“If Salary Wasn’t A Consideration, What Is The Most Attractive Profession?” (30 Answers)
Interview With ExpertWhen we are kids, people often ask us what we want to be when we grow up, and we happily come up with answers like “magician”, “gladiator”, or even something as ridiculous as “samurai”. But as we start getting older, we grow out of these dream jobs and start working real jobs in the real world. Sometimes, we even settle for work that we don’t even like; however, as it fetches good money, we slog on!
But this Reddit post had netizens looking for the wildest and the most interesting jobs that they found attractive. And some of these amusing answers will surely put a smile on your face. So, scroll down and check them out for yourself!
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
My dream job is no job. doing whatever I want to do everyday without thinking about income.
Well, it fits the description. Cats have the best lives!
Load More Replies...Grateful this is my life. I make a small income and I manage. Doing something I love. You can have this.
Pro bono veterinarian. Treat animals that would otherwise go untreated.
This is what I do, and I love it! I've mentioned before that I used to own my own practice, but the Covid pandemic really made my partner & I reevaluate what we wanted out of life. I sold my practice and at 39, I am "retired." I don't feel like we need any more $, so I donate my services. I have a specialist certification in veterinary dentistry, so I volunteer a lot of dental work to zoos, I still have my mobile clinic and I offer "nickel neuter" days (bring me a nickel & I'll spay/neuter your pet) but I mostly perform critical treatments & surgical procedures. I occasionally get "paid" in interesting things like one of my clients gave us an antique horse carriage that my partner is currently restoring, and not that long ago, I was given some chickens lol. It's not always the most glamorous job, & sometimes people are still a-holes even when they are getting everything for free, but I'm thankful that I get to do what I love & get to choose when I want to do it.❤️
That sounds lovely, and good on you. Does your partner still work?
Load More Replies...There was a herpetology class at my local college. The students got to run around in the tall grass to collect specimen and it looked like fun.
Animal Sanctuary/Rescue.
Not everyone has the luxury of choice. Many people have to settle for a profession with a big paycheck because, let's face it, not all attractive jobs can pay our bills, hence the term dream job. "Talking about pursuing a dream career, it's definitely challenging or speculative yet a long-term and satisfactory alternative," Apoorva Kale, an industrial and organizational psychology practitioner, told Bored Panda during an interview.
She said that people generally thrive on two drives, intrinsic and extrinsic. The ones with passion and aspiration for their dream career flourish on intrinsic motivators, while those who believe compensation/benefits are more important to them thrive on extrinsic motivators.
Librarian in a world where you're free to read any book you wish without fear. Imagine having time to just read while helping others find a love of books.
I didn't appreciate this when I was younger but our school librarian was really chill and would basically read all day. Win.
I know two librarians, and they don't get to read books on the jobs. They don't get to read for a living.
It‘s daunting that there are places where anyone might be afraid to read any book.
I do love being a librarian! Unfortunately, I am a school librarian in Texas where there are fears of books being banned and no education funding and the library position being one of the first to go. We try to focus on the kids and the books which are the best part of the job. I read like crazy and love it but no, there isn't time on the job.
Librarian here... Sorry, but we do'nt get to chill and read all day. We WORK. We do programs, outreach, teach classes, paperwork, etc.
I grew up with no restrictions on what I could read. Went to the library several times a week, often with my father. I felt so fortunate that we had a really good library and a father who allowed me plenty of latitude. I had no taste for bad books like porn, so that may have made a difference. But I was never once told I couldn't read something I wanted to read. And the librarians were wonderful.
Librarians don't have time to read on the job. You are romanticising our job and it's simply not the reality.
One of those ghosts from A Christmas Carol that haunts rich people and traumatizes them into not being a******s. I would k*ll for that job.
I applied, but I remember getting ghosted by H.R. Now I don't remember if I got the job or not.
Load More Replies...
Quality tester for a hammock manufacturer.
