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What is your dream job/salary?
- Thread starter Dodgeman
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I don't really like working from home. I prefer to be in the office.
If you and your girlfriend ever break up, let me know. I have a daughter just a short train ride away...
Me too! This is why you'll find me at school pretty much all year round.
Save a lot of money. Wouldn't need a car, or clothes. Just the internet. You would be stuck in the house all day.
Interesting that this came up.
I just had a shot at my dream job. When I came out of college, I would have done ANYTHING to land this job. If I could have written my dream position description, this was it. About a month ago, the opportunity came back around.
I interviewed twice and got the offer last week. Pay increase. Different state.
I've come to depend on the flexibility of my current position. I love the people I work with and I'm in a really stable place. Giving that up to start over in a private sector, 8 to 5 in a new state - that's a tough decision, one of the toughest I've ever made.
I turned it down. It's funny how the dream job of your 20's isn't necessarily the dream job of your 40's. What's important to you changes. It's not all about money.
I just had a shot at my dream job. When I came out of college, I would have done ANYTHING to land this job. If I could have written my dream position description, this was it. About a month ago, the opportunity came back around.
I interviewed twice and got the offer last week. Pay increase. Different state.
I've come to depend on the flexibility of my current position. I love the people I work with and I'm in a really stable place. Giving that up to start over in a private sector, 8 to 5 in a new state - that's a tough decision, one of the toughest I've ever made.
I turned it down. It's funny how the dream job of your 20's isn't necessarily the dream job of your 40's. What's important to you changes. It's not all about money.
What one might consider "dream" jobs can differ over time.
When I was at school, or a teenager, and later a student, there were a number of things I wanted to do in terms of job, or career, and equally, there were some I was emphatically clear that I never wished to do.
For example, I always wanted to work at things that interest me, matters that include the study and research and analysis of history, politics, culture and so on, something where I would use my mind. Actually, I always wanted to be in a work world where I would be intellectually challenged, and stretched, and would learn new things on a regular basis.
And - even as a small child - I always wanted to travel and see the world. Mind you, I never realised that I would develop a taste for adventure, - and perhaps, even danger at times - as well.
I also wanted to see history unfold before my eyes, and write and think about that, and I wanted to see how political matters worked at close quarters.
I remember how, at 14, I knew I wanted to write at least one history book, and I knew what I wanted it to be about.
Now, in middle age, I realise that I have done many of these things.
For years, I was a university teacher of history and politics - my first few years teaching, (and I was an excellent teacher), I couldn't get over my almost speechless joy at the fact that people (or universities) were paying me to talk about, research, write about the very stuff that so fascinated and thrilled me. Imagine being paid (granted, not that much) to do what you love.
When an opportunity arose to see history unfold in front of your eyes, by travelling to war zones or places torn apart by conflict, when they were beginning the painful process of putting themselves back together, often, after years of conflict - a process often marked by the holding of elections - as an election observer or monitor (or supervisor), (and yes, I was - and am - an elections specialist, I taught election systems), I applied and my foreign ministry recruited me at a time when 90% of the staff working in such environments were male.
So, I'm an academic who has sort of strayed into public service.
Anyway, I've been doing some version of that work - even more intensively - for the past 20 years and have visited and worked in some of the most extraordinary places on the planet; for ten years, I could marry that world with my life and work as an academic - the real world providing stunning examples which stupefied students, while the analytical structure academia had taught me lent me a credibility in my new work.
As a university teacher, I wrote the book I had wanted to write as a 14 year old; it was published, nominated for awards, received excellent reviews and sold very well (for a history book).
So, to a large extent, I have had - or held - a number of my dream jobs.
Money was never my god, or my goal, but in some of my more recent posts, I have been rather well remunerated.
[doublepost=1528561806][/doublepost]
Excellent post and how very true.
When I was at school, or a teenager, and later a student, there were a number of things I wanted to do in terms of job, or career, and equally, there were some I was emphatically clear that I never wished to do.
For example, I always wanted to work at things that interest me, matters that include the study and research and analysis of history, politics, culture and so on, something where I would use my mind. Actually, I always wanted to be in a work world where I would be intellectually challenged, and stretched, and would learn new things on a regular basis.
And - even as a small child - I always wanted to travel and see the world. Mind you, I never realised that I would develop a taste for adventure, - and perhaps, even danger at times - as well.
I also wanted to see history unfold before my eyes, and write and think about that, and I wanted to see how political matters worked at close quarters.
I remember how, at 14, I knew I wanted to write at least one history book, and I knew what I wanted it to be about.
Now, in middle age, I realise that I have done many of these things.
