What careers pay reasonably well but don't require 40 hours
July 27, 2015 12:10 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to find the right career. I'm currently employed doing something that while I don't dislike I'm not crazy about either. In particular I'm interested in jobs with a lot of flexibility. More details inside.
About me: 25, college degree, white collar profession. I currently work in marketing and specialize in SEO, SEM and analytics just to briefly describe my skillset.
I don't dislike my job but I do dislike working 9 to 5, five days a week. In all honestly I'd really only like to work 20-30 hours a week or have a job that allows for flex time or more generous vacation time. I'd like to spend more time pursuing my hobbies and traveling and although I can afford it, I currently don't have the time.
What would be a good career for someone like me. Note : I'm not attached to marketing and in fact would be interested on a job that didn't require me be in an office all day. I don't mind office work but 8 hours of it can be rough as I tend to get bored. I would like to still make at least 50k a year. Is this realistically possible? I'd love to hear if anyone knows of any careers that fit this profile. Also what new skills would I need, I'm not against learning a new trade or picking up a reasonably priced degree a.ka. tech school or community college. I am realistic about the job market and realize this may be long term goal that I have to work towards and I am willing to invest the time and work necessary to make this happen.
Also, has anyone worked a series of contract jobs. Bouncing from one to the other and taking time off for family, traveling, etc in between? I really like to travel and have family scattered across the country and in other countries as well but I don't have the time to see them. I'd be willing to work 3-12 month contract positions for the next several years if I had the flexibility to travel after the assignment ended and they provided me with stable income to do so. Any suggestions? What should I consider and what risks may be involved?
About me: 25, college degree, white collar profession. I currently work in marketing and specialize in SEO, SEM and analytics just to briefly describe my skillset.
I don't dislike my job but I do dislike working 9 to 5, five days a week. In all honestly I'd really only like to work 20-30 hours a week or have a job that allows for flex time or more generous vacation time. I'd like to spend more time pursuing my hobbies and traveling and although I can afford it, I currently don't have the time.
What would be a good career for someone like me. Note : I'm not attached to marketing and in fact would be interested on a job that didn't require me be in an office all day. I don't mind office work but 8 hours of it can be rough as I tend to get bored. I would like to still make at least 50k a year. Is this realistically possible? I'd love to hear if anyone knows of any careers that fit this profile. Also what new skills would I need, I'm not against learning a new trade or picking up a reasonably priced degree a.ka. tech school or community college. I am realistic about the job market and realize this may be long term goal that I have to work towards and I am willing to invest the time and work necessary to make this happen.
Also, has anyone worked a series of contract jobs. Bouncing from one to the other and taking time off for family, traveling, etc in between? I really like to travel and have family scattered across the country and in other countries as well but I don't have the time to see them. I'd be willing to work 3-12 month contract positions for the next several years if I had the flexibility to travel after the assignment ended and they provided me with stable income to do so. Any suggestions? What should I consider and what risks may be involved?
Part time paralegals, depending on the firm and type of law, might come close to that. Sometimes specialized training is required and sometimes it isn't. The type of work varies wildly depending on who you are working for. The same can be said for law generally, but I never recommend law school to anyone who has to pay for it.
posted by dpx.mfx at 12:24 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dpx.mfx at 12:24 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nursing. Many members of my family are nurses earning a full time living with benefits who don't work 5 days a week. You may have to work a 12 hour shift 2-3 days a week, or work overnights or weekends, and it's not easy work by any means, but you'd have more free time overall.
And also, just so you know, nobody is excited about working 9 to 5. We would all rather work less and still make the same money and have time to hang out and travel and do whatever we want. Part of this may just be coming to accept life as an adult.
posted by something something at 12:38 PM on July 27, 2015 [41 favorites]
And also, just so you know, nobody is excited about working 9 to 5. We would all rather work less and still make the same money and have time to hang out and travel and do whatever we want. Part of this may just be coming to accept life as an adult.
posted by something something at 12:38 PM on July 27, 2015 [41 favorites]
Nursing, social worker in private therapy practice, child psychiatry.
posted by OmieWise at 12:43 PM on July 27, 2015
posted by OmieWise at 12:43 PM on July 27, 2015
One thing to consider: if your job has full benefits, you may need more than 50k as a freelancer to equal 50k with benefits.
