Job That Couples Well w/ Online Poker On The Side?

[XChamp]

What are some jobs that are low stress and allow the employee tons of time outside of the job? I don't really care how much the hourly rate or salary is. Basically, I'm looking for a socially acceptable job for a college graduate that allows me to put in 20hrs+/week of poker on the side (or even on the job!) and still have time to hang out with family and friends. I have a BS in physics and minor in math, if that matters at all.

This has gotta exist somewhere...

[KingMedicine]

im a lazy bum on the side of playing poker and it couples well.

[winchips]

I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[/ QUOTE ]

I have looked into this a great deal. Then I always run into teachers/former teachers who say it's unbelievably time consuming. The more I think about it, though, the less I believe them.

Aint exactly low stress but there aren't many jobs that are. I have the same schedule but I'm a librarian. You need a masters degree for my sort of position but it's low stress. Hey, you could be a postal worker, I hear that's real low stress.

[housenuts]

army reserves - work when you feel like it, play poker when you feel like it

[Ghazban]

[ QUOTE ]
Aint exactly low stress but there aren't many jobs that are. I have the same schedule but I'm a librarian. You need a masters degree for my sort of position but it's low stress. Hey, you could be a postal worker, I hear that's real low stress.

[/ QUOTE ]

I work in a library as well (half time) though I'm on the administrative part and not a librarian. I only work half time and there's not much stress.

There are lots of fairly easy office jobs all over that aren't full time but will give you benefits. Many large educational institutions give full benefits even to their part time employees (which is very nice). With a physics background, maybe you could find part time work in a lab somewhere. The only real downside is there isn't much upward mobility in those part time jobs.

[jb9]

Office drone.

[ajisherw]

I'm a software developer for the government. 7 hour low stress work day with lots of time to read 2+2 etc. Much better for poker playing than the 4 years I put in with an internet startup before this. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a government job right after graduation though as a career in the government can be somewhat uninspiring (depending on your field) and it can be tricky to pick up more interesting private sector jobs with nothing but gvnmt work on your resume. I'm just on an 18 month contract...

[Sniper]

Stock trading is another "job" that works well with poker playing.

[Tzak]

Fireman

[Rudbaeck]

[ QUOTE ]
Stock trading is another "job" that works well with poker playing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Though you should preferably be bankrolled by someone else. Managing mutual funds is a gold mine. You'll get big bonuses for doing only slightly worse than picking stocks out of a hat. (Some 90% of all managed mutual funds do worse than index! Yet managing a mutual fund is incredibly well paid.)

Stress levels are, ahem, somewhat high though. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[BarronVangorToth]

Game designer.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

[Nick-Zack]

[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[/ QUOTE ]

I have been dating a high school math teacher for a little while. I can say that she works much harder than I would have guessed. She seems to be grading papers or prepping lessons for hours each night.

I agree with your need to spend time with people. I have been playing full time online for 2 years now and at first my social circle almost went away. I try to spend 1 night a week now volunteering somewhere. It is nice to actually spend some time with other adults.

you should already know the answer to this question: professional long-distance runner... just ask wejo!!!

[kenberman]

if you don't care about salary, then volunteer somewhere. a hospital, a homeless shelter, a resource center for kids, wherever.

obviously socially respectable, and you may even feel better better about yourself

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]
you should already know the answer to this question: professional long-distance runner... just ask wejo!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you the person who always posts 'sub bro' on letsrun.com whenever I post?

I'm very slow right now. Believe me, if I was fast enough I'd be training 'full-time' for the Olympics while playing poker to support myself.

[J-Lo]

interesting.... i can run a 10:46 2 mile, is that a good start for professional distance runner? (this was back in soph year of HS, i'm a senior in college now-- i'll be lucky if i can run sub 7:30 1 mile.)

[Girchuck]

The answer to that is obvious.
Be a substitute teacher. They can practically pick their own hours.

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]
The answer to that is obvious.
Be a substitute teacher. They can practically pick their own hours.

[/ QUOTE ]

I already am a substitute teacher. It's not particularly socially acceptable to be in your 20s with a degree from a decent school and substitute teach.

[TGoldman]

I'm a professional office drone, and it works well for me. When I'm not working on something, I can browse 2+2 so that when I get home I'm prepped to play. You might also consider something like night security where you just have to sit and watch a monitor. Or another graveyard type shift where you'll have a lot of free time where you may even get to be able to play some poke while you're working.

