Your dream job.

[NurseLau84]

I was speaking with my Dad today (he was laid off from his job of 20 years recently) and we were talking about careers. He explained how frustrating it is to be 53 years old and trying to get a new job, especially with the economy being in the toilet right now. He also said how he kicks himself for not getting a college degree when he was younger, because a Bachelor's is the minimum these days to land a decent job (in most cases).

I felt terrible when he was saying (proudly :)) how lucky and smart DH and I are to be in great fields and to have an education. My Dad always wanted to be a History teacher, but never had the opportunity to go to college...he went into the Navy and then worked a "job", but never had a career. Education is so important to DH and I, and I know if we ever had kids, it will be a top priority.

So....what is your dream job/career? Are you in it currently, or working toward it? Anything you would have changed? :chimp:

[Scrwballsgrl]

I don't know what my dream job would be. I'm sorry to hear that your Dad lost his job, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that he finds something soon. They didn't give the option for an early retirement? He should go back to school! Most teaching degrees (bacholors) only take four years!
I went straight into the job world too, b/c at the time I couldn't fathom going to school for another four years especially as I don't know what my major would be and didn't like the idea of taking classes that had nothing to do with that particular field of study. I think in a perfect world I would be an interior designer (I've really go no skill or singular taste:huh:), or something to do with artistic type stuff. I dont know?! See this is why I didn't go to college I couldnt decide on a degree!:(

[Kfancii]

My Dad always wanted to be a History teacher, but never had the opportunity to go to college...he went into the Navy and then worked a "job", but never had a career. :chimp:

Check the area that your Dad is in for Alternative Teacher Certification programs. He might be able to become a history teacher without actually going through 4 years of college. Some of the colleges here offer a streamlined teacher certification programs for people just like your Dad who might be looking for a second career after service in industry or the Navy. You might find the perfect fit for him!

[NurseLau84]

Check the area that your Dad is in for Alternative Teacher Certification programs. He might be able to become a history teacher without actually going through 4 years of college. Some of the colleges here offer a streamlined teacher certification programs for people just like your Dad who might be looking for a second career after service in industry or the Navy. You might find the perfect fit for him!

Wow, really? I've never heard of this. I'll do some research, though. Thanks so much!

[Jacobs_Girl]

I think my dream job would probably be a travel agent or something with planning. I am pretty good at planning and I love planning trips. I dunno why but I do.

Or something to do with shopping.

[WebLady]

There have been several "dream jobs" in my life; at one point I wanted to be a marine biologist until I realized how much school that would take. Then I wanted to be a wildlife photographer until I realized how dangerous that would be.

Then I wanted to be an artist (mostly photography) and have my own gallery. I pretty much gave up on that since it would be a lot of work and little money. Then I figured I'd try wedding/portait photography instead; I did that for a while and liked it, but got burned out. I tried wedding planning for a bit on the side and that was fun for a bit, but I really just wanted to do more from home.

So I got into some website/graphic design and web management and I enjoy that, especially since I get to work from home and stay with my dogs. It would be even more awesome if I made more money :bblol: But I am happy with what I do and I still get to be a part of weddings here with you guys :)

DH and I use to talk about opening a bar one day, but the more we talked about it we realized it would be more work that it would be worth.

DH wants to get to a place where he personally doesn't have to work as hard and can let others do it for him and still bring in the big bucks ;)

[ikkin510]

I went straight into the job world too, b/c at the time I couldn't fathom going to school for another four years especially as I don't know what my major would be and didn't like the idea of taking classes that had nothing to do with that particular field of study.


You totally just explained me. I couldn't see spending all the money on a higher education when I didn't know what I wanted to do.
My dream job is a stay at home mom. So anything I would have decided to go to school for would have just been something I settled on.
Thankfully we are lucky enough to be able to afford for me to be a SAHM now. Yeah, money is kinda tight at times, but it's worth it in my eyes!

[saltyveruca]

Wow, really? I've never heard of this. I'll do some research, though. Thanks so much!

This will help: http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/ (Troops to Teachers)

I recently had to write about them, so I know that alternative certification programs for ex-military and even regular people with a college degree are EVERYWHERE. Every single state I profiled has one, and it's generally just a matter of finding the educational resources your dad needs.

And for the original question? I am currently working a couple of dream jobs. :winktongue: Although, it would be wonderful to become a destination wedding photographer. Or travel photographer. I would *not* want to be a wedding planner, although we sometimes end up turning into day of coordinators anyway.

Even though I have a dream job(s), sometimes I miss the corporate world. I know, it's weird, but I miss office friends, stability, dressing up every day. I wouldn't trade in my current career to go back, but I do think it was fun while it lasted.

