It's time once again for another episode of Nice Job, DM! where we talk to DMs about their day jobs.
Today's guest is Katie Raciborski, who has the very unique job of proof-reading labels on loads of products before they're packed and shipped! Let's hear some more...
Katie! Thanks so much for meeting with us. Labels!? Tell us more!
Oh sure thing, my job is making and inspecting labels, so I work for MCC (Multi-color Corporation) label making. My specific factory is one of the smaller ones where we make three label types: drink labels (our most common being Coca Cola), food labels (like Tyson), and detergent labels (like Gain). I make sure all the small print is accurate before shipping.
Very cool, this feels one of those jobs that you don't think about, but you know is essential. How does it work?
My specific job is on a machine called a combo. It takes giant rolls of this plastic material, uses giant rollers to add on a label, and then coats it in a matte topper. It then cuts them and sends them on a conveyer to me. Then, I make sure the colors and tiny details are OK and either send it off to be packed or toss it in the trash. My factory has several jobs, and many say mine's the hardest because you have to make sure all the writing is accurate and legible quickly. We can't really use a computer to detect this, as it will often say the letters are mistakes due to how tiny they are.
Sounds like you've got your eyes on the details - how did you get into this line of work, and what do you like about it?
I live in a small town, and it's one of the only jobs, but I still enjoy it! Honestly, I adore my co-workers and getting so many holidays guaranteed, as well as Sundays off, too. I work 40 hours, four days a week, which is part of why I can DM. Me and three co-workers play D&D every Sunday.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into your line of work?
I am not sure many people want to get into a labeling job, but I will say it is a pretty laid-back job. They are lenient on vacations, always give good hours on and off, and you learn a lot about where the labels you see every day come from. It's not a hard job, but get ready for many long hours.
When did you start DMing, and for what systems?
I legit have been in the game 27 years and a DM for 20 of them. I started playing D&D to learn math at age 6, then started DMing at 14 to teach my younger siblings. We played Pathfinder and I've tried many others such as: 2E, 5E, "Big Eyes, Small Mouth", Mutants and Masterminds, Star Wars, Fallout, Fool's Gold, and D&D 2024.
That's a ton!! How often do you DM now?
Every Sunday since I was 16. I only took a break for about 2 months back in 2014 due to moving across the country.
What's your favorite part of DMing?
Making so many characters and their backstories. I love making the lil guy your party adopts for no good reason. I have tons of favorite characters I have made or played, tons of favorite player and game moments.
Can you tell us about one of those moments?
Easy. As a player, it was my ex being turned into a chicken by a god after they critically failed pickpocketing them. As a DM, it was doing a Friday the 13th one-shot that turned into the players going back in time to stop Jason and being like, "Oh wait, that means we have to kill a 12 year old. Oops."
Amazing, lol. Do you have any advice or house rules you would share with new DMs?
Honestly, my advice is fun first. Almost all my games last a year and my players say it's because I'll let them do silly things like shooting spells from guitars. My biggest house rule is all clerics and paladins have to believe in a god. I did this because two players wanted characters agnostic like them, but think it's more than fair to say those two classes need gods to work.
Do you know a DM with a cool job? Let us know at hello@diceenvy.com