[BIGRED]

[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[/ QUOTE ]

Intersting discussion... So how does one go about becoming a teacher? I'm in my mid 30's and currently work as a IT professional. Is mid 30's too late to consider this?

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]


Intersting discussion... So how does one go about becoming a teacher? I'm in my mid 30's and currently work as a IT professional. Is mid 30's too late to consider this?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's never too late. Plenty of people quit their careers to become teachers. I know a man that did it when he was in his late 40s.

[OrangeKing]

Another vote here for office drone. A data entry job with no stress, benefits, completely flexible hours and an moderate salary allows me to play as much or as little poker on the side, whenever I want to.

[BIGRED]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Intersting discussion... So how does one go about becoming a teacher? I'm in my mid 30's and currently work as a IT professional. Is mid 30's too late to consider this?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's never too late. Plenty of people quit their careers to become teachers. I know a man that did it when he was in his late 40s.

[/ QUOTE ]

So how does one go about making this switch? I assume it involves going back to school and getting some kind of a license. How long does this process take?

How the hell can anyone recommend being an office drone?

It's a craptacular life.

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]


So how does one go about making this switch? I assume it involves going back to school and getting some kind of a license. How long does this process take?

[/ QUOTE ]

It largely depends on what state you want to teach in and the age level. For example, CT is pretty strict. If you want to teach there then you will need to get certified (multiple ways to go about doing this and depends how many education credits you have and if they are transferable). You also need a masters degree to continue teaching after 5 years. This means that I basically need to go back to school and enroll in a certification/masters program that takes 1.5-2 years, since I don't feel like taking classes while teaching.

Now, other states differ. A lot depends on how badly they need you. Some states will hire anyone. Also, if want to teach highschool you generally have to have majored in that subject or taken a lot of credits in it. For example, I minored in math so if I want to get certified to teach high school math in CT I will probably need to pick up some more math credits to do so...which is insanity because I fail to see how taking complex analysis will help me teach geometry/algebra/calculus.

If you want to teach elementary school then I believe you basically need to have majored in education or taken a ton of education courses to teach in most states. I am not sure how middle school works.

I know some states have methods for certification that are available to people who are switching careers. It makes it a lot easier. The man I know had a masters in Chemistry and was retiring early from his company. Since he had a masters already the switch did not take that long.

[Baulucky]

CIA field operator. Low stress, good pay, plenty benefits, license to kill.

[jb9]

[ QUOTE ]
How the hell can anyone recommend being an office drone?

It's a craptacular life.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not a life. It's a job.

Very important distinction. I work with many people who have trouble separating the two. They are generally unhappy...

If you have a reasonable office job that doesn't take up too much time or energy, this can pay your bills while looking respectable to the world and allowing you to pursue other interests in your spare time (e.g., poker).

It's not for everyone, but that is pretty much what OP was asking for.

Had he asked for inspiring, meaningful, satisfying, life affirming work, office drone wouldn't be such a good option... In that case, I would suggest he go to grad school, get Ph.D.'s in physics and math, and solve the problem of quantum gravity.

[Mempho]

[ QUOTE ]
and solve the problem of quantum gravity.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, no!. There's a problem with quantum gravity? /images/graemlins/ooo.gif /images/graemlins/ooo.gif /images/graemlins/ooo.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/frown.gif /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Apathy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The answer to that is obvious.
Be a substitute teacher. They can practically pick their own hours.

[/ QUOTE ]

I already am a substitute teacher. It's not particularly socially acceptable to be in your 20s with a degree from a decent school and substitute teach.

[/ QUOTE ]

More or less socially acceptable them being a fulltime poker pro?


The thought of getting a "real" job still scares me /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Rudbaeck]

Something that doesn't involve computers, or atleast never involves the mouse would be best. No need to hurt shoulders and carpals even more.

[Baulucky]

[ QUOTE ]
Something that doesn't involve computers, or atleast never involves the mouse would be best. No need to hurt shoulders and carpals even more.


[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. The idea is to play poker while at the job's computer, and to do the few job tasks as a subroutine on a low priority interrupt basis.

[scott8]

All,

High school teacher is the wrong answer.

College professor is the right answer.

Helping,

Caldarooni

[MeanGreenTT]

[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a corporate instructor, lots of time in a hotel and lots of "working from home" /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Agree. Along those lines, why don't you consider grad school? There is roughly zero accountability, and depending on your field, you can be paid fairly well to enroll (~$40k/year).

