PDA

View Full Version : Where do potheads work?



Meenstreek
12-20-2006, 08:06 PM
I've always been curious to see where potheads work. If your in school then post your grade.

I work for an Educational Foundation and I'm an Education Programs Coordinator. Basically, I help develop training programs, web-based and print, for the industrial distribution industry (Pipes, valves, etc..)

90% of the time its boring, but it pays well and is a step forward in my ultimate career goal, which is writing for a living.

JaggedEdge
12-20-2006, 08:09 PM
I'm in college and work in resturants. Nearly everyone, in every resturant I've ever worked in, smokes weed. A lot of the managers do too.

There aren't even initial prehire drug tests because they know no body would do that shitty job with out being able to go home and smoke a bowl after work.

The Colonel
12-20-2006, 08:09 PM
Arby's... everyones a pothead there.

xcrispi
12-20-2006, 08:28 PM
We work everywhere ,
we're involved in all aspects of your life . keep in mind almost
"everyone does it" lol . i wouldn't be suprised if 40% or better of the population in the U.S puffs .

i worked in a tool n die shop , was only there 2 weeks and a lil 67 yr. old man walks up n asks me "hey kid who's got the good budz" i bust out laughin at the guy . come to find out he puffed killer , not a bust waitin to happen like ida thought . old boy had better weed than me almost all the time . Damn him .
peace
crispi

five0addict
12-20-2006, 08:29 PM
areospace machinist.
far from the sterotype.

and like mrcrispy said, EVERYONE DOES IT!

b0Ng h!tz 4 mE
12-20-2006, 08:32 PM
im unemployed.. haha, its great.. pro sponger :jointsmile: im gonna become an illegal immagrant in amsterdam and get a job then. yeah. then ill get a job

dark0ne
12-20-2006, 08:33 PM
I'm a cook. it's true most restraunts don't drug test, thats why i like being a cook, that and free munchies.

xcrispi
12-20-2006, 08:35 PM
no lie 50 ,
i could hold + or - .0002 limits in dia. and location -n- do our jiggrinders work on a boringmill or jig bore using a boring bar , not grinding .
high as hell after lunch on fridays too . pts. for nuclear submarines . sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .
peace
crispi

Skink
12-20-2006, 08:39 PM
gas stations,,,7-11's

liberiamom
12-20-2006, 08:39 PM
College Professor

smok3y
12-20-2006, 08:40 PM
Start working next year doing Landscape garding.. Just now im unemployed

TokinAsianGuy
12-20-2006, 08:48 PM
Hi. You're going to call off your rigorous investigation. You're going to publically state that there is no underground pothead group. Or... these guys are going to take your balls. And send one to the New York Times, one to the LA Times press release staff. Look, the people you are after are the people you depend on. We cook your meals, we drive your ambulances. We connect your calls, we guard you while you sleep. Do not... fuck with us.

i'm involved in the family business.

Pride
12-20-2006, 08:51 PM
I'm in college and work in resturants. Nearly everyone, in every resturant I've ever worked in, smokes weed. A lot of the managers do too.

There aren't even initial prehire drug tests because they know no body would do that shitty job with out being able to go home and smoke a bowl after work.

so true.
retaurant jobs are pretty hard.
was a busser but quit. guess im too lazy.
pay was terrible though. made more on hourly wages than i did on tips. yea no one ever really came (yet it was still a bitch).
in college but don't really plan to get a job until summer. if i can get one now then i'd get it. but it's strange.. getting a job is really fucking hard for me yet it seems pretty easy for others.
in september through early november i spent a lot of time looking for a job but i guess it was a bad time to look for one cause everyone else took them all. finally i gave up. broke as shit. i just eat eggs everyday. it sucks.

Smokin EnDo
12-20-2006, 09:12 PM
I'm only 16 but I work at prestigious ShopRite in NJ!

