Dreaming about non-email factory jobs. What job do you have / dream of that isn't primarily computer based? I want to expand my Overton window of what's possible. Especially interested in second act transitions to non computer based work :)

Question

Maddie Pete · Answer

Taking a sabbatical from tech: I’m taking a break from click clack life and working at a chicken spot/wine spot in Chicago (if you’re nearby, come visit!!!). I feel so energized by work, interacting in person and providing a fantastic dining experience! Plus everyone is so excited to be there and eat and drink and be happy, no greater feeling.

Jess · Answer

Transformational play: I have my dream job: designing and studying transformational play experiences, teaching game design, and training some truly amazing students (two of whom are shown here!). My workday might include writing, advising my doctoral students, teaching, research planning, playtesting a new game, or consulting with our non-academic partners.

What I love most about my job: watching people play something I've made, and hearing back how it affected them.

What's most frustrating about my job: the current political climate, in particular how it is affecting my students and my team.

You don't have to be in academia to work on transformational play, which is good because American academia is in crisis. I have colleagues in industry, the non-profit world, and (formerly) government. You do, however, need to develop both your play literacy and your taste in games. It's easy to fall into the trap of "let's add points, badges, and levels" when you're designing a playful transformational experience. Your job is to think harder and dig deeper than what's on the surface; a good grounding in cognitive psychology, social psychology, and sociology will help.

Casson · Answer

Death doula: Having experienced the many different things both the dying and their family go through logistically and psychologically at the end of life, being able to help others manage the process feels like the best marriage of my practical and emotional skills. Would have said a rabbi but I don’t believe in God and I think that would be a limitation.

jules · Answer

I recently started working in a library shelving books and I adore it. I feel inspired daily and I am reading more than ever.

Michael Hegarty · Answer

Traveling treehouse carpenter: I am a on site project lead so I do have to use email fairly often, but not as much as I get to be outside in the trees building beautiful things

Rebecca Rubin · Answer

Transitioned out of corporate computer world into wine/hospitality/restaurants and have never been happier. Life feels fuller and most surprisingly, more luxurious. I get paid to give people a Good Time, daily confront the reality of generosity, and I've never received an email from my job.

Juliette · Answer

Midwifery! Hands on, rewarding, fun and interesting

Anna · Answer

Government: There are many emails jobs in government, but so many roles require working directly with constituents or providing literal services. The opportunity to work outside an office with other people is so refreshing. This is true for local, state, and federal jobs! On the best days, I’m amazed by what we can deliver. On the most thankless days, I know I’m working with smart, dedicated people who are trying their best to improve your life.

Amy Amsterdam · Answer

Home organizer: My business partner/bestie and I love walking into someone’s space, whipping them in shape and leaving…it’s physical, it’s often emotional, it’s challenging…we help families through transitions of all kinds, and we make things lighter in lots of ways. It’s my late-in-life career change and I love it.

Nat · Answer

Imaging tech (xray/ct/mri): Training available at many community colleges. You can make pretty close to 100K a year depending on location, leave work at work, and you don’t send any emails at all! I’m a nurse and on hard days we all lament we didn’t do this instead.

day · Answer

ropes course instructor: it's not the main part of my job but ropes course/team building leader/instructor. it's about conquering fears like heights and helping others to do so, but it's also about problem solving and being creative and helping others achieve more than they think they are capable of.

it is phsyically and sometimes mentally demanding, but super rewarding. you get to meet all kinds of people and if you do it right, everyone leaves feeling a little bit more confident in themselves!

*note: low ropes challenges are what we think of as team-building style activities. i love the work but i am personally not good with heights lol. there's a lot you can do from the solid ground if that's your style! there

Adelaide · Answer

Teaching: Not the career I envisioned when I was in my early 20s, but finding my way to this vocation has shaped my life in innumerable wonderful ways. High emotional/intellectual/physical demands, but the payoff is 100% worth it. Every day is different, the human connection is so good, and if you’re someone who’s excited by stretching and growing, there’s always room to sharpen your craft. An art and a science. Not for everyone but so proud it’s for me!