Rick Barker early work history
Rick studied sciences and arts subjects with no particular conviction gaining passes in Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Geography, Psychology stage I and II, Economics I and II, but no degree Rick left for a career in dairy farming.
With stagnant wages and soaring land prices Rick left farming for other work which included, truck driving, labouring on building sites, quarrying, bar work, store work, fork lift operator, retail, and process worker, eventually becoming an organiser for the Otago Hotel, Hospital and Restaurant Workers Union.