Pot_Duster
12-20-2006, 09:28 PM
I've found that I just can't work for anyone else but myself and after giving up on a couple of professional careers over the years, I wound up owning my own delivery business. I smoke more frequently over the last 20 years because of my medical condition and find it different than the recreational toking I did when I was younger. I smoke cannabis because it increases my quality of life.

the yeag
12-20-2006, 09:32 PM
i am an IH I bet you guys would not have guessed that

emkid420
12-20-2006, 09:53 PM
im a DEA agent






kidding....:D




im 16 and dont have a job, should get one tho.

surreys princess
12-20-2006, 10:05 PM
i am a nurse....

Reefer Rogue
12-20-2006, 10:06 PM
I' a pothead and i work at a supermarket.

EmoRebellion
12-20-2006, 10:07 PM
Im a Sr. Systems Engineer for a company that sells servers, storage, backup solutions, etc to large corporation. Its my dream job, and the pay is pretty decent for my age.

fasterspider
12-20-2006, 10:18 PM
Self employed motorcycle mechanic/builder. I make cooler bikes out of old cool bikes and then sell them off to get money to buy more parts to build more bikes.
I do what the hell it is that I want to do with my life, turn a wrench and get high.

420izzle
12-20-2006, 10:25 PM
im a DEA agent



That was COLD man...hahaha. (Haven't used that term in a while!)

I'm an architect. About 1 in 4 architects I know toke. Before that I was in construction and I'd say 1 in 3 toked.

JaggedEdge
12-20-2006, 10:28 PM
so true.
retaurant jobs are pretty hard.
was a busser but quit. guess im too lazy.
pay was terrible though. made more on hourly wages than i did on tips. yea no one ever really came (yet it was still a bitch).
in college but don't really plan to get a job until summer. if i can get one now then i'd get it. but it's strange.. getting a job is really fucking hard for me yet it seems pretty easy for others.
in september through early november i spent a lot of time looking for a job but i guess it was a bad time to look for one cause everyone else took them all. finally i gave up. broke as shit. i just eat eggs everyday. it sucks.

I'm not sure how you dress and look. But I tried getting a job with the shoulder length hair I have now and didn't have any luck. Even for back of house jobs, people just don't want to hire someone with shaggy hair and an eyebrow piercing if they can hire someone more clean cut instead. If you are a clean cut looking person it makes it easier.

I eventually gave up and went to one of the old resturants I worked at. They pay decent and didn't think twice about giving me my old job back. Old jobs alway's hire me back, yet when I go and look for a new one, the only ones that call me back are ones I realize I don't want to work at.

Just look for now hiring signs. The more desperate the company the better your chances of getting hired and the more you will likely be able to get away with. :D

High Plains Drifter
12-20-2006, 10:31 PM
Clamshacks. In the summer at least.

widowtoker311
12-20-2006, 10:38 PM
I do what the hell it is that I want to do with my life, turn a wrench and get high.

i envy you. :jointsmile: i'd love to be able to do the same thing with classic cars.

dejayou30
12-20-2006, 10:39 PM
i work with handicapped people. none of my coworkers smoke that i know of, but the company drug tests prior to hiring so that might expalin it. i quit for 40 days before i applied. as long as i don't go to work stoned, which i never do, they won't bother drug testing me. they have to suspect that i am stoned on the job. i've worked in a few resturaunts and i find a lot of resturaunt workers smoke also.

tonypop
12-20-2006, 10:39 PM
I work for a company that sells construction fasteners(nails) and air compressors and whatnot. My main function is repairing broken nail guns and hauling and loading boxes of nails to our customers vehicles. I hate my job and the asshole customers I have to deal with everyday. Unfortunately it pays the bills and I'm too stupid and scared to get off my ass and do something meaningful with my life. Alot of my customers smoke but I don't know of anyone I work with who does.

lardman
12-20-2006, 10:57 PM
I do not work. Im in 10th grade. Next week ill be starting my tshirt company and getting a website.

halo
12-20-2006, 11:27 PM
im 15 and work as a busser in this family owned italian restaraunt by my house. Quite a few people smoke there and ive known the manager since i was like 4 or 5.

