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?
Seems like this is the most obvious answer
Tour guide for multi-week guided vacations. Find a company that needs tour guides that speak your language and see if you can get a job there.
Production/stage hand at events fits up this alley!
Working on the ren fair circuit is exactly what you’re describing. You’re there for a week or a month depending on the ren fair, with the same group of people almost always in warmer weather because ren fairs are no fun when they’re cold. And depending on the job you get, you get to heckle paying customers.
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.
Did the front fall off?
Turns out a wave hit it
At sea? Chance in a million!
yeah I wouldn’t recommend working on that particular one.
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.
You could start as a ranch hand, especially if you know how to ride. You can work on both a regular ranch or on a “resort ranch” that focuses on tourism. You just have to find a ranch that has around that 20ish employees.
But then it would fit all of your points. You are spending your whole day with the same group of people.
Drifting between groups will depend a bit on your exact duties but no matter what you are going to get to know everyone and work with others occasionally.
New things are constantly coming up to do. Your duties also change with the season. And even if there is “nothing” to do you will still hang out with the other farm hands.
You have that authority over you in form of the ranch manager/owner.
Pay isn’t great but it might come with free lodging, then it isn’t that bad.
Maybe get into the movie industry. It is a little more long term, they are projects that last several months, but it might be a good environment.
I worked in the industry full time for over a decade (movies, commercials, corporate shoots, you name it) AMA lol
What’s your favorite memory of working in that field?
I work in construction and when I was younger and single I did a couple years ago a remote work site; two weeks on and one week off rotations. We all stayed in the company provided camp while there. Definitely formed some strong friendships with my coworkers while there and made/saved a ton of money. It was an interesting experience.
I was a field engineer but jobs in the trades are always in high demand pretty much everywhere.
Minimum security prisons aren’t all that different than being at summer camp (so I’ve heard).
edit:
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.
I’ve worked on both submarines and at summer camps. I can assure you, they are not similar at all (apart from comradery/ being a part of something).
Military?
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.
Event planning. Events. Coordinating. Catering.
Seconding catering and banquets.
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.
Park ranger?
