What's Your Dream Job?

In the June issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance we talk to nine people who have found their dream jobs and asked them how they did it. How about you? Are you living your dream or still searching? What would be your ideal job, or what makes your job so perfect?

Share your opinions with other Kiplinger's readers.

I work for a company that is 'Fortune 50' and is that 'rock' that Prudential talks about in their commercials. I have excellent pay, excellent hours (7-3), a defined benefit pension plan, a 401k tax deferred savings plan, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug plan, 1 month vacation in the summer, 2 weeks vacation in the winter, and wonderful co-workers and bosses. I received my 30 yr pin last August. I plan on retiring and moving on to another dream job.

I am planning on retiring in a cabin by a lake (possible mountains/hills nearby) and pursuing my next career (since I haven't hit 50 yet). I would like to teach online classes in my cabin, when I am not fishing, etc. I have a degree in Supervision, Business, and Computer Information Systems with a tenure at a local college as part-time faculty in the Computer Dept.

I've got a vision, and a plan. Anyone else??

Osterperson,
I read your post with great interest. I am a full-time professional in the NYC area. I'm involved in IT for a financial services company. I enjoy my work, but have been interested in teaching part-time at the college level.

I possess an MBA with a dual major in Finance and MIS. I have also worked as a technology trainer so I have classroom presentation experience. I was hoping that you could advise me as to how I could go about trying to break into teaching. What other qualifications are required besides my education and professional experience?
Thanks,
Mike

Your Masters qualifies you to teach without the teachers certificate. I recommend that you do a little part-time gig @ a local College or Univ. to get the part-time faculity position on your resume. The creditials are there, my friend. Use them to your advantage, you'll never regret it.

I walked into Midstate College (right down the road from my home) in shorts and a Warner Bros. Taz. Devil t-shirt. . .talked to the Dean. . . came back within 15 min with resume in hand. . .filled out an application & W4. . . 15 min later met with the college president & head of the busn. dept. . . 15 min later hired p/t @ $20.00/hr (no benefits, because I had them @ Cat, Inc.) to work in the Computer Dept as p/t faculity. This was on a Thurs. . . my first class was Fri night. Now that was fast. What fun !

My dream job was to be a writer. I sold my first story 30 years ago. I flirted with Hollywood but backed off for ethical reasons. Then, 15 years and two careers later, I found my niche: Technical Documentation (that's Tech Writing for the uninformed). Over the next decade I grew a formidable record of accomplishments, experienced my share of bumps along the way, and discovered that I had committed myself to one of the most underappreciated and undervalued professions in industry today. :confused:

The reality is that good documentation adds real value to a product, especially complex or high tech products. And yet, the Tech Docs people are the first to be cut when times are bad or marketplace success is lacking. Quality Documentation isn't understood or desired. Instead of recognizing that the product documentation is an equally vital part of a product, most companies would rather put a fancy cover on a phone book and ship that with the product! :mad:

Because of my broad experience and senior writer status I have had about 3 months of employment in the last 2 years. My wife (a Ph.D.) is having fits with the entire high-tech industry that has been my bread-and-butter since 1980 (first in Engineering, then in Documentation). She feels that there is an uncommon level of executive stupidity and a lack of ethics and common sense that she doesn't see in the health care field where she works. :eek: I can't say that I blame her...

So I am faced with the need to reinvent myself once again and I haven't got a clue this time around. I've been a Microbiologist (loong ago), an Entrepreneur, an Electronic Engineer, a Writer, a Manager, a Consultant, a teacher and an unhappy salesman. I have been working on a Masters Degree in Technical Communications, but I'm having second thoughts about continuing if there is no market for me when I'm done. And, if it matters, I'm 51.

So, anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

Dan

Fastest-growing occupations in America % change
Occupation 2002-2012
Medical assistants 59
Network systems and data communications analysts 57
Physician assistants 49
Social and human service assistants 49
Home health aides 48
Medical records and health information technicians 47
Physical therapist aides 46
Computer software engineers, systems software 46
Computer software engineers, applications software 45
Physical therapist assistants 45

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

I've just begun my career as a financial planner and I love it. This is definately my dream job. Currently I'm licensed in over 46 states to do mortgages (all 50 by this time next year for sure), and have my Group 1 in TX. Still studying for my 7 and 66. I'm 22 yrs old and have lots to learn. That's why I'm here. I believe that if you want to be successful, you have to be around successful people.

That sounds great. My dream job is basically just working for myself. I enjoying webmastering and would like to make it a full-time job.

If only I could figure out what my dream job is. I am tired of the common idea that you need to "find your passion" and that will lead you to your dream job. Sorry, but I haven't got a passion. That may sound boring, but actually, I think I am just interested in many things, and there really isn't one thing I like to do above all others.

For instance, when I am hiking in the Grand Canyon I think "wow, this is so awesome! I would love to have a job as a ranger so I could enjoy the outdoors and get paid for it"; or, when I am reviewing my old language books, I think "I used to really like languages, and still do--perhaps I should pursue this more"; or, when I am planning a vacation, I think" travelling is SO much fun, I wonder what it would take to become a travel agent? The perks would be great--and I'd get to travel more!" I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

I have a Business Degree ('91) and a Graphic Design degree ('98). I enjoy both, so am still trying to find a job that would utilize both backgrounds, since that is the "practical" thing to do (while searching for the dream job, of course).

