I promised somebody a while ago that I’d list out some of the jobs I want to try some day, so here they are! Only 6 months late ;) I’m not sure how, or when, I’ll get the chance to try them all out, but in a perfect world I’ll eventually get to them – even if I don’t need the money. There’s something about each of these that just fascinates the pants off me. So the more I can try out, the better!
The 10 jobs I’d like to try some day – in no particular order:
- Starbucks Barista. What a shocker, right? It’s not like I have a whole category dedicated to them or anything ;) Or that I grand inquisitioned an employee just for a blog post.
- Bartender. I guess it seems I like serving people drinks. Haha…but seriously, how COOL would this be? Mixing my love of beer with my love for people? And bars! And night life!
- Barnes & Noble employee. There’s something calming about this to me. Being surrounded by all those books and happy coffee drinkers.
- Garbage Man (Waste Management Worker?). I think jumping on those trucks and working outside like that would be refreshing. Not in smell, of course, but just working my muscles and getting all manly. It’s much easier to explain than blogging for a living too.
- Nurse. Just call me the next Gaylord Focker! I would love to make a difference in someone’s life, and workin’ at a hospital seems to be a great way to do that.
- The Bachelor. Haha….the wife added this one in. Apparently I say my thoughts out loud during every show ;)
Full-Time Blogger.It’s getting closer every month! (I’m doing this now!!! WOO!!!)- Banker. I know this might get boring overtime, but I REALLY really want to be a banker one day. In fact, it would be cool to start at the very bottom (not sure what position that is?) and then work my way up through the ranks. I bet I’d learn a helluva lot.
- Professional Poker Player. Or even decent poker player for that matter :) I don’t have to be as good as my friend, but it would be cool to be able to live off my winnings.
Charity Founder.This is the newest one on the list, inspired by a few recent events and life ponderings. If I could pull this off I’d be very impressed with myself. (DONE! We launched Love Drop! (not a charity, but damn close))
So yeah, we’ll see what happens down the road, but we have enough to keep us busy that’s for sure. Figured I could always shoot for a “one job a week” project under the premise of writing a book or something too ;) Maybe even a blog series? I bet I could finagle that if I really tried hard enough.
How about you guys? Any fun or interesting jobs on your to-do list?
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You and I have very similar lists, J. I’ve actually done the barista thing a couple times and, perhaps not surprisingly, it was fun. There are days I’d happily trade corporate drudgery for steaming some milk. That or full-time blogging, of course!
That list looks pretty similar to mine, J. Get out of my head! LOL. I have been a starbucks barista, and it is a pretty awesome job. I totally recommend it as a side hustle!
My Father, a physicist, took a break from his career and went to work at a bookstore. Same reason as you, it was such a calm atmosphere. Unfortunately for him his boss was not. It was one of his most stressful jobs!
Very good list that mirrors some things I would lke to do one day. Especially the bartender one.
Here are a few to add:
-Part time Blogger: Trying to get up to your level!
-Independent financial planner: Imagine people paying you to make them money?
-Sports Talk Radio Host: This would be my dream to sit there and argue and debate with people all day!
-Sports Team Front Office Intern: I have dreamed to somehow work for a sports team, I wouldn’t mind starting at the bottom and paying my dues. Its how Boston Red Sox’s Theo Epstein started!
Race car driver… F1 and NASCAR.
CIA Operative
President of the USA
Fighter Pilot
Well I would do everything else before the banker bit! Absolute bottom is teller in most banks but you definitely learn how to work with the public. It’s just about like being a CSR in Wal-Mart or Target.
I would like to be a floor trader at the NYSE! That seems very high stress so wouldn’t want to do it long, but I think there can’t be a better place to learn how “the market” really works.
Mine is much more of a Dream, but I have always wanted to be in the special forces. I have NO idea why, I have never even shot a gun nor ran long distances, and hell I am a loud breather so I think hiding would be out too. But for some reason I Love it! I always watch those specials on the subject.
Oh Welcome to WP
I’m a Banker! I’ve been in banking for 6 years. J, the “bottom” would be considered a Teller, but I loved that job. I did it for 3 years before moving into a Personal Banker position. The only downside about being a Teller is balancing, but if you can stay in balance with your cash drawer on most nights, you’ll be good. The Banker position is far more stressful with all sorts of sales goals to hit. If you aren’t good at sales, it’s not a job for you. Some banks are different. All the big banks are going to expect their Bankers to hit certain goals and sell certain products. Smaller, local banks or credit unions may have very small goals, but the main focus will be on customer service. My favorite part of being a Banker is just helping people. I don’t like to product push and I’ve built a very loyal list of clients who work with me over and over again because I’ve helped them in the past when they’ve had problems, identity theft, overdraft fees (not a fun part) etc. That is my favorite part: helping people and making their day less stressful. I definitely reccommend starting as a Teller, though. You have to have a respect for the Teller position before being a Banker. Honestly, after three years of being a Banker, I’d love to be a Teller again. It seems so easy now compared to being a Banker.