Test 1. Reading in hammock
Test 2. Napping in hammock (15-90 min)
Test 3. Sleeping in hammock (90+ min).
But of course, if we were given a choice where salary didn't matter, who wouldn't want to do something they truly loved that made them happy? However, 57% of Americans favor capitalism. And getting that really sweet paycheck is what many people look forward to at the end of the month, even if they do something they don't want to.
But Apoorva says, "Eventually, working in an environment that doesn’t conform to oneself holistically will always feel draining. So, not pursuing a dream career can adversely affect an individual's mental health."
Art.
My mom was an art teacher in schools and was then able to open up a home studio to teach kids. The bad part for me is that everyone expects the art teacher's kid to be really good at art - and I'm just mediocre. :)
Holding baby animals.
Swear to God I thought that bunny had a golden crown, I had to actually scroll back up to take a closer look... Time to sleep...
Panda Nanny.
If you knew that the undesirable 9-5 work that you do every day could impact your mental health, would you still do it? "When you choose a job you don't like, it's mostly about satisfying immediate needs or circumstances and is very short-lived," stressed Apoorva.
She also mentioned that when people continue this way, doing something with no interest that gives them zero satisfaction, they might stagnate and ultimately burn out. And that does sound reasonable, right? Just imagine doing something you dislike every single day for years, phew! Sounds terrifying, doesn't it?
Can I be the new David Attenborough? He's getting on a bit and should retire.
I'd love to be paid to travel around the world and then provide dramatic voiceovers to things.
I hope the person who will fill in those shoes will not only be an actor but also a dedicated wildlife and environment activist, the way Sir David is.
I'm sure we wouldn't like to be told by gen z or younger that we should retire. In any serious note, anyway.
Steve Irwin's job.
Rest in peace you absolute f*****g legend, I forgive the stingray because I know you would too.
Being a writer .
I would love to be a writer BUT being a writer is HARD work, it is not easy. Your have to be more than a "putter downer of words" in order to write, you have to FEEL what you are writing and you have to BE what you are writing. It is not unlike being an actor, you have to BE the part not just pretend to be the part.......................
On the other hand, we have to face reality, because money does matter. Other experts suggest that if you can't get your dream job, you can try to find one that closely aligns with your skills, values, and interests. That way, it won't burn you out and at least give you a sense of fulfillment.
Another expert from the University of Pennsylvania says, "There is ALWAYS going to be something you do not like about your job, and that’s okay! It takes years of experience and maybe even bouncing around a little bit to figure out the right fit for you."
Lego artist.
I know for a fact that lego is actually a great company to work for, since they just like...are kind and caring
Search and rescue. They're the closest thing we have to superheros.
I live in the UK and a few years ago my partner and I went to Wales on holiday. We wanted to walk up Snowdonia and while we were waiting a group of young women turned up dressed pretty much for the beach. When we tried to explain to them that it was going to be really cold up there they replied with "we'll be closer to the sun so it will be warmer" Saw them later being cared for with thermal blankets etc.
Load More Replies...
Doggy daycare!
Yep, with boarding facilities too. A Dogtel. And you can add a kitty daycare/boarding—-a Catel, or should that be Cattel?—-on the other side of the building. A place that’s a nice, well kept, squeaky clean, and 1000% fun for the animals place, with dedicated, loyal, loving, and qualified staff taking care of the fur babies. I would be kind of firm when hiring help, though. Any hint of not liking both dogs AND cats, and it would be a sorry, not a good fit, thanks for applying and goodbye from me.
Its a great job until you realize that you need to clean SO MUCH POOP. That is if the other dogs don't get to it first. My ex worked for a "dogtel" and sometimes the dogs would go full Human Centipede and get the turd before it hit the ground. It is otherwise a great job.
Load More Replies...
Paleontologist.
It would be amazing and so fulfilling to add to human knowledge of the history of life on earth. But you have to be creative (or very lucky) to make even a meager living is that field.
