# If you could change, what profession/career? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 10, 2012, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396 "2012-02-10T09:37:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/41 "2012-02-13T14:30:04Z")
I’m starting a biology PhD (in the mishmashed field of molecular-genetics-cellular-micro-bio-chemistry). It is really rewarding, but there are a lot of downsides: relatively low pay, regular cross-country moves, hard work 60+ hours a week, risky career prospects, etc. So I envy some of my engineer friends. They all walked into stable jobs with regular work hours and very good pay. I’ve always enjoyed tinkering, designing and building all sorts of random projects, so I think I could find a similar level of job satisfaction as an engineer. The grass is always greener… (Actually, if I could be anything at all, I’d like to be an independently-wealthy gentleman-scientist in the 19th century. I’d get to sit around being clever all day, occasionally stumbling across Fundamental Truths, without any of the pressure and competition I now face.) ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/42 "2012-02-13T15:03:40Z")
What do I wanna be when I grow up… I’d like to work in a bookstore and write in my spare time. (I don’t want to own the bookstore because I figure the actual running of it would take up all my time.) I wish movie directors and producers would ask my opinion before they release their movies: I could **so** tell them what to tweek to make it mo’ betta. I wish I could be some kind of fundraiser for charities. I would like to pursue singing and be more involved in the stage world. I’d also like to be a historical linguist (?) Is there such a thing? One of my interests is reading about the origin of words. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/43 "2012-02-13T15:09:58Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > What do I wanna be when I grow up… > > I’d like to work in a bookstore and write in my spare time. (I don’t want to own the bookstore because I figure the actual running of it would take up all my time.) You can come work for me in my wished-for bookstore! ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/44 "2012-02-13T20:20:24Z")
I’d want to own a catering company/party planning company. Or be a lawyer. Whichever. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/45 "2012-02-13T21:16:19Z")
Bush pilot, definitely. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/46 "2012-02-13T21:37:02Z")
Travel writer. eta: a well paid one. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/47 "2012-02-13T21:39:36Z")
Well if there is one thing that makes me really happy is to cook interesting and delicious foods. I believe I am good at it (most of the time) and I enjoy experimenting. My love of food is something that’s in my blood. I’m Peruvian and Italian. If I could be successful by having a TV cook show I could probably make a really decent wage and living, but it is not my thing. I’d much rather own and operate a small little “hole in the wall” restaurant where everything is super tasty and fresh, but simple. You know, most places have that small joint that everyone in town has heard of - where the atmosphere is super pleasant and the food to die for. That has been one of my dreams for a long time and believe it or not, you Dopers, are the first to know! I’ve never told anyone until today. For now, I have to be happy with sharing what I cook with my kids and close friends. Hmm…? What to make this week? Ceviche, I think. Yep, it’s time. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/48 "2012-02-13T21:44:19Z")
Actuary. By the time I learned about the role, I’d run out of money to retrain. And I’m now 45, so it’s a little late. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/49 "2012-02-13T21:50:55Z")
Mustang Ranch hiring in quality control? Actually I would love to be just doing remote support, no home visits, no storefront, laptop, aircard, just pay me $25/month to be your go to q&a/problem solver guy. 100 or so customers later… ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/50 "2012-02-14T00:40:35Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > You can come work for me in my wished-for bookstore! I’ll be there! When do I start? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/51 "2012-02-14T03:27:19Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > Well if there is one thing that makes me really happy is to cook interesting and delicious foods. I believe I am good at it (most of the time) and I enjoy experimenting. My love of food is something that’s in my blood. I’m Peruvian and Italian. > If I could be successful by having a TV cook show I could probably make a really decent wage and living, but it is not my thing. I’d much rather own and operate a small little “hole in the wall” restaurant where everything is super tasty and fresh, but simple. You know, most places have that small joint that everyone in town has heard of - where the atmosphere is super pleasant and the food to die for. That has been one of my dreams for a long time and believe it or not, you Dopers, are the first to know! I’ve never told anyone until today. > For now, I have to be happy with sharing what I cook with my kids and close friends. Hmm…? What to make this week? Ceviche, I think. Yep, it’s time. 😃 Then ají de gallina, por favor. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396/52 "2012-02-14T05:49:06Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > Well if there is one thing that makes me really happy is to cook interesting and delicious foods. I believe I am good at it (most of the time) and I enjoy experimenting. My love of food is something that’s in my blood. I’m Peruvian and Italian. > If I could be successful by having a TV cook show I could probably make a really decent wage and living, but it is not my thing. I’d much rather own and operate a small little “hole in the wall” restaurant where everything is super tasty and fresh, but simple. You know, most places have that small joint that everyone in town has heard of - where the atmosphere is super pleasant and the food to die for. That has been one of my dreams for a long time and believe it or not, you Dopers, are the first to know! I’ve never told anyone until today. > For now, I have to be happy with sharing what I cook with my kids and close friends. Hmm…? What to make this week? Ceviche, I think. Yep, it’s time. 😃 > [@Arrendajo](#): > > Then ají de gallina, por favor. ¡Sí, claro! You got it, baby! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-what-profession-career/612396.md?page=2)