Dream job: Part timing it

For an explanation of this post, see here.

When I think about a ‘dream job,’ sometimes it is as much about what the job is not as it is about what it is- in this case, a part time job that pays enough that I can make a living.

Part time

"Part time" by ubiquity_zh on flickr

I think part of this fantasy has to do with the fact that I’ve been busy these last two years and I’m starting to burn out a little. But a bigger part, I suspect, is the lack of time to work on my own projects. I have a huge pile of “someday” ideas I’d love to work on.

So what would I do with the extra 20 hours a week?

  • Paint – While the free artwork project has given me a push, I’ve yet to take off a new project like my Monoliths series. I want to have time to really explore some things I’ve been thinking about.
  • Build things – furniture mostly, but maybe get into sculpture a little.
  • Get involved – you know, the basic community building, local stuff I always mean to do but never get around to.
  • Design a class- I’ve been toying with the idea of doing an online art class similar to 5 weeks. I’d also like to teach a class through my neighborhood association or parks and rec or something similar.
  • Read – I have SO MANY books I want to read, so much I want to learn about.
  • Research – Whether or not I land a faculty position, I have some research I’d like to conduct. Actually, the research I’d like to do might be easier outside the tenure/faculty system, because I’m not 100% sure my interest mesh up with what might be acceptable for a librarian tenure folder. Plus, then I’d have something to show if I do apply for a tenure/faculty position- at least prove I can do research. :)
  • Learn – I’d like to get another Master’s after my library degree, but I don’t ever want to do the full time work/grad school thing again.

Beyond these things, which wouldn’t make any money (or not much), I have a few money making ideas I’d like to try out

  • Consulting – I’m not deluding myself into thinking I’ll be a big time hot shot consultant, but I do think my insight could be valuable. I could also make myself available for short term projects, which I think could be very fun.
  • Starting a small home business – My husband and I have had several ideas for home businesses. I’d like to explore some of them, or at least do some research.
  • Take on other part time jobs – Having one part time steady job that paid enough would allow me to try out other, perhaps lower paying or temporary jobs with little risk.

This “dream job” has nothing to do with the job itself. It has to do with the freedom the job gives me to do other things. In essence, I would be buying myself out of 20 hours of work a week.

I think there are a lot of dream jobs out there like this- jobs that may not be ideal to read the job description, but are ideal because of extras- more time off, more professional development opportunity, more freedom to be creative and build the job your way. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to get these intangible qualities from a job ad. If it’s half time, that’s pretty obvious, but some jobs offer flex time (which would also allow the time to work on some projects mentioned above), ample vacation time, or extra time for research. This is where researching and, especially, networking comes in- it helps to know people at various institutions so you can ask about the work environment.

This is probably one of my more attainable “dream jobs” – but I don’t think I’ll try for it until I have worked a few more full time jobs.

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One Response to Dream job: Part timing it

  1. Mr. T says:

    You forgot to add “level up my WoW character to 70.” Just kidding, we would need 40 hours of free time a week to do that.

    Seriously, I feel you on the personal projects. One of my favorite hobbies is writing, and I just finished an article which took me close to 2 years to finally complete!

    My only suggestion is try and take a more buddhist view of things and try and free yourself of the desire to do more, do faster, do better, and concentrate on what you already have and do, and enjoy that as is.