When I was a kid I always liked going on Scout camps. I think what I liked specifically was:
- It meant spending an extended period of time (whole days, with little break) in the same collective of 20+ people.
- I would drift between the various groups there, and would get to know everyone.
- The collective would experience new situations every few hours, or even just being bored together when ‘nothing’ was happening (when waiting for stuff etc.).
- (Possibly also the fact that there was an authority above us and we didn’t decide things for ourselves…?)
What I liked was how there was a strong feeling of community because we were all experiencing the same thing together. Being around people meant my mind was continuously in the present. For these reasons I feel that this is the environment I thrive in the most.
Unfortunately this would only ever happen once or twice a year, and since I am 20 I wanted to ask if anyone can think of any job descriptions where this happens.
The first thing I thought of is working on a submarine but I was hoping for something a bit less radical. I thought this might be the experience in university dorms but it turns out that in my country dorms are pretty dead because with the exception of cooking, people stay in their rooms.
Why not work as a camp counselor?
Production/stage hand at events fits up this alley!
I mean, you could literally work at a summer camp. Otherwise the only things I can think of that fit your descriptors is potentially field research, or maybe working for a company that follows festivals.
Strongly encourage you to find work in a conservation corps or similar organization if they exist in your country and you are able to do manual labor. You would be on a crew of 6-15 people usually living out at a field site for 1-2 weeks at a time, cooking and living and working together to improve the natural environment or recreation infrastructure. Hard rewarding work, good peaceful downtime. Great chance to read a lot of books too since you will be away from computers and modernity.
The first thing I thought of is working on a submarine
That is also something I’ve had some interest in, but besides military (I don’t want to be involved with it in any way), I don’t think there are that many submarines out there.
One fewer than there used to be, certainly.
I found working at a ski-resort and living in staff accommodation to be a bit like this, although there can definitely be a bit more of a “party” attitude, which might be a positive or a negative depending on what you’re looking for.
Consider jobs involving fieldwork. There are all sorts of jobs that involve a team in a remote / isolated location, and some tend to pay pretty well because most people aren’t up for that sort of lifestyle. For example my father was a geologist and could spend months at a time with a team in remote locations, conducting surveys and taking samples.
Look for a book called ‘Discover What You Are Best At’ by Linda Gail.
First half of the book is a series of self administered tests you can knock off in half a day. The second part is a list of jobs that use those skills.
It pointed me at a job I’d never considered, but turned out to be a great fit.
Ooh that sounds useful, will check it out
Enjoy!
I think North Korea and Siberia have labor camps that provide free room and board. The pay is shit, tho.