Nav Man
12-20-2006, 11:37 PM
im 15 go to school and hate it....
everyone i hang out with at school smokes weed
a few people in my family do
and a few teachers at my school used to be stoners...
how do i know this you ask?
because my mum told me....
she went to the same school as me when she was young...

BizzleLuvin
12-20-2006, 11:44 PM
before college i worked at two dog kennels, a record store and a shoes store and the rennaissance festival(huzzah!). now i'm in school but working for the catering brigade and still smoking every damn day. catering is a blast when your high and you've got the munchies. my grades:

anthro 212: A-
spanish 315: B
english 101: A-
world music 202: A
ceramics:201: B-

BOOYAH!:yippee:

hazetwostep
12-20-2006, 11:52 PM
emergency room nursing assistant

hazetwostep
12-20-2006, 11:53 PM
im also in college for health and physical education

higher4hockey
12-21-2006, 12:21 AM
i work for the government :o

alexisonfire xo
12-21-2006, 01:23 AM
Chinese food takeout resturant.


Free chinese food, son.

lagstronaut
12-21-2006, 02:15 AM
Self employed motorcycle mechanic/builder. I make cooler bikes out of old cool bikes and then sell them off to get money to buy more parts to build more bikes.
I do what the hell it is that I want to do with my life, turn a wrench and get high.

what were the start up costs for your business? and does it bring in enough cash to pay the bills?

benagain
12-21-2006, 02:41 AM
I do CSR/Tech Support from the home office. Help people get thier websites up, domains workin' etc.. Also do some freelance stuff out of the house just because I have the time (anyone need an xbox modded?).

dejayou30
12-21-2006, 02:47 AM
i work with handicapped people. none of my coworkers smoke that i know of, but the company drug tests prior to hiring so that might expalin it. i quit for 40 days before i applied. as long as i don't go to work stoned, which i never do, they won't bother drug testing me. they have to suspect that i am stoned on the job. i've worked in a few resturaunts and i find a lot of resturaunt workers smoke also.

funny i post this today, and then find out tonight that as of january 1, 2007, they are allowing random drug testing for all employees. :( :mad:

Storm Crow
12-21-2006, 02:55 AM
I just landed (FINALLY!) a steady job as a tutor in an after-school program. I also work as a private tutor, and as a substitute aide in Special Education. The pay is lousy, but I love the work! I am changing the world, one child at a time!- Granny :stoned:

Purple Banana
12-21-2006, 04:13 AM
Nursing technician on pediatrics and high-risk labor and delivery...

As well as a high school substitute. Talking to those crazy high schoolers makes my day much more fun :D

Working on getting my BA in English, then Masters; I want to teach English.

Jennifer K
12-21-2006, 04:25 AM
funny i post this today, and then find out tonight that as of january 1, 2007, they are allowing random drug testing for all employees. :( :mad:

Wow. Sorry to hear about that. I am a weighmaster at a refinery. Great job. Hours kinda suck. One person short and working rotating 12 hr shifts. Only had to drug test to get the job and as long as I don't trip over my own two feet and get hurt I'm ok. A few people get high here, but no one knows I do. I prefer to keep it to myself. When I work nights I smoke some in the bathroom once in awhile.:stoned:)

JaggedEdge
12-21-2006, 04:52 AM
really? whatb school?

im in grade 10. my grades are decent [yeah right]:D

I don't think you will get an answer to that. ;) Come on now people can't give to much info.

Meenstreek
12-21-2006, 06:24 AM
before college i worked at two dog kennels, a record store and a shoes store and the rennaissance festival(huzzah!). now i'm in school but working for the catering brigade and still smoking every damn day. catering is a blast when your high and you've got the munchies. my grades:

anthro 212: A-
spanish 315: B
english 101: A-
world music 202: A
ceramics:201: B-

BOOYAH!:yippee:

Nice grades.

