I often get the sense that I’m in the only one here doing manual labor but I’m sure there are others.

Identify yourselves.

  • Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netEnglish
    23·
    1 month ago

    Soil scientist. I spent 10 years stomping through the bush and digging pits when I got there.

    Now I sit behind a desk.

  • That_Devil_Girl@lemmy.ml
    18·
    1 month ago

    Shipwright welder. I crawl all throughout the bowels of Navy and civilian ships with my gear in tow. I build new areas, cut out old areas, and perform repairs on hulls and pipes.

    • ContrarianTrail@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      9·
      1 month ago

      I love welding. One of my favourite things to do in my previous job. I’m highly skilled at oxy-acetylene welding steel pipes in really tight and difficult places but my favourite one was TiG welding stainless steel with automatic and ventilated mask while listening to podcasts. Really meditative just being in your own bubble staring at the bright spot of molten metal.

  • rowinxavier@lemmy.world
    10·
    1 month ago

    I work in disability support so I may use various creams while massaging, I get messy while helping people with washing and toileting, and I feed people which can get messy. I also help people with their yards, cleaning their house, washing their pets, whatever they need.

  • RicoBerto
    9·
    1 month ago

    I load and run two large fiber lasers cutting sheets of metal up to 1 1/4 inch thick.

  • Agrivar@lemmy.world
    8·
    1 month ago

    I used to be a programmer, but I got sick of the whole corporate scene. Now I build and maintain houses - and my hands are dirty a good amount of the time!

  • BluescreenOfDeath@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    1 month ago

    I work for an ISP in the southeast USA as a field technician and it’s dirty work sometimes. Fixing rodent damage to fiber connection boxes for businesses, placing temporary cables when underground lines get cut, working in dusty equipment closets, etc.

    It’s not bad or hard work most days.

  • skmn@sh.itjust.works
    7·
    1 month ago

    Window manufacturing Our 2-part industrial sealing silicone gets everywhere; hands, clothes, hair, whatever. Never comes out of clothes and you gotta scrub hard to get it off skin.

  • nick@midwest.social
    7·
    1 month ago

    I work in tech now, so I’m a lazy schlub. However, I’m also a college dropout out (English major) who had a ton of actual jobs in the past. Warehouse loading delivery trucks, worked in a cabinet shop, food service, etc. i

    I think college grads who go into tech should have to work a normal job for at least a year before getting their tech job and making six figures right out of college.

    Otherwise you end up with these entitled shitbags who complain that their company provided duck confit at lunch doesn’t have crispy enough skin (an actual thing that actually happened when i was at a big FANG company. Fucking unbelievable)

    So even though I’m a techbro shitlord, i have respect for the people who work jobs.

    • Nate Cox@programming.devEnglish
      6·
      1 month ago

      Are you me? I’m also a lazy tech schlub now who was formerly a paint store warehouse worker, home renovation worker, etc.

      Fully agree that everyone going into tech should spend real time working hard labor and retail. I genuinely feel that my non-tech experiences made me a better person and a better tech schlub.

      I remember tech coworkers complaining that the wall filled with free snacks and candy didn’t have the right kind of snacks and candy, and having to hold myself back from going full Everett True.

      • nick@midwest.social
        3·
        1 month ago

        Man i feel that complaining about the free snacks 100%.

        Covid was so hard for some of these kids because they had to fend for themselves during the work day while working from home. Constant complaints.

        You and i would get along great i bet :D