Outside magazine recently ran an article of recession proof and adventure-packed careers.  The list was pretty good, offering up 50 of the best jobs (Outside Magazine, May 2008) and talking to a few people about their chosen careers.  These jobs ran the course.  They represented everything from Landscape Architect to Underwater Archeologist and many things in between.  Sure, there were some pretty good jobs listed there, and if you haven’t seen this list yet, you can check it out on the Outside Online depot.  Their number 1 job listed–Adventure Filmmaker.

I’m not going to sit here and rehash their 50 best jobs.  Actually, many of them on that list hadn’t even occured to me till I read the article.  On the other hand, many of us have thought about getting that dream job.  That job that would just make life perfect, and almost bearable.  The one to cure all of our problems, meet most of our needs, and bear rewards that run deeper than next week’s paycheck.

I’m going to offer up my list of the Top 10 jobs that I have actually thought about over the years.  Following that list, I am going to count on you, my readers, to add to it.  While we’re at it, feel free to make up your own list of ‘Worst’ jobs, as well.  This idea might get a rather interesting post when things are all said and done.  We will have to wait and see.

The Adventurist’s Top Ten Jobs That Rock

10.  Alaskan Fisherman–I actually had the thought of running to Alaska, fresh out of high school, and jumping on a fishing vessel.  This was WAY before Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch“.  The inspiration came from the back of a magazine, but once I talked to someone in the field–yeah, that $30,000 for 6 months of work just wouldn’t be enough.  By the way, my source for the information on fishing in Alaska only had one arm.  ‘Nuff said.

9.  Archaeologist–This thought was probably inspired by the first “Indiana Jones” movies.  Lost Civilizations, Mammoth dinosaur bones, discovering mummies in hidden Andes caves–that all sounded pretty cool.  I even read up on the subject, studied a bit, but when it came down to it, being alone in a dirt hole with a shovel and brush really wasn’t so appealing.  Little did I know that most of the really cool discoveries were made after years and years of research and digging.

8.  Novelist–  Beginning at the age of 15, I strived to become the next Stephen King or John Grisham.  My inspiration was Ernest Hemingway and The Beat Generation.  I started writing Bestselling Novels by the time I was 17.  By the time I was 18, those Bestselling novels were still sitting in notebooks awaiting Chapters 2…3…well, you get the picture.  The writers I was reading had one big qualification that I lacked.  They actually lived the life, than wrote about it.  I tried to write and make up the details later.  At 17, there’s only so many details you can make up, and a lot of that involved women or beer, sometimes both.  I had the drinking down, but the writing sucked.

7.  Teacher– I am a bit self-absorbed on this one, but that 3 month summer vacation had my name all over it.  Little did I know that the pay was so bad that those three months would be spent at home doing research for the following year.  Not my cup of Green Tea.  Besides, I always hated school.

6.  National Park Volunteer– This was actually on my mind quite a while. Then I realized what ‘VOLUNTEER’ meant.  No money.  How was I going to afford the film to become the next Ansel Adams if I wasn’t getting paid?  Still sounds like fun, traveling park to park doing volunteer work on the trails, moving to the next park depending on the season.  Perhaps once I write that great American novel and can afford to work for free, I will reconsider.

5.  News Reporter–Anderson Cooper has nothing on me!  You hear me, Cooper?  This job seemed so interesting I went to work for my college newspaper.  I covered stories like G. Gordon Liddy and Timothy Leary visiting campus, but then my Editor decided that school council meetings, crappy sports team reporting, and the latest news of who donned the Dean’s list would be our bread and butter.  Anderson Cooper, your lucky.  That’s all I’m saying…

4.  Storm Chaser–F-5 Tornadoes and Hurricanes.  Seriously, how cool would that be?  Paid to chase down the world’s deadliest and most unpredictable weather phenomenon, take a few photos, then get the heck out of Dodge.  It’s all fun and games till you find yourself at 5-years-old, hunkered down in the back of a 1970’s Plymouth Valiant, wetting your pants uncontrollably.  That was my first Tornado experience.  After three more, I still want to wet my pants thinking about it.  Actually, I just did.  That was a joke, of course, but still when bad weather is around, my curiosity gets the best of me.

3.  Gear Reviewer–Much like The Gear Junky, you get paid to go out and test some of the best (and worst) outdoor gear and equipment, then get paid to write about it.  Hopefully, your travel and expenses would be covered and you would get to keep the “Review Models”.  Nothing beats going in the woods for a week-long expedition, getting hunkered down in an F-5 tornado, then discovering that the tent you are reviewing, the one that weighs 1.5 ounces, is nothing more than a piece of paper and a couple of toothpicks–at the same time, your light-duty camp stove won’t ignite.   Hopefully, the PLB works and you remembered the batteries.

2.  Adventure Travel Guide–You go out, show people a good time, kayak a river, climb a mountain, go on a hike or two, and get paid to visit some really cool places.  Hopefully, no one gets killed on the expedition and you have your job when you return.  Simple Enough.

1.  Adventure Blogger — Did anybody see this one coming?  Over the past two years I have been able to write, explore, teach, review, chase, volunteer, dig deeper, and fish for some of the greatest adventures going on in our world today.  I do not get rich.  The hours suck.  In the same token, the rewards have been incredible.  I have met some very interesting people, been covered in the media and press, and somehow through covering adventure and the outdoors, my whole outlook on life has been rejuvenated and renewed.  I probably won’t get rich, but I can set my own schedule, write about what I want, follow my passion, and dig as deep as I venture.  I can also teach and educate those who read.  I have met some great friends and allies around the world that share my same passion for life and always press forward.  Sometimes it isn’t about the pay.  If the passion is there, the rewards can be priceless.

(Honorable Mention:  Massage Therapist for Jessica Alba)

Worst Job:  I actually worked in a CASKET factory for awhile.  Good thing about it–there is always work.  Bad thing about it:  You just never get by that “creepy” factor.

Alright, so now it is your turn.  I have laid out my list.  Add to it, give me the details–offer up that dream job (and why) or perhaps you have had a more interesting job than the local Casket Factory.  I want to know the Best, Worst, and Dream jobs of you, my loyal readers.  Comment below and I will share the results in a post a little later.

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