posted by Aranquis at 12:45 PM on July 27, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by Aranquis at 12:45 PM on July 27, 2015 [10 favorites]
How are your analytic/stats/CS skills? I have friends who work in pretty specialized research at universities — they make about 130-150K a year working 20-30 hours a week (sometimes less!), with about six weeks of vacation/PTO and fantastic benefits. All without advanced degrees, and only 3-5 years of experience before they got to that level.
posted by un petit cadeau at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by un petit cadeau at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm not necessarily recommending you go these routes, but in strict answer to your question:
- pastor (as long as your church isn't too poor or dependent on strong leadership personalities to function)
* you will almost certainly need a seminary degree of some kind here
- college professor (best bet: in a non-humanities field)
* PhD, just to qualify for the competition over a tenured spot
- Dentist
* Specialized degree in dentistry, from dental school
- Psychiatrist
* med school
posted by Poppa Bear at 1:07 PM on July 27, 2015
- pastor (as long as your church isn't too poor or dependent on strong leadership personalities to function)
* you will almost certainly need a seminary degree of some kind here
- college professor (best bet: in a non-humanities field)
* PhD, just to qualify for the competition over a tenured spot
- Dentist
* Specialized degree in dentistry, from dental school
- Psychiatrist
* med school
posted by Poppa Bear at 1:07 PM on July 27, 2015
You are roughly looking to earn $50/hour if you work 25 hours a week and have a month vacation every year. So, it isn't impossible, but it is also what a lot of people want. What skills can you share that are worth that much to an employer? (Because for freelance/contract your hourly wage would have to almost double to be worth it).
You also might want to consider re-locating, a life-style on $50,000 in one area might be achievable on less money elsewhere. Where I live now tends to have a LOT of part-time/season work (tourism and weather related) but then also has drawbacks like less hourly pay and a lack of non-tourism infrastructure like transit or healthcare.
For what it is worth, a lot of "pink collar" jobs are part-time/flex time, but they tend to not pay $50/hour.
posted by saucysault at 1:08 PM on July 27, 2015
You also might want to consider re-locating, a life-style on $50,000 in one area might be achievable on less money elsewhere. Where I live now tends to have a LOT of part-time/season work (tourism and weather related) but then also has drawbacks like less hourly pay and a lack of non-tourism infrastructure like transit or healthcare.
For what it is worth, a lot of "pink collar" jobs are part-time/flex time, but they tend to not pay $50/hour.
posted by saucysault at 1:08 PM on July 27, 2015
I know someone who teaches in a private school. He has the summer months off and winter vacation. He does not spend a full 8 hours at school, but he does work quite a few hours. Not sure if you like working with kids or teaching, or how you sould get into that though.
Also, echoing something something, most people would like to work fewer hours and travel more. France does this, so maybe you can move to France?
posted by ethidda at 1:10 PM on July 27, 2015
Also, echoing something something, most people would like to work fewer hours and travel more. France does this, so maybe you can move to France?
posted by ethidda at 1:10 PM on July 27, 2015
Freelance. I'm about to take a month off to travel and pursue my other interests. This isn't the first long trip I've done this year, and I don't work every single day either. I spend about 2-3 months traveling a year and I'm on site with clients maybe 2-3 weeks a month.
The trade off is when I do work the hours are very long and the jobs are stressful. And when I'm not on a gig, I have a million business administration things to do, which obviously I do not get paid for. I basically alternate between being ultra busy and doing what I want. I think it's worth it but it's not for everyone.
if your job has full benefits, you may need more than 50k as a freelancer to equal 50k with benefits
Yeah that and overhead and taxes and all the other stuff you employee folk don't have to think about. As a rule of thumb I would triple your salary to get in the ballpark of what that translates to for freelancing. Sounds like a lot, but then again you set your own rates and choose your clients, so...
posted by bradbane at 1:21 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
The trade off is when I do work the hours are very long and the jobs are stressful. And when I'm not on a gig, I have a million business administration things to do, which obviously I do not get paid for. I basically alternate between being ultra busy and doing what I want. I think it's worth it but it's not for everyone.
if your job has full benefits, you may need more than 50k as a freelancer to equal 50k with benefits
Yeah that and overhead and taxes and all the other stuff you employee folk don't have to think about. As a rule of thumb I would triple your salary to get in the ballpark of what that translates to for freelancing. Sounds like a lot, but then again you set your own rates and choose your clients, so...
posted by bradbane at 1:21 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think you need to get good at *something* to do what you want to do, but there are a lot of things you *could* do. I'm a software developer and several of my colleagues work three or four days a week most weeks. (You probably would not make $50K as a pastor or a private school teacher, at least not for a while.)
