Help ratbastid Pick a Career!
 

Okay, so those of you who read journals may know that I lost my job yesterday. Yeah, yeah, shocking and tragic, all that. Yadda yadda.

Not being one to cry over spilt milk, I'm now looking at what I'm going to create to fill the gaping hole that was my career. I don't feel any particular need to keep doing what I was doing (managing a web development company), though I'm good at that certainly COULD do that again.

Here's my dream. My big dream is to do something where I make a years' worth of money (which in my area and for my lifestyle is probably in the $50-$60k range) in three or four months, and then take the rest of the year off to travel, hang out, play, take on hobbies and stuff, etc.

So the question is, what can I do to make that kind of money in a few months that won't miss me if I'm gone for several months? That I can just pick right back up again months later?

I already considered prostitution. lurkette's against it, though she says I'm definitely worth that kind of money. :D

Sorry to hear about your loss (if it really is). I'm just starting to look for work, I'm working now, but testing the waters. A friend from church just showed me what he does, and it's sort of financial planning. Working with people something I like to do, sort of owning your own business, which is a goal of mine. It has more to do with other things than just financial planning, they also work with insurance and stuff. Sounds very interesting. THe company he works with is Primerica.

professional poker player

Hey! Now you're talking!

High end male escort?

You do own your own tux...right?

Professional athlete, or one of the peripheral careers (broadcasting, groundskeeping, concessionaire, etc.)

You could always do something boring or unimportant like teaching or something...

I think Spin Doctor is a good title for you. You can do your consultation over the phone from Guam.

Awesome!

Professional Stunt Man.


They always get the chicks... sorry lurkette.

Hey, as long as he shares the chicks, fine by me!

How about crab fishing in Alaska. 3-4 months of super hard super dangerous work, and you get 50k+++ at the end of it.

My friend...

There is only one option for you...

Organised crime...

Soon you will be able to take the whole year off, while lounging in your multi million dollar mansion in Spain...

I mean sure you might have to kill some people, but they're bad guys...

Don Ratbastid...

yeah, fishing is a possibility.
i was going to suggest tuna fishing. with good quality tuna being so highly prized and thus ridiculously expensive in Japan, i reckon 4 months at sea could net you enough to last the rest of the year quite comfortably. and, who knows of the great sea adventures you could have.

however, crab fishing in Alaska is probably closer to yonder.

Re: Help ratbastid Pick a Career!
 

Are you good at sales? It's not my thing, but commission-based sales jobs are a good way to make a decent amount of money in a short amount of time.

I have a side job I'm doing now as a broker for a company that wants to buy out other companies; I get a cut on the amount of any sale I set up. It's not reliable income so I'd never do it exclusively, but it's good for a nice chunk of change here and there.

That's the best way I could think of jumping into something and being able to make that kind of money in a short period of time. Sell cars during the day and do something like I am on the side, and you could probably pull off that goal....if all that BSing doesn't eat up your soul in that period of time. :p

i have one word for, my boy, "PLASTICS"

How about hit man? Depends on how good a shot you are.

And may their first child... be a masculine child! :D

I'm a crummy shot, I'm afraid. That's okay, I just need to start out as Capo di Tutti Capi, and I'll have henchmen to actually pull my triggers for me.

I like the fishing suggestions. That's actually sort of almost borderline doable. Anything else like that? Possibly something I could do from my couch in my bathrobe?

Commisioned sculpturing.

Get yourself a tig welder, a butt load of stainless steel sheets, and make huge 3foot by three foot cubes of stainless steel. Then you arrange them into a tower welding them together in all kinds of neat and balanced geometric patterns.

Those fancy-schmancy company headquarters types pay big bucks for signed landscape sized artwork.

Couple a two three of those, knock em out in two or three months, spend a month or two hawkin' em aorund the country for a buck fifty each....

DUDE your in fat city.

Lurkette cruising along beside you as you roam the world peddling your masterpieces.

What a life :)

Sorry about the web gig. I've got one going on myself and am secretly fantasizing about a scenario similar to yours.

best to you both. I imagine times like these are stressful.

-bear

Pornstar?

Alaska fishing is near CRISIS. I sell parts for the generators used out of Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and others and get to talk to them quite a bit.

