A Desire For the 9-5?
Is there something wrong with me when I realize that I really want a job where I can have my own desk, my own little work station full of pictures, little desk nick-nacks, and maybe even my own work-computer (preferably a Mac)? I really don’t care what kind of job it is (though I despise the idea of Data entry, how boring…) as long as I have nice people to work with and my own space. I am tired of entry-level jobs. I am ready for a 9-5 or better yet, a 8-4. I want to be paid enough to support myself. I want paid vacations (and maybe someday in the future, if I am a teacher, summers off) I want to bring pack-lunches again. I want to know that I have the same schedule every week and can plan my life accordingly. I want to have weekends free. I want to come home from work to my wife and sit down at a dinner table and eat a complete meal, meat, vegetable, starch.

Ready to Grow Up?
The problem with these desires is that I am not sure if I am ready to grow up. I am not sure if I am ready to have the responsibility of a full time jobs where my work REALLY counts! on the flip side, I am aching for the opportunity to put some of my schooling to use. I want to know that the past 4 years have not been spent in vain.

The Limitations of the 9-5
The other problem that comes with the responsibility of a “real job” is the limiting aspects of the job itself. If I wanted to quit my job tomorrow, and go backpacking in Peru for a month, I could come back home and pick up right where I left off. i could find another part-time, low-pay job and go about my business. I am scared of having my travels and adventures relegated to 2 weeks of paid leave. I am not sure if many jobs allow unpaid leaves of absence, but I have a funny feeling it is not a popular thing to do.

The Ideal Options

  Option 1.)
I would like a job teaching highschool communications and sociology with the opportunity to lend a hand with directing plays. I would have the summers off to go backpacking and traveling, and still be paid a decent amount of money. I could be the cool teacher who plays at coffee shops with his band and has cool adventures every break he gets.
The Catch: This requires more schooling (and more money) for the teaching certificate and at least a minor in sociology.

  Option 2.)
I would like to have a job putting my creative abilities to use (be they musical, visual, or multimedia) I would get to have my own little space (as mentioned before) and I would be paid enough that I could take a month off without pay to see the world without causing problems at work.
The Catch: How many places just let employees leave for a month and then let them come back? Yeah right…

Option 3.)
     I would like a job that lets me put my communications/mass media knowledge to use by having me travel the world making documentaries, travel videos, or travel magazines. I would get paid to backpack and travel the country and feel satisfied that my years in college were not a waste.
The Catch: I am not specialized in film, video, photography, or writing. I consider myself knowledgeable and capable of in these areas, but I cannot compete with the people who exclusively studied in these fields, not to mention that I am sure these types of jobs are VERY rare and highly saught after.

Today’s Reality
So here I am, working an entry-level job waiting to grow up and dreaming of the near-impossibilities of an ideal career. I guess that is why I am taking advantage of the freedom that I have now. Germany is only 6 months off! and these pictures were taken just last week: