Working for a livin'

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2007
Working for a livin'
24
Tue, 08-14-2007 - 11:20am

So I've been thinking... what I'm doing is very honorable and good. I get up everyday and roll my butt into this cubicle and I do my job to the best of my ability (as long as I get my online time that is). And I get paid a decent salary to afford shelter, food and ample entertainment. That is what alot of Americans desire, yeah?

But I don't feel like I'm LIVING! And I know some around here don't have the urges I have or have different urges but I seriously can't stand the thought of still being right here 10, 5 or maybe even 1 year from now! It's like I need to get out and experience some different things! And I'm at the brink of considering doing that!

My thing is what I'm qualified for, what I'm good at and will get paid the most for - is exactly what I'm doing! Office work! Administrative type stuff. But I don't want to do it anymore! I want to do something a bit more interesting - and I know you will want to shoot me - I have NO CLUE what "interesting" is!

So... I'm recruiting your help! Give me some ideas. Do YOU work an interesting job? Do you know someone that has an interesting/unique type job? If you could do anything in the world what would you do? And hanging at home watching CBS soaps doesn't qualify... I wish it did! :p

Anywhere in the world, anything you can think of, great pay - not so great pay, whatever! Post some ideas - it will start the ball rolling! :) Thanks!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-15-2007 - 10:19am

No, no. It took a lot of years and experimenting, maybe there is no one specific thing, we can always change. I do know myself though and my talents and what i can't do. I am hearing impaired and had a cochlear implant in one ear so i am trying to get away from the noisy, hectic job I have, maybe go there twice a week. One reason for my business to see people in person, one to one. Hearing is great one to one. Sound from the left ear not perfectly normal sound but quite good compared to the old hearing.

what about being a travel guide? when I wanted to sell pharmaceuticals, I was in my 30's. only sales experience i had was selling Mary Kay. Took a year of interviewing to get a job. he saw my desire. did it for a year. Didn't like it. Be patient. Keep exploring. Visualize yourself in what you want, stay positive then you will attract it.

FYI a cochlear implant is a little rectangular thing under my scalp, little above my ear with a wire thing that goes into the cochlear, has a magnet. ( can't see it) Just a little bump. Outside: Over the ear i wear a thing, like those telephone gadgets, has a magnet in a little cord that sticks to the magnet in my head, called a processor. That one is computerized for sound and the sound goes to the auditory nerve. My hair covers it, pretty cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What else can you so with travel?? airlines???? what can lead to what you want? go deeper. leila

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Wed, 08-15-2007 - 11:18am

It's so funny because I've been doing the exact same job soul searching lately...granted I'm probably a little behind you at 23, but still. :) For me, it's that I really don't like what I'm doing now and I don't want to get stuck at another job I can't stand, so before I get another that I only last a year, year, year and a half at, I want to figure out what I'm shooting for. Either getting advanced degrees in art history or somehow mixing art and business is starting to seem like the best idea to me.

I've heard again and again, answer the question of what you'd do if you didn't have to work (or something to that effect), and modify that to be a career. If you'd fix up old cars, you should be an auto mechanic (I think this was in a movie, but I can't remember what....Office Space maybe?). It's a little idealistic (because I'd probably just hang out and travel), but it could be a jumping off point...I'm completely in love with art and museums and history and whatever, but I need to make a decent amount of money doing it (to keep living in Boston, especially). If I could figure out what that job would be, I'd be set and I'd work my a** off to get it. But I can't yet. :)

As for the travel companies, I think it depends on where you live, because there seem to be quite a few such agencies around here...and school/educational travel groups and whatnot. EF Tours is one...STA Travel is another (they must have branches all over, I went to one in London)...if I think of more, I'll let you know. I think my friend found her job posted on craigslist or monster, I can't remember.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Mon, 08-20-2007 - 2:45am
Hello there. I am in a similar situation. I work in an office, take calls all day and have a bland gray cubicle. I am really starting to HATE it, and hope I can get out w/in a year. Intersting jobs to me.... I have ALWAYS wanted to be a flight attendant ! To me that is the ultimate dream job, never in the same place, different situations, etc. Also I wouldnt mind doing something w/ animals, maybe work in a kennel or vets office. I would love to be a writer, maybe novels, and also do some kind of work abroad. I had a friend teach in China for 2 years and loved it. What an experience !! Sadly, most jobs are dull.... but they pay the bills right ?? lol, good luck !
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Mon, 08-20-2007 - 9:50am

Well, I think the problem is that most well-paying jobs are dull and most bad-paying jobs are interesting. :) How did this ever happen??

I'm finding it difficult to try to strike a balance between what I like to do and paying the rent and unfortunately doing what I love would require a big educational commitment that I'm not sure I'm willing to make. Writing's a great thing to do on the side (I find no reason to make it my career), but art history....notsomuch. :)

I think the flight attendant thing would be cool, but sadly I'm too short. :) I don't think working with animals would be AS difficult, it's always just a question of whether you'd take what's probably a pay cut. :/ I guess those kinds of decisions are easier for me because I make next to nothing anyway! :) It's nice to have nothing to lose!

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