. . .In the meantime, what do the readers and posters of this thread think? Is all this "find your passion" stuff hooey? Or should I really concentrate on it more so the answer will "come to me"?

Gemini without a dream (job)
:)

btw, it is inspiring to read about others' plans--thanks for sharing.

MRosen wrote Is all this "find your passion" stuff hooey? Or should I really concentrate on it more so the answer will "come to me"?

That's up to you, my friend, only you can answer that. Is that your top priority? What other variables are there in the equation that have relevance on a dream job?

I'd think that these are extremely relevant for me. . . pay/salary, hours worked, flexability, enjoyable work that is challenging and rewarding when task are accomplished, defined benefit pension plan, 401k plan, company paid medical-dental-vision-prescription drugs, reembursement for company trips/education etc, sick time, vacation time, incentive compensation pay, bonuses, COLA, increased salary based on performance evaluation, ability to purchase company stock with possible match in tax-deferred instrument, good relationship with co-workers and boss. . . you get the idea.

I believe finding a passion is essential. I love to do a lot of things. When I hike in the grand canyon, I also think it would be a fun and interesting job. I love to ski and sometimes think that would be a great job. Even though I think those things, I still have a few passions that go beyond that and which I make the effort to do everyday. Finding those things that go beyond "wow, wouldn't that be fun and great" to things you will make an effort to do each and everyday because you enjoy it makes work a hell of a lot more fun.
______________________________
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I'm 21, and a junior in college. My dream job would be to run my own consulting firm in the Philadelphia region. My ultimate goal would to be own an Aston Martin Vanquish by the time I am 30.

:confused:
I HAVE found my dream job...
I found an awesome Inn for sale... I want to buy it, but I need a down payment. I talked to a guy who wanted to be an investor, but he had too many projects going and could never remember the details of the proposed partnership, or MY NAME!!
It stinks so bad to be so close, have so many plans for increasing revenue... I have a whole cooking class series planned, charity invovlement, but I am just short of it... I feel like a dog behind an invisible gate with a nice steak on the otherside.
HELP ME????

Money... money... money.

I run my own business, so I guess freedom is another feature.

I think happiness is the most important thing in a career. My plan is to find a career that doesn't make me feel like I'm "going to work". I think the right career is one that you don't feel it's a chore to wake up and go to.

Money is always nice, but it's secondary.

My job is great. I have:

Long weekends (3 days one week, 4 days the next).
Great bosses.
Great benefits.
Low-profile (in a good sense).
Not a lot of work for the amount of pay.
Internet access and television.
Free time to take college classes.

Unfortunately, it is not a dream job because it lacks a few of the criteria:

Relatively low pay (no matter what they say, pay is a factor).
No room for advancement (my bosses are young, and not leaving any time soon).
No real sense over overall acomplishment.

I still rate it about an 8/10, which isn't shabby!

If only I could figure out what my dream job is. I am tired of the common idea that you need to "find your passion" and that will lead you to your dream job. Sorry, but I haven't got a passion. That may sound boring, but actually, I think I am just interested in many things, and there really isn't one thing I like to do above all others.

For instance, when I am hiking in the Grand Canyon I think "wow, this is so awesome! I would love to have a job as a ranger so I could enjoy the outdoors and get paid for it"; or, when I am reviewing my old language books, I think "I used to really like languages, and still do--perhaps I should pursue this more"; or, when I am planning a vacation, I think" travelling is SO much fun, I wonder what it would take to become a travel agent? The perks would be great--and I'd get to travel more!" I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

I have a Business Degree ('91) and a Graphic Design degree ('98). I enjoy both, so am still trying to find a job that would utilize both backgrounds, since that is the "practical" thing to do (while searching for the dream job, of course).

. . .In the meantime, what do the readers and posters of this thread think? Is all this "find your passion" stuff hooey? Or should I really concentrate on it more so the answer will "come to me"?

Gemini without a dream (job)
:)

btw, it is inspiring to read about others' plans--thanks for sharing.

It all depends on your age I think.. if you're 20 you still have time to look around and correct any mistakes if you're 35-40 look harder :-)

I have come close to finding the perfect job a few times however there is always something that doesn't click right it can be money( Although that is not my main concern)
good benefits yes very important,
a pleasant work environment (most important of all the factors)
independence ( I work well alone when I make my own decision)
good balance of work and free time (vacations, holidays etc..)

a combination of all of them is a perfect job for anyone I think it is just hard to get all of them at once but I am always looking.

I 'd like to add that now I am a stay home Dad(wife's switching career and going to school and work) and it is ok but I miss
working and being with other people

I, like others, have always dreamed of owning my own business someday. I did operate a vending business for a short period but found it was not my calling. My dream job would be to be a charter captain on my own liveaboard boat and take people daysailing, snorkeling, and fishing off the coast of Florida. During the summer months, my wife and I would close our seasonal business (she would gourmet cook) and sail up to New England.

I have been working toward that dream by becoming ASA certified in Coastal Cruising, but being in the military and moving every few years makes it difficult to become stable in any one location. I'm saving roughly a grand a month toward the "boat fund" and plan to put a downpayment on it during my last 4yr contract before early retirement at 42 with a military pension.

If any of you know of others who run a single sailboat charter or tour type operation, I would be interested in learning from their experiences in this type of business. :)

I always dreamt to be a doctor. IMO money has been always a big part in finding a career. But happiness and contentment keeps you stay in a particular career.