What’s Your Dream Job?

September 2, 2011

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When I was in high school, we filled out questionnaires to gauge our interests.  When the results came back, we were given handouts about which careers would be a good fit.

Most people received info on a few careers.  Two of us received the entire handout, with information on dozens of different careers.  The computers had choked on our answers and couldn’t really determine where we fit.  Even at this early stage, The Man was learning not to pigeonhole the Kos.

I ended up working in IT.  It’s an interesting job on most days, a good company to work for, and my co-workers are great.  Often, though, I wonder what it would have been like to end up in a different job.  Here’s my list of dream jobs.

1.  Baseball player.  I’m 36, so the window is really closing on this.  Lack of talent could also be a roadblock.

1B.  Baseball General Manager.  If I can’t play the game, why not control the game?  The general manager is in charge of nearly every aspect of team operations, from the annual draft to trades.

2.  Writer – As the Beatles would say, I want to be a paperback writer.  I’ve had an interest in writing since elementary school.  In recent years, I’ve been working harder toward this goal.  It would be great if I can eventually become a full-time writer, but barring that, it’s a fun part-time gig.

3.  Paleontologist – You didn’t see that one coming, did you?  I’ve had a deep interest in dinosaurs since the day I was first made aware of them.  I’m sure that a large part of the allure is that fact that this is an almost entirely theoretical field.  The fossil record can provide a lot of clues, but you can’t directly observe dinosaurs.  (Or can you?  maybe a trip to Costa Rica would do the trick?)

4.  FBI Agent – At one point, I went as far as contacting them regarding a position in the computer crimes division.  By the time I heard back from them, life circumstances had changed and the window had pretty much closed.  Computer crimes would be an interesting gig, but so would forensic science.  Although I don’t watch the fictionalized shows like CSI, I’m a big fan of The Forensic Files.

5.  Lawyer – If you’ve been a long time reader, you’ve probably seen me swerve into legal topics from time to time.  I’ve always found the law interesting.  I’d be interested in a lot of different areas, but I think I’d end up as a defense lawyer (with only innocent people for clients, of course).

6.  Professional student – If money was no option, I’d pursue a few degrees (or maybe just attend a few hundred random classes).  I have a very broad set of interests, and could easily fill the rest of my life learning new things (and reading contemporary fiction in my down time).

Now it’s your turn.  If you could change jobs, what would you be?

4 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Cristian Balau
    Sep 03, 2011 @ 10:30:00

    A history teacher, I know it sounds like incredible bring but I would really love to teach history and also this kind of job will open a lot of free time that I don’t have at the moment. It will allow me to concentrate on my family and hobbies, like reading books.

    Another dream job would be to have and run my own company.
    To much dreaming huh?

    Reply

  2. Martin Kelly
    Sep 05, 2011 @ 08:52:05

    From my most recent articles, most people can see that I am a space buff, so my first two choices will not be a surprise.

    1) Astronomer – what better job than laying on you back all night looking at the stars!
    2) Astronaut – even better, get out with those stars! Unfortunately, good eyesight is a requirement.
    3) Paleontologist – face it Kos, finding something really old is cool.
    4) Writer – I have been dabbling since high school. I get to write here for fun and I do have one book almost ready for the world, so I am almost on my way for this.
    5) The scientist who invents time travel – OK, this actually falls into the writing/fantasy category.
    6) Lottery winner – this is really just a tool to get to #7.
    7) Minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers – every game in a luxury suite baby!

    Reply

  3. kosmo
    Sep 06, 2011 @ 11:19:17

    Yeah, lottery winner would be nice, just to open up opportunities. I could pursue a writing career with no need to conform to the standards of commercially successful wriitng.

    Reply

  4. Jon
    Sep 07, 2011 @ 00:17:32

    I have always like the thought of becoming an FBI or CIA agent, However I wonder how much of it is over glorified by tv and question if I would just end up a paper pusher in a cubicle with a coffee cup that says FBI on it (I could buy an fbi cup at spencer gifts and not even need a background check for that).

    Reply

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