Also, reducing your expenses (learning to live well on a smaller income) is a great skill to have. I make a good bit more than $50K, but I spend significantly less than $50K (and I live very comfortably in an expensive area). So I do work full time right now but if I decide I want to take a month or a year off, or switch to working part time, I have that option with no real reduction in my standard of living. Would you rather work full time and have your own apartment or work part time and have roommates? Would you rather work part time and cook most of your meals at home or work full time and eat a lot of your meals in restaurants?
posted by mskyle at 1:30 PM on July 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Also, reducing your expenses (learning to live well on a smaller income) is a great skill to have. I make a good bit more than $50K, but I spend significantly less than $50K (and I live very comfortably in an expensive area). So I do work full time right now but if I decide I want to take a month or a year off, or switch to working part time, I have that option with no real reduction in my standard of living. Would you rather work full time and have your own apartment or work part time and have roommates? Would you rather work part time and cook most of your meals at home or work full time and eat a lot of your meals in restaurants?
posted by mskyle at 1:30 PM on July 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
I know someone who teaches in a private school. He has the summer months off and winter vacation. He does not spend a full 8 hours at school, but he does work quite a few hours. Not sure if you like working with kids or teaching, or how you sould get into that though.
Hahahahahahahaha. Do not teach school children if you want to work 20-30 hours a week. I cannot even begin to tell you the many ways this assumption is incorrect.
posted by charmedimsure at 1:36 PM on July 27, 2015 [27 favorites]
Hahahahahahahaha. Do not teach school children if you want to work 20-30 hours a week. I cannot even begin to tell you the many ways this assumption is incorrect.
posted by charmedimsure at 1:36 PM on July 27, 2015 [27 favorites]
I'm an enterprise software consultant. Most of my work is done remotely (i.e., from home, not in the same city as the client). I have a lot of control over my schedule - as long as my clients are happy, I can skip out any time of any day. Any hours I don't work I don't get paid for, so that keeps me from working 20 hour weeks (also, my client might wonder what I'm doing if I'm only working half time). But if I want to go to the gym in the morning and don't start work until 10 or 11, that's fine as long as I'm handling my business.
It's not something you can just jump into randomly, but some forms of consulting have a good work/life balance.
posted by Tehhund at 1:37 PM on July 27, 2015
It's not something you can just jump into randomly, but some forms of consulting have a good work/life balance.
posted by Tehhund at 1:37 PM on July 27, 2015
And also, just so you know, nobody is excited about working 9 to 5. We would all rather work less and still make the same money and have time to hang out and travel and do whatever we want. Part of this may just be coming to accept life as an adult.
This.
posted by radioamy at 1:49 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
This.
posted by radioamy at 1:49 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
And also, just so you know, nobody is excited about working 9 to 5. We would all rather work less and still make the same money and have time to hang out and travel and do whatever we want. Part of this may just be coming to accept life as an adult.
Strongly disagree. 9-5 office culture is not for everyone. Where there's a will, there's a way out.
posted by nologo at 1:52 PM on July 27, 2015 [12 favorites]
Strongly disagree. 9-5 office culture is not for everyone. Where there's a will, there's a way out.
posted by nologo at 1:52 PM on July 27, 2015 [12 favorites]
Hi! I'm a nurse! I used to be you!
The job itself offers, in theory, the flexibility you want. Getting to that point requires education and time investment that, at least in the short term, might be just as bad as the 9 to 5 grind. I tried to balance both myself, just to get out on the other side and walk away from my cubicle. I had to go part time at my office job, which if I had known was an option, I would've done ages before.
posted by RainyJay at 1:54 PM on July 27, 2015
The job itself offers, in theory, the flexibility you want. Getting to that point requires education and time investment that, at least in the short term, might be just as bad as the 9 to 5 grind. I tried to balance both myself, just to get out on the other side and walk away from my cubicle. I had to go part time at my office job, which if I had known was an option, I would've done ages before.
posted by RainyJay at 1:54 PM on July 27, 2015
My company has people in many positions who work part time. Software developers, an HR person, a couple of accountants, marketing people, sales people, and (lots of) customer service people. Many of those jobs pay $50k or much more. But the key is, ALL of those people (as far as I know) worked for the company for years, built great reputations for doing good work, and then transitioned into being part-time. I don't think we hire anyone as part time right out of the gate. While there are many ways to do it, if you want to work for a company rather than being independent, the most viable path I've seen has been:
1. Be great at what you do (a skilled job, not easy to hire for).
2. Find a company that has at least some precedent of flexibility with working arrangements.
3. Work full time, HARD, for at least a couple of years to build up the reputation and trust in the company needed to justify a non-standard schedule.