Halcy0n
12-21-2006, 06:44 AM
I'm self employed. I run a couple of websites.

I always pass my daily drug test (if my eyes aren't red I've failed)

Stowned
12-21-2006, 07:27 AM
The short version, maintaining wind turbines. It gives new meaning to the phrase, "It's a breeze".

LIP
12-21-2006, 09:00 AM
i am a nurse....

Any pics of you in uniform lol!

Im a Marine Diesel Engineering manager.

I build boats from scratch, fit them all, do the plumbing, wiring, mechanical engineering, glass fitting, the lot rofl.

I like the smell of the resin we use with the fiberglass [apoxy

five0addict
12-21-2006, 10:41 AM
no lie 50 ,
i could hold + or - .0002 limits in dia. and location -n- do our jiggrinders work on a boringmill or jig bore using a boring bar , not grinding .
high as hell after lunch on fridays too . pts. for nuclear submarines . sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .
peace
crispi

serious, lots of incredible projects. big one through the shop now is for the next space telescope, making some extremely critical parts. parts for llnl,atk, ect ect.. oh shit ±.0002 i had to hit that last week on a mill in stainless, with a intermittent cut! danm that was a slow job!:mad:

Jennifer K
12-21-2006, 10:45 AM
Nice grades.

Yes very good grades! You should be proud! Keep it up and you will go far!! :) :D

Skrappie
12-21-2006, 03:54 PM
dejayou, my question is will you quit toking, quit that job, or ride it out until your number is called?

stinkyattic
12-21-2006, 04:01 PM
I'm a lab manager/supervisor/chemical analyst.
Having a professional job makes my gardening hobby much easier to keep under the radar.

liberiamom
12-21-2006, 04:19 PM
Nursing technician on pediatrics and high-risk labor and delivery...

As well as a high school substitute. Talking to those crazy high schoolers makes my day much more fun :D

Working on getting my BA in English, then Masters; I want to teach English.

Good for you, Purple Banana. Follow that dream!
I teach college English and it is a blast!

liberiamom
12-21-2006, 04:22 PM
before college i worked at two dog kennels, a record store and a shoes store and the rennaissance festival(huzzah!). now i'm in school but working for the catering brigade and still smoking every damn day. catering is a blast when your high and you've got the munchies. my grades:

anthro 212: A-
spanish 315: B
english 101: A-
world music 202: A
ceramics:201: B-

BOOYAH!:yippee:

Keep up the good work- very nice grades! I did catering during grad school and it's a simple, flexible way to make money. Your other jobs sound interesting too- What do you want to do when you get out of school?

Dutch Pimp
12-21-2006, 04:49 PM
...I work with molten metal...

Skrappie
12-21-2006, 04:58 PM
Dutch i tried to PM you to save up on clutter space, but canna makes everything hard. What MOS did you have when you were in the army bro?

birdgirl73
12-21-2006, 05:01 PM
Does it count if I'm a pot advocate and not a head?

My work right now is first-year medical school. With lots of books and CDs and software and lab classes. But, fortunately, I'm on holiday at the moment. Before I went back to school last fall, I was a professional speechwriter/copywriter for a big corporation for many years. And before that I was a news reporter for a metropolitan newspaper and a high school English/journalism teacher. During my teaching years and throughout college and grad school before that, I also worked as a fire department paramedic.

Dutch Pimp
12-21-2006, 05:15 PM
Dutch i tried to PM you to save up on clutter space, but canna makes everything hard. What MOS did you have when you were in the army bro?

...91 Bravo...Class of '67...

