Jobs that are almost like family?

[enweto]

I want a job where you work in a team and your group identity and work relationships are an important part of your life. Sounds a bit sad perhaps, and not what some people would want, but it is what I want. I am single and don’t have any close family within 50 miles, I devote my life to work but get little back really.

I used to be a teacher and in many ways that lifestyle fit the bill perfectly - the teamwork and camaraderie and sense of belonging were right for me. However, ultimately the relentless grind of it was just too stressful. I couldn’t keep up, I was falling behind with everything and getting so stressed and burnt out.

I left, and began working for the local authority instead, but the team is pretty soulless and nobody really gives a crap about each other at the end of the day. They all can’t wait to go home to their families at 5, which is great and everything, except my life isn’t like that. I need a more consuming career where the relationships mean something.

I watch TV police and medical dramas, and think that that sort of teamwork environment is where I would flourish, except TV drama isn’t real life is it? And anyway I have no science qualifications so healthcare is out, and as for the Police… well even if I wasn’t a complete wuss, I have got shockingly bad eyesight. And I’m nearly 40.
Another unrealistic career that appeals is an actor, or even the military (where the wussiness and eyesight would be an even worse problem!!)

Anyway. Am I being a bit silly thinking that teamwork and collegial relationships are more intrinsic to some professions, or is it luck of the draw / TV show nonsense (just like not all neighbourhoods are like Ramsey Street) or, can you think of any other careers I could consider where I feel I would get this sense of belonging and identity from my role?

Women’s refuge really appeals. Can people volunteer there? They’re hidden away usually aren’t they, not even sure how to enquire?

Thanks, that’s so interesting! I am about as technological as a rubber duck, but I’ll definitely keep a look out of other demographic groups where I might fit in, thank you :-)

I have experience of a "we're like a family" workplace - only one person is still there. It was a charity, but it was a bit cultish, huge gap between stated aims and actual behaviour and responses, used the cultishness to blur the boundaries between work and personal life, but shifting sands as to how involved they wanted you to be. Do as I say not do as I do and I believe it hasn't changed.

TV shows are scripted, it's not an experience that I or fellow survivors want to repeat

Special school teacher? I work in a special school and the daily grind is very different to in mainstream; no marking, lessons are genuinely repeated weekly for a term or half term rather than changed every lesson, timetable includes sessions like swimming and visits to the local farm on the minibus and shopping etc. Its still hard work with long hours and it can be emotionally and physically draining but also work within a team more than in mainstream. I gave a team of 6 TAs and also work closely with therapists and others in the school. It’s quite common for staff at my school to move from mainstream schools into special.

Sorry, didn’t say I have some really close colleagues at my work. We work in some challenging circumstances (students with complex health needs/ medical emergencies or challenging behaviour requiring physical intervention etc) and those definitely bring the team closer together. Some of my colleagues are friends for life, we go on nights out and weekends away and support each other through real life stresses and strains. Definitely friends as much as we’re colleagues.

Don't discount policing but perhaps in a support role rather than an officer.

You could enjoy something like being a call handler in the control room.

What is your current salary though as police is so so poorly paid.

Thanks, I’ll look into the civilian roles, I never considered that before. The salary is an issue though, my current pay spine is 38-48, and I don’t really want to take much of a cut.

Lots of good ideas here but as an alternative, as you mentioned acting, how about joining an amateur dramatics group? Lots of friendly people who tend to be sociable and lots of teamwork. Just a thought 😊

Are you musical at all? I've always thought that groups of musicians often had that "family" vibe. Perhaps you could research some local music groups in your area, even if you don't play an instrument, they may have an associated dance group, or be glad of someone to help with admin such as bookings and accounts.
Similar ideas include joining a choir, or an am dram group, or helping out at a dance school.

Another thought is volunteering at a food bank, a friend does this and finds it very rewarding. They also help at a pensioners' lunch club, which if you were of a practical turn, you might enjoy, and certainly getting to know their guests is a big part of the success of the lunch club.

I've worked across lots of industries. When I worked as an HCA, it was really rewarding and definitely had a bit of a family vibe. Also worked in a Women's Refuge. It was wonderful, all female staff, amazingly supportive, endless training and advancement opportunities. I got into it through my now SIL who worked there and recommended me.