I’m actually disappointed… in all my years in banking, the only time my branch was robbed was on my day off four years ago. When I leave my job in about a month, I won’t have any robbery stories to tell. :( But, there are a lot of WEIRD people in the world. Most people don’t know sh*t about money or personal finance. It’s sad.
As far as my dream jobs, here are a few:
– Starbucks (or any kind of cafe) Barista
– Nordstrom Sales Girl (I just love the clothes!)
– Hairstylist
– Supermodel (okay, not tall enough for that, but a girl can dream, right?!)
#1 is definitely on my list. There is something comforting, other than the sugary warm milk, about going to Starbucks when I’m having a bad day and getting something made just for me; it makes me feel special. And I know that I’m not the only person that feels this way, people like that are why I’d want to be a barista. Plus the offer health insurance and a retirement account.
#3 is also on my list. If nothing else, I’d get a discount on one of my addictions.
My childhood dream was to be a hairstylist and to work at Long’s Drugs (now CVS). Then I wanted to be a teacher because both my parents are teachers. Then I wanted to be a chef because one of my friends in high school was applying to culinary school…and a school librarian in college because another friend was applying to library school.
Congratulations on the successful move; I like the new layout.
i wanna be a flight attendant, a job which combines my forte – customer service; and what I want to do – travel (for free).
I already work in my dream field in general (public relations), and I’m happily serving the public, rather than working in the more high-stress private sector.
But what I really want to do is focus on emergency communications. My office occasionally is tapped to help with large-scale incidents (floods, tornados, H1N1…) and that is, by far, my favorite thing to do. Someday I want to do wildland fires… but I have a lot of weight to lose before that one – apparently I need to be able to run. :-)
Wow, this is a fun exercise. Thanks. It’s something that really makes me sit back and think for a while.
J,
That is a pretty extensive list you have there…I must say I am feeling about 9 out of 10. Banker, not so much…but Veterinarian DEFINITELY! I must say though, that Tom’s CIA Op sounds like a pretty exciting gig :)
Right now, I am working on my freelancing and actually gearing up to head to Vet School in the near future…if I can keep those dastardly grades up :)
LOL that is so funny you wrote this post because 1,2,3, and 7 are some of my life dreams once I become financially secure. My boyfriend thinks I am absolutely crazy for wanting to do these things but I have always want to at least try them one day.
I hope that one day both of our dreams get to come true. I am working hard on the blogger part but the other ones are kind of out of reach right now. Good Luck.
I guess I’m surprised that anyone would CHOOSE to be a “waste manager.” I agree bartender would be a fun job. Oddly, I’ve had a desire to be a gym teacher–and I was awful at gym while I was in school. But rather than subjecting students to the tortures of dodgeball, I’d want to actually teach them fitness skills and activities (yoga, running, power walking, aerobics, weight training) they could use for the rest of their lives.
A list of ten, that’s unbelievable. I could could do all things. I think your list reflects your personality. It show the right mindset for passion seekers – not job seekers.
I want to be a charity founder as well. I have actually been toying around with that and starting my own t-shirt company with my sister…we’re the weird ones who went to our college football games in our handmade t-shirts, had a side hustle going on. lol.
@David – Mmmmm….blogging full-time…
@Investing Newbie – Saweet! Another encouragement for the Starbucks route, gotta like that.
@Molly On Money – Oh wow, yeah that’s no good…at least with Barnes & Noble and the like you can hopefully just xfer out to another down the street and see if you have better luck ;)
@Doctor S – Ooooh i like the way you think, sir. I’m not a huge baseball/basketball fan, but I’d love a job w/ the ‘Skins! Maybe they’ll actually WIN w/ me as their intern? I’ll help them manage all that money, and in turn they’ll be happy w/ all their investment increases and will play at their best every week!
@tom – You want to be Barack Obama? Hah! You must love stress…
@Brian – I would like to work the floors too actually, good call :)
@Evan – Haha yeah i hear ya…I once applied to be in the secret service cuz I liked the way it sounded, but mid-way through round 2 I realized i’m probably not the best person to secure our important buildings here. I’m way to A.D.D. to sit still and behave.
@Heather – Teller, eh? I could do that :) I worked CSR at a major airlines so customers couldn’t be worse than that…in NYC even! I love customer service. And I’m actually pretty damn good with sales, but I just haaaaaaate it, so I guess branch manager or banker is out of the question for the long run…although ya never know….thanks for sharing! that was actually going to be my next question to you – if you ever got held up! it is kinda dangerous I suppose.