Read the paper... www.adn.com

What about working the summer in Alaska building roads? There are alot of people that live in trailers and get the nice paychecks for 5-6 months a year.

How about a slope job? Work in Deadhorse 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off.

There are several companies that have contracts in the bush for everything from food service to radar tech to heavy equipment operator.

There are alot of remote lodges, remote village projects etc that pay very well and are only open a few months a year.

Mate on a halibut charter out of Homer, Anchor Point, or Seward can pay well. You gotta be in shape to fish.

PM me if you have any other questions.

I immediately thought of crab fishing too but another possibility along the same lines is just general construction work in Alaska for the summer. If you have any kind of construction skills you can make some serious money. Part of the reason is that the days are so long and you don't have any thing else to do but work.

Masturbate?

Get a job plowing the streets in minneapolis. You'd be union and eventually your benefits would be such that you could earn enough comptime in half a year to take the other half off.
And since it's union, you get to be the one guy who just stands around once a week.

you always go work on the rigs in the summer up in morthern alberta. Really good pay, but it's hard work. Another option would be bricklaying. Those guys make off like bandits.

How about baseball commish? It's a high level job, and you wouldn' t even need to know about the sport.

I bet Starbucks is hiring.

Fireman. You don't get a lot of days off _in a row_, and you have to work 24-hour shifts. But since they actually pay you to sleep, you end up with a lot of days off.

Fireman also do a lot of trading around of shifts. My brother-in-law used to be able to take long vacations several times a year, because he'd work extra shifts and then get people to cover for him when he wanted the extra time.

That's all I can think of. Four or five years ago, you could easily have gotten $60K worth of contract web work in six months and be sure of more work waiting when you got back six months later. But those good times roll no more....

Oh yeah, and smuggling. Not drugs, but things like cigarettes without tax stamps. Take 'em from a low-tax state to a high-tax state and find a "Coffin Nails for Less" store that'll take 'em off your hands for a reasonable price.

Have you thought about doing CPA work? My friend is getting herself set up where she works 50-60 hours a week during the Jan-April tax season, makes all her money for the year, then has the other months off to whatever.

Fuck you. :D

Actually, I had a moment yesterday when I realized that fundamentally I'm no better than the people who work at Wal-Mart. If it came down to it, I could do that. Or Starbucks, sure. It's not what I want to do, but it's also not like I'm above that.

Tell me about it. Five or six years ago, a company of 12 people could be on target for $1.5 million a year. Nowadays a company of 6 is scraping to hit $40k a month. Of course, a company of 2 is a lot more sustainable at $40k a month. But I can't imagine they'll be able to deliver enough work to make that much money. We'll see. Not my problem!

Okay, now you're talking. That one I could actually do.

For the love of God, NO! Not Wal-Mart. Go with a union employer. You'll get benefits, that you can actually afford, that way.

Target, baby - opening March 7 about 1/2 mile from our house. 2 words: employee discount.

Not a thing wrong with real estate.
Spend a few months taking classes.
Get your license.
And then - it's what you make it!

Which is reason #18 that my wife, with the journalism degree, works at Omaha Steaks. Mmmm...top sirloin tonight, Baby!!

Ditto on Art- You sound like you can really roll with this!

You got charisma (at least you type that way) and you sound pretty intelligent. You may be a lion in the field!

My dad thinking about getting into real estate...he's at a point where his career is doing more harm than good. (sleepless nights, lots of overtime that he doesn't get paid for since he's salaried, etc.) If you can afford to take the time off to get liscensed...it might be a good investment. Plus, you can work in the peak seasons and lay low when people aren't buying houses. (the holidays come to mind) So yeah...

First of all let me say: :lol:

I hear we might be looking for a president some time soon. How are you at kissing babies and shaking hands?

Kissing hands? Shaking babies? I CAN DO THAT!! :thumbsup:

And nobody'll mind that I go to Kennebunkport or my Texas ranch for months at a time?

Yeaaaah, I suppose I could do that. I've got some good friends who are realtors. Actually, I know one of the top realtors in the state.

Thing is, I know a lot of people who have bailed out of real estate. I think it's a pretty cutthroat business, at least around here.

That and CPA are things to think about, for sure. Y'all better hurry, though! I'm going to start calling to set up job interviews on Monday. I need some great idea from you, or else 9-to-5 ball-and-chain, here I come!

