I have independent means. Help find a low paid, but interesting and social job.

February 15, 2010 6:10 AM

I have a self sustaining internet business that easily supports my lifestyle, but is very isolating. I am in the fortunate position of only having to work 4 hours a week for the next couple of years. I am however going out of my mind with boredom. I want to find an interesting and social job in the UK. Pay isn’t an issue, but I don’t want to work for free. Any suggestions? If it leads to career outside the digital solo realm, all the better, but this is not essential. I am 30, male, and live in Brighton.
posted by choppyes to Work & Money (8 answers total)

Library work. I know others who run internet businesses and combine this with library work.
posted by wingless_angel at 6:19 AM on February 15, 2010

Have you considered doing volunteer work? You meet very nice people, and do good at the same time. That's what many people with independent means do.
posted by musofire at 6:24 AM on February 15, 2010

What about jobs in the party-planning/trade-show industry? You could start out by looking on Craigslist for gigs to work as a waiter/bartender or a booth attendant at trade shows, then work up to being more involved in the planning if you want to.

These types of jobs would interact with a lot of people, but not the same ones every time. Is that what you meant when you said "social" or do you want to find a job where the same group of people does work, and they all go out for happy hour and watch the game together?
posted by CathyG at 7:01 AM on February 15, 2010

Go and help out at your local lifeboat station. If you can get to them within a small number of minutes then you might be able to get involved as shore or boat crew - otherwise you could help with fund-raising.
posted by rongorongo at 7:14 AM on February 15, 2010

Brighton's not as much of a start-up hub as London, but there are still internet companies that don't have much cash but could use your experience. Maybe even as a part-time or consulting gig. You may not meet the most outgoing social butterflies but those kinds of work environments lend themselves to a lot of socializing. Even if there are no job postings, why not drop some emails to companies that interest you?
posted by jetsetlag at 8:43 AM on February 15, 2010

What about working remotely? If it's possible, move somewhere you want to visit for a month, use it as a base station and take day trips to exotic places. This may help break you out of your funk.

BTW, do you have any need of a designer/architect/BA in the US to work remotely :)
posted by TheBones at 8:59 AM on February 15, 2010

Wired Sussex is the place for local digital media types for business or social purposes.
posted by i_cola at 9:40 AM on February 15, 2010

Part time in a bookstore? Record store? Cafe? Flower shop? Ok, those are things I might do in your situation.

What are your hobbies? I'd try looking for something related.
posted by grapesaresour at 4:14 PM on February 17, 2010