4. Be open to some negotiation/change when you request going part time. E.g. you might have to work on a less desirable project/team.
None of this is a guarantee, but I've seen this work at several companies (all in the tech industry).
posted by primethyme at 2:04 PM on July 27, 2015
1. Be great at what you do (a skilled job, not easy to hire for).
2. Find a company that has at least some precedent of flexibility with working arrangements.
3. Work full time, HARD, for at least a couple of years to build up the reputation and trust in the company needed to justify a non-standard schedule.
4. Be open to some negotiation/change when you request going part time. E.g. you might have to work on a less desirable project/team.
None of this is a guarantee, but I've seen this work at several companies (all in the tech industry).
posted by primethyme at 2:04 PM on July 27, 2015
Yes, PLEASE do not consider teaching. The physical and emotional labour required is bone-wearying. Yes, you get breaks and summer vacation, but I spend most of those trying to rest enough to go back to work and be functional.
I'm also reminded of this Schmoyoho video: "You know who pretends that work is fun? Every single person since the world begun."
I was going to suggest paralegal or specialised researcher, but others have covered those options pretty well.
posted by guster4lovers at 2:49 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm also reminded of this Schmoyoho video: "You know who pretends that work is fun? Every single person since the world begun."
I was going to suggest paralegal or specialised researcher, but others have covered those options pretty well.
posted by guster4lovers at 2:49 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm a librarian and have a 30 hour work schedule. There are non-librarian jobs in my system that are also 20 or 30 hours per week that don't require a master's degree, but you won't make $50K. I wouldn't necessarily recommend becoming a librarian (very few jobs), but it is an option.
Also look at university jobs. I worked for a large public research university and there were a lot of support roles that were 50-75% time with full benefits. Again, most won't get you $50K but there are a broad range of jobs.
posted by wsquared at 3:06 PM on July 27, 2015
Also look at university jobs. I worked for a large public research university and there were a lot of support roles that were 50-75% time with full benefits. Again, most won't get you $50K but there are a broad range of jobs.
posted by wsquared at 3:06 PM on July 27, 2015
I was you for a long time in my mid-20's. Then I realized that the lifestyle I wanted to lead - travel, big chunks of time off, and at least 50K/yr in salary - required a lot of work, either to get yourself to the point where you can freelance and cover your expenses/insurance/taxes and still be able to travel, or in paying for schooling while still working short term to get somewhere else long-term. So I made my peace with 5/40, and haven't really looked back. It's not the dream, but I've made it work for me pretty well.
The two bits of advice I would give as you make your choice: if you want to go down this road, one don't get married, and two don't buy a place to live. Once you start putting those roots down, the siren song of a 5/40, regular, steady, good paycheck becomes a lot harder to resist. Get your lifestyle established the way you want to, then put roots down around that.
Also: work generally sucks, at least the time commitment part of it. That's why they call it work.
posted by pdb at 3:41 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
The two bits of advice I would give as you make your choice: if you want to go down this road, one don't get married, and two don't buy a place to live. Once you start putting those roots down, the siren song of a 5/40, regular, steady, good paycheck becomes a lot harder to resist. Get your lifestyle established the way you want to, then put roots down around that.
Also: work generally sucks, at least the time commitment part of it. That's why they call it work.
posted by pdb at 3:41 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
I have to second nursing. Standard workweek is 3 12-hour shifts, so 36 hours a week, but you can also work per-diem or part time, and travel nurses can work 13 week contracts all over the country with as much time off as they want in between. In my area new grads can start making around $90k at the high end (but I am in one of the highest paying areas of the country, and this varies a lot by region).
It's not an office job, and offers a lot of variety. You wouldn't be able to get into travel nursing right away, as that requires about two years of experience, but once you had the experience I believe you have a say in what area you want to be sent to.
