throughout the years dawson worked a variety of jobs. following the war, he worked as the morning dj at kcbc and as an on-air announcer at kgtv in des moines. he later moved to eau claire where he worked at weau for 24 years, then in public relations at the eau claire consumer's cooperative for 11 years. dawson worked for a short time at luther hospital and was elected to serve on the eau claire county board for several years.