What's your ideal job?

[JuanNil]

I'll be going back to work soon and I've been giving a lot of thought to my career. I absolutely love 'what I do', but not always the environment I have to do it in. For a bit more clarity I work in a creative role (when I am working). I would hate to be prime minister, hate to be a big time banker, and I really don't think I'd have much fun being a doctor/dentist/restaurant owner. The money wouldn't be worth it for me. But some people's ideal, according to some I've spoken to about this, would be the job that gives them the most money regardless of the role.

So anywho, being the daydreamer I am, I realised that my ideal job would be a much more independent, creative one. That's the type of job that I would never want to retire from. So think maybe children's book illustrator. Heaven for me. But hell for others!

There are well known dream jobs out there. But what's your dream job? What could you see yourself doing for the rest of your life? And I am including being a stay at home parent in that category.

I'd love to be a writer. I do lots of writing for work - blogs, newsletters, training materials for different age groups, children and adult. I don't know how to move from this into a recognised writing role, and I 'm not really sure if I'm any good.

I want to work in a bookshop or library, peace and quiet and books (yes, I have seen posts on MN from people who do those jobs and the reality isn't what I think, but that is my dream).

In reality, I am a paediatric nurse, and that has always been my dream job since I was a young child, and, really, I would want to do any other job. I love this job even though some days I hate it and feel like it is breaking me. I love making a difference to people's lives, the patients are great and a lot of the families are too, and I work with an amazing team of people. There are a lot of downsides to this job, but I can't realistically see myself doing anything else (much as I dream of peace and quiet and books sometimes!)

Damn. It's meant to say I wouldn't want to do any other job in the beginning of the second paragraph

@happypotamus don't worry, I got that . I have considered retraining as a nurse in the past, for exactly the same reason as you love your job. I briefly worked in the care industry around my studies and I loved being able to make a difference just by making a cup of tea or helping someone to the loo. Certainly more rewarding than doing that for family at home 

@AbsolutePleasure if I could write (entertaining literature, not just words 🤪) then I would 100% be doing that as my career along with illustration.

I'd not claim to be an expert on transitioning to another job but I can imagine starting your own blog would be a good place to start! Not necessarily because you would get discovered (although you very much could!) but more as your 'portfolio'. I can imagine if you applied for a writing role with no qualifications, then what you do at work coupled with an online wordsmithing hobby could work wonders as some employers really value experience over qualifications.

I'd like to be a doctor or a social work manager, which is lucky, because I am one! I'm very lucky that I love my job!

I'd love to be a mechanic in the army. No idea why but I just would. Sadly too late for me :(

@employeewoes I was really hoping to get a few answers on this thread like yours . Well done for making your dreams a reality.

I want to work with animals.

I am a midwife in reality and have just handed in my notice. I am completely burnt out.

Overly I instantly jumped to thinking 'you're never too old, have a can-do attitude' blah blah blah but I very quickly realised that I do this myself. I think about what I wish I could do for work and then lament not doing it when I was younger. I am really trying hard to snap myself out of it though! Especially as it makes me such a hypocrite when I tell my DM to stop thinking that way and 'reach for the stars'. Cringe.

1foot oh wow, well done on making what I can only assume was a very tough decision. In what capacity would you like to work with animals? Farm, zoo, vet?

Thanks @JuanNil maybe I'll try that! I really struggle with subject matter and imagination though. I can take someone's awful words and re-write them into something pretty good - but I'm not sure that's a proper job :))

@AbsolutePleasure I think you'll find that's called a journalist . I know I'm just a stranger on the internet, but I hope you get to make a start on that career one day soon. I'm soppy I know

@JuanNil I'm 31 so think I am too old, I also have 2 young children that are use to me being around more than dad just because of the nature of our jobs, I do feel really sad that I have maybe missed out of my dream job but family comes first.

@overlywrong the only obstacle I can see in that scenario is your children, I know it wouldn't be easy to have a military career if you've always been around for your kids beforehand. I'm 32 and I have the same feelings as you, but after seeing your post you have no idea how shocked I was at your age! Of course 31 isn't too late! I'm a massive hypocrite for saying that I know

I’d love to be an event manager. But am nearly 40 and don’t have a degree so don’t think it’s going to happen!!

Psychologist.
Or run parenting and wellbeing groups with some independent income...

@JuanNil you are not a hypocrite at all! I'm pretty sure there's an age limit to join the army though? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong?

@overlywrong not according to the Army MOD website! A brief check told me that for an officer role you must be between 16 and 29. But for a role such as a mechanic it looks like maximum age to apply is 50!

My dream job would be bring a researcher. Its something that I could do alongside my disability.

I'd love to have a petting farm and tea room.
Or a B & B on some land with activities.

I'm a planner for an oil and gas company

@Dicotyledon oooh which field?

@Horehound So halfway there then . Someone I watch on YouTube used to be a quantity surveyor, and now he's given up working because he earns so much as a YouTube chef. He isn't even trained as a chef, when he started, he didn't even know how to poach an egg. I really take my hat off to him.

Lol @JuanNil yep, touching distance

Yeh that's cool. I also follow Laura clery on FB and being an influencer or SM star looks fun. I think I could do it but doubt my husband would be onboard!

I would have liked to own a wedding dress shop.
At one time, a couple of friends and I toyed with the idea of a craft shop, with coffee shop attached. We found premises, but couldn’t make the numbers work.

In reality, I was an assistant head teacher. I wouldn’t do that again.

I'm 33 and would like to be an environment artist for the games industry. It's not a million miles away from what I did before (landscape design) lots of transferable skills. I've been off work for 2 years having 2 babies so it's allowed me to reassess. I'm slowly working towards building a portfolio and as time goes on (and youngest sleeps better) I will dedicate more time to it and hopefully by this time next year be in a position to look for work in the feild.

It's easy to think once you are in your 30s that you are too old but I just keep reminding myself that I only left uni 10 years ago and got my first 'proper job at 25 so not that old really.