Skrappie
12-21-2006, 06:06 PM
Truely a pimp; combat medic is not a job for everyone. 52D. generator mechanic, but i fixed everything diesel. Yay for the support team man. From one to one, have a good day dude.

bubblebrain8
12-21-2006, 06:12 PM
im in grade 10....after school gonna study to become a civil engeneer

Duke505City
12-21-2006, 06:16 PM
gas stations,,,7-11's

Not where i live.. most weedheads round here don't like getting robbed.

dejayou30
12-21-2006, 06:28 PM
dejayou, my question is will you quit toking, quit that job, or ride it out until your number is called?

well i am not quitting my job because its a very good job with benefits. i get $11 an hour to do next to nothing working in a house with three handicapped individuals. i was going to quit as of last night, but i decided i am going to quit after today (my day off) for 30 days and then only smoke on my weekends off, which would be 3 days out of 14 days. i am hoping to find some way to beat the test as well, so if anyone knows any tricks, let me know.

Nochowderforyou
12-21-2006, 06:33 PM
Right now I work for a company called NPI. They are a landscaping company, but during the winter months when no landscaping can be done, they do snow removal, so right now I do that. We use a little enclosed cab. mini-tractor to remove the snow. It's heated, has music in there, and I work only 4hrs a day-Mon-Fri, and every weekend I work at 6am Sat/Sun, so I work 7 days a week. It's not all bad though. On the weekends I'm home by 8am, so I have the entire day to do whatever. It's not stressful work. You just remove snow using a tractor while blasting tunes in the cab. I don't mind it one bit.

In March though of 2007, I am returning back to school for 1st year jouneymen welding. I'm looking forward to that. :)

le vallette
12-21-2006, 06:35 PM
Im head chef I do not smoke when I'm at work but do enjoy a smoke when I get home as it is a stressfull job.plus plus can never get to sleep when I get home need time to wind down.smoking helps ,could say it'sfor medicenal reasons.;)

invoke
12-21-2006, 07:09 PM
In 11th grade, after high school I'm going to be an electrician or landscaping.

Meenstreek
12-21-2006, 07:14 PM
Does it count if I'm a pot advocate and not a head?

My work right now is first-year medical school. With lots of books and CDs and software and lab classes. But, fortunately, I'm on holiday at the moment. Before I went back to school last fall, I was a professional speechwriter/copywriter for a big corporation for many years. And before that I was a news reporter for a metropolitan newspaper and a high school English/journalism teacher. During my teaching years and throughout college and grad school before that, I also worked as a fire department paramedic.

You most definitely count. We need more pot advocates out.

MastaChronic
12-21-2006, 07:18 PM
we potheads are your mailmen, your lawyers, your delivery people, your judges, your cops, your bums, your door-to-door salesmen, your gas pumpers, your scientists, your generals, your presidents, your soldiers, your construction workers, your criminals, we are everybody.

dejayou30
12-21-2006, 07:20 PM
we potheads are your mailmen, your lawyers, your delivery people, your judges, your cops, your bums, your door-to-door salesmen, your gas pumpers, your scientists, your generals, your presidents, your soldiers, your construction workers, your criminals, we are everybody.

well said.

Meenstreek
12-21-2006, 07:27 PM
Does it count if I'm a pot advocate and not a head?

My work right now is first-year medical school. With lots of books and CDs and software and lab classes. But, fortunately, I'm on holiday at the moment. Before I went back to school last fall, I was a professional speechwriter/copywriter for a big corporation for many years. And before that I was a news reporter for a metropolitan newspaper and a high school English/journalism teacher. During my teaching years and throughout college and grad school before that, I also worked as a fire department paramedic.

I meant to ask this in my last post, but I was cut off. I'm at work and well you know how that goes.

I had a question for you birdgirl. I was wondering how you got your gig as a professional speechwriter?

Here at work I've done killer presentations and wrote a few things for the bigdogs to say at conventions, meetings, etc... I've always had fun, interesting, original speeches at school, but I never considered it a viable career option. I have a flair for words and I think I could do well writing speeches.

Also, what can a good speechwriter expect to get paid?

kknight
12-21-2006, 07:46 PM
During the weekends I run and DJ at skating for a skating rink. I have six more years before my boss jumps ship and retires and I get first buy.