Consulting... It will take a lot of hussle to get the business but you can parlay that into a lot of cash and some down time.

The hardest part of consulting is that you are constantly looking for work.

...so maybe not.

ooooo AMWAY.

Good luck!

But seriously, the is a great book our called Now, Discover Your Strengths. It includes an on-line test that really helps you understand the top five things/talents you have a natural, although possibly undeveloped talent for.

You could become a bum and just panhandle. Can you play any instruments, or do any stupid human tricks?

Apparently, some panhandlers do quite well for themselves.

Massage Therapist. If you're any good, and have the stamina and desire to push a clientele base, you can be rollin' in some green.

That gets you some small green. But to get the large green you are looking at 70-80 hour/7 day weeks. Of course, you do need to have some availability during the "offseason" because unless you are doing H&R Block type returns, your clients will have questions throughout the year. (Of course if you are doing them, you can get away with 50-60 hours and just work Lurkette harder the rest of the year.)

Of course I'll give you the advice I give all clients/friends that are looking for a change in profession: You will always be able to find work if you can remember these six words:"Do you want fries with that?"

Yes, im currently in training to be a massage therapist. Was previously working in the computer idustry (QA engineer, web development stuff).

It would be difficult to be able to pull off that salary in a 3-4 month time frame, but certainly possible. And this is one job that definately doesnt feel like work. On top of it, your clients will love you to death. I'm sure Lurkette wouldn't mind having a trained therapist as a husband either..

You can pull off that salary working only part of the year if you work on a cruise ship, or a seasonal resort. The cruise ship idea would leave Lurkette a lonely woman for a few months out of the year, so I'm sure that wouldnt be an option for you. But if there are any resorts near you, or someplace your willing to move together, that is definately worth checking out.

Believe me, there is nothing boring about teaching. After 18 years in the field, like me, you could make $50,000 a year -- have summers, spring break, and winter break off as well as all the major and minor holidays. It can be emotionally rewarding too, if you are willing to hang in there.

Of course, you'll start out in debt from getting an education, working way more than 40 hours a week, having to get a masters, taking summer courses, and only earning $23,000 a year. And everyone will think you are unimportant so you will feel under appreciated.

I know...I was joking. I said it because you get the summer off.

I'd be stoked if ratbastid became my teacher, he's a cool guy.

Trust me... it becomes work. You may love it forever, but it will still be work. It's very physically straining at times, depending on the type of massage you do, and in most states it requires at least yearly classes to keep your certificate/license. It takes a lot of time, energy, and stamina. And you have to do things to keep it interesting.

And Lurkette, if he does this, don't set your hopes too high for nightly massages (that is, unless you've got 'im trained REALLY well ;) ) It may be that way for a while, but pretty soon, he'll be the one begging for massage! :p

Quote:

You can pull off that salary working only part of the year if you work on a cruise ship, or a seasonal resort. The cruise ship idea would leave Lurkette a lonely woman for a few months out of the year, so I'm sure that wouldnt be an option for you. But if there are any resorts near you, or someplace your willing to move together, that is definately worth checking out.

If you want to work at a resort or on a cruise ship, don't get your heart set on it unless you've done your research. It isn't always what it's cracked up to be, or what they've told you in school. Some cruise ships are shit to work for, they treat you like crap, their massage rooms aren't big enough to walk around the table comfortably, and they just kinda crank the people outta there, because the more massages you do, the more money you make. In a setting like that, some values of the massage are lost. Also, some resorts will work you to the bone doing things other than massage, or they'll expect you to work on commission, but still sit on your ass for hours if there isn't anything scheduled.

I love massage. I do it because I love it. I love helping people, I love healing naturally. Massage is a very rewarding career choice, if you put your life into it. You HAVE to love what you're doing. I'm not by any means trying to discourage anyone from it. If you love to help others, and you have the physical/emotional/mental stamina, you'll be awesome.

You could get into the oil rigs... offshore would be better money than onshore, but much more dangerous.

Real estate's not a bad gig, but you can't really take off for months at a time when you have clients depending on you.

And what I ask is the matter with people who work at wal mart???


;)


/Wal-Mart Pharmacy Intern

All the negatives aside, it's actually something I've given a little thought to. My state is experiencing a teacher shortage, and there's a program to get teachers in front of classrooms without their needing a teaching certificate, and have them complete their certification later.