I am a very new nurse, but very enthusiastic about it so far -- at this point I think it's one of the better decisions I have ever made. Good luck!
posted by queens86 at 3:56 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's not an office job, and offers a lot of variety. You wouldn't be able to get into travel nursing right away, as that requires about two years of experience, but once you had the experience I believe you have a say in what area you want to be sent to.
I am a very new nurse, but very enthusiastic about it so far -- at this point I think it's one of the better decisions I have ever made. Good luck!
posted by queens86 at 3:56 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
Don't become a university professor, as another has suggested. Will take years of work to get at PhD and then you will be working 60 hour weeks until you get tenure. If you were a current 65 year old professor getting ready to retire, well, I think many of them are working fewer than 40hours per week.
I'm a librarian and my employer has gone through and eliminated any part-time positions, due to budget cuts. All part-timers (Master's level or not) were forced to convert to full time or leave--seems that the over 50% time positions counted as full-time positions in their budget.
A lot of people I know have retrained as nurses or as real estate agents. It takes less time/training to be a real estate agent than a nurse. Others have become home-health aides, make about $8.00 or so per hour, but it can be flexible and work more as a contract position and might not require much training at all. The IT careers would offer more intellectual stimulation, but if you like caring for people it might be an option.
posted by bessiemae at 3:58 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm a librarian and my employer has gone through and eliminated any part-time positions, due to budget cuts. All part-timers (Master's level or not) were forced to convert to full time or leave--seems that the over 50% time positions counted as full-time positions in their budget.
A lot of people I know have retrained as nurses or as real estate agents. It takes less time/training to be a real estate agent than a nurse. Others have become home-health aides, make about $8.00 or so per hour, but it can be flexible and work more as a contract position and might not require much training at all. The IT careers would offer more intellectual stimulation, but if you like caring for people it might be an option.
posted by bessiemae at 3:58 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
college professor (best bet: in a non-humanities field)
* PhD, just to qualify for the competition over a tenured spot
HAHAHAahahahaha (sob) hahaha. No.
I just wrote something in another thread about being a Registered Massage Therapist. You can self employ, and even if not, you can set your own hours (as many or as little as you want). Around here, it's very high demand and RMTs charge $100 per hour or more. You can also work from home or offer sessions at the client's home/business. It's a 2 year program with some pretty strict testing prior to certification. Canadian RMTs are commonly invited to international sporting events to provide services to athletes.
I have a friend who is a high powered accountant with KPMG. Works half the year, travels/skis the other half of the year. Of the half year when she's working, she puts in a hella lot of hours, though.
posted by porpoise at 4:35 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
* PhD, just to qualify for the competition over a tenured spot
HAHAHAahahahaha (sob) hahaha. No.
I just wrote something in another thread about being a Registered Massage Therapist. You can self employ, and even if not, you can set your own hours (as many or as little as you want). Around here, it's very high demand and RMTs charge $100 per hour or more. You can also work from home or offer sessions at the client's home/business. It's a 2 year program with some pretty strict testing prior to certification. Canadian RMTs are commonly invited to international sporting events to provide services to athletes.
I have a friend who is a high powered accountant with KPMG. Works half the year, travels/skis the other half of the year. Of the half year when she's working, she puts in a hella lot of hours, though.
posted by porpoise at 4:35 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
There are lots of jobs that don't come with an office. Jobs that don't require a full work week are harder to find. A lot of them are blue collar. Here are some things you could look into:
long haul truck driving
nursery/landscaping
construction - this includes working the regular trades of plumbing, carpentry, tile, flooring, carpet, window installation, etc.
If you are techy at all, look into system support.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:36 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
long haul truck driving
nursery/landscaping
construction - this includes working the regular trades of plumbing, carpentry, tile, flooring, carpet, window installation, etc.