During the week, I work for my father's HVAC company and I just got registered for another semester in college- working on my business degree.

whatsurgenre
12-21-2006, 08:02 PM
I am currently a sophmore in a university,
where I also work at the social studies department as the program assistant for asian pacific american studies.
I don't think anyone else does it.
It's not a good place to even bring it up.

although my writing professor surely does it.

birdgirl73
12-21-2006, 08:08 PM
I meant to ask this in my last post, but I was cut off. I'm at work and well you know how that goes.

I had a question for you birdgirl. I was wondering how you got your gig as a professional speechwriter?

Here at work I've done killer presentations and wrote a few things for the bigdogs to say at conventions, meetings, etc... I've always had fun, interesting, original speeches at school, but I never considered it a viable career option. I have a flair for words and I think I could do well writing speeches.

Also, what can a good speechwriter expect to get paid?
The way I got that gig--and the way most speechwriters do, too--is that I was working as a writer for that corporation. I started as a business writer and hated that because it actually involved tech writing, and I'm really more into creative/human-angle writing. So I worked my way into the marketing and PR area and did marketing copy/advertising writing for a number of years. That was the organization in which the executive speechwriters were, too, and they'd ask us to help with executive speeches when they got too busy. That morphed into an opening on the speechwriting team. And that's how I ended up in that job.

A lot of writers do freelance speechwriting or other types of freelance writing to build experience. If you can write an ad or a brochure, you can usually write a speech, too, or a video or audio script. Just so you know how to write in a conversational, succinct tone. The problem for freelancers is you need some way of finding people who need speeches to be written, and that's why working for a corporation works well. The execs and high-ranking managers often have public-speaking obligations. A good source of people who need speeches is often in local politics. That's frequently how political speechwriters get their starts. But they often come from the business world, too. One of my former colleagues from the corporation where I worked, which is a big Texas technology company, later got a job as a writer at the White House.

Salaries can vary, but freelance writers often charge more for speechwriting than other types of word-crafting, mostly because it's more visible, important writing. The experienced freelancers in our area charge $125/hour or more for executive speechwriting. Salaries for writers in corporations can vary anywhere from the low- to mid-40s for entry-level on up to more than$100,000 a year for experienced writers. I was lucky enough to be on the upper end of that scale before I went back to school. Political speechwriters who work for the government generally start in the mid-40s and don't go much higher than the mid-70s. (Private-sector jobs pay more.) But the top freelance political speechwriters can make a lot of money. The speechwriters who write for our president and his senior leaders tend to be staff writers rather than freelancers, however. They do that partially for security reasons but also to maintain exclusivity of phrasing/style.

If you're interested in being a speechwriter, read read read. Read famous speeches and books about famous speakers. Watch CSPAN and other channels that cover speakers and talkers. And get the book Simply Speaking by Peggy Noonan. She was a speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and is quite knowledgeable about speechwriting and communications (even if her political leanings are the complete opposite of mine).

Meenstreek
12-21-2006, 08:20 PM
The way I got that gig--and the way most speechwriters do, too--is that I was working as a writer for that corporation. I started as a business writer and hated that because it actually involved tech writing, and I'm really more into creative/human-angle writing. So I worked my way into the marketing and PR area and did marketing copy/advertising writing for a number of years. That was the organization in which the executive speechwriters were, too, and they'd ask us to help with executive speeches when they got too busy. That morphed into an opening on the speechwriting team. And that's how I ended up in that job.

A lot of writers do freelance speechwriting or other types of freelance writing to build experience. If you can write an ad or a brochure, you can usually write a speech, too, or a video or audio script. Just so you know how to write in a conversational, succinct tone. The problem for freelancers is you need some way of finding people who need speeches to be written, and that's why working for a corporation works well. The execs and high-ranking managers often have public-speaking obligations. A good source of people who need speeches is often in local politics. That's frequently how political speechwriters get their starts. But they often come from the business world, too. One of my former colleagues from the corporation where I worked, which is a big Texas technology company, later got a job as a writer at the White House.