For years, I was a university teacher of history and politics - my first few years teaching, (and I was an excellent teacher), I couldn't get over my almost speechless joy at the fact that people (or universities) were paying me to talk about, research, write about the very stuff that so fascinated and thrilled me. Imagine being paid (granted, not that much) to do what you love.
When an opportunity arose to see history unfold in front of your eyes, by travelling to war zones or places torn apart by conflict, when they were beginning the painful process of putting themselves back together, often, after years of conflict - a process often marked by the holding of elections - as an election observer or monitor (or supervisor), (and yes, I was - and am - an elections specialist, I taught election systems), I applied and my foreign ministry recruited me at a time when 90% of the staff working in such environments were male.
So, I'm an academic who has sort of strayed into public service.
Anyway, I've been doing some version of that work - even more intensively - for the past 20 years and have visited and worked in some of the most extraordinary places on the planet; for ten years, I could marry that world with my life and work as an academic - the real world providing stunning examples which stupefied students, while the analytical structure academia had taught me lent me a credibility in my new work.
As a university teacher, I wrote the book I had wanted to write as a 14 year old; it was published, nominated for awards, received excellent reviews and sold very well (for a history book).
So, to a large extent, I have had - or held - a number of my dream jobs.
Money was never my god, or my goal, but in some of my more recent posts, I have been rather well remunerated.
[doublepost=1528561806][/doublepost]
Excellent post and how very true.
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I swear I thought this would be a thread by hieveryone (it doesn't show the username on the sidebar in the front page).
My god you were already like this as a child
I’m a clinical pharmacist in a hospital, which means I consult patients, docs, and other medical staff on medications, optimize drug therapy, etc. I also have a stake in a healthcare related company.
Whether I make what I make now or $10m/yr again my only goal is to live comfortably and I would hope my lifestyle doesn’t change too much. The goal isn’t to rachet up my income at every turn, it’s to enjoy what I do. In fact, I’ve been offered at least a couple jobs over the past couple years with higher pay but turned them down because I knew I wouldn’t enjoy those positions.
[doublepost=1528568108][/doublepost]
Hahahha. Well, I wouldn’t want to keep her waiting. The GF and I are very happily not-married for the time being- despite all the pressure (particuarly from the remaining grandparents).
I don't know about salary, but my dream job is to be a professor of linguistics at a prestigious university. I long for the life of academia and letters. I want to research ancient languages and look at dusty old books. And inspire young minds, of course.
Currently I'm a college student and I work at the university library, as well as the public library in town. I have also worked at the campus bookstore. I have a theme going, you see.
Currently I'm a college student and I work at the university library, as well as the public library in town. I have also worked at the campus bookstore. I have a theme going, you see.
My god you were already like this as a child
Yes, I was. Very much so.
I was that quiet bespectacled nerd - you know the type, but they are considered less typical, or usual, if female.
In primary school, teachers used to give me books - on science, history - other interesting things, that (I now realise) were a few years ahead of what I was supposed to be studying; it kept me quiet, and focussed and interested. Sometimes, they would tell me to take the books home for the week-end.
Books - on castles, dinosaurs, astronomy, space travel, history, travel, countries, - I remember staring at the shape, colours and characteristics of countries in atlases and wondering what they were like and dying to visit them - among many other things - were my constant diet throughout my childhood.
[doublepost=1528570562][/doublepost]
I don't know about salary, but my dream job is to be a professor of linguistics at a prestigious university. I long for the life of academia and letters. I want to research ancient languages and look at dusty old books. And inspire young minds, of course.
Currently I'm a college student and I work at the university library, as well as the public library in town. I have also worked at the campus bookstore. I have a theme going, you see.
I lived that life for twenty years, and loved it.
Wow whats the name of the company?? I might need to come there.
Own hotels thats some big $$.
I have to agree things do change with time. Asked me as a kid and I had funny choices.
That job sounds very interesting. (Almost like a pharmacist who leveled up and now consults) & you made 10m a year? I also understand that part about being unhappy, but I would rather be making 100k and unhappy doing the work vs. making 40k and being so happy doing the work. (Although I have experienced this personally, so not 100% how I would feel if in fact this actually happens.)
No, I don’t make $10m a year, I was being hypothetical. If you do some extra residency you get the “clinical” designation.
In your hypothetical situation I don’t think it’s realistic for two similar jobs to have a $60k pay gap.
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I think the perfect job would be boat tester. I wake up each morning to find a new boat at my dock.
I spend a day out on the water and come home at night.
