I know to some this may be a little off-topic but I thought this would be the best place to discuss alternative jobs and careers, since those who post on this forum (Communal Living) are already predisposed to living unconventionally. After graduating from university with a business degree I have found the corporate world unsatisfactory. I was pushed into the field because I had started a business curriculum when I first entered college and did not want to start over from scratch. Still, I do not regret my decision to finish college the way I did because I did it fast and the courses I took were more rigorous than those taken by some people with other majors (not that my curriculum was difficult; it wasn't). Plus my degree has allowed me to do things on the side that I would likely have more difficulty doing without the degree. My issue is that I do not want to work in a cubicle marketing or selling something I do not believe in. It is easy to move up in such a company and do more administrative work, maybe even get an overseas position, but it may take years to get there, which requires patience I do not have. It is my view that in our consumer society we often feel we need things we really do not. Plus, regardless of how reputable a company supposedly is, it is likely to engage in ethically questionable practices to boost profits for shareholders. In a sense America's wealth is founded on deception and psychological manipulation. Business colleges will never be critical of fields they are basically selling to people, and business students are naturally inclined to accept things the way they are, because those who think for themselves and question authority are steered into or inclined toward the liberal arts and humanities (and unfortunately often starve due to their idealism). What jobs and careers are there for those who want to be productive yet be far removed from the cubicles of corporate America? I suppose not all cubicle jobs are bad, but most of them are. Anyone find a way to make money doing what they love without starving? I know some have an inborn talent, or a gift for working rigorously outdoors and doing things with their hands, and thus live happily and comfortably, but many of these blue-collar types of work, noble as they are, do not fit my nature (yep, blue-collar workers often do not get the respect they deserve). I was thinking of doing humanitarian work overseas, but it seems to me you have to be wealthy or well-connected to do these types of things. But that's life, as even non-profit organizations need very experienced and tenured leaders. To be successful they often have to mimic for-profit institutions. I have given up on my fantasy during my early 20s of being a multimillionaire -- not that it's impossible for me to achieve if I really wanted it -- but I definitely want to live comfortably and like what I do.
i have recently come to the same realization and i have decided to transfer into a technicle program for heavey equipment repair it just work i could see my self doing, its honest actual work (also knowing how to fix things is never bad) i think you may have to define productive do you mean makes alot of dough?, if so become a baker or do you mean just keeping busy?, in which cases most trade/manual work can keep you doing i would sugjest trying diffrent jobs and seeing if you like them or not, for many years i said i would never work in a kitchen, because i thought it would be horrable, but i tryed it out, and its not bad
You might wish to get into self-employment - lord knows your business acumen will be needed. In that regard you create your own niche. Whether it be building alternatively, earth friendly energy, wholesome foods - or whatever - you can find things that are needed for optimum growth as beings who are materially incarnated and not "just" spiritual beings. As you mentioned most NP's need a good sense of business - or maybe what some would call common sense. Seen quite a few would be intentional community types disparagingthe concept of money and what it really takes to get a community off the ground and working. Your own area of expertise is Way necessary - as are communication skills and more than all else the ability to actualize rather than just talk about. Seen way too much of that here - too bad, but the best of intentions, unless followed up by hard work - go nowhere.
making a million is not the only way to live .........i got tired of chasing my tail working for the man ...i went into a lot of different directions to earn a living and raise a family ......most of them quite unorthodox ...........it worked ..even today i have a good job .....most people find it morbid ..i dig graves and am the church caretaker ........the BIG boss never says a word and the customers never complain ,what could be better??
To clarify, by productive I meant doing positive things for yourself and society. People tend to define productivity in terms of output/input, but those who do humanitarian work are productive as well in a different way. I like the idea of being self-employed, but to start a successful business you must have a particular skill that sets you apart from everyone else. I still don't know what I would get into. Perhaps I should develop a new hobby and expertise and then work from there. It is something to explore further, though.
open up your own headshop. with your business know-how, it would be fairly easy, plus, you would be in a business that corporate america generally disdains...
Someone could always sell Avon, open a daycare,teach music lessons, start a catering business, sell different crafts,...the list can go on & on
Eco-Marketing prehaps? It would be nice seeing an advertisement that wasn't selling something superficial or wasteful every now and then. Eco-Tourism is catching on, maybe you could find someone to team up with who has a Environmental and/or hospitality degree.
