Page 4 | If you would work even if you didn’t have to - what is your job?

minipie · 2023-09-27T15:07:40+00:00

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!

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 27/09/2023 21:51

I definitely wouldn’t stay as an SEN teacher, despite loving the kids. But I would absolutely remain self-employed in my creative business. Just wish I had more time to work at it at the moment.

IspendallmymoneyonEtsy · 27/09/2023 21:53

Mountaineer0009 · 27/09/2023 21:43

heres a question often asked of some charity's is why is the ceo paid alot more than eg the shop floor staff etc ?

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To attract the right candidate who could take their skills and be a CEO somewhere else.

Senior public sector. I’d leave tomorrow and become a part time university lecturer in my specialist subject. I’ve had offers from two unis in the last year or so but can’t afford to take a drop in pay. Love my specialty, hate the cut to the bone dept I work for.

daffodilandtulip · 27/09/2023 21:54

I'm a childminder and if I won the lottery I would foster instead. So similar but not my business.

Nutellaonall · 27/09/2023 21:56

Sonographer. Only very part time as DH earns a lot. But I worked hard to get to this point, I have a skill and it gives me purpose and uses my brain a couple of days a week, beyond the running around after kids. Also like knowing in the back of my mind if it all went wrong in my marriage I would be able to support myself.

Frankcat19 · 27/09/2023 21:56

Infant school teacher here too. Would definitely continue at my school, love the children cand staff.

Eyesopenwideawake · 27/09/2023 21:59

Remedial hypnotist. I don't do it for the money, I do it because I (sometimes) make a life changing difference to someone's life. Why wouldn't I carry on doing that for as long as I can?

Mountaineer0009 · 27/09/2023 22:01

IspendallmymoneyonEtsy · 27/09/2023 21:53

To attract the right candidate who could take their skills and be a CEO somewhere else.

Senior public sector. I’d leave tomorrow and become a part time university lecturer in my specialist subject. I’ve had offers from two unis in the last year or so but can’t afford to take a drop in pay. Love my specialty, hate the cut to the bone dept I work for.

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i had usually presumed it was something along those lines same with transferring from eg charity to private sector etc.

although its debatable weather the majority of the public consider these factors

Mountaineer0009 · 27/09/2023 22:03

tunainatin · 27/09/2023 21:51

Academic researcher - I honestly get a little tummy flip sometimes at the thought of my next day at work ( clearly I'm a bit of a saddo)

most excellent,

Anothernamechange3 · 27/09/2023 22:03

Mountaineer0009 · 27/09/2023 21:43

heres a question often asked of some charity's is why is the ceo paid alot more than eg the shop floor staff etc ?

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Same as any employment really, the skills and experience you need to do the job, the increased responsibility (the buck stops with you), usually paid per annum rather than the hourly rate and every charity ceo puts in far more hours than the role says on paper. Charities are run in a very similar way to a business, and there’s arguably even more work to ensure you are compliant legally. Also the pay isn’t high at all compared to the private sector so you do need the pay to be ok enough to get the right people. My experience is only with small charities though: they really do run on a shoestring with some excellent people. I can’t speak for the huge charities Oxfam et al but that’s a side of the sector that doesn’t interest me. I’d recommend anyone looking to donate to charity to choose smaller and local. Or a community foundation, they do great work.

Mountaineer0009 · 27/09/2023 22:10

Anothernamechange3 · 27/09/2023 22:03

Same as any employment really, the skills and experience you need to do the job, the increased responsibility (the buck stops with you), usually paid per annum rather than the hourly rate and every charity ceo puts in far more hours than the role says on paper. Charities are run in a very similar way to a business, and there’s arguably even more work to ensure you are compliant legally. Also the pay isn’t high at all compared to the private sector so you do need the pay to be ok enough to get the right people. My experience is only with small charities though: they really do run on a shoestring with some excellent people. I can’t speak for the huge charities Oxfam et al but that’s a side of the sector that doesn’t interest me. I’d recommend anyone looking to donate to charity to choose smaller and local. Or a community foundation, they do great work.

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thats understandable, much appricated for your analysis

Freetodowhatiwant · 27/09/2023 22:16

I am in broadcasting. I love it and would definitely carry on talking and filming things if I won the lottery. I love hearing what other people do, I was particularly attracted to the posts about running your own coffee shop oh and also inheriting a seven figure sum. Both of those sound lovely.

