What was Mario's first observed occupation before becoming a famous video game character?

Mario's first observed occupation before he became a famous video game character was indeed as a carpenter. This depiction occurred in the game "Donkey Kong," released in 1981, where Mario was initially introduced as a character attempting to rescue a damsel in distress from the titular ape. His profession as a carpenter was relevant to the game's setting, which involved construction elements, such as navigating platforms and ladders, typical of carpentry work.

The portrayal of Mario being a carpenter ties into the aesthetic and gameplay dynamics of the early arcade games, where character roles aligned closely with the environments they navigated. Over time, as Mario's character evolved, he became redefined as a plumber, particularly in later games like "Super Mario Bros.," which established him in the plumbing profession due to the game's focus on underground settings and pipes. Nevertheless, the correct answer reflects Mario's origins in the gaming world, highlighting his identity before he became predominantly known as a plumber in popular culture.