[Scrwballsgrl]

You totally just explained me. I couldn't see spending all the money on a higher education when I didn't know what I wanted to do.
My dream job is a stay at home mom. So anything I would have decided to go to school for would have just been something I settled on.
Thankfully we are lucky enough to be able to afford for me to be a SAHM now. Yeah, money is kinda tight at times, but it's worth it in my eyes!
I would love to be a SAHM one day! I got to have some kids first:biggrin: though,
and I kinda worry bc Fh has insurance through his job but its too expensive to add me on....I have insurance throuhg where I work now, and while its not a career its a good steady job that I could retire from w/good benefits in 22more years. So I know I would get whatever the norm is for maternity leave(? 3 weeks?) bt wondered if I could save up time on my vacation too and that way maybe have a whole month off with the baby (whenever we do have one) I would love to stay at home with kids but just dont know if we'll be able to afford that financially or health wise(Fh is a diabetic so monthly med's are kinda expensive w/o insurance). Oh well I guess we've got a while to get this figured out before we have too worry to much:)

[saltyveruca]

Oh, I forgot...I do have a fantasy job that probably won't come true.

I would LOVE to own a brewery. Especially right now. Craft beer is an awesome place to be. My husband homebrews, but we'd have to give up on photography to do it professionally, and...that's just not going to happen.

[acidcookie]

I know they say you should GO For your dream job rather than settling, but mine has a pretty steep talent requirement. I want to play for movie soundtracks in a group like the London Symphony Orchestra (they did the music for Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Queen, and Moulin Rouge, among many many many other big movies).

I'm in a symphony right now and I'm not bad, but I am by no means good enough for that. I used to be a music major and left because to make it as a professional violinist you need mad talent to beat out the major competition. Practicing for 4 hours a day was already a burn out for me. It became an awful chore instead of a fabulous release.

Photography rocks too, but not as much as music, and I don't want to make it a full career.

So I'm on my way to being a social science researcher. I decided social psychology was fascinating back when I was 13. Then again I also wish I were a "real" scientist of the chemistry, physics, or biology arena. Too many ambitions.

[NurseLau84]

I give SAHM's a lot of credit. I could never do it. My mom (a mother of 5) always described it as "the toughest job you'll ever do without getting paid for it"..!

My mother always pushed education on us because now, into her late 40's and divorced, she is regretting not finishing college (just as my dad is regretting never having gone). I know she doesn't regret being home with us, but she and many other women I know who have been SAHM's have pointed out, what happens if you get divorced? You have nothing to fall back on, little skills, and no career to support yourself and your children.

So, FWIW, while I think being there for your children is of the utmost importance, I think building a career for yourself sets a good example for kids and is security for them and yourself.

Just my opinion, though. To each his (or her) own! :chimp:

[amisteratwisterandme]

I would love to be a professional photographer. I think it would be fun to concentrate on doing pics with people and their furry family; horses, dogs, cats and the like.

[Piedpiper522]

I'm actually doing my dream job right now, I own my own training facility and work with horses full time. It's great! More animal interaction then people interaction, I set my own hours, an don't have to answer to anybody. :) So at the moment I wouldn't trade this for anything. Though like saltyveruca said, I do occasionally miss the stability of a "normal" job (I managed a pharmacy before doing this), getting a paycheck every week, having set hours, etc. I still would not want to go back to that!

However, I don't plan on doing this forever, and I would absolutely looooooooove to be a book editor! Weird I know! People are always asking me to proofread short stories, papers, novels etc. I love it!

I've also dabbled in photography but don't think I could make a career out of it, because I think for me the fun would be sucked out of it by "having" to do it!

[MrsDM]

I am closer to my dream job than I ever thought I would be. I've been a legal assistant the last 3 years, roughly. Paralegal jobs by me are really hard to get because you have to have a lot of experience and the people in those positions, don't really let them go. Plus, secretaries/assistants are able to do most of the work cheaper.

Anyways, my boss and I are in the process of considering a new firm and I would be a paralegal with my own office, potentially. That has been my dreak for awhile. Who knows what will happen! Ideally, I would like to be an attorney, but I don't have the dedication to go to school that long or the really long hours away from family.

[WBandMe]

SAHM for me. My parents divorced when I was a baby and even though my mom was fortunate enough to only have to work part time, I still grew up with constant babysitters. I in no way blame my mom, but that's not what I want for my kids. Education has always been a huge priority for me so I'm still getting my degree, and I'll work a few years, but the goal is definitely to be home with my babies someday.

[ChibiAiChan]

I am totally doing my dream job right now! I am nannying for 3 families right now. The babies are so sweet! I will be with them until they go to preschool. Eventually I would like to have my own, either I will take my children with me or I will be staying home with them. Being a mom has always been my #1 job!!! I'm not there yet though, lol

[sandy03]

I have two dream jobs - to be a stay at home mom and to be a pediatric chaplain. I'm finishing up my Master's of Divinity this year and in the process of getting ordained, but I still have to do a year of specialized training to be a chaplain called Clinical Pastoral Education. I'll also have to serve a local church for a few years and then get an endorsement from my denomination before I can get a job as a chaplain, but I think I can make it happen one of these days! It'll totally be worth it!

