State: Georgia (United States)

5 years ago I was at the same company I am at now, but I was a Customer Service Rep. with not even high school diploma and no experience in the Jewelry Industry. Now I'm a Graduate Gemologist, and head of Estate & Antique Jewelry Research. In order to climb the company ladder in this industry you have to participate in everything you possibly can even if it has nothing to do with your position at the time. This will build trust and confidence with the employer so that when the time comes they will know who they can turn to for the most important tasks. This quality will also give you the leveridge you need to negotiate raises in the future. Always be trustworthy, honest and respectful Never burn bridges because you never know who you will need to call, the jewelry industry is all about relationships make sure to constantly make new ones and sustain the ones you already have! Hope this advice helps someone!

Fight for the compensation you think you deserve based on your talent and teaching experience. Get paid by class, don't let an employer corner you into a weekly flat rate because then you don't get paid for the extra classes you might take on during the week (subbing, master classes, private lessons, etc.) Oh and make sure you discuss recital payment. Recital weekend is crucial and ALOT OF EXTRA WORK. You should get paid for your time.

I have found that working for the Department of Defense offers great job security that is recession proof. The pay is generally higher than civilian employers with some great benefits offered. After three years you are fully vested, and in the meantime you have a great opportunity to learn and crosstrain. Most educational opportunities are not only encouraged, but reimbursed. If you get bored, you can also use the army locations to transfer without loss of time, status, or pay.

Being a sitter has its advantages and disadvantages. It's basically a decent paying job but not stable. You never know when something may happen although im sure there is other work lined up but everyone likes to have a strong stable foundation. So my advice would be to get yourself a career and sit on the side if you like to. And along with that its a 24/7 job and being away from your family and having no time for yourself can become very overwhelming.

Working as a freelance artist gives you a very flexible schedule and usually high pay. It can be very rewarding, but also difficult to maintain a positive attitude and high sales numbers week after week. Each time you go in to work, you have to produce sales. You usually don't work as many hours, but the hourly pay, flexibility, and your own supervision makes up for it.

It is hard to commit yourself to a work schedule when you have such flexibility, but you have to make yourself go in to work during high traffic(high sales) periods. You also need to account for travel times and any extra expenses incurred.

Working as a freelance artist for me is the creme de la creme for a make-up artist. You basically go in when you want, work when you want during the week, and get paid well for it as well as receive free make-up and gratis. I enjoy my work and although it may be in addition to a more concrete job, it is a rewarding career. If you have a family, it is a great additional income and flexible job. Although you get paid a high hourly wage, be aware that you will have to pay taxes as a freelance contractor come tax time.

I relocated from another state far, far away and the pay I now receive in GA for MHP is nearly 30,000 less a year. The pay is abismal for all social services in the state of GA.

I consider myself a professional and have over 20 yrs of experience.I have experienced alot of things during this time both good and bad patient care by professionals with degrees(PA's,RN's,MD's,NP's,exc) I have been fortunate to have had tons of experience that most people in my field would die for. Yet in this field as you grow older(and wiser)you are looked down on by your piers if you don't have that "degree".Being 50 yrs old with no degree hurts you more than helps.Although I probably do make more than the average MA but I haven't gotten a cost of living raise in 6 yrs.(our md's don't believe in raises!!!)Also in every office there is unfairness you will NEVER be able to accept but are forced to tolerate if you want to keep working there.For example-our"office manager"has a GED only!!!! she has manipulated her way up the ladder and now has 5 relatives working in the office for her and a daughter that is 19 with no GED and 2 kids that is a trouble maker and has totally corrupted the place because of double standard rules. I absolutely hate going towork because of the mess it has become.Professionalism-what's that??? I dare say anything anymore because at one time my advise meant something around there but now I'llbe the villain for voicing an opinion. Once again if only 5years ago...... get the picture.

Be aware that you can be replaced at anytime and keep this in your mind to use as a work ethic.

Go to school and get that degree. It's worth the time and trouble. Pay is much better, therefore a better retirement fund to build!

I am a 53 years carpenter I move to slow for the work but i can do the work i am just to old.