I'm not looking for another job just yet. For newbies and those who don't remember (or care), I took a job as editor at a small weekly newspaper in December, fleeing my corporate advertising digs and returning to news journalism. Sounds romantic, doesn't it?
Well, it puts me in a career pickle. I've already worked at medium and large newspapers, and returning to either doesn't interest me now that I've got a family to spend time with. Where do I go from here? I have time to answer that, but where that answer will come from is vague. As someone who loves surprises, and carefully plans each one, my inquiring mind wants to know now.
Here are some (unlikely) possibilities:
• Cab driver
I don't know where anything is and I refuse to stop to ask for directions.
• Stunt man
It's not a job I find myself falling for.
• Delivery man
My package belongs only to one woman.
• Underwear model
See above. Besides, how much undies could a Suburban Nerdboy sell in this age of the "metrosexual"? I'd have to moisturize all my cheeks.
• Best-selling novelist
Yeah, right. Can of worms time: what to write about, and how do I earn a living as my work languishes in disapproving publishing houses?
• Professional athlete
I know I'm just a kayak away from being in the Olympics, and if I had an aerodynamic bike helmet I'd earn the name T-bone Legstrong.
• Nightclub bouncer
Yeah, it's been a long time since I posted a photo of myself, but I can guarantee I haven't gained 200 pounds of muscle on my manboy frame.
• Rock star
Unless I could record albums and perform concerts in my shower at home, it just ain't gonna happen.
• Garbage collector
This is too much like my current job at the newspaper.
• President of the United States of America
I'm not old enough yet. And there are a few other reasons.
• Cowboy
I don't like horses much. Or what they leave behind.
• Police officer
A noble profession, for sure, but the wife won't let me.
• Doctor
The though of guts (and paying for medical school) makes me want to barf.
• Teacher
Can't afford to take a pay cut. And what's with having to go back to school myself to get teacher certification?
• Umpire
Hey, my eyesight is already failing so I'd be a shoo-in. But working nights is a bummer (been there, don't wanna).
• Carpet cleaner
Being a borderline neat-freak, it would bring me joy to bring clean floors to the masses. But that's too much work, yo.
The search continues, I guess. For now, this place makes me as happy as a job can. It's a lot of work (which reminds me, I should be doing some now).
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Actually, I really like my job. Yes, I am the one.
Looks like you might want to stay with the job you have till you come up with a better idea, although some of your ideas were really great
So--is there a reason you're in a career pickle? Is change imminent -- or are you just thinking about lining up your next job? I know you may not want to go back to the type of places you've worked before -- but, things could be different the 2nd time around. Kinda like going back home can work the 2nd time around. ;)
One more quick (yeah, right) comment... I was thinking about my career last night -- and it's frightening. I've been in my field exactly half as many years as I've been living. Isn't that just freakin' crazy? I'm way too young to have put this many years in my industry.
I'm sure you'll find your way. How about doing comic strips. You'd be great. You crack me up!
When I grow up, I want to be a psychologist. But as you said, I don't want to pay the medical school bills and waste six years in school. Oh, well - maybe I'll work for a 900 number.
Hmmm....I know this pickle, it's a familiar pickle...
But, back to you....since you've done print journalism, why don't you try TV...mabey you could be a newscaster? I always wanted to be one when I was a kid...
Plans, they went awry, you know?
But, back to you....you could do an article for an up and coming magazine? Or, you could do something online....mabey work or CNN.Com ?
What do I want to be??? Hmmmm. With the wide open dreamy eyes of an adult I'd love to be a movie critic or a 'phantom diner' or a meteorologist.
With the realistic everyday eyes of an adult I realize that my job is a-okay, boring, but okay. Great schedule, nice people and pretty easy.
Mmmmm..I love pickles. NYC has the best pickles ever. I bought a quart of half-sours last weekend.
But I digress!! I think you could totally be a private school teacher (they don't always require those pesky certifications). Summers off!
And I like what I do. Except not this week. Don't ask me this week. Maybe next week I'll like it better.
I want to run a 6 bedroom Bed & Breakfast on the island of Catalina (CA). It's far enough away from the rat race but only a 26 mile boat ride to get anything I really need.
Good luck in your quest!
I've always wanted to be the personal chef for an NHL team. As a side job I'd like to be a model scout for an NHL player calendar.
Of course my timing couldn't be worse at the moment.
ROFL!
We are in a career pickle here too...but its definitely not funny and we don't have time to ponder. Thanks for making me laugh today. :)
Well, when I left journalism, it was for an opportunity at a community college in public relations.
There are days that I miss being in the news business.
But, I've never been happier. I love what I do and I love who I work for. Every now and then I actually meet face to face with a student who decided to enroll because of something I did — and it's just awesome.
Going from journalism, I knew that I could only "sell" a product that I believed in. My community college j-school teacher was one of the most influential people in my life and that really colored my decision.
I am in a major career pickle myself, so I COMPLETELY understand. I'm so desperate to find a better job that I am thinking about starting my own professional document stapling service. I could use the tagline: "I staple, because I care". A niche market for sure, but I sense a major need out there for staple outsourcing. In today's fast paced business climate, people just don't have time anymore for the mundane, annoying task of stapling. Interested in becoming business partners?
You may not be old enough to be pres, but you could run for senate or house of reps. I actually got a couple of write in votes for senate two years ago (mine and a some people I work with).
The Delivery Man and "my package" - I should learn to never NEVER read your blog while drinking Dr. Pepper.
How about two part-time jobs?
1. Mornings: Wine-taster
2. Afternoons: Mattress-tester