Saturday Breakfast Buzz – Are you in the right profession?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/09/2010 (5767 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Labour Day is observed on the first Monday in September, and is celebrated as the symbolic end of the summer. One last long weekend at the lake, and the last long weekend before the kids go back to school.

The long weekend is meant to celebrate "the strength and spirit of working men and women everywhere," which again brings to light how much time we actually spend at work. Let’s face it, work is more than just a place to earn some cash, it’s where you spend most of your time.

And as we enjoy the three-day weekend that is dedicated to the hard working people of Western Manitoba, we once again turn a wandering eye to jobs in other parts of the world, where life is but a dream:

 

* Paradise island caretaker: Ben Southall beat out nearly 35,000 applicants from around the world for the job to swim, explore and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef. His salary is $111,000 and he gets to live there rent-free. What could he have on a resumé that would put him above 34,000 others? Tans easier?

* Resort waterslide tester: Tommy Lynch has travelled more than 27,000 miles this year for his job, testing resort waterslides. He checks the height, speed, water quantity and landing of the slides, as well as all safety aspects. He’s the guy to blame when you’re shooting down a slide and get scratched. Nice work Tommy.

* Candy taster: 12-year-old British schoolboy Harry Willsher is the chief taster in a candy factory. His only job is to test top secret recipes. Would he qualify for a dental plan at work? I think not.

* World of Warcraft tester: There are 12 million World of Warcraft players out there but very few actually get paid to do it. Employees are required to play at least four hours a day. That’s right, required. Telling my son "you must play video games" would be like telling a woman "you must eat chocolate."

* Director of Fun: An ambitious six-year-old landed the job at the National Railway Museum after sending a handwritten letter listing his credentials, including expertise on his train set. "I am only six but I think I can do this job," Sam wrote. "I have an electrick (sic) train track. I am good on my train track. I can control two trains at once." Staff were so impressed they appointed Sam "Director of Fun". His job is to tell bosses how he thinks they can make sure the museum is the most fun place for kids to spend a day. I would like to be director of fun at my workplace. They would never let me. Too many supplies required. I would need two blenders, a snowcone machine, deep fryer, a liquor licence and a dunk tank, just to name a few.

The truth is, as we celebrate this Labour Day long weekend, very few of us will have jobs that we consider fun. That is, unless you have a job that is suited to your personality, interests, qualifications, and … astrological sign? (courtesy of the Star FM Breakfast Buzz 7:25 a.m. horoscopes — shameless plug)

* Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Intelligent, original, progressive, humanitarian and visionary are all qualities that describe Aquarians. Choose a job in astronomy, natural history, aviation, photography, poetry, acting or music. Plan to eat a lot of Mac and cheese. I also hear toothpaste sandwiches are good.

* Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Pisces are generous, friendly, sensitive, popular, artistic, versatile, compassionate and spiritual. You will do well in any of the arts: drama, literature, painting, music, but your compassion also makes you well-suited for philanthropy and judicial positions. But if you’re going to be a judge, naked pics are not a great idea.

* Aries (March 21-April 19) You are enthusiastic, alert, outspoken, ambitious, strong-willed and creative. A career in television or radio, advertising or architecture would suit your ambitious and creative nature. Because you are a strong, natural leader, you would also do well in the military or law enforcement. In other words, you must carry a gun to be happy. Aries, you scare me.

* Taurus (April 20-May 20) You’re practical, methodical, determined, patient, honest, dependable and a team player. Look to the fields of banking, accounting and scientific research for your perfect job. Certainly not the life of the staff party, but you will have lots of friends at tax time when people ask you to do their taxes for them.

* Gemini (May 21-June 21) You’re optimistic, inquisitive, intelligent and energetic. You need a job that keeps your interest piqued and keeps you going, such as a travel guide, nature explorer or a sales position where travel is required. Gemini, marry rich.

* Cancer (June 22-July 22) Cancers are imaginative, dramatic, philosophical, nurturing and protective. You’re best at dispensing advice, so consider law, psychology, teaching, nursing or social work for your life’s vocation. It appears Cancer’s seem to know it all. So why are you reading this, Cancer? Huh, why?

* Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You are spontaneous, gregarious, independent and born to lead, with a true lust for power. These magnetic qualities make Leos good CEOs, managers, editors and perfect for government positions. Practise firing people by pretending your kids are employees. Don’t worry, they’ll bounce back.

* Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Precise, witty, cheerful, perfectionist, detail-oriented, hard-working and neat, with a knack for languages — all describe you. Technician, statistician, medical researcher, investigator or translator are perfect career options for Virgos. The world needs more technicians. Since many of them speak languages we can’t understand, the translator idea is good, too.

* Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You are diplomatic, charming, sociable, easy-going and co-operative. Your sense of co-operation and ability to engineer a compromise mean you would do well in the United Nations or as a lawyer, mediator, negotiator or administrator. Pushover.

* Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You are penetratingly intuitive, intelligent, analytical, hard working, motivated and resourceful. Because you like to solve mysteries, consider espionage, police investigation, law, physics, research and writing. You likely have a CSI screensaver on your computer, and are constantly dusting your current workplace for prints.

* Sagittarius (Nov. 11-Dec. 21) Sagittarians have a positive attitude, boundless energy, love of travel and a strong spiritual side. A sales position would be ideal, as would public relations, social administration or theology. Two words; you’re slick.

* Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You are rock solid, dependable, responsible, highly organized, goal-oriented, logical and clever. You thrive in positions of power or any vocation where math or money is involved. Consider an IT position because you love software and computers. You are also well-suited for being a doctor, accountant or lawyer. Capricorn equals $$$.

 

Hopefully this has been helpful in pointing you in the right direction to finding a job you find fun and fulfilling. And if not, don’t lose hope. Much about finding happiness on the job is attitude.

Lou Holtz, the great football coach once said, "Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." Or when all else fails, go for the cash!

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEKEND

* Shari Maguire

* Michelle Clement

* Stephen Montague

* Crystal Bryan

* Laurie (Teasdale) Sheane

* Lisa Hogg

* Jo Jo Ducharme

* Connie Dabbs

* Tarrah-Leigh Wentzell

* Shawna-Smith Owens