Your Occupation + Hobby = Networking Potential?!

Now that we're so rapidly becoming one big happy WLA?! family, I thought a discussion about our careers and hobbies would be an easy way to aquaint ourselves with one another, form more "groups" for people with similar interests, and assist in building networking/business opportunities.

Astoria is bursting with professionals and amazingly talented people! (Ran...Perhaps we should rename this website "WhoNeedsManhattan.com?) I'm always genuinely impressed and truly fascinated by the different careers (and hobbies!) I hear mentioned at the meetups. I think I've found a new website designer and photographer from the last one! Now if I could only find a cheap contract attorney...;)

So join in and tell us all what you do that pays your ridiculously high rent and ConEd bill! And, just in case what pays your rent is not exactly your heart's true desire, tell us how you prefer to spend your free time. If you are open to new business of some sort, mention that! You never know when some girl might need a contract attorney...

Tags: career, hobbies, hobby, job, networking, occupation, professional

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dana on August 30, 2008 at 7:56pm: Wow! What a wonderful and thought-provoking discussion, Dana! Glad you asked!
(And since nobody has really jumped on your "Morning Walking Group" discussion, I hope this topic gets more replies..). :)

I'm a clinical psychologist with a speciality area in forensics. Over the past 11 years, I have worked with severely and chronically mentally ill patients in inpatient hospitals and outpatient clinics, for the Federal Bureau of Prisions, a forensic private practice, as director of a mental health program, taught at four colleges, and now am in health care psychology and life/personal coaching. It's a two-fer. I LOOOVE it and it pays my awful rent.

My hobbies are travel, exploring NYC and the surrounding areas, reading, continuing my education in psychology and in other areas, finding amazing food and equally amazing wines. I am in the process of writing two non-fiction books (looking for a publisher and other opportunities to write columns/articles) and building my private practice here in NYC.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ran Craycraft on August 30, 2008 at 8:20pm: Good idea, Dana! I'll kick this off.

I'm a former Producer (NBC) who recently left to chase the Internet. Specifically, I run a software company that creates online social media applications. I'd love to meet other Astorians who are passionate about Web 2.0 and/or current TV.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin on September 2, 2008 at 1:27am: Wow! What a wonderful and thought-provoking discussion, Dana! Glad you asked! ;)

I suppose I'm the web guy Dana is talking about, so I'll start with the business stuff:
I work at a small web design firm in L.I.C. There is very little that we don't do. We'll design anything from a simple five or ten page website about your restaurant or small business, all the way up to huge e-commerce sites with thousands of products, that serve customers internationally. We'll also build custom web based systems, for example we recently built an automated online reservation system for a guy who runs a charter fishing boat so people can book trips via the web. We're also happy to take over hosting on sites that are already published, and do any maintenance or updating that you need.

Ok, now for the fun stuff:
Before my current job I worked as an auto mechanic on what I guess would be considered specialty market cars (in other words; old, expensive exotics and classics). I also have a little experience pitting for some weekend racers. What does this mean to you guys? Two things: 1) I am always happy to talk about cars, and will probably bore you to tears if you really get me started, and 2) if you're in the market for a car but don't know much about them, I'm happy to come along when you go look at one and offer whatever help I can with regards to its condition etc. I've bought and sold a fair amount of cars, so I have a little experience.
Other than cars, I love to eat, and I'll eat anything, so I'm always looking for new food to sample; and I cook. I read a lot (anyone on goodreads.com?), and I like the types of movies that you don't find in most theaters.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jessica on September 6, 2008 at 2:37am: Hello!
I am a full-time receptionist and a full-time college student.
When I am not busy, I love to eat sushi (with plum wine of course!), Walk around in nature and think, crochet, listen to music, and read. Now to my history.
I never really had considered myself a spontaneous person until I was thinking about my life one day. I have had various jobs (all unique because of the challeneges and perspectives they provided) which have led me to experience and live. I have been a college intern in Walt Disney World, a retail associate (later on, 2 managerial positions) in New York, a waitress and an account manager for a company that handled HR work for trucking companies in Mississippi, a ticket seller/fast food server/cashier/shirt truck manager for a traveling carnival where I traveled the US for 12 months, offered (and took) the rare opportunity of riding around in a cab of an 18 wheeler truck for 6 months straight (it was awesome to see the United States from a different point of view and immersing myself into a whole new lifestyle and learning), and now currently a receptionist.
I am glad I had the opportunity to experience traveling the way I did. I love to travel and discover hidden places, things I like, basically anything! That is my goal in life- to travel.
Right now though, my focus is on my academics. I am in my second year at a college in Brooklyn. I enjoy school and I am currently studying, A) Psychology 101 B) Religion-Morals, Health, and Values C) Accounting I and D) Advanced Writing.

