Give a brief timeline of your career history.

[superchunk]

15-18 While in HS I began working at McDonald's and went from being typical worker to closing manager.

18-21 Before starting college I did various jobs: fast food (Arbys, Eegees, Peter Piper Pizza, Whataburger), tire/oil changes at Montomgery Wards, door-to-door salesman of meats, and telemarketer. (not in order)

21-29
Education: Started at community college and then moved to local university. Changed degree three times. Started off focusing on Divinity but realized I need to actually earn money at some point. Then moved to Business but realized I hated some of the courses. Finally moved to something that greatly interested me as well as could provide a solid income. Computer Science.

Work life: I worked full-time while attending college full-time. I worked as a commissioned based sales person starting at Sears. There I started with an entry-level position selling vacuums and sewing machines. I after a few months I was moved up to the cooking and dishwashers department. One day a buddy of mine came in and told me I could make a lot more with his employer. So I applied and started working with Circuit City selling Appliances and eventually everything else in the store. This is also when I married my HS sweetheart. One day managers from The Home Depot came in asking people to go work there as they were aggressively hiring appliance sales people. I took them up on the offer as they focus on a really high hourly pay vs commission.

29-32
Education: I graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science at age 30.

Work Life: A year before I graduated I was able to get a paid internship with a large defense contractor. Upon graduation I was immediately offered a salaried position and it was a great job for those three and a half years. However, the team I was on was small with no management opportunities and no funding for higher education.

32-now
Education: During this time I went back to a University to successfully get my MBA in Operations Management... yes back to a business related degree. This was chosen as I always figured I'd move from developing to managing as I've always been promoted quickly in every job to various levels of leadership.

Work Life: I moved from my defense contractor to a IT services provider who ironically worked for the defense contractor and literally moved a building over. I was able to negotiate over a 20% increase in pay and within a year of being there moved to the premier development group and have them pay 100% of my secondary education tuition.

I am now a project manager over multiple development projects raising three mostly wonderful kids and enjoying the fruits of my hard work. Coming from a childhood of poverty, working at times two jobs to put myself through school to being with the same woman for 20 years (married for 12), being first in my family (father's and mother's) to get a college degree and only one with a master's, and providing a life for my children that is far superior to what I had... I'm a happy guy and I am thankful for everything I have and can offer to my children.

When people say if you work hard, anything is possible. They are absolutely right. Well, time to leave work and get ready for my vacation to Vegas. :) Wish me luck!