I could teach High School computers. That'd be great. Or music. Or, I suppose, English (I only have a BA in English Lit, after all)....

You'd be an awesome English teacher, Ratbastid!!

Check out Dungaree Dan's Contract Employee's Handbook. It's got some interesting strategies for making a good living as a contractor/consultant, if that's your bag of tricks.

There are tons of internal corporate web projects that need people to come in and lead them temporarily, where you can still charge $100+/hour. That's how I've paid the bills for the past two years with plenty of time to travel.

http://img4.photobucket.com/albums/0...joe/arches.jpg
:lol:

Seriously, if you want that kind of life then you could become a pharmacist, but the schooling takes a long time and alot of money.

Some of my friends started earning 55k right out of college and only had to work 3 or four days a week.

porn star... working would be fun

So ratbastid, wanna fill us in on how it's going?

Sure!

This morning I'm headed to the office of the NC Secretary of State to file my new company's Articles of Incorporation. I'm going to be a freelance and subcontract web developer and consultant.

Here's the thing about that: I'm trading months of free time for basically being the master of my time on a day-by-day basis. Working for myself, if I want to take an afternoon off, I can take an afternoon off.

I'm actually a lot more excited about running my own business than I am about the particular work. It just happens to be something I have a lot of experience in, but as far as I'm concerned it may as well be pipe fittings--it's the running of the business that has me interested right now.

I was going to sugest dealing cards at a casino. Dependig on where you live dealers can make a crap load.

That or make meth. Or you could skip the making of drugs and just become a drug king pin. :)

Cool! Besides the Dungaree Dan link I provided above, you might find the book "Managing the Professional Service Firm" by David Maister interesting, especially if you are interested in the managing and running side of a services business. It is the bible of professional services firms and is a great short-cut to the longer and MUCH more painful "figure it out as you go along" route (I'm speaking from experience here).

Anyway, good luck.

i don't know much about it, but i've talked to some traveling nurses who make a ton of money in a few months, and then take the rest of the year off. i think some of them can even take their families with them. of course, this involves nursing school, but an associates degree in nursing only takes 2-3 years.

Thanks! I'll add Maister to the list, right after "The E-Myth". Any other recommendations for ratbastid's Reading List? Or is that another thread? :lol:

That Dungaree Dan site looked promising, but hard to navigate. I was never sure whether I was looking at the information, or what. THAT guy needs a web design firm! :thumbsup:

Quick follow-up: "Managing the Professional Service Firm" is now winging its way to me from Amazon, thanks to a $50 gift certificate my brother gave me for Christmas that I forgot about completely. Isn't it great how things work out sometimes? :D

Stupid frames. Frames come in a close second to <blink>the blink tag</blink> as the worst HTML tag ever invented.

Anyway, I think this will take you to the correct framed version of Dungaree Dan's site with navigation.

And enjoy the book. It's a dry topic, but damn enlightening regardless.

As always i reccommend not selling drugs; in order to really sell enough to support yourself, you really end up having more people know about it than you'd like. Which bites major ass. Because growing and cultivating psilicybin is way easier and more fun than working. I'd go with mooching in a big city, you can make enough money to buy yourself happiness in exchange for your pride.

You know RB... and I don't mean this to be a downer... Working for yourself just means you never give up looking for a job.

You constantly need to be looking for new clients.

I don't know if I could handle that kind of stress... but more power to you man.

It also means you can never be fired... With all of the lay-offs, outsourcing, etc. that's going on, I'm not sure I'd want to depend on anybody else for my job.

What a great thread. Hahahaha.

OK, let's get down to it, buddy-boy. You need to reinvent yourself. You have:
- Management skills
- people skills (likely with the mgt skills)
- technical skills (hopefully you learned about what you managed)

I would suggest contract work. Software testing might be something you could tackle with your skills, and you could work a few single-month contracts then split.

As for reinventing yourself: how about managing some other kind of work? People mgt skills can go anywhere. Maybe the Seasonal aisle at Target would be fun (...okay, that's for lurkette because I am mesmerized by her avatar...) What I am saying is apply the skills you have to something you'd rather be doing. Take some time to think about it!

Unfortunately, the real money is in a regular day job. We all hate it. Don't forget to look for some of those, too. *sigh*