Your dream job

[Unregistered]

If you could do ANYTHING (let's pretend you have all the money in the world) what would it be? I hate my job so much it's ridiculous. I am underpaid, overworked, am the low chick on the totem pole, haven't had a promotion since I started (2years ago) and make under $9/hr and deal with an unbelievable amount of crap. Oh, and this all ignores the fact that I work shift work. I went to university for 5 years for this?

Anyway, sorry about the rant! If I could do ANYTHING it would be to make documentaries, start my own nonprofit, start a magazine, start a business selling my crafts. Really, if I had my choice I would become the world's most famous documentarian. What about you?

[crazy-girl]

Fun one!

Umm. This is hard. Of course if I could have any job in the entire universe I'd love to have Joan Rivers' job. How cool would that be?!

If I had to go a somewhat realistic route I'd love to do casting for tv or movies. I just think that would be a blast. I don't know how many times I've read a book and had an idea of an actor in a role and then I see the movie with a different actor and just wondered how they came up with that person in the role.

I have a feeling that I'd end up being annoyed by the politics, the egos and the long hours though . . .

[Eharrison]

DREAM JOB!! I think about it everyday!! I'm always brainstorming some way or another how I am going to get there!! Waking up everyday and loving what I do...

If money wasn't a problem and I didn't have bills to pay..my dream job would be to become a photographer. I would love to go all over and take pictures of so many things-people, landscapes,documentary. Anything that caught my interest...I would also love to start my own non-profit organization.

There are just so many things always brewing in my head that I would love to do that sometimes I just think, "OK, get on with it then, find any possible way to start making these dreams a reality." But then it seems I am always holding back for some reason-failure maybe?? But I suppose if I never try then that's failure in itself. Now isn't it??

What are your dreams?? What would make you the happiest??:)

[MissKitty]

*sigh* This is what keeps me going at my current not-so-dreamy job. Daydreaming about what I really want to do. I actually have a post-it directly above my monitor that reads, "Your own studio!" to keep me motivated.

I want to open my own art production studio, printmaking and ceramics mostly, and have enough workspace to teach art classes to anyone interested, and have a small art store/gallery in the front to sell my creations. Of course, that's the dream. The reality is that I could probably set up a small garage sized space and teach private lessons and sell my items at craft shows and arts festivals...at least this would be a realistic start. I'm working on it.

I would also love to purchase old Victorian homes and renovate them then rent them out, or turn one into a Bed & Breakfast in the city.

Sitting at a desk all day is not very fulfilling.

~MissKitty

[ajharkess]

I have several dream jobs, with varying levels of "realism":

I would love to be a movie star! My job is to study the life of the character (with production-studio-paid lessons in anything I need, be it kickboxing, paino, or whitewater rafting), then act! As an amateur actress, I know that I'd love acting and being on the set. And if I was a big star, I wouldn't have to go through the icky audition process (it's like applying for jobs, only with even more rejection).

I would also love to be a freelance writer, and I am likely to end up doing this in a few years, once I've built up a portfolio, a reputation, and connections with editors that keep me working steadily (I've sold a few articles to unheard of 'net magazines so far). My job: to study whatever interests me, find an audience that would be equally interested, write up what I've learned just for them, and convince the publication that serves that audience to pay me for it!

The dream day job I'm looking for right now should be easier to find, as most folks I meet consider me insane for loving it: copy editing! I want to read a whole publication, articles, ads, and all, and nitpick it. I want to fix all the spelling and grammar problems, then tweak every sentence until it all flows together in a unified style and reads as clearly as it possibly can.

[CAT11]

This is too funny...
I am a photographer. Three years education, $10,000 in equiptment, and more loans than I can type with out being ill.
And guess what? No job. A few freelances here and there. (Three years ago, there were so many in house positions it was sickening) :)
Now, I am sure it takes time, but now that I am here, with all my knowledge and expericnce, (even some famous people), National Georaphic isn't calling, and neither is Vogue. Just a last minute bride with a shot gun wedding that wants $2000 worth of photos for...say $150.
At one point I wanted to do Pottery Barn, Jcrew, and The Company Store type stuff. Now I am not sure.
But I am sure it would involve some flexibility. The whole 8-5 grind makes me ill. And as much as I hate to conceed to capitalism, I need to make some decent money. I need to feel financially independent of my boyfriend, or future partner. I need to be creative, be a problem solver. I would like to work from home. Hmmm..The Life of the Art-ist....