Salaries can vary, but freelance writers often charge more for speechwriting than other types of word-crafting, mostly because it's more visible, important writing. The experienced freelancers in our area charge $125/hour or more for executive speechwriting. Salaries for writers in corporations can vary anywhere from the low- to mid-40s for entry-level on up to more than$100,000 a year for experienced writers. I was lucky enough to be on the upper end of that scale before I went back to school. Political speechwriters who work for the government generally start in the mid-40s and don't go much higher than the mid-70s. (Private-sector jobs pay more.) But the top freelance political speechwriters can make a lot of money. The speechwriters who write for our president and his senior leaders tend to be staff writers rather than freelancers, however. They do that partially for security reasons but also to maintain exclusivity of phrasing/style.

If you're interested in being a speechwriter, read read read. Read famous speeches and books about famous speakers. Watch CSPAN and other channels that cover speakers and talkers. And get the book Simply Speaking by Peggy Noonan. She was a speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and is quite knowledgeable about speechwriting and communications (even if her political leanings are the complete opposite of mine).

First thing on my agenda is to thank you for answering my questions. Muchos Gracias!

Next, I will be taking you up on all of your suggestions on breaking into the speechwriting field. I will try to get a copy of Simply Speaking (although Ronald Reagan isn't my favorite president) and devour its contents.

Finally, I will be more active in pursuing avenues that may lead into this field.

You have truly inspired me birdgirl!!!

birdgirl73
12-21-2006, 08:27 PM
Thanks, Meenstreak, and de nada on answering the questions. Hope you go very far with your ambitions. Writing's a good field to go into professionally. Not that many people can do it well (illiteracy, as you know, is everywhere), and so there's always a need for people who can. And the best thing is that the more you do it, the better you get at it--and the easier the work gets, too. Good luck!

mattmao
12-21-2006, 08:30 PM
i work for myself,i'm a ceramic tiler nice and easy smoke when you want,lunch when you want.so if anybody stuck with kitchen,bathroom or swimming pool give me a shout i'm sure we can do a deal.:jointsmile:

Fishdance
12-21-2006, 08:49 PM
The way I got that gig--and the way most speechwriters do, too--is that I was working as a writer for that corporation. I started as a business writer and hated that because it actually involved tech writing, and I'm really more into creative/human-angle writing. So I worked my way into the marketing and PR area and did marketing copy/advertising writing for a number of years. That was the organization in which the executive speechwriters were, too, and they'd ask us to help with executive speeches when they got too busy. That morphed into an opening on the speechwriting team. And that's how I ended up in that job.

A lot of writers do freelance speechwriting or other types of freelance writing to build experience. If you can write an ad or a brochure, you can usually write a speech, too, or a video or audio script. Just so you know how to write in a conversational, succinct tone. The problem for freelancers is you need some way of finding people who need speeches to be written, and that's why working for a corporation works well. The execs and high-ranking managers often have public-speaking obligations. A good source of people who need speeches is often in local politics. That's frequently how political speechwriters get their starts. But they often come from the business world, too. One of my former colleagues from the corporation where I worked, which is a big Texas technology company, later got a job as a writer at the White House.

Salaries can vary, but freelance writers often charge more for speechwriting than other types of word-crafting, mostly because it's more visible, important writing. The experienced freelancers in our area charge $125/hour or more for executive speechwriting. Salaries for writers in corporations can vary anywhere from the low- to mid-40s for entry-level on up to more than$100,000 a year for experienced writers. I was lucky enough to be on the upper end of that scale before I went back to school. Political speechwriters who work for the government generally start in the mid-40s and don't go much higher than the mid-70s. (Private-sector jobs pay more.) But the top freelance political speechwriters can make a lot of money. The speechwriters who write for our president and his senior leaders tend to be staff writers rather than freelancers, however. They do that partially for security reasons but also to maintain exclusivity of phrasing/style.

