Nate Beaver

Workplace/Position: Eau Claire County Parks and Forest Dept. Park Ranger
Best part of your job: Talking with the old timers that go fishing every day. They have great stories and love to talk. I’ve heard the same stories a few times and the fish just keep getting bigger!
Worst part of the job: Long days and odd hours. Days certainly blend together after a while, but I remind myself that I’m not behind a computer screen all day.
Funniest thing you’ve experienced at work: I was ‘chased’ by a deer this spring! I think we startled each other and coincidentally headed in the same direction. I was just trying to get out of the way. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but looking back I’m sure it looked pretty comical.
Would you recommend this job: Sure! You have to enjoy being outside pretty much all the time, though. Hot, cold, rain, or snow!
How do you like working while everyone else has fun: Well, it’s difficult at times, especially on the weekends when friends and family are together camping, riding bikes, or boating. But I always try to find time for recreation whenever I can.
Is there another job you’re hoping you one day get: My background is in geography and I have always been interested in teaching middle school social studies or high school earth science.

Jered Shaw

Workplace: Parks, Rec, and Forestry Department
Position: Laborer/ Field Maintenance
Best part of your job: It’s a good workout and it’s neat to see everyone having fun at the park.
Worst part of your job: The bugs. The gnats are the worst part, no doubt about that.
Funniest thing you’ve experienced at work: When the circus comes to town, the elephants come onto the field. It’s interesting to see them out there.
Would you recommend this job to others: Yeah, I think so. It’s is a lot of hard work and you have to deal with the fact that all your work is going to get destroyed, but it’s rewarding to watch the kids that are on the little league teams grow and develop. The job also keeps me in shape.
How do you like working while everyone else around you has fun: That can be a bummer. Everyone’s having fun and I’d think it would be nice to have some fun with them. It definitely gets lonely.
Is there another job you’re hoping you one day get: I don’t think so. I like my job.

Taylor (TJ) Burke

Workplace: Action City Metropolis Resort
Position: Assistant Manager
Best part of your job: Being able to work and interact with customers of all ages every day, especially on the go-kart track where it’s always a fun environment.
Worst part of your job: The worst part is when a kid comes up to the track and he’s just a little too short to drive the kart by himself so we can’t let him or if someone is not old enough to drive Go-Speed with the rest of their party.
Funniest thing you’ve experienced at work: It was a Friday night on the go-kart track, and a group of guys in a bachelor party came in dressed in togas and ancient Roman gear. They also used awesome accents.
Would you recommend this job to others: I would to anyone who wants to have a fun time while working and be part of a fun, exciting, and enthusiastic organization!
How do you like working while everyone else around you has fun: I believe a large part of our customers’ fun comes from how we, as employees, interact with them and I always have a fun time working with the customers.
Is there another job you’re hoping you one day get: I’m hoping to be involved with the sales department at Northwestern Mutual.

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Sara Goss

Workplace: Tep’s Drive In
Position: Carhop/Grillmaster
Best part of your job: Working with people is a lot of fun, especially in a small town. It’s nice to come in and see people you know.
Worst part of your job: There’s not really a worst part. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s especially nice that it’s only during the summer, so you don’t have to worry about the cold.
Most fun thing you’ve experienced at work: There are different special events that go on throughout the summer, like bike night, tractor night, and classic car night. It’s fun to see people come in, and everyone gets excited about that.
Would you recommend this job to others: Yes, definitely. Jason and Kathy are really great people. It’s easy to work for and with them.
How do you like working while everyone else around you has fun: It’s not too bad. It’s usually easy to have fun, but it can be stressful when it’s super busy.
Is there another job you’re hoping you one day get: I’m in college and I’m hoping to get into nursing. 

Tom Klemmer

Workplace/Position: Manager and Projectionist with Micon Cinemas
Best part of your job: Seeing customers leave a movie that they really enjoyed. I also like answering questions when people ask about the history of the theaters in Eau Claire.
Worst part of your job: Having a projector or sound problem in the middle of a movie that can’t be easily remedied and seeing people leave having only watched part of a movie.
Funniest thing you’ve seen at work: In the early 80s we played a midnight showing of Harold and Maude. The film was not in the best condition. The very last scene of the movie was of Harold wandering on a mountaintop playing a guitar. Due to sections being missing, he was not wandering, he was jumping from spot to spot. 
Would you recommend this job to others: I would if they don’t mind working late and working weekends/holidays. Most theater workers find ways to adapt by splitting shifts with others, so they can still enjoy the holidays. It also helps to be working for the right people. I don’t think it would be quite as enjoyable if the theaters I have worked at weren’t owned by local families.
How do you like working while everyone else around you has fun: I really don’t mind it. It’s a fun job that involves doing many different things, not just sitting in one spot doing the same thing.

Cody Peterson

Workplace/Position: Lake Wissota Golf Course Golf Pro
Best part of your job: Riding around in a cart picking up balls. It’s pretty easy and fun.
Worst part of your job: When the balls hit the cage, but it’s pretty safe because the cage is made out of iron.
Funniest thing you’ve experienced at work: One time there was an inch-wide gap in the cage, and someone actually managed to hit the ball into the gap and scared the guy who was picking up the balls.
Would you recommend this job to others: Absolutely, it’s fun, easy, and you get to meet a lot of people.
How do you like working while everyone else has fun: Sometimes it’s not easy, but after you get done with work, you get to go out and hit at the driving range for free.
Is there another job you’re hoping you one day get: I’d like to maybe make my way up to being a general manager.