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 Laurie on September 13, 2009 at 7:50pm: wow- Machu Picchu more than 10 times AND pink dolphins- I'm so jealous. what an experience.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken on June 20, 2009 at 5:49pm: I'll bite:

I've worked for 5 years in Technology Strategy Research for a subdivision of Gartner documenting the rise of client computing and advent of social networking for Fotune 500 folks. Believe me they're still trying to figure out how to use sites like this. Right now I'm a strategy consultant for a Big 4 and on the side I build social networking sites. I guess we're all pretty tech savvy peeps here on this site, which is unsurprising.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laurie on September 13, 2009 at 8:04pm: Hey, I'm Laurie and new to this site but have been in Astoria for a few years now. I am a middle school principal at a charter school in Harlem. I love my job and all that comes with it. Well, perhaps there is a small list of things I don't like about being a principal. One of them is that my social life has suffered. I had a lot of friends when I was a teacher but now that I have been a boss for 5 years it's been more difficult.

When I'm not working, I love to SCUBA dive and can't get enough of it. It's truly amazing and nothing like snorkeling. Most people tell me that they hate breathing in a snorkel and wouldn't do well underwater, but it's truly a different sensation. I love to travel, hang out, go for day trips, read, watch movies, going to dinner, and just about anything else.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by M C on November 23, 2009 at 12:18pm: Hey All...

I'm an Advertising Sales Planner for Tennis Channel. You may be saying, "There's a Tennis Channel?" We are a small private cable company stationed in LA, but all Ad Sales is in NY.

Anyway - I've been in Astoria since Jan and I am a little bummed that I haven't found my go-to pub yet. I'm into music, sports, and going out with friends for a few pops...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ross McKillop on November 23, 2009 at 11:04pm: Hi all.

I moved here from Vancouver, BC at the beginning of August. Prior to that I lived in Philly, San Francisco and a bunch of other places. I grew up in Toronto, ON.

I moved to New York because it's the live music capital of the world. That and if I spent any more time in the Pacific Northwest I might have climbed a bell tower and gone on a shooting rampage (you try living without seeing the sun for 7 months at a time). I adore Astoria, though I've yet to find a place that makes a truly great cappuccino (I'm sorry, cinnamon does NOT belong on a cappuccino).

Technically, I guess I'd be called a professional blogger. That's the pretentious way of saying that I write for/run a web site. It's about 10,000 times better than working in a corporate environment, which I will go to great lengths to avoid having to ever do again.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Melissa on February 8, 2010 at 4:29pm: Hi Everyone

I will begin by saying that I have been in Astoria 37 years!! Yes it is true I was born on Steinway St across from what is now the Western Beef! LOL

Like everyone, I have a job that pays the bills and an online business I hope will pay the bills in the future. I am also a single mom to a handsome 5 year old little guy who loves to eat Pizza!!

So my day job that I have had for about 15 years is in Child Welfare, primarily foster care and now juvenile justice. I am a trainer in youth development and pretty burnt out. My real passion is making SOAP and Bath Products. I try to manage it all on my own and have been doing well so far but I am sure there is much more I need to learn.

Otherwise, I am just a simple girl that likes simple things. I wish to grow a garden in my apartment, I wish to live in an Yurt in Upstate NY, I wish to be the best mom I can ever be.

Thanks for reading!!

Soapy Happiness
XOXO
Melissa; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Justine M on March 10, 2010 at 6:24pm: Hello all.

Just read this article and recognized myself in it.
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article7057...

I am an attorney who has had my own firm here in Astoria for seven years. Inspired by the above article, I have decided to share the fact that I exist and I am interested in meeting potential new clients. I am originally from England, but have been practicing law here for thirteen years. My practice focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, with some contract and general counsel work, which translates from the legalese to: my clients are small to medium businesses and entrepreneurs who need to sue or have been sued or need advice on legal aspects of running their businesses.

I am conveniently located near Steinway and Broadway and keep my overhead low so that I can provide services at a rate which is very affordable, (at least by New York standards). If you are an entrepreneur or small business it is tempting to think that you can download legal forms from the internet , customize them yourself and save money on legal fees, but I would offer a caution: such people who save a small amount by not bothering to have contracts professionally reviewed are the same people who can find themselves locked in protracted and expensive litigation for the sake of that small saving. Remember, professional fees are a legitimate business expense and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

If you may need my assistance, please feel free to contact me here.

Thanks,

Justine; ▶ Reply to This