn't studied (the 3 modes of heat transfer are up, right and left?!) and didn't care to try

 

[KrazyBabaGanoush]

A GIANT PAYCHECK. Thats really all the statisfaction I need. Well that and the beautiful women.

 

[saahmed]

Currently, just helping people find the best camera for a christmas present or the best TV for their house. But, after I get out of med school, I hope to have the satisfaction of truly helping people on a daily basis.

 

[Jediab]

Sadly, the only satisfaction I get at my job is going a day where my group doesnt get blamed or yelled at by some other group for something that goes wrong.

Must be why I am looking for another place to work

 

[Mickey Eye]

I have worked on the interiors of several high class cruise liners, I used to doubt anybody notices the details I was responsible for. Until I was onboard a ship for an inspection and witnessed the lead architect being berrated by a 70 year old woman about everything she thought was wrong with the area we were in. She was kind enough however to point out the one thing they had done right... Which also happened to be something that I alone had done. Made my day. In the big picture it's not world changing, nor is it helping anyone in a specific way but if someone gets it and appreciates it then if I am lucky enough to witness it I am happy.

 

[shilala]

I build things and fix things.
I've always fixed things for a living, when I'm not fixing things I'm building things that will keep me busy fixing things later.
People are always glad when I've been around because they now have one less problem in their lives.
Sometimes they gush, sometimes they are just thankful.

 

[rx8]

i work as a line cook at a fine dining restaurant. horrible pay, horrible hours, mad stress, get burned and cut constantly, etc.

but in the end...nothing else in the world i'd rather be doing. most people leave the restaurant happy. it's extra rewarding when guests leave comments complimenting certain dishes. i cook cuz it makes me happy but it is nice to know that i'm also doing something to bring happiness to others.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
My job brings me no satisfaction whatsoever.

 

[Modeps]

I get satisfaction when handing out lawsuits to unsuspecting file sharers.

 

[monk3y]

The only satisfaction I get is that the lab animals I work with are being taken care of by someone that loves animals. The animals don't have much to look forward to every day but I try to make it as comfortable for them as possible.

 

[spaceman]

the satisfaction of leaving as soon as a possibly can.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
My job brings me no satisfaction whatsoever.

It used to, but the expectations have grown out of bounds as of the last 2 years. Time to search around for something else....*sigh*

<----- 3,400 hours this year (nearly 70 per week with 6 weeks over 100 hours). Non of it appreciated by anyone....

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
My job brings me no satisfaction whatsoever.

 

[ngvepforever2]

I guess the satisfaction that every now and then I get to learn something new and that I am doing what I like to do

Regards

ng

 

[ngvepforever2]

edit: double post...

 

[mitmot]

Originally posted by: Modeps
I get satisfaction when handing out lawsuits to unsuspecting file sharers.

what do you do?

 

[iamwiz82]

I enjoy improving the efficiency of the company thereby increasing profits. This has been the best Nov. and Dec. in company history.

 

[ATLien247]

At first I was going to say that I don't get any satisfaction from my job, but after thinking a little more deeply about it I think the satisfaction that I get is that I am able to provide for my family.