If you are techy at all, look into system support.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:36 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
Dental hygiene only requires an associate's degree, median salary is 70k a year, and job outlook is insane. Many dental offices only keep part-time hours. My hygienist, who is a friend at this point, makes over $50/hour.
posted by jabes at 4:43 PM on July 27, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by jabes at 4:43 PM on July 27, 2015 [4 favorites]
Actually yeah, dental hygienist is a great suggestion. I know several DH's who make comfortable salaries and only work a few days a week.
posted by radioamy at 4:53 PM on July 27, 2015
posted by radioamy at 4:53 PM on July 27, 2015
Pharmacists get paid well and are in demand. I don't know about their hours, though, but if I were you I would check into it.
posted by J. Wilson at 5:53 PM on July 27, 2015
posted by J. Wilson at 5:53 PM on July 27, 2015
You're 25. Another way to think of this might be that you dedicate two years, say, to doing some kind of on and off labor that isn't your career but that lets you make some cash fast, then travel, then make more cash etc. I'm twice your age but in my 20s the thing to do was work in an Alaskan fish cannery for a few months, save up, go traveling on pennies. after you've lived a bit of your youth you might decide to go back to developing something along the lines of the skillset you've already invested in now. By then the normal vacation times of a regular job might not seem so suffocating. Just another line to consider...
posted by flourpot at 6:00 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by flourpot at 6:00 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Real estate. I knew someone once who claimed to work only 15 hours/week and make six figures annually.
"Brew your own" -- some people apply for grants and write up the application such that they will only be working on the project part time.
You might pick up a copy of "How to survive without a salary." The author traveled a lot on a budget and would get jobs locally when funds ran low.
These days, you can do various sorts of work online, from freelance writing to running your own web comic to programming. If you develop an online income with flexible hours, you can do that from a lot of different places, though not necessarily "anywhere." That can be good for both traveling and for moving someplace cheaper so you can live well on less.
There is always room at the top. If you get good at something in specific and become a consultant, you can to some degree set your own pay and hours.
posted by Michele in California at 6:27 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
"Brew your own" -- some people apply for grants and write up the application such that they will only be working on the project part time.
You might pick up a copy of "How to survive without a salary." The author traveled a lot on a budget and would get jobs locally when funds ran low.
These days, you can do various sorts of work online, from freelance writing to running your own web comic to programming. If you develop an online income with flexible hours, you can do that from a lot of different places, though not necessarily "anywhere." That can be good for both traveling and for moving someplace cheaper so you can live well on less.
There is always room at the top. If you get good at something in specific and become a consultant, you can to some degree set your own pay and hours.
posted by Michele in California at 6:27 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Antarctica jobs? You'd probably be interested in the support personnel jobs through the big contractors listed under "Opportunities Overview." I have a few friends who would work 3-6 months in Antarctica (room and board included), then take the rest of the year off to hang out or travel.
Likewise, I know people do similar things with cruise ships. Pay isn't great for office/admin roles, but you also get room and board, which helps you save for when your contract is over.
posted by whitewall at 7:56 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
Likewise, I know people do similar things with cruise ships. Pay isn't great for office/admin roles, but you also get room and board, which helps you save for when your contract is over.
posted by whitewall at 7:56 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's possible in software if you have rock-solid time-management skills. I know people who only work 30 hours a week (as "full time" employees) and manage to get done more than average. But I, and most human beings I suspect, do not have that level of discipline.
posted by miyabo at 9:10 PM on July 27, 2015
posted by miyabo at 9:10 PM on July 27, 2015
Along the lines of Registered Massage Therapist: Hairdresser or Cosmetologist. You'd probably have to put in time working your way up in salons/spas, but at a certain point, you could start your own business and control the number of customers you see. That's what my former Hairdresser and her Cosmetologist sister both did.
posted by neushoorn at 10:19 PM on July 27, 2015
posted by neushoorn at 10:19 PM on July 27, 2015
Totally different skillset and (I think) work culture than you've got going on now, but firefighters tend to work something like 10 24-hr shifts per month, 2 per week. So while they're still working something like 40 per week, they've got lots of time off - every firefighter I know has some kind of time-intensive hobby and/or second job (musician, car restoring/refinishing, construction/contracting, woodworking/skilled carpentry/furniture repair) to occupy their time and (maybe) bring in some extra dough. Salary seems to vary a lot depending on location (according to The Google), but something like $40-$50K seems to be the median for city & inner suburb salaries. And then you've got the other five days of the week to do something else to earn more money, if you feel you need to.
posted by soundguy99 at 5:49 AM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by soundguy99 at 5:49 AM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
college professor (best bet: in a non-humanities field)
* PhD, just to qualify for the competition over a tenured spot
HAHAHAahahahaha (sob) hahaha. No.
It's absolutely, 100% doable (not easy-- *doable*). Please PM me if you'd like the contact info of a half dozen people in their early to mid 30s who are doing exactly that and I'll ask them if they're willing to chat a bit.
posted by Poppa Bear at 6:46 AM on July 28, 2015
* PhD, just to qualify for the competition over a tenured spot
HAHAHAahahahaha (sob) hahaha. No.