I think you could get what you’re looking for in an environment where people have a shared passion. Realistically, that could be a church/religious organisation, a small community-focused non-profit or volunteering outfit (Save The River Bly or whatever), or a club/association where you’re on staff - a football club, cricket club, that kind of thing. These places might have built-in longevity, too.

I echo what most PP’s have said churches or other faith groups are particularly good at fostering that family ethos. I had that sort of close feeling when I worked for a local charity, rubbish money and long days but a shared goal really bound people together. Even with that camaraderie over the years people left and new people joined and so the vibe did change. Volunteering rather than working would be a good chance for you to try out different situations and much easier to move on from than a paid job, if it’s not what you are looking for. Is there a cause you are passionate about, working with animals, working with children, museums or libraries or saving a local amenity of some sort? If so there will be a volunteering opportunity associated with it and you would meet like minded people. Or an interest group maybe a rambling club, photography group, park run or maybe a stitch and bitch class, again anywhere you might meet people interested in the same thing as you and learning a new skill is always a good bonding experience. I’ve volunteered with a lot of different charities / groups over the years and in general that have given me much more good relationships than paid work has done.

I don't know personally, but maybe something in close quarters like a cruiseship? Or else emergency services, like fire, police, navy. Also volunteer type work? I guess anything that bonds you

Hmm I'm not sure if this is exactly what you mean but I have always worked for charities in volunteer management and fundraising and have felt a bit like this and the feeling of it being worthwhile makes a difference to me

I have a job like this, a very tight close knit team, but it's through sheer luck really, not the sector. We just all get on and work/socialise together really well. I'm very lucky.

You're looking at jobs which are emotionally tasking and high burn out rate I'm afraid. Emergency services jobs tend to fit the bill but there's a reason these roles bond people together and it's tough, really very tough. Consider volunteering for a cause you really truly believe in and work for a charity. Look for social groups you can join such as walking groups, craft clubs, book clubs etc.

Me and my sister work for the same company so it feels pretty ‘family’ especially as our department is a team of 6 people. Our company is a local, small company and our employers are very understanding and caring.

But that said, work stays as work. I wouldn’t want to mix my business and pleasure.

Maybe location is a factor? I'm thinking you might enjoy a very small village in a rural location or even a really small island where people have to work and live closely together.

Hi OP,

Could you do a couple of nights in a pub while keeping your day job? Lots of people are looking for extrawork due to cost of living.

You could socialise while you work

I work for a small family business and to tell you it’s full of drama, back stabbing, gossip, factions would be an understatement!!! I’m not sure I’d recommend it. Very manipulative and actually hard to negotiate because peoples’ experience is very limited - not very diverse backgrounds; and you’ve got to be able to ask the man at the top face to face literally for a pay rise etc. I also see how the company credit card gets used. Actually I think that’s easier to stomach when you’re all employees and you don’t see who you’re making money for. By contrast I also worked for Ikea in the past, they’re very big on teamwork but crappy pay. x

Occupational therapist, pharmacy, boarding school, GP surgery manager, some schools, nursery, stately home

Also, housekeeper

I work for a local company in office administration. We get on well and have a good social scene as well.
I have also worked for a local company doing the same job and it was like pulling teeth, I hated it!
I think it depends on the place and your colleagues whether you get the feeling you are looking for more than a specific industry.

I second the suggestion to join an amateur dramatics group. You get that 'pulling together' feeling. I loved it when I did it.

* I* think the trouble is the types of careers with those kind of bonds are the really intense ones that are likely to burn you out. That’s kind of the nature of it.

Investment banking was like this. Great friendships but partly because you spent most of your waking life in the office. It was very intense, fly by the seat of your pants, so you needed your peers to see the humour and keep you sane. The rare nights out and department holidays abroad were also quite the events.

Definitely high burnout from the stress levels and brutal in terms of redundancies in downturns and high expectations from the directors.

Also extremely well paid (some of my senior colleagues trousered millions in annual bonuses) but very dog eat dog. In my corporate finance department, pretty much all the fee earners were a lawyer or accountant, and 98% male (I was 1% of the 2%).

I suspect it doesn't sound that appealing even for the camaraderie...