[Eharrison]

Cat11-
So you are a photographer, huh?? Are you happy with it?? It seems all my life I have always had this deep passion for photos and I have taken several classes but am still an amatuer...I know what a tough business it is to break into-

Maybe you can offer some pointers for those aspiring to do what you are so lucky to have already accomplished??:D

Do you make a living off of it?? What made you want to go into photography? Would love to hear any feedback you have!!

Thanks!!

[Phoenix]

My dream job...to be a singer/dancer. Either that do something w/ art...pottery, drawing, painting, you name it. Does anyone else struggle w/ knowing you'll never go after that dream in order to do something more practical career-wise? I keep feeling like "why CAN'T I run out and be a singer?" - and then the reality of being able to pay bills, and be financially starving while trying to make it, and eventually have some money to support a family (some day??) hits... sigh... I suppose that's why it is and remains a dream.

[CAT11]

Eharrison-
I don't make much as I am just starting out. I have a 2 yr degree from community college in photography and took some courses at the Brooks Institute of Photography before I decided I hated the school and dropped out. Am now trying to figure out what to finish my BA in.
Advice...hmm...see if you can get an internship. It is never anything like the shoots you see and it is a hard business, especially in a rotten economy. I would try to do something on the side, take awhile and make sure it is what you want to do.
The question for me is...can a passion be your work? I wonder if maybe this is just meant to be a hobby. Mabye I should do something I am slightly less passionate about. I am wondering about being an art director.
I shoot weddings, which I am not really into, and some seniors, and recently a first communion.
I have shot some famous people, by luck, and have had a few shows.
What I really love is fine art and explorative people work, but there is no market.
Anyway, I ramble.

[MissKitty]

Unfortunately I know several out of work photographers. Two are trying to pursue a different career (one is training to be a dental hygenist and will photograph as a hobby whle the other is back in school for teaching), and one is settling with a factory job just to pay the rent.
I also know a lot of artists who had to put their dreams aside. My uncle is a marvelous sculptor, but now he runs his own carpet installation business and hasn't sculpted anything in years.

*shrugs* I guess you can only live as a starving artist for so long. It sucks when the quest for daily survival interferes with our passions.

~MissKitty

[corleon]

AJHARKESS...

I was quite surprised to come across someone who actually wants to be a copy editor for their dream job! I work as a proofreader for an advertising agency and I have to admit, most of the time copy editing is a fun job as long as you like that kind of stuff. For most people, the nitpicking would drive them nuts and you have to have a real eye for detail. It is like a new game of "find the mistakes"every time I get a new piece to proofread. But there are downsides. It can be quite a problem if I'm not in the mood to sit at my desk all day and concentrate. Proofreading can be like studying for a test all day...that's what I associate it with, although I do enjoy it. And, it has taken the fun out of leaisurely reading at home. Since I read all day at work, I have absolutely no desire to read a book when I get home!

Unfortunately all of this does not make me immune to the Quarterlife Crisis. I could go on and on about what I don't like about my career, advertising, life, etc.

Best of luck in conquering your Quarterlife Crisis and finding that dream job!

[PonyGirl]

My dream job has changed over time. When I was 10 I wanted to be a jockey; then I reached 5'10" so I changed goals to horse trainer. Now my dreams are a bit lower--I want to hang around the barn at 5 AM, be a groom. I want to have no attachments in the world. I want my needs to be so minimal that a cup of coffee and being alone with the sunrise will bring me happiness.

[Lipgloss Boost]

to clarify - there's my dream job for this summer, then there's the one for when i finish school!

Summer: even though i have a BA in Sociology/Criminology - no one will hire me! (& one year of college, 2 years of volunteer & one year of purchasing administration experience *sigh*) i'd like experience w/ troubled youth. there's this company, Operation Go Home, where i'd like to work. i'd like to do the nightly outreach where they walk around Ottawa handing out flyers, doing needle-exchanges, handing out condoms, etc. i'd like to do that. but there g*d-damn fudning for summer kids isn't in! *Ack!*

Life: i'd like to work for the John Howard Society for a bit before i move into Parole (those 4 summer jobs i applied for in parole/probation wouldn't be too bad either!). i'd like to run/help run seminars for those on parole/probation. run the programs, offer advice, hear their stories, use the stuff i've learned in school (damnit!), etc. 8)

[Lipgloss Boost]

to clarify - there's my dream job for this summer, then there's the one for when i finish school!