So, if you do get your dream job, well and good! But in case you don't, try not to be disheartened. Look for alternatives where you feel you might be the right fit. Who knows, you might end up falling in love with it!
And like these netizens, don't forget to tell us about the work that you would love to do. Just type your heart out in the comments!
Traveling food critic.
The best food critics are the ones who rate the food on quality and not their pwn preferences...
that's the definition of good critic of any kind. Not just "i like" "i don't like" but to actually describe it in a way that I with possibly completely different taste can't get useful from info from reading that review
Load More Replies...Travel + Trying new foods + Being allowed to be judgemental = Perfect Job!
Forrester/ranger.
Working at a small coffee shop.
As long as the pay is commensurate with the amount of work required.
90% of what makes or breaks a job for me is co-workers and management.
That being said, working at a comic shop is a literal dream some days. You deal with a lot of people who are passionate about what you are selling.
You could be Stuart! :) Although he always seemed to hate his job...
I think he loved his job, just hated that it didnt get him enough money or woman.
Load More Replies...
Freelance musician. Just play music all the time, not worry about selling out or stressing over gigs and worrying if the bride is going to be cool or not. Make music for me and if you like it, cool.
Teacher.
I'd love to teach classes where attendance isn't mandatory, where people come because they want to learn!
We've got this. In our school we've got lessons about a big range of subjects (for example: therapy dogs, karate, lyric writing), everytime something different by someone who is passionate about the subject. The rest of the time the kids can do their own projects. Which can also be anything, like building a tree house, cooking a difficult dish, studying math.
Load More Replies...I do wish that politicians would not see education as a hindrance to their ambitions as leaders and view it as it is, as the future of humanity and the way to a more civilized future and not as a detriment to their survival. The world and in particular the US and many 3rd world and dictatorial countries, view education as an enemy to be defeated because educated people will not put up with their b******t and destructive policies!
Have you ever spoken to any teachers? Most of them retire early or have nervous ticks due to the stress. I'm guessing that teaching older people who actually want to learn your subject might be different.
Psychic detective.
Billionaires daughter.
A legit billionaire, that is. Not a wannabe who wastes fortunes because he’s too stupid to know how to run companies his daddy keeps giving him, then lies about what a business wunderkind he is—-and lies about how much money he actually has, and I mean cash and tangible assets, not potential money that may never materialize and pure b******t.
Does this guy's name rhyme with "Tronald Dump"?
Load More Replies...
For me, baker.
I had a bakery business 15+ years ago and I actually was pre-diabetic before I was 26. No longer have bakery and back in normal range.
Load More Replies...
I'm a Software Engineer, and I'd still do that. I do actually enjoy my work, and if salary wouldn't be an issue, I'd just do it better since I wouldn't have to worry about money.
Astronaut. I would love to explore our universe.
I don't know why you were down voted. My first thought was I'd get up there and the toilet would back up.
Load More Replies...no way, ...closed spaces, big nothing, no green, potentially bad roommates, no way out,...nooooo way
I think we were all mislead about the health implications of space travel.
Yeah I read recently that kidney issues are quite common with astronauts due to all the additional radiation exposure.
Load More Replies...Unless technology gets SIGNIFICANTLY better then you are not exploring anything lol took us 40 years for a satellite to get out of our solar system lol Great thought though!
But only 63 years from the Wright brothers to landing a man on the moon. Technology moves fast
Load More Replies...I really wanted to be an astronaut growing up but now I watch videos from the space station and from the two men who dove from practically the edge of the atmosphere to set records for the highest freefall. All I can think is 'get me down from here!' even from just 100 feet up.
Professional tour guide!
If it was a historical location and I could dress according to the time period of the event and not only explain what happened but show as much of the context of the time as I could, then hell yeah, I’d be loving every minute of it. It would be like time traveling to the past for me—-and would tide me over until they finally get off their asses and build that damned Time Machine already, ffs.
