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Original poster

If you would work even if you didn’t have to - what is your job?

112 replies

minipie · 27/09/2023 16:07

I see numerous threads on here where people say they love their job and would carry on even if financially they didn’t need to. Not for security but genuinely because they love it.

If this is you, what do you do? I’m wondering what these amazing jobs are as I’ve never felt this way about any job I’ve done. If it’s too outing then maybe PM me or name change? Would love to know.

It’s not idle curiosity, I’m in a position to retrain and would love to find something I feel passionate about, so am fishing for ideas!

OP posts:
Booksbooksbooksandmorebooks · 27/09/2023 16:13

Librarian.....when I retire I will probably volunteer in a local library

AllAnusMorisette · 27/09/2023 17:33

Surveillance officer for DWP, and I love it, have had lots of chances to progress and earn more, but I'm a big believer in being happy at work so I've stuck with this.

Original poster
minipie · 27/09/2023 17:38

Thank you… interesting. Librarian I can see, I would never have guessed DWP officer though! That’s brilliant that you enjoy it so much.

OP posts:
scoobydoo1971 · 27/09/2023 17:39

I don't need to work for financial reasons. I choose to work for occupation and purpose. I readily admit that I don't like what I am doing at the moment (inherited family business (property management)), but if I wasn't dealing with that then I would have some kind of self employed role. I could financially retire tomorrow and live a good quality of life, but I would not find it enjoyable to have no job or voluntary position whatsoever.

frivlot · 27/09/2023 17:49

I work in finance but public sector & it's great fun as I love my colleagues, I like the job too. I don't work f/t, have long holidays & very rarely think about work after I've shut down.

LikeMyJob · 27/09/2023 17:50

University Lecturer. It can be stressful and frustrating but it's flexible and very varied. Im never bored. The research side allows me to work and write independently, but I also enjoy the teaching and student support side of things.

...I'm sure now I've written that I will have an awful semester 🤣

natura · 27/09/2023 17:51

I write and teach courses about a range of topics I'm interested in. It means I'm constantly learning, always getting to talk about cool stuff, and I get to hang out with other people who are interested in the same things as me all day.

spookehtooth · 27/09/2023 17:51

I'm an IT security specialist.

I would work, but different things. I'm currently trying to negotiate working less hours in my job, initially to four days but with a view to further reductions, once I've found a way to cope financially with the hit. I'd be looking at using that time to do work that was personally more rewarding, some sort of community and/or environmental type stuff

If I didn't have to work then the plan would proceed straight to the ultimate goal full time

Takoneko · 27/09/2023 17:55

Assistant Head in a Secondary. I’m also the Safeguarding Lead.

I love it. I love teaching my subject and the students. The Safeguarding role is tough and I don’t want to keep that particular responsibility forever but I find it hugely rewarding. I have no idea whether I might go for further promotion in future or possibly even drop back to just being a classroom teacher someday but I can’t imagine ever not working in Secondary education. Teenagers are the best people in the world.

Original poster
minipie · 27/09/2023 18:00

Lots of teachers! I don’t think I have the right personality for that but as a parent I am very glad there are teachers out there who love it.

finance but public sector is that BoE?

OP posts:
frivlot · 27/09/2023 18:01

@minipie think education, healthcare basically any public sector institution will have a finance function.

frivlot · 27/09/2023 18:02

far less stressful than private sector finance

Nibletmum · 27/09/2023 18:07

Nurse, best job in the world!

Mummy08m · 27/09/2023 18:09

Part time teacher in an independent school... it really is a very easy and comfy job!

I'm in a very shortage subject and therefore hard to replace so I can basically get whatever I want in terms of year groups I teach and things like that. All the marking gets done in my frees. I like teaching my subject, I get to have lots of fire and electricity and whizz bang stuff, and I like talking about my subject at the kids.

I'm the sort of personality who likes to be the one talking so if i didn't have an outlet like teaching I'd be an insufferable bore (I mean, even more than usual).

I genuinely think I'd keep it up even just a day or two a week, if I were a billionaire.

Anneta · 27/09/2023 18:12

I was fortunate to work as a Primary School Teacher in a village school back in the 70s, before the National Curriculum existed. I was extremely happy teaching children from the ages of five to eight, for 15 years. More recently I worked in the Civil Service. That has extremely good working conditions, sick pay, family friendly policies, good holidays and an excellent pension scheme. However the working atmosphere is very dependant on the management of the team. Since Covid, many Civil Servants are still working from home at least for part of the week.

Frazzledandfried · 27/09/2023 18:12

I'm a nurse in a GP surgery, mainly seeing people with minor illnesses and injuries and I LOVE my job. I would absolutely carry on nursing even if I didn't need to.

LyTinWheedle · 27/09/2023 18:13

Don't need to work financially but I'm a radiographer and absolutely love the people I meet every day and having to think on my feet all the time also my colleagues from lots of different NHS disciplines. Not doing it would be terrible for my mental health so part time work keeps me happy and healthy and available for my other commitments.

As a PS though I do appreciate if I had to work full time + on call commitment I might not enjoy it as much as I do!

onawave · 27/09/2023 18:20

I'm a navigator in the merchant navy. Absolutely love my job. I would definitely do it if I didn't need to work. Maybe with less time away though.

Oodlesofdoodlescockapoodles · 27/09/2023 18:21

Dog trainer! ❤️

spookehtooth · 27/09/2023 18:23

Oodlesofdoodlescockapoodles · 27/09/2023 18:21

Dog trainer! ❤️

Is that even work, I would love spending lots of time with dogs 😍

yummytummy · 27/09/2023 18:24

I'm a prison dentist. I love it no two days are the same

HoneyBadgerMom · 27/09/2023 18:26

I do tech project management, and while I love my job, if money didn't matter I would probably breed Maine Coon cats or write. Once my son is grown, those may become hobbies. Retirement is not an option, so I will always be working, but I should be able to do those kinds of things on the side. I'd love to be a divemaster, too.

Sconehenge · 27/09/2023 18:28

I work in the private sector to support charities - would keep doing it as it’s a calling for me. Wouldn’t necessarily stay at current workplace but would keep working away at career.

Lovelynames123 · 27/09/2023 18:28

I own a coffeeshop, I love it! I've got a fab team so it's just like hanging out with your friends all day. Everything me sell is homemade and I love talking to the customers and hearing brilliant feedback. I've rotaed myself off for the rest of the week but I know I'll be in for some reason every day anyway 😂 hard work but so rewarding

RosaElize · 27/09/2023 18:29

Infant teacher. If I won millions I’d still work with little ones any day of the week. It’s my DNA

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