What jobs did you have *before* software development?

Most of us probably had some sort of other jobs before getting into software as a career. I'd love to hear from the community on this matter!

Comments

[Alida W]

Since high school graduation:

• Pizzeria keyholder
• Barista/Supervisor
• Cafe Assistant Manager
• Customer Service/Cash Manager at a popular Canadian department store
• Cash Manager at a health food store
• Customer Support at large tech company
• Support Theme Specialist at same large tech company
• Support Theme Specialist Manager at same large tech company

and then, Tier 3 Support Developer as my first developer job title.

Beyond Tier 3, I was:

• New Grad Software Developer
• Software Developer
• Developer Advocate/Developer

and now:

• Developer Advocate

It's been a really interesting, roller-coaster-esque 14 years since I graduated, but I use skills from each of those jobs nearly every day, and I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.

[Nadia Zhuk]

• Writing tutor
• English tutor
• Shop assistant at an occult shop 🔮
• Hostess at an Italian restaurant
• Translator / interpreter
• Copywriter
• Journalist / editor

[Emanuel Quimper]

• Farmer
• Firefighter
• Army infantry
• Construction

[Joe Mainwaring]

I've had more technical roles than I've had non-technical, but of the few gigs I've taken:

• Dishwasher/Waiter/Cook at a local restaurant where I grew up
• Maintenance at a local Marina where I grew up
• Sales rep at Express
• Grip for ESPN

[cuongnguyen11]

waitor, customer support (for a internet service company)

[MariannaBr]

Structural Engineer for 9 yrs

[Moza]

Wow, this is inspiring...seen people from different background and all going into one direction! Great job!

[James Perkins]

My Career:

• Worked at a supermarket stacking shelves
• Managed the night crew at the supermarket
• Moved to America
• Worked at Gamestop
• Worked at a small tech company as support.
• Got my first break at the same tech company

The rest is history!

[Souk Syp.]

Used to work in small farm. Loads of manual work. I feel healthier back then…

[SVGator]

So much untapped talent in the comments! Lovely to read all these origin stories