Just got back from Boston and took one of those tour buses around the city where they tell you stories and show you the town. You can get on and off as you please, but our driver/guide was such a blast that most people stayed on. He obviously loved his job and had everyone cracking up the whole time. Hugo, you are THE MAN!
Depends on the tour...lol, is it Jurassic Park...then probably yes. Lol
Philosophy professor.
First class, "why are any of us here?" walk out...that's it. Exam in three months. lol
My dad is, technically does ethics of healthcare, but his PhD is in philosophy. I'm convinced philosophers' jobs is to write papers saying 'I don't know' in fancy ways. Occasionally you get the genius who thinks up a problem for people to say 'I don't know' about. That said it is difficult to find a job teaching philosophy (see: him teaching ethics in healthcare and thus technically in nursing).
Fighter pilot.
No thank you............BUT, if you had said pilot........HELL YES!
It's really telling that most jobs described are either about caring for another living being (animals, search and rescues, coffee shop...), transmitting knowledge (paleontologist, tour guide, philosopher..) or creativity (baker, musician, artist, programmer...). Not too many people dreaming about spreadsheets and asset management huh ?
Oh, me! I'd like to go back into auditing if I could.
Load More Replies...I'd run a small CSA biofarm with low key campground in the food forest. And have a sensory garden with play forest to rent out to dog owners who want a safe space to let their dogs run free. And a small Japanese garden with animal park and private wellness B&B. Overarching all these things would be a non profit that organises activities for people who are lonely and/or have less financial means. Think a bimonthly restaurant with cheap three course meal with products from the farm, workshops to learn new skills and meet people, small fairs and events for socializing...
Kudos to all the men who resisted the temptation to answer "sperm donor".
I would fix small engines and lawnmowers. I love the work but I could not live on that pay.
I used to be a newspaper reporter and editor. Nobody's getting rich doing that, but the real "if money was no object" issue is just keeping the paper running - I'm not in newspapers anymore because my paper got bought out by a rival and closed. In a 50 mile radius of our office, another 4 (out of 10) newspapers closed in the 9 years since - most of them had been operating for around 100 years. And I would go back to it in a heartbeat. I really felt like what I did mattered, and that's more than most people can say about their jobs.
Food artist. Not commonly known but to get a nice picture, they embellish the food with the craziest things. For example a nicely roasted chicken is usually treated with a few strokes of dark brown shoe polish to make it look extra scrumptious.
It's really telling that most jobs described are either about caring for another living being (animals, search and rescues, coffee shop...), transmitting knowledge (paleontologist, tour guide, philosopher..) or creativity (baker, musician, artist, programmer...). Not too many people dreaming about spreadsheets and asset management huh ?
Oh, me! I'd like to go back into auditing if I could.
Load More Replies...I'd run a small CSA biofarm with low key campground in the food forest. And have a sensory garden with play forest to rent out to dog owners who want a safe space to let their dogs run free. And a small Japanese garden with animal park and private wellness B&B. Overarching all these things would be a non profit that organises activities for people who are lonely and/or have less financial means. Think a bimonthly restaurant with cheap three course meal with products from the farm, workshops to learn new skills and meet people, small fairs and events for socializing...
Kudos to all the men who resisted the temptation to answer "sperm donor".
I would fix small engines and lawnmowers. I love the work but I could not live on that pay.
I used to be a newspaper reporter and editor. Nobody's getting rich doing that, but the real "if money was no object" issue is just keeping the paper running - I'm not in newspapers anymore because my paper got bought out by a rival and closed. In a 50 mile radius of our office, another 4 (out of 10) newspapers closed in the 9 years since - most of them had been operating for around 100 years. And I would go back to it in a heartbeat. I really felt like what I did mattered, and that's more than most people can say about their jobs.
Food artist. Not commonly known but to get a nice picture, they embellish the food with the craziest things. For example a nicely roasted chicken is usually treated with a few strokes of dark brown shoe polish to make it look extra scrumptious.