If you're interested in being a speechwriter, read read read. Read famous speeches and books about famous speakers. Watch CSPAN and other channels that cover speakers and talkers. And get the book Simply Speaking by Peggy Noonan. She was a speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and is quite knowledgeable about speechwriting and communications (even if her political leanings are the complete opposite of mine).


Very well stated!

One more vote for the book Simply Speaking, its on my shelf as well.

bucknuts1870
12-22-2006, 02:13 AM
I slang Pizza's mayne! Pizza delivery driver is one of the highest occupations a person can have, there isn't one person at my work that DOESN'T smoke.

Purple Banana
12-23-2006, 04:08 AM
I could go for some dripping cheese pizza right now...

SpeX125
12-23-2006, 04:28 AM
I used to work at a high-tech company,on the manufacturing floor.A lot of the guys there liked to blaze.
Hell,my long time connection worked there,he was a 'Nam vet.

BizzleLuvin
12-23-2006, 05:21 AM
i just got a job translating for spanish patients at this free dental and medical clinic downtown. they are paying me 8/hr to do it. sucky pay but it will look great on my resume. and i LOVE doing it. this is what I am going to college for.

Pipe Dreams
12-23-2006, 05:39 AM
Well, Im 19 years old, I live on my own, and I do construction. Mostly roofing, but I do alot of insulation lately also. I go to college, even though Im not in right now, my semester doesnt start until January, but I dont think Im going to make it back to that one.

I dont think anyone that I work with smokes. I mean, my dad owns the company (and he rides me the hardest) and he doesnt hire people to do "drugs".

Meenstreek
12-23-2006, 06:35 PM
i just got a job translating for spanish patients at this free dental and medical clinic downtown. they are paying me 8/hr to do it. sucky pay but it will look great on my resume. and i LOVE doing it. this is what I am going to college for.

Your doing well.

Money won't make you rich.

But consider yourself wealthy when you love what your doing and its furthering your goals.

Nocturnal Stoner
12-23-2006, 07:30 PM
yr 11 in high school, your looking at the future herbologist lol :)

BUDhha
12-23-2006, 07:34 PM
im a pothead and worked at bob evans until last week.

Skink
12-23-2006, 07:36 PM
don't be a carpenter,,,if you want all your fingers...

Dr. Dro
12-23-2006, 07:44 PM
Potheads are everywhere.

BigHyphyD
12-23-2006, 07:48 PM
I work at a coffeshop.

I'm a Burista!!! :cool:

It's pretty cool...get high make myself a drink.

It's a hella chill atmosphere too.

LIP
12-23-2006, 07:49 PM
Potheads are everywhere.

And will be forever.

BizzleLuvin
12-23-2006, 09:13 PM
thats right, we are taking over the world. potheads are doctors, mailmen, speechwriters, carpenters,mothers,film makers, they can be anything. and thats what i love about the cannabis community. you dont see crack smoking lawyers or politicians...okay maybe politicians.

MastaChronic
12-24-2006, 12:02 AM
thats right, we are taking over the world. potheads are doctors, mailmen, speechwriters, carpenters,mothers,film makers, they can be anything. and thats what i love about the cannabis community. you dont see crack smoking lawyers or politicians...okay maybe politicians.

already said


we potheads are your mailmen, your lawyers, your delivery people, your judges, your cops, your bums, your door-to-door salesmen, your gas pumpers, your scientists, your generals, your presidents, your soldiers, your construction workers, your criminals, we are everybody.

BizzleLuvin
12-24-2006, 03:29 AM
already said

gee thanks for making Bizzle feel like a dork:( . but i did mention the bit about crack smoking politicians

nikweiser
12-24-2006, 03:40 AM
Arby's... everyones a pothead there.

word. i work drivethru there

CaptainDankNuggets
12-24-2006, 05:02 AM
I work for myself

MastaChronic
12-24-2006, 05:04 AM
gee thanks for making Bizzle feel like a dork:( . but i did mention the bit about crack smoking politicians

sorry, i didnt want to make you feel like a dork, now you made me feel like shit.