[tortoisegirl]

I'm in my dream job now. Went to college for it and got lucky and landed a job right after college. I work with the safety of aircraft modifications and repairs at a small company. There are a lot of opportunities for me, I already have a fair amount of responsibility, and it's a fun work environment.

[ktmb34]

well i went to beauty school and i'm a licensed hair dresser, but i've realize i don't LOVE that. I went back to school for a semester, but hated it, so I'm working a great job now. My ultimate dream job is to be a mom. Working mom, stay at home mom, anything. :)

[70707Bride]

I just work 2 part time jobs right now. There are very little decent jobs here. I went to college for music business because I wanted to be an artist manager. Still do kinda, but can't around here. Before I met DH, my friend and I were planning on the same thing, moving away after college to find a job in the music business. Well I sacrificed that to stay here and get married. I think it would be neat to start my own little mgt company here and just work with local bands. That would be just on the side if I did.

I've been out of college for a year now, and have been thinking of going back. Not sure what it would be for. I've considered going to the comm college for their 2 yr accounting degree; early childhood education, though that is one of the last things I ever planned on, I think it would be fun; human services or something with special needs. It doesn't really matter right now because we really could not afford for me to go back to college right now, unless I got grants lol.

Chris has been thinking of going back for a masters degree but if we stay around here, it wouldn't really pay off. These are all just thoughts for right now, though I do kinda miss college...eek! did I say that?!

Wow, my career ideas are all over the place aren't they?! Lol. I just don't know what I want now.

[mitch]

I always wanted to write books. I have written a Biography on AC/DC but don't have the balls to push it to print. I did it more as something to pass the time. (Was in a very dull and unhappy Marriage at the time)
DH tells Me i should get it published and some of My Poetry too. But the fear of rejection has put Me off for years.

The job i do at the moment isn't exactly glamorous but i do enjoy doing it. I know cleaning Bathrooms and Bedrooms in a Hotel isn't top of most lists. But i do enjoy working with the public. And making a fuss over others. I take great pride in how My rooms are laid out. Everything "Just So". Slightly OCD i know lol.
I have been told by Friends who have stayed at Our house that i am the "Host With The Most" :) One Friend flew in from Australia for Four Weeks and enjoyed staying so much He ended up staying for Six Weeks. Then returned the following year.

I also enjoy looking after DH and Our home. I'm just a fussy moo. hehe

[70707Bride]

I always wanted to write books. I have written a Biography on AC/DC but don't have the balls to push it to print. I did it more as something to pass the time. (Was in a very dull and unhappy Marriage at the time)
DH tells Me i should get it published and some of My Poetry too. But the fear of rejection has put Me off for years.



When I was in high school, my friend and I put some poems on www.poetry.com (http://www.poetry.com) lol. Check the site out if you want.

[Nekochanpurr]

When i was younger i wanted to make my own comics.. Then i wanted to be an animator. Or i wanted to design characters for video games or tv shows. Then i realized my art sucked. :D

My dreams went down the toliet. I do want to be a house mommy someday. But that'll never happen.

So.. My dream is to make money and be stable. Well, maybe just work full time at Kroger. Not gunna aim too high.. Thats how you disappoint yourself. =P

[RevMatty]

Already doing my dream job:)

[RosieAngel]

I'd really like to be a special education teacher, but the pay is so bad for the amount of work and emotional investment involved that I can't really justify doing it as a lifelong career. :purplex:

Right now, I'm a student assistant/office goddess for the Disabled Students department at my college. In addition to clerical tasks, I make braille and Kurzweil books for the blind and dyslexic to use. I also TA in a class for stroke victims that helps them regain their memories and brainpower. I love it, but I know that as soon as I'm no longer a student, it will be time for me to move on.

[NurseLau84]

Since I started this thread, maybe I should add in my response to the question, lol. :)

My dream job is to do be a Nurse Practitioner and work in the womens health/OBGYN field. Right now I am a few semesters away from graduating with my BSN. After graduation, I'll take the NCLEX-RN (licensing exam) and hopefully find a full time position as a staff RN in one of the larger hospitals nearby. I'm hoping to take advantage of tuition reimbursement that most hospitals offer and continue on for a MSN (w/ concentration in nurse practitioner) within 2 years of working as a RN.

[Ninedays9]

What I think would be really fun to do is write plays. I took a drama writing class in college and absolutely loved it. But once the class ended, and I had no one to read my plays and comment on them... I stopped writing them. I don't think I'd be good enough to actually get a play published or whatever the word is for plays. But it was a lot of fun to write the ones that I did.