Summer: even though i have a BA in Sociology/Criminology - no one will hire me! (& one year of college, 2 years of volunteer & one year of purchasing administration experience *sigh*) i'd like experience w/ troubled youth. there's this company, Operation Go Home, where i'd like to work. i'd like to do the nightly outreach where they walk around Ottawa handing out flyers, doing needle-exchanges, handing out condoms, etc. i'd like to do that. but there g*d-damn fudning for summer kids isn't in! *Ack!*

Life: i'd like to work for the John Howard Society for a bit before i move into Parole which i've wanted to do since i was 13 (those 4 summer jobs i applied for in parole/probation wouldn't be too bad either!). i'd like to run/help run seminars for those on parole/probation. run the programs, offer advice, hear their stories, use the stuff i've learned in school (damnit!), etc. 8)

[Antonina]

:p Love this thread! Everyone looking at what would make them happy, not what is making us sad. Nice change of pace...

As someone else astutely pointed out, most of our dream jobs (posted here anyway) seem to be creative ones! Must be because it is much easier to grind and do boring jobs to earn money than it is to rely on your talents to earn a living- especially when it all becomes so subjective, and it is no longer a matter of whether you think you are any good but whether everyone else thinks you are really good.

Anyway, I ramble! Just wanted to put my two bit in: I have just decided that my dream job (although don't hold me to it, I am fickle!) would be to own a dog-breeding place (I adore Chow dogs, and am a vet) situated in some beautiful rural country town in an exotic country, where I can make my living by occasionally selling off pups (although, how can I let them go!) and giving piano lessons. How crazy is this one!?!

Perhaps I need to think of something a little more realistic and viable! :p

[tonesofhome]

I would love a dream job, if I knew what it was. As I finish up my masters I would like to teach business at the college level. Practical right? In reality I would like to do something that would change the world, well if not the world, some people in it. I would love to be a musician/writer. To have an impact on people through my writing. Think of some of the lyrics that have pierced you over the years. Two that I try to hold on to are "If I die before I learn to speak will money pay for all the days I lived awake but half asleep?" or from blind melon, "When your deepest thoughts are broken, keep on dreaming boy 'cause when you stop dreaming it's time to die." Not to go off on a tangent but if you get the chance, listen to Shannon's lyrics...after all he was in a twenty-something rut too and it is reflected through his music. Do any of you have lyrics you could share?

[Jayesh]

Tones,

Music is not the only way you can change the world, you know. In fact, I think owning a business or teaching can have much more impact on the world than music.

Jay

[sunbear]

I don't know what my dream job is, honestly. I am creative and kind of (very) competitive. I still have time to figure it out- Michelangelo didn't do his first painting until he was 28.

Anyways, about Blind Melon- I got to see them LIVE in 1993- GREAT SHOW!
My favorite saying is from Janis Joplin-"Never compromise yourself, you're all you've got".

[Bag Lady]

Look at all of the artists!!

I'm a designer working in a "design" firm. Unfortunately there isn't much design happening there. I feel like I'm losing my creativity.

Anyway, my dream job is to do exhibit design for museums. Actually, I would love to do anything where I could just "create".
I don't enjoy sitting in front of the computer all day - I want to get my hands dirty.

As Cat11 said...."the life of the Art-ist.....

[Antonina]

just wanted to share my favourite happy lyrics:

from Bjork:
"it's still early morning- we could go down to the harbour
and jump between the boats- and see the sun come up
we could nick a boat - and sneak off to this island
i could bring my little ghettoblaster - there's more to life than this
but then we'd have to rush back - to the town's best baker
to get the first bread of the morning -there's more to life than this"

It's great. I like the idea of "getting the first bread of the morning"- ie. enjoying the littlest and simplest things in life. *sigh*:)

[MrEMann]

My dream job would be anything in baseball, perhaps as a stat man. I've always been a huge baseball fan, and it would be fun to travel with the team and make an impact in their success. At this moment however, anything other than my current low-paying office job would be great.

[apollo1129]

Oh gee, my dream job? I used to just wanna be a world-famous, prolific writer or brilliant therapist who heals many but I think I'd want to write for a prominent magazine for a start. Have my own column, interview celebrities (such as the Dalai Lama), attend exciting social events but above all, be respected for my opinions and have people enjoy what I write and look forward to reading it. It's sort of glamorous but I also expect to work very hard to get there. The best part of my job would be that it's interesting and varied, I'd get to meet people of different lifestyles, and that I'd get paid essentially to express myself.