Have a great day!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meg on September 6, 2008 at 10:13am: OK, I'll jump in. For work, I manage online communities that focus on the sciences, primarily. I enjoy my job very much. I was for a time a freelance harpichordist, too, and have an advanced degree in music. I've performed throughout NYC and in various places on both coasts.

Apart from work and music, I help manage the Hellgate CSA (write the newsletter and coordinate the volunteers) and write for Joey in Astoria, the blog featured on the front page of this community. I also am getting more interested in photography, do vermicomposting, knit slowly, am a runner, and want to get back into cooking. I am a very good baker, though, and come from a family of bakers (I even worked in a madeleine factory in my 20s!).

I had a great time at the Boite dinner and look forward to more events and meeting more people in Astoria!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erika on September 6, 2008 at 11:10pm: Jessica! I love all your adventures. Would love to hear more about them sometime :)
Here's my go:
I graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. My first job was at a live reggaeton music show called "The Roof."This job was so fun, especially because it was live. Nothing beats having to make a major change during a commercial break! I then worked at a company that tried to create tv shows. In 2005 I moved to New York and worked for a commercial production company called Radical Media. This job was a huge learning experience as to how gritty production could be. My current job is as a studio manager for a fantastic photographer. I love it! In short, I've always been in production, but I've tried different areas. Don't know what my ultimate goal is, but that's all part of the fun.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Glenn Zimmerman on September 14, 2008 at 3:37pm: I am an accountant at a public accounting firm in midtown Manhattan. I have lived in Astoria for just over 3 years. Before that I lived all the out in Long Island but decided to move in order to have a shorter commute.

My interests outside the office include travel, exploring NYC, baseball (Let's go Mets), collecting free stuff (I got a free bag from the 92nd Street Y street festival) and enjoying the great outdoors (when it's not hot outside).

Since I live within walking distance of a lot of restaurants, i enjoy the occasional Indian, Japanese, Brazilian or Thai cuisine. I also enjoy buying the 64 ounce Super Big Gulp at 7Eleven (30th Street and 30th Avenue).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lindsay on September 20, 2008 at 2:02pm: Hi! I'm brand new to Astoria, originally from Northern Virginia. I moved here to continue the process towards becoming a Scenic Artist (painting all the sets/drops for theatre, tv, etc.) but I can't do that until I can join the Union, and I can't join the union until I have more skills, hence I am going to be starting school for that in January. Wish I could start now, but I need a job to pay the bills first! Still looking for the job but I have a few prospects...
I like to paint, run, color, watch a lot of tv (Things like Greys Anatomy), see plays, knit, bake, and a lot of other things. I also like the Redskins! Hoping to meet some friends soon, maybe go to one of the meetups I've seen. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by cella on September 22, 2008 at 11:07am: Hi Everyone- I'm new to WLA... I'm a "freelance" assistant producer for Channel 13, hobbies are writing, eating, baking, photography, running, walking, biking- I just got a bike basket and that makes me happy.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jessica on February 10, 2009 at 8:03pm: Hey everyone!

I moved to Astoria in October and still learning the ropes....

I currently work in the fashion industry in merchandising/buying. I absolutely love it. As much as i love working with clothes, i really love analyzing the business, and consumer shopping patterns.
unfortunately... i was one of the 7000 people macy's laid off... which sucks. but hopefully i get placed within the company, which i'll find out in the next few weeks.

for my hobbies, well... I love fashion and style... but besides the girly stuff... i love my puppy to pieces. I love dogs and everything dog related!! i also love music (really good music), beer, and good food!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jessica on February 12, 2009 at 5:40pm: Interesting...

I work in digital ad sales (banners, video, mobile, widgets, social media, games, webcasts, you name it) for a few B2B sites that focus on the advertising, marketing and media industries. Its a rapidly changing and challenging business and I love it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TomTancredi on April 7, 2009 at 6:46am: Hey Jessica, can you help me out on a few questions regarding digital ad sales? My brother and I are looking to work more in that field of interest....; ▶ Reply to This