@Kitchen Penguin – Exactly, Starbucks has great benefits from what I hear…would be a perfect gig to have on the side and still have time to do blogging/writing/other projects. I like how you change your mind all the time too – you’re in good company :)
@Ciawy – I worked for the airlines and it was AWESOME for travel benefits! The pay is $hit, but if you could hustle on the side and bring in more you’ll have plenty to enjoy while out traveling around the world ;) I wasn’t a flight attendant (more like a ticket agent), but everyone shares in the benefits….you got me missing it now!
@A. Moore – Hahahahaha….maybe working fires will help you get into better shame too?! :)
@thisisbeth – glad you enjoyed…let us know if you come up with any yourself.
@Sal – Yeah dog, do it! Always best to follow your passion if you can get away with it.
@Fashion Without Guilt – All in due time my friend :) We’ll check them off someday.
@Stella – I’ve heard Waste Managers make a crap ton of money too actually. Would certainly be a nice perk! I like the way you think about teaching gym too, I wonder if any schools do go w/ yoga and the like these days?
@harvestwages – Well, ask me in 10 years if I did any of them ;)
@lenciB – Yeah! T-shirt business, that would be another of mine too thx for reminding me :) You guys should totally do both, and then let me know what NOT to do. haha…or maybe our charities can partner up together?
A banker?! noooo…. LOL
I have worked different positions at the bank- teller, teller supervisor, banker, office manager, etc. It is definitely interesting but gets old after awhile. Let’s trade lives for a day! :)
What an awesome idea for a post!
Without a doubt: Professional Tennis player! Play an amazing game all around the world and make bank!
But a more down to earth answer: Doctor, SomeTing that has to do with reggae and promoting it. While living in either San Diego or Miami :)
As crazy as it sounds, I’ve never made up a list of these kinds of things. I have things I’d like to “do” but not jobs I’d like to work at. But why not?? A job takes up so much time in our lives we might as well enjoy it!
I’d LOVE to be a barista (though I gave up coffee as a New Year’s resolution this year. haha. I’m still going with it too but we’ll see how it goes!)
I’d like to work as a personal assistant for a celebrity one day. Or as their financial planner. =)
Maybe work in Nashville and help promote bands and eventually become a band manager? Or just a roadie. ;-)
That’s a few!
OOoooo I love make believe like this
1) Bookstore employee – totally would be amazing to be around books all day…that new book smell. mmmm
2) Bank – counting/rolling money. just something theraputic
3) Taster at a maple sugar /fudge factory
4) Nail polish/lipstick/paint swatch namer….curled up all day drinking coffee, staring at a colour and thinking ‘ooo shall we call this sultry saffron?????????? or fresh cut lawn green??? or angel hair pasta ecru?
5) Phone……………………………..Operator (VBEG) ok ok I couldn’t do this but I’m told I have a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry good phone voice :P
@J
haha… nahhh, not Obama himself…but I would have the highest approval rating ever, that I promise you!
Vote for me!!
I’d like to work on a cruise ship in a gift shop for a year, and I’d like to work in a vineyard in Australia for a while just for fun. During my spare time I would travel and just get away from the regular hustle and bustle of “normal” life.
I want to many of those same things. And the jobs in the comments are even better. Adding these to my bucket list.
FYI: I was a garbage lady for a day during a internship and it was AWESOME!! Not something that I have the strength to do everyday (lifting heavy trash cans is HARD!) But it was so much fun and fulfilling. Especially taking everything to dump at the end of the day….what a sense of accomplishment.
I’d be interested to work as a social media specialist on a political campaign or congressional staff.
I’d add farmer, baker and in-home assistant to the handicapped (best translation I can think of from the French)
Interestingly, when I was recently asking some questions and doing a little research on different careers here in France (I’m starting completely over), people consistently dissuade me from anything ‘hands on’ because I have an ‘education.’ Or because I’m ‘intelligent’ or because ‘ew, it’s hand’s on.’ After sitting at a desk long enough, hand’s on starts to sound more interesting!
You know, I worked at a Barnes and Nobles for about a year. Yeah, it’s okay–especially for a hard core reader like myself–but you gotta remember that most of your time is helping people that ask, “Umm…I’m looking for a book….um, I don’t know the name, but I would know it if I saw it. It has a red cover. Can you show me where the red covered books are?”
Seriously.
What I think you want to do is work at some small indy bookshop. You could have great conversations with the regulars and if you recommend something you like they might even buy it.
I love the list!
I’m already a banker (financial planner) and I am a 1/5 of a full time blogger (I work only 4 days a week as a banker ;-) ). I would love to be a bartender as well… but I would cost a lot to the bar ;-)
here are some other thoughts:
1- Paramedic (the one who drives off course!)