Hmmm.... this ones nice. Wait... the fridge is empty??? Where’s the beer??? Ok... this is the worst boat ever. Pulls drain plugs and let it sink. Writes review. Boat was dry... I fixed it.
I spend a day out on the water and come home at night.
Hmmm.... this ones nice. Wait... the fridge is empty??? Where’s the beer??? Ok... this is the worst boat ever. Pulls drain plugs and let it sink. Writes review. Boat was dry... I fixed it.
Actually, my personal preference is the opposite.
When I was a teacher, I was not well paid, but I loved my work, and I walked on air on my way to teach a class.
Actually, once, I took a salary cut to stay with a boss I liked, respected, and loved working under - just showing up each day was a pure pleasure.
Conversely, I have worked in well paid jobs, in government, or internationally. Some of these are extremely well paid - yes, some have paid the proverbial six figures, but - to my mind - a toxic work environment - and being unhappy - does not compensate for an extremely good salary.
For I am one of those who needs to be happy and challenged and fulfilled in my work.
Tech writer/reviewer
$1m+ p.a.
Quite different to what my dream job would’ve been 20 years ago, which was a Paleo Anthropologist...and no...I’ve never been one of those either.
$1m+ p.a.
Quite different to what my dream job would’ve been 20 years ago, which was a Paleo Anthropologist...and no...I’ve never been one of those either.
As a kid I dreamed of world travel, the poster child for National Geographic, and it came true. After a 21 year career in Special Operations I landed another career in Africa with the United Nations, refer back to the 'poster child'. There were certainly bad moments but the good far out weighed the bad and it gravitated into a very lucrative security business.
This, I get. Because, I did, too.
I vividly remember as a very small child, standing - clutching the armrest of the armchair - beside my mother, who was sitting in an armchair, an open atlas on her knee, explaining, as she turned the pages, the characteristics of certain countries (the boot shape of Italy, the strange name of Hungary 'hungry' - the extraordinary history of the Pharaohs in Egypt, skyscrapers - what a wonderful noun - in San Francisco- mountains, plains, rivers, contours, and so on); I was amazed, stupefied, completely absorbed and stunned into silence as I stared at the turning pages in utter fascination.
There and then, I knew I wanted to see the world that was depicted in this book - I still read atlases with fascination, and, on long flights, I don't watch movies, instead, I watch the flight path - come on, travelling over the Caspian Sea, or Iran, or Khartoum, or Alexandria - this is so incredible and such a privilege - you look out the window and then study the chart in front of you - utterly absorbed.
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Actually, I love atlases so much, and history so much - that one of my bizarre passions is purchasing old maps when funds allow.
I have maps (originals) by Homann and by Ortelius.
Gorgeous (if not entirely accurate by modern standards). But I love this stuff.
I have maps (originals) by Homann and by Ortelius.
Gorgeous (if not entirely accurate by modern standards). But I love this stuff.
Since i was literally old enough to walk, my fascination has been with lighting. Specifically entertainment lighting. I'd play with all the dimmer switches in the house seeing how the lights operated and the looks that could be created, and when my dad would take me to a concert or to something like Sesame Street Live, I'd spend the whole time looking up at the lights. Dad would get pissed that he spent all this money when I didn't watch the show. Spent my high school years in the theater, designing and running lights for the shows. I was led into engineering in college, but quickly dropped out and switched my major to theater production.
And what do I do now in my mid 40s? I play with lights, and program lights. Now, I'm not in my dream job, but it's dream-adjacent. My dream would be to work designing systems and programming in musical theater for the rest of my life, but there's just not much money there unless you make it way up the ladder and work non stop, and you pretty much have to live in NYC. Instead, I worked in corporate events and museum exhibition lighting for years. And now, I work in the film and television industry as a lighting programmer and data tech. It pays quite well; provides a substantial rental income for equipment I own; provides full heath insurance, retirement, and other benefits; and I get multiple free catered meals every day in addition to never-ending snacks and drinks. Pretty hard to not love it.
So, I'm childhood-dream adjacent.
And what do I do now in my mid 40s? I play with lights, and program lights. Now, I'm not in my dream job, but it's dream-adjacent. My dream would be to work designing systems and programming in musical theater for the rest of my life, but there's just not much money there unless you make it way up the ladder and work non stop, and you pretty much have to live in NYC. Instead, I worked in corporate events and museum exhibition lighting for years. And now, I work in the film and television industry as a lighting programmer and data tech. It pays quite well; provides a substantial rental income for equipment I own; provides full heath insurance, retirement, and other benefits; and I get multiple free catered meals every day in addition to never-ending snacks and drinks. Pretty hard to not love it.
So, I'm childhood-dream adjacent.
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