What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

**Zackuth** · 11-18-2009, 11:51 PM

After high school I went into the Navy as a shipboard electrician. I left the service and then worked in an electricial supply shop. Left that job to work in supply on an Air Force base as a civilian contractor, did that for 14 years. Then I installed home security systems, worked in a tire manufacturing company and now I repair copiers.

**LY3IJ** · 11-19-2009, 07:06 AM

i was a retailer of electronic components.. USSR made

**TJ001** · 11-19-2009, 12:57 PM

What i did before...

Out of school qualified as an fitter and turner. Worked on one of the company's mines as an maintenance fitter. Broke my back while doing a 3-month camp for the Defence force. Went for an interview at Nashua and started 2 weeks later. Left 8 years later and start my own company (advertising) Got done in by a partner a year on.

Started as receiving manager at a retail store. Had a problem with one of the area managers a year later and i took my jacket and gave him the "finger".

Started at Gestetner 2 days later.That was 13-14 years ago and here i am.

**tech07** · 11-22-2009, 04:34 AM

Last job ?

1985...Harley Davidson mechanic......

**waffu22** · 11-22-2009, 05:09 AM

I was a computer technician for 4 years

**Desert Rat** · 06-14-2019, 10:25 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

After high school I work in the labors union for a summer in Phx, Az. Joined the Coast Guard in '73 and worked on avionics equipment and systems, flew search and rescue
and participated in helicopter flight operations. Got out in '79 and went to work for Eastman Kodak Co. for 15 years where I serviced the Ektaprint series up to 120ppm.
Left them at the end of '94 and started my own adventure.
With any luck I'll be able to retire next year.

DR

**emujo2** · 06-17-2019, 01:40 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

Out of HS went into Navy (1980) My rate (MT) gave me a really good background in electromechanics, probably with a little lean towards mechanical..10-11 years later Savin won the bid for copiers on our subs..I thought it was pretty interesting and asked if I could go to the maintenance class. my chief said no way, complete waste of time for you..Wound up leaving service 2 years later and after a brief stint with Home Shopping Network, entered copier service..Kept up with the computer side on my own and it paid off when the digital revolution happened. Love my job..

**guitar9199** · 06-17-2019, 02:31 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

Started out as a "Dish-Dog" while attending tech school to be an electrician. Got my degree and found out I wasn't going to get an apprenticeship because I didn't have an "IN" with the Union. Got additional education in electronics and microprocessors, then went to work for a Savin/Panasonic/Konica dealer in Minneapolis.

Got blown out there, went to bartender, bouncer, weekend musician. Did retail management for a few years, then got hired on as a maintenance mechanic for a Direct Mail (AKA: Junk Mail) company. Spent 14 years there, then gravitated back to copiers about 12 years ago.

♫...is it any wonder I'm not crazy...is it any wonder my 401K has any money at all.....♫

**Copier Addict** · 06-17-2019, 02:46 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

Went from high school to working in a hardware store. Then to an appliance store, and back to another hardware store. After three years there I started working at a mobile phone store. Not good for self esteem working at a mobile phone store. People treat mobile phone employees very poorly. Luckily the guy that owned the mobile phone store also had a KonMin dealership. On a particularly bad day trying to help people I asked him if he needed another tech, I had zero copier repair experience at the time. He took a chance on me and I am still at it 15 years later. Best job I have ever had.

**CraigW** · 06-17-2019, 03:05 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

Televisions for many years..... Found a local add for tech. 20 years later happy as can be.

**FrohnB** · 06-17-2019, 06:16 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

From 2004 to 2007 (high school years) I worked at Little Caesars Pizza and a Movie Theater in Sioux Falls, SD during the summer months, and Applebee's in Fremont, NE during the school months. Right out of high school (at 17 yrs old) I was emancipated, and moved myself back to Sioux Falls so I could work at my Dad's Friend's Roofing Company. Did that for 2 years (shitty, HOT work, but the pay was absolutely great). Then, on a visit back to my home town at the end of 2008, I ran into an old "high school fling" and we instantly took a liking to each other again. I'm not a "long distance relationship" type of guy, so I made the hasty decision of moving back to Nebraska (with the hope of landing another roofing job), but ended up taking an offer from my Uncle at the Savin Dealer/ Office supply and furniture store (making WAY less than roofing). Started as the delivery guy, worked my way up to furniture installs/ repair, and then became the install manager. 6 years of working with supplies and furniture. Then the day came 5 years ago that I was asked to join the service department. Been on easy street ever since.

Oh, and that "high school fling" became my wife in 2011. Best decision I ever made was to move back to my hometown.

Also do lawn mowing and tree work on the side/ fix and sell motorcycles/ metal polishing (Dad's company)/ and handyman work.

**allan** · 06-17-2019, 07:39 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

Out of school started doing industrial maintenance for a Chinese bag manufacturing company. Did not understood a word of each others languages just pointed a finger and tuned me "you fixa" and it got fixed.
Absolutely awesome first job. After 3 years the 14 hour 7 days a week got to me. Learned to do 3 phase electrical, electronics, control systems, sewing and weaving machines, extruders and stereo 6 roller printing.
Next best job was a batch manufacturing job, got the hang of CAD, CAM and CNC machining.

Found that it was easy to get copier tech jobs and used it to vagabond along...

**driving lots of miles** · 06-17-2019, 09:38 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

I worked in the Grocery Business since High School and then into the Deli Bakery business of the grocery stores and then oversaw 7 bakery delis in a group of stores for over thirty years. Did a lot of repair work on all the different machines and then had issues with the brother of the owner who was over me and I needed to leave. I went to work for the local sharp dealer 5 years ago and am happy to fix things and with no long evenings, no weekends and all holidays off.

**JParker** · 06-20-2019, 09:35 PM

Re: What did you do before you were the copy guy or girl?

I was a Labor and Delivery nurse..