2- Restaurant/Bar owner (just to throw in some crazy parties!)
3- When I was young, my dream job was to be cashier in a video club to watch movies and play video games all day.
4- Pizza delivery guy
Drive a NYC subway train. That would be the cap on the head of my life!
Jeffrey
@Mrs. Money – Haha, okay! Would love to do that actually.
@myfinancialobjectives – We could create a hot dog stand down there and live it up on the beach? :)
@Meghan Fife – Oh yeah, totally forgot about a celeb’s assistant! I want to do that too soooo bad! I kinda sorta did back in my NYC days, but only for 3 weeks as an intern. I had to do some pretty random stuff (pick up mcdonalds with VERY specific toppings, take fancy cars to go wake her up in the morning and wait there until she gets out of bed and ready (she was not good at that), and much more that I can’t remember at this very moment)
@jolie – Haha….that’s okay, I once considered starting an escort service ;) A purely non-sexual one, but after some research I realized that it probably wouldn’t be worth it. Unless I didn’t want to make money.
@tom – Count on it buddy, 1 vote down just 10million+ more! (i just made up that number…no idea how many you’d actually need)
@Pam – Yes yes yes! Cruise ship and Winery would go on my top 20 list too! Great ones.
@Monica – What?! You were?! You are awesooooooooooome!!! Wow, very impressed my friend. I might have to call you up one day and get more from ya.
@Keith @ LifeTuner – Those would be fun :)
@Simple in France – Hands on usually does seem more rewarding, doesn’t it? The farmer one would be cool….for a day. haha….I’m not so good at waking up in the morning, esp in the winter and/or if I had to do work asap.
@Becky – Wait, so where *are* the red ones? ;)
@The Financial Blogger – For some reason I’ve been wanting to be a pizza delivery guy too lately….I think it’s because Brad @ Enemy of Debt & Jeff @ Deliver Away Debt (hah!) do that… or used to, I think Brad stopped. But they make bank doing it!
@Jeffrey Fass – Specific! haha…I can see that though.
My wife would kill me for saying this (since she is one) but I’d love to have summers off as a teacher. I liked tutoring so I’d probably like teaching. But what other job fives you the summers off??
Great topic!
Hmmm….
Dog trainer
Psychiatrist
Zoo keeper (elephants/chimps/gorillas)
Painter
Carpenter
Flea market seller
Book reviewer
Archaeologist
Rock star (lead guitarist or drummer)
Wow, that’s one neat excercise. It really made me sit back and think. A very nice post — you’ve got quite a bit on your list ;)
Here’s mine:
Photographer
Full-time Blogger — Get to work from home :)
One job I would like to try is Professional Beach Volleyball Player. But alas, I am not 6 feet tall. As far as Barnes and Noble employee, I tried that part-time because I love books. What a mistake. You might want to scratch this off your list.
@Darwin’s Finance – I like the way you think. You could also become a Principal and call your wife into detention! (what?)
@donkee – Haha… I wonder if it’s physically possible to pull off each of those in one lifetime? ;)
@Austin – Or better yet, a full-time photography blogger!
@Carmie of the Single Nester – Haha…I’m 6 ft and used to play varsity volleyball in high school, wanna switch? (but then you’d have to become a man too, not sure if you’d be up for that)
Aha — that’s interesting J Money — Full-time photography blogger :)
I’m partial to the Charity Founder one. ;)
Plus the decent poker player one. Dude, seriously – how about both? It could happen…
It can – starting tomorrow ;)
What fun!
I used to be a hairstylist. It’s very hard on the feet and back, plus too many stinky chemicals, back in the day of perms especially.
This year, I’ve taken a year leave from my job as a university program coordinator to teach school on a Cree reserve in northern Canada. I’m learning a LOT and enjoying teaching more than I expected.
Things I’d try if money & ability weren’t issues:
Florist
Chef
Frugal & Healthy cooking teacher
Science journalist
Travel writer
Restaurant reviewer (skulking around eating gourmet food in disguise — cool!)
Marriage counselor
Movie director
Personal trainer / yoga instructor
Carpenter
Glass blower
Hah! For some reason “carpenter” stands out from the bunch :) But VERY COOL you took a year leave from your job to pursue something you are passionate about!!! I love hearing that.
Best Buy associate…..they get a killer discount!
It’s not exactly #4, being a garbage man, but you could clean up trash outside commercial properties like I’ve been doing since 1981. It’s almost as easy to do as going for a walk and the money’s great too! You shared my story last year.
Oh I remember! Still one of my favorite side hustles we’ve shared here!
(Here it is for anyone who missed it: https://budgetsaresexy.com/how-to-make-money-picking-up-trash-parking-lots/ )