The Best Job

Question

The Best Job

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

SSC Guru

Points: 736150
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April 13, 2006 at 4:06 pm

#168639
What's the best job in the US? According to Money, it's being a software engineer. At least at this time.
Actually 2 of the top ten are IT jobs. The whole ten are :
1. Software Engineer
2. College professor
3. Financial adviser
4. Human Resources Manager
5. Physician assistant
6. Market research analyst
7. Computer IT analyst
8. Real Estate Appraiser
9. Pharmacist
10. Psychologist
It's interesting that IT and medicine, two very high stress and high intellect fields are represented with some of the best jobs. Granted a Pharmacists or PA isn't a neurosurgeon, but still it's interesting.
I'm not sure that I think Software Engineer is the best job, but maybe if you're a geek and just enjoy the work then you don't care about longer hours, on call, or even the great compensation. And I do think most IT people are well paid. The profile of Mark Dochtermann is interesting and I can see why he thinks he has the best job.
Though I might argue I have the best job myself
In any case, I've got a poll based on this:
What's Your Best Job? (besides the one you have)
I'm looking to hear that if you could change jobs, to anything, assuming you could afford it or get the training, what would it be? Start your own flower shop? Be a vet? Train horses (that's my wife's), we're all interested to hear. Be realistic. I'm sure lots of you would like to be Tiger Woods, or some famous star, but if you don't have the physical talent, it's a pipe dream. What job would you realistically move to tomorrow if you could get around money or training issues?
I'll start it off, despite the fact that I think I have a great job. If I could move it would be in one of two areas. I'm hedging a little, but it's because I'm really not sure. I'd have to actually spend some time, a few months at least, in each of these areas to see.
First I'd like to be a writer. Not a technical writer as I am now, or a opinionated hack, which I do everyday. But rather a Stephen King/John Grisham writer, a writer or stories. I know I can try it, but it's hard and I need to see if I could sell something. After all, if I write and no one reads it, it's a little disappointing. I don't need millions of sales, but hundreds or a few thousand would be nice.
The second job would be some type of woodworker. A cabinet maker, furniture maker, luthier, something like that. I enjoy it as a hobby, but not sure I'd like it as a job. That would take some experimenting to find out. Hopefully one day I'll get a chance.
And you all will, too.
Steve Jones

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 52 total)

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Luke L SSC-Dedicated Points: 35547 More actions · Answer 1

My first thought immediately of a perfect job would be that of a Sound Engineer or Foley Artist. It's interesting actually that I'd been studying that in a Music School before I left for the Military and found myself working as an IT jack of all trades.

After some more careful consideration however I remember that performing was what I really enjoyed and would enjoy being able to do some gigs in small Jazz/ Blues clubs.

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Andy Leonard SSChampion Points: 10144 More actions · Answer 2

I would teach. I taught part-time before at a technical college and thoroughly enjoyed it!

:{> Andy

Andy Leonard, Chief Data Engineer, Enterprise Data & Analytics

Adam Byerly SSC-Addicted Points: 497 More actions · Answer 3

Rock Star ...hands down ...good money, lots of perks ....

Carrie-253309 SSC-Addicted Points: 450 More actions · Answer 4

I'd teach. Yes, I do mean Public School. I'm the only female in my family (both mother and father sides) that is not some sort of public educator. Even my brother's wife broke down and after getting her doctorate, became a professor at a public university.

In fact the only reason I don’t teach now is the abysmal pay that public teachers earn in this country. To even come close to breaking even in most states the teacher has to have a master’s degree. I’m the only one in my family that doesn’t have one in fact, and I make more money as a software developer a year than my sister and mother combined.

So give me all the money I need to support my current life style, and I’ll teach.

sushila SSC-Dedicated Points: 35293 More actions · Answer 5

I would offer Steve (very stiff) competition in getting on that best-seller list..

I love (read: intensely passionate about) the power of words and how there's still room to develop & create your own very unique and distinctive style..

ps:I would (of course) be writing my first novel (& every subsequent one) in my mediterranean villa in one of the Greek isles...with my donkey tethered to one of the olive trees in the grove...& some ouzo or raki to stimulate the intellect...

**ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!**

Brad Dean SSC Enthusiast Points: 121 More actions · Answer 6

Brad Dean

SSC Enthusiast

Points: 121

April 14, 2006 at 6:32 am

#632585

I am a programmer but where is DBA?

Robert Sterbal SSC Eights! Points: 845 More actions · Answer 7

Given the three strengths of people: intellect, imagination and strength I've enjoyed various jobs in my life.

Intellectually being a database analyst is a lot of fun. I like the chance to see data, and make systems perform.

If I could make a job out of paper folding instead of just a hobby, I'd do it in a minute - http://www.sterbal.com/origami I really like transforming simple objects into interesting ones.

My strength job was being a bike messenger in Manhattan. 9 hours a day of constant motion.

sushila SSC-Dedicated Points: 35293 More actions · Answer 8

what does a bike messenger do - is that the same as a courier ?!

ps:was the bike driven by motor or pedal power ?!

**ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!**

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398880 More actions · Answer 9

Being a complete & total history nut, I'd love to get paid for it, so either a school teacher, a professor, or a writer. Lots of time to spend with books & artifacts, doing research in dusty closets, small town libraries... oooh!

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

garnette Grasshopper Points: 15 More actions · Answer 10

I want the number two job: college professor. I once applied for a computer science associate professor job at a local college, but they wouldn't hire me because I had only "real world" experience with databases and little college teaching experience (just a couple of 101 classes as an adjunct). I've often thought of getting a Ph.D., but there is still no guarantee of breaking into a profession that seems "closed" unless you have done it for a lifetime. Seems a shame. I think I would love it.

dlampkin SSC-Addicted Points: 485 More actions · Answer 11

A Vet. If the nearest school wasn't 4 hours away (ok, AND another 4 years of school), I probably would have already swapped...

srmc Right there with Babe Points: 781 More actions · Answer 12

As a pharmacist who is also a software engineer, I guess I've got it pretty good.

Sarah Wagner Hall of Fame Points: 3178 More actions · Answer 13

I am also torn between two jobs. I would be a College Professor or a Chef. So maybe I would teach at a Cullinary School to get the best of both worlds.

Michael Crandall Grasshopper Points: 11 More actions · Answer 14

I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.