Department of cool jobs

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash.

I love hearing about people who do work that seems uniquely designed for them—and where they can really let their freak flags fly. The multitude of ways we make meaning through work (paid or unpaid) never ceases to amaze me.

In fact, I keep a running list as inspiration to keep pushing on my own path. It includes fascinating jobs, profiles of interesting accomplishments, compelling obituaries, and stories of folks who tackle great-fit work against steep odds. I don’t want all of these jobs (just a few of them 😉), but every person on the list reminds me not to give up on loving my work.

Here are ten of my favorites:

1. Matt Maxey, ASL interpreter for Chance the Rapper

2. This search for a Chief Hiking Officer

3. Christopher Havens, who self-taught and became a published mathematician from prison

4. The social justice partnership between Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Rev. William Barber II

5. Kate Braestrup, chaplain for the Maine Game Warden Service

6. Jill Heinerth, professional cave diver

7. Reggie Jones, Jones Beach’s longest-serving lifeguard

8. Phil Pritchard, Keeper of the Stanley Cup

9. January Collins, harbor pilot

10. Chuck McCarthy, the People Walker