MiddleOfHere · 27/09/2023 22:19

Mull · 27/09/2023 20:45

I’m an accountant working in the finance dept of a private company. I really, really want to work for the debt charity Stepchange. I think I’d be good at it, and I love helping people. It would be a big pay cut but I don’t earn the main wage in the household. I keep looking at their vacancies…

Have you thought about volunteering in a similar role first?
It might give you the edge.

redastherose · 27/09/2023 22:19

I don't need to work financially now, I choose to work. I'm the Head of a Conveyancing Department, despite the stress it's something I know I'm extremely good at and do well, I enjoy being one of the top people in my area of expertise and I feel rewarded by doing a good job for my clients. I also do it for the self fulfilment and I don't think It'd be good for my mental health to not work. I didn't like being at home with the kids when they were younger (had a short period of being a SAHM) and mostly worked school hours with my youngest. I was skint when I had my eldest and as it was necessary I was back working ft when she was only 12 weeks old.

scrivette · 27/09/2023 22:27

Business Support Officer for Occupational Therapy Dept. I didn't realise how much I enjoyed it until I was offered back my previous job with a far higher salary but I chose to stay in my current role.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 27/09/2023 22:32

Anothernamechange3 · 27/09/2023 22:03

Same as any employment really, the skills and experience you need to do the job, the increased responsibility (the buck stops with you), usually paid per annum rather than the hourly rate and every charity ceo puts in far more hours than the role says on paper. Charities are run in a very similar way to a business, and there’s arguably even more work to ensure you are compliant legally. Also the pay isn’t high at all compared to the private sector so you do need the pay to be ok enough to get the right people. My experience is only with small charities though: they really do run on a shoestring with some excellent people. I can’t speak for the huge charities Oxfam et al but that’s a side of the sector that doesn’t interest me. I’d recommend anyone looking to donate to charity to choose smaller and local. Or a community foundation, they do great work.

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Agree with all of this. I reckon some of my team would be shocked at my "hourly rate" if it was actually based on hours worked instead of hours in my contract.

I could (and did) earn a lot more working in a different sector. I didn't mind taking a cut to come back to this sector, but you do need to pay well enough to attract people with the right skills and experience. It is not an easy role!

3kidsaremorethanenough · 27/09/2023 22:35

Volunteering in a animal rescue centre (already do a little bit) and plan this for when I retire (all going well) it's definitely my happy place

Original poster

minipie · 27/09/2023 22:35

Remedial hypnotist

Wow Eyesopen how did you get into that, do you have a psychology/psychotherapy background?

OP posts:

Poniesandrainbows · 27/09/2023 22:38

I'm an accountant and absolutely love this job. I'd work every second I was awake if I could.

Luckyguess · 27/09/2023 22:40

Carer in a nursing home, absolutely love it.

egowise · 27/09/2023 22:57

Uni lecturer.

Love the day to day teaching and the opportunity to do some side projects too.

Olddogtricksnew · 27/09/2023 22:58

I'm a swimming teacher. I teach from new borns up to adults. I work for fun money which I think makes it more enjoyable.

Conkersandlattes · 27/09/2023 23:02

Psychiatric Nurse. I love it (most days!) I learn something new every day, meet the most fascinating people from all walks of life. Try as hard as I can to help and if I can’t, I just try to be kind and listen. Don’t think there’s anything I’d rather do work wise actually.

FijiSea · 27/09/2023 23:06

Tarne · 27/09/2023 18:59

I am a Social Worker for Adults and it is the best job in the world!! I work in safeguarding which means I am like a detective finding out the whole story about why someone thinks someone else is experiencing abuse or neglect. I then research the background to a person's situation, find out what others are saying, may be from the GP or hospital or police etc and then go and see the person myself and see what they think of the situation.

Sometimes we do all this detective work on the quiet, so the person doesn't know, as we don't wish to cause distress and then once we know as much of the facts as we can, we make a safeguarding plan of action to keep that person safe.

We liaise with homeless hostels, drug and alcohol support groups, mental health support groups and we have regular meetings and plans of action until we are satisfied that person is safe from harm.

No 2 cases are ever the same, we do get thanked for our role but often people are ashamed/ embarrassed/or perhaps lack capacity and some may not know the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to keep safe.

There are many types of abuse and neglect stemming from hoarding to modern slavery, to financial abuse from siblings etc and domestic abuse from a son or daughter, to sexual abuse and exploitation and organisational abuse in care homes and hospitals.

We look at each case very carefully and we are understaffed and under resourced.

But it is an absolutely incredibly rewarding career that gives me very family friendly hours and generous holidays and pension.

There's always something new to learn and it's never ever boring or mundane! My team are kind, helpful and supportive.

I don't ever plan on retiring. I retrained in my 40s to become a Social Worker as there was a free government bursary. We came from all walks of life including a human rights lawyer!

Best decision I have ever made.

Your job sounds amazing

meemawww · 27/09/2023 23:15

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.

So basically you enjoy stopping peoples benefits? 😂😂 maybe the DWP should watch the tax dodging fuckers at Westminster 😄

KidsDr · 27/09/2023 23:15

I am a children's doctor.

I don't think I could completely give up my job (at least before getting old!), it's such a big part of my identity. I guess I would work a lot less and more flexibly, so that I could find more time for teaching for example. Or maybe I would work in a different way / setting. Maybe I would also want to explore other fulfilling careers / opportunities. I'd have to be really careful that reducing my hours didn't make me less competent / up to date though. If I wasn't a doctor I would want to be a teacher. I still think about what that life (being a teacher) might have been like by comparison. Tricky question. At the moment I have young children and I am in a demanding, inflexible training programme, feeling strained most of the time. My job has given me some of the best but also some of the worst, most devastating experiences of my life. "Love" isn't quite the right word. I think I'd definitely take a break or work a lot, lot less while my children are young.