It's absolutely, 100% doable (not easy-- *doable*). Please PM me if you'd like the contact info of a half dozen people in their early to mid 30s who are doing exactly that and I'll ask them if they're willing to chat a bit.
posted by Poppa Bear at 6:46 AM on July 28, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks for all these suggestions. They have been really helpful. As some of you've pointed out I'm aware that most people don't like work or a 9-5, however, I know there are lots of people who realize that and are able to find new work situations that better align with their lifestyles.
I've heard consultant mentioned a few times and that was a career field that held some interest for me. Particularly because I think it'd be easy to transfer my current skill set over plus I was in sales prior to my current job. Does anyone know of any consultants and/or is one and can tell me a little about how that works? I know there are many types of consultants and I'm interested in hearing about any or all of them.
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 7:16 AM on July 28, 2015
I've heard consultant mentioned a few times and that was a career field that held some interest for me. Particularly because I think it'd be easy to transfer my current skill set over plus I was in sales prior to my current job. Does anyone know of any consultants and/or is one and can tell me a little about how that works? I know there are many types of consultants and I'm interested in hearing about any or all of them.
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 7:16 AM on July 28, 2015
Best answer: Linky: jacquesmattheij.com/be-consultant/
posted by Michele in California at 10:23 AM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Michele in California at 10:23 AM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm an environmental consultant. I will say that how your work life balance goes will totally depend on the culture of the company you're with and the location. Also seniority. I was on the east coast for a long time and my company and others like it fostered a workaholic culture. People regularly worked crazy hours. We have billable hours and that's not a lifestyle for everyone particularly if your company wants you at 40 billable hours minimum per week...that basically means you're working 50 hour weeks because of all those nonbillable things that happen like eating, bathroom breaks, talking with coworkers, working on a time sheet etc. The company I'm with now on the west coast has been very different. They don't require 40 billable hours each week. They want us to have a good family and personal life. Many people work totally or partly from home. I love it here. Now seniority can play a part...entry level staff don't usually get to work from home generally speaking but once you get a few years in it may be more of an option depending on corporate culture. Feel free to message me if you have other questions too...I've been in environmental consulting for a long time now haha. Oh I also should say I know people who do this part time too with or without kids.
posted by FireFountain at 11:07 AM on July 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by FireFountain at 11:07 AM on July 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm a software engineer. I work 30 hours a week for 75% pay. At my previous job I worked a reduced schedule for a good couple of years as well. I'm pretty lucky in that my skill set is in demand, but I've just been unafraid to ask for what I wanted. So far it has worked.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 11:23 AM on July 28, 2015
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 11:23 AM on July 28, 2015
Oh, and on that note, is there any possibility you could work a reduced schedule in your current job? Since it sounds like you aren't planning on staying there anyway, what would be the harm of asking?
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 11:25 AM on July 28, 2015
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 11:25 AM on July 28, 2015
It's absolutely, 100% doable (not easy-- *doable*). Please PM me if you'd like the contact info of a half dozen people in their early to mid 30s who are doing exactly that and I'll ask them if they're willing to chat a bit.
Yeah, I also call bullshit. Depending on your specific situation, field, and work environment, you may have a little or a lot more flexibility in how those hours are scheduled and how many are worked from home compared to traditional office work, but becoming tenured faculty in non-humanities means you're taking on at least a solid decade of 50-60 hour work weeks, maybe ramping down slightly after you secure tenure.
posted by kagredon at 6:25 PM on July 28, 2015
Yeah, I also call bullshit. Depending on your specific situation, field, and work environment, you may have a little or a lot more flexibility in how those hours are scheduled and how many are worked from home compared to traditional office work, but becoming tenured faculty in non-humanities means you're taking on at least a solid decade of 50-60 hour work weeks, maybe ramping down slightly after you secure tenure.
posted by kagredon at 6:25 PM on July 28, 2015
Passive Income
You might also find it helpful to read blogs like like Mr. Money Mustache or Get Rich Slowly.
posted by oceano at 8:10 PM on July 30, 2015
You might also find it helpful to read blogs like like Mr. Money Mustache or Get Rich Slowly.
posted by oceano at 8:10 PM on July 30, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nologo at 12:22 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]