I’ve already had (and now retired from) the two best jobs I could ever hope to have:
TV news anchor and producer of TV public affairs features.
Teaching English as a foreign language to a classes of adults who really wanted to learn. On my days off, I actually looked forward to getting back to my class.
Writer. Novelist or writing for a good classic motorcycle or car magazine.
Once my kids are out of school, librarian at Baseball Hall of Fame. Right now I have a job I like and get paid enough that it would be hard to leave.
I don’t have a commercial license or the requisite hours for being an airline pilot. But I don’t want to be an airline pilot. Realistically, I could be trained rapidly enough to earn a commercial license, and I would accept a job flying a helicopter in a heartbeat. I’d actually like to become a helicopter flight instructor someday.
I wouldn’t mind being an actor. I’ve done a little on no-budget films, and I think I’d be good at it as a profession.
Baker/pastry maker in a higher end hotel or restaurant.
In my role as an accountant, my current job exists all over the place. It’s already pretty much my dream job.
In order to convince me to work for someone else, I’d have to be offered at least twice what I’m making now* and they’d have to be an outfit that provided at least the same level of administrative and sales help as I have from my employees currently.
*And, frankly, it’s not unreasonable that I might be offered twice what I’m making now. It’s mostly an issue of losing the current upside of being in charge and the potential upside of having my own accounting practice that I can sell to fund my retirement.
If I understand the rules correctly: Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court replacing a retiring Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Computer Network tech for Buckingham Palace. I’d set the Queen, Charles, William, and the rest up with wireless, Even set up a nanny monitor for Kate and Prince George.
Working and living in London would be fun. Hanging out in the palaces. Yeah, sign me up.
I should clarify - “realistic” also has to mean, “reasonably probable to be offered to you” - Mars mission passenger just isn’t probable.
The same job as I have now, but maybe in a different city. I wouldn’t turn down a chance to move to Victoria.
Currently, a lot of companies have moved from “everything I do regarding my management software must be contractors” to “I want to have my own in-house management software experts, and I don’t mean dudes reading a script”.
In-house management software expert for me, please. I’ve applied to a couple of those and gotten interviews, but the hiring process is so ridiculously long that both times by the time they called me for the second interview I was working abroad (again - it’s not like anybody who’s looked at my resume should be surprised to hear “well, I’m in Sweden, so tomorrow at 8 will be complicated”).
Wouldn’t you have to recuse yourself from half the legal discussions on the boards, then?
A lot of these things hardly seem like dream jobs. Database administrator? It’s not for me, but I don’t see why it’s so unreachable as to be a dream. Same thing for math teacher. Both of those jobs are a dime a dozen, and all you really need is some nominal education and experience, and in the case of math teachers, not even experience.
As for me, I’d like to have a job as a writer who writes/blogs about some combination of technology, food, travel and drinks. Like maybe a travel torture tester for gear like still and video cameras combined with my thoughts on where I went as well.
I don’t see a market for all those things, and even if I did find a job doing it, I’m sure it wouldn’t pay for shit either. That’s where the “dream” part comes in- I’d want to make as much or more as I do now to do that.
Hey, my absolute dream job would have been process engineer - I know people who’d consider it a nightmare job. It’s all on the pillow of the dreamer.
Groom/exercise rider for owners of Morgan, Friesian or Icelandic horses.
Character actress, with a supporting role on a long-running TV show. Like the redhead coroner lady on the original Law & Order. Or perhaps enough steady guest shots on various shows so that I could earn my living acting, rather than legal-secretarying.
Being paid to do the volunteer job I do now: running a program for pit bulls at my local shelter. I’m happy to do it for free, but it would be great to earn a little money, too.
When I was a groom at a dressage stables we had several Friesians. Such magnificent creatures.
Voice actor. I have a deep voice reminiscent of a cross between Thurl Ravenscroft and Sam the Eagle. I have screwed with people calling them up as Tony the Tiger!
I’d love to work as a writer for someone… or even do some projects in voice work.
Bubble burst
“…not ever going to happen, my friend…”
I’d be happy working as an analyst somewhere 8-5, M-F, for a reasonable salary with a company PPO plan, 5 x salary life insurance, and most holidays off. I’d like it to be 15 miles or less from my house with the possibility of telecommuting in bad weather.
I’d like to work for a Manager that I trust and respect; one who values my skills, my loyalty, and who would have my back as I’d have his/hers… not some arms-folded intimidation grunt like “Joaquin” on STTOS ‘Space Seed’.
“Why that no work, eh? You do something, eh? Make picture come back on screen…” :dubious:
I’d like to have a 5-year contract with option to renew/renegotiate at that time.
The OP says realistic. I’ve seen deals like this a lot. I know that they exist. The people who have them jam the highways every morning at 6AM. Its what I would immediately accept.
“I’m calling today, my fwend, about a W2 postion for 2 months, specifically designed to skirt the labor laws and prevent you from filing for unemployment after it ends.
One where I can take 10% of what you make off the top just by spamming your email with 100 offers a day that aren’t in your field. Whats your availability…?”
Musical theatre critic.