How Many Jobs Have You Had? (employer, companies, salaries, interest)

[PG77]

I have worked for 31 years and have held quite a few jobs. I am interested in how many jobs some of you have had. I feel like there might be something wrong with me. Is there?

[mdwstrnkid]

Since finishing school nine years ago, I've only worked for one employer (which is a long time for someone working in Silicon Valley). I've had a couple of different jobs within the company; I've been in my current role for the past three years.

[I Am Woman]

I had three jobs prior to my current one, which I have now had for 29 years.

[sikes0000]

I have had about 8 jobs since I graduated in 93 Only twice did I move to another position within a company. This is not counting part time jobs while getting through school.

I don't think there is anything wrong with job hopping. Back in the days of my grandparents you could stay at one job but now its risky. My dad was forced to retire before he was ready (still had young kids).

Few companies provide pensions for retirement (my current actually does). Unless you are lucky enough to work for the state/government. My mother-in law got a nice pension from the state a few years ago.

But with employers forcing new hires to sign at-will agreements all loyalty is out the window as far as I am concerned.

Don't even get me started on salaries You could really be hurting yourself in that department with the standard 2-3% annual raises these day's. Switch jobs and get yourself 20%. Even a raise might only fetch you 10%.

And then there is personal growth. As an automotive engineer I don't feel I learn enough on the job to cause me to stay with a company for more then a few years. I like to learn new things. Designing the same thing for 20 years is not my idea of fun.

But I am starting to get on my soap box so to answer your question no I don't think there is anything wrong with you At least not anything more wrong then what's wrong with me

My .02. Just remember I am looking at this from an engineering background. Maybe someone in another field can chime in.

[J Arp]

7 jobs with 3 position changes/promotions at one of them. I've only been out of high school since 2003.

[PG77]

I am feeling a bit better now. Thank you all. I could kick myself in the buttocks though because I have left jobs working for the city and federal government and could be set right now, but nooooooo I had to leave. Now, I am in a mess which is my fault.

[fierce_flawless]

Fifteen? I think...?

I am 36, but I started working when I was 14 (my first job was "illegal" technically because I was not yet 16). Most of those jobs were between 14 and 19, back in the day when the money is just for you, it's easy to say "**********" and find something else a day later.

[sunny AZ]

Let's see....14 jobs. I am 30 years old. Doesn't seem so strange to me. Most of the time I worked a place for a year and then left for a better position, better pay, etc. The best job I ever had I stayed 4 1/2 years before moving on.

[micrguy]

I just counted 9 jobs since graduating college in 1995. However two of them were very short term stints in retail while I was looking for a job and one I was downsized 5 weeks after I was hired.

From what I have seen it is tough to move up in any company, so if you want a raise and/or a promotion you need to switch employers.

[njsocks]

7 real jobs and I am 43! (longest was 7 years so far then I had to move!)due to husband's job.