Working outside and with people -- anyone?

[initac]

I currently work in Corp America and I do not believe it's for me.
I have thought of what I would like to do, and this is what I came up with:

I would love to spend more time outside. Being in a cube all day is just not for me. I would love to make people happy, so some sort of interaction with clients/customers is a must. I want to work as much or as little as I want (which would directly impact my income). This could mean owning my own business.

I love organizing events. It just gives me great satisfaction. I thought of maybe becoming an events planner (work with customers, work outside, run a business, learn while doing).

I have also thought of being a realtor (working outside, working as much or as little as I want), but I don't think it's very challenging (not that it's not HARD to sell houses, but you don't learn much on the job about other things). So I thought maybe starting my house flipping company, where I can work as much/little as I want (and that will have an immediate impact on my income, which gives me more control), I'll be able to be outside, and every project will be different so I'll be able to use my project management skills (that I got in corp america) and learn more.

So those are pretty much my requirements: control over income, control over how much and WHEN to work, learning on the job, working with people, being outside.

Besides the ones I just listed, what jobs are there out there that would meet these criteria? Does anybody have a job like this that you like/dislike? What do you see as the Pros/Cons?

[SunDevil]

A more traditional job (but one that require some training) is a home inspector. But that might get repetitive. You could be a scientist gathering data, but they will send you to many remote areas. Golf course workers get to be outside, that is what I used to do in college.

Flipping houses is harder than it looks, unless you have some money saved, a good job, and live in a hot market.

[eko311]

Depends on what you want for pay. I have a friend who had exactly the job you're talking about - worked outside and with people, did event planning, etc. She was a youth director at a church. She had things planned like "golfing tuesdays" and would go on trips with the kids during their summers and then, as comp time, would have an entire month off. But she's no longer at that job. Part of the reason was not getting along with the sr. pastor... it's a option to look into I guess.

[Cole]

if you figure it out, let me know. I"m in the EXACT same place. :)

I just quit my corporate job to work part-time at a gift store, and I'm trying to figure out what else I can do that involves people, planning, and the outdoors. OH, and creative things. And music would be good...

[Kitty]

I guess Im lucky in that I work on a beautiful campus and I'm allowed to haul my laptop outside and do work there. I'm also across the way from a student-run coffee shop which I also do work from.

I also have a pretty varied work routine..for example, today I was from 10:30 until 1:30 on a photo shoot.

In that sense, this job has kept me pretty happy.

[wordsmith]

A varied routine is essential to me in a job...

Case in point...today, I've been at a nursing home, a preschool, a manufacturing plant, a museum (small, historical society style one), and a city park all in the name of doing my job. Gotta love that.

[Kitty]

A varied routine really does make the time fly by and you don't realize you're doing work as much.

We do a lot of group work here, we have programs that we're all expected to pitch in and help with, etc. so I like that aspect as well.

At my last job it was me and computer. Never again.

[wordsmith]

So true...the day totally flies when you're running around multitasking (sometimes too much), and DRAAAAGS when you're sitting in one spot trying to fill the hours, IMO.

[and1grad]

Another thing to think about is how much you want to/are able to deal with irate people. Its EASY to deal with people that are happy and such. Your PR skills will only really be tested when you have to deal with an unsavory customer.

[imnotdead]

Another thing to think about is how much you want to/are able to deal with irate people. Its EASY to deal with people that are happy and such. Your PR skills will only really be tested when you have to deal with an unsavory customer.

No joke. I became a small-group adventure tour guide for 3 years for the reasons initac stated at the beginning of this thread and while it was unbelievable experience most of the time (got to guide in Alaska, Canada, and all over the lower 48 of the US) dealing with irrate passengers was by far the single most difficult part of the job. It could make entire weeks hell.

But if you don't mind working like a slave tour guiding is an amazing job!

Shane