What Do I Do?

I've sometimes wished that I was a teacher or a nurse - not because I feel especially drawn to those occupations - just because it would be easy to answer the question when someone asks what I do for a living.

As it is I've stumbled to explain what my current job actually entails.  In the early years it wasn't too bad - I was a Programmer/Analyst.  Most folks knew that was business-speak for "computer geek".  Time passed, my work changed and I became an IT Consultant.  Try explaining that one to someone who's first question is "what is IT?".

A few years ago I left the technology/computer field and ventured out into a brave new world under the umbrella of Human Resources.  My official job title today is Work Management Analyst.  Clear as mud?

The other day someone forwarded me a job posting from monster.com and there it was.  A concise description of my job.  So for your reading pleasure, here is what I do.

Sr. Business Analyst HR Systems

• Business Analyst
• Customer Service
• Design
• ERP
• Oracle
• PeopleSoft

• Technical Support 
• HR Module
• Functional
• Requirements Gathering

.....looking for a Senior Business Analyst who specializes in HR systems with a preferred focus on PeopleSoft.  There will be a focus on analysis, requirements gathering, creating functional specifications and some other technical aspects.  They are not looking for an overly technical resource, but more functional with some technical skills.  Communication and client facing skills are a must.

So there's my day job in a nutshell.  Next time someone asks what I do for a living I'm going to spout this off. Someday I hope to be able call myself Writer, but this is what it is for now.

What is your response when asked what you do for a living?