[gildwulf]

[ QUOTE ]
Agree. Along those lines, why don't you consider grad school? There is roughly zero accountability, and depending on your field, you can be paid fairly well to enroll (~$40k/year).

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, don't go to gradschool because you want to supplement poker. Bad idea. Gradschool is very time intensive, at least at the solid schools. I am at a top ten (in my field) and I maybe have 10 hours a week tops to play poker.

[MicroBob]

[ QUOTE ]
I already am a substitute teacher. It's not particularly socially acceptable to be in your 20s with a degree from a decent school and substitute teach.

[/ QUOTE ]


Well then that indicates that OP wants to do something that is up a different set of standards than I was previously envisioning.

I was in my 30's with a degree from a decent school (Miami U. in Ohio) and was dealing blackjack for almost a year.
There was another dealer there in his 40's or 50's with a PhD from Wisconsin (smokers and non-smokers are in different rooms during the breaks...so I didn't get to know him very well so don't know his whole story).



I understand why you would feel pressure from others that you should be more successful in your career.
But, really, why should you/I care??
If others have a problem with it then it's THEIR problem.


Again though, I do understand where this kind of pressure comes from.
My girlfriends parents (from South America) just have a picture that EVERYONE with a college degree in the U.S. should easily be successful so why was this guy dealing cards at a casino (and now playing online-poker full-time)??



Anyway, probably not for you, but for others out there....BJ dealer worked great for me.
If it's a low-traffic casino then you might be able to get out early on virtually every shift if you wanted to.

you sign an 'early-out sheet'...on swing-shift they bring in more dealers than they need 'just in case' they have a bigger than expected night.
Around 10p or 11p on a Monday they will start closing tables and sending dealers home in the order in which they signed the sheet.

It was perfect for me...if I had a couple bad weeks at poker then I could put in full 40 hours weeks most of the time (or even overtime on weekends if I wanted) and when I was running well I could give-away a shift and/or sign-out early a lot of the time and bring my hours down to 20 or so (giving me more time for poker at home obviously).
It was the perfect type of situation to get in my hours and experience at poker while also keeping steadier income coming in to balance out the downswings.

Eventually they had a bit of a dealer shortage as the low-paying casinos are always losing their dealers to places that pay more (have a higher toke-rate) and they tried to make me a full-timer which is about the time I decided to do poker full-time instead (and could always go back to dealing if it went badly).

[soko]

I am a receptionist.

Every 15 minutes or so I answer the phone and transfer the line which takes roughly 5 seconsd per caller.

I do about 45 mintues of actual work throughout the day besides answering the phones.

The other 7 hours I screw around on the internet. I used to play poker pretty much 7 hours straight every day but I sort of burned out and only play 2-3 hours a day then spend the rest of the time on 2+2. Because of inturruptions I can't really play more than 2 tables at a time just in case I need to sit out for a few hands.

The lifestyle sucks, I feel like crap every day I leave the office not really doing anything with my life but whatever, it's only temporary.

I wouldn't mind a physical labour job. You get to relieve some physical stress and get outside more often. I've been a maintenance worker for a property management company, a bus boy at a busy restaurant during the weekdays only, and a mover for a large moving company (which had its perks, seeing as we only moved offices, and those companys leave a lot of valuable garbage behind when moving).

The bussing position was probably the best for poker. My shift schedule was 10-4 M-Th, and I received tips (which nearly doubled my minimum wage salary). I'd be able to play nights as weekends as necessary, and see my friends on most of those days. I got good exercise; the restaurant was always busy, and I had to move fast. You get meet a lot of interesting people, both clients and co-workers, and I found I had enough time to clear my head when I wasn't in a great mood (great for those days where you tilted hard the night before and need to recoup before the next session).

EDIT: I just re-read OP and realized that this probably doesn't fall into the category of "socially respectable". Try being a website or software developer on the side; but it sucks to be on the computer day-in day-out. It's too easy to have poker consume you full-time.

[winchips]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[/ QUOTE ]

I have been dating a high school math teacher for a little while. I can say that she works much harder than I would have guessed. She seems to be grading papers or prepping lessons for hours each night.

I agree with your need to spend time with people. I have been playing full time online for 2 years now and at first my social circle almost went away. I try to spend 1 night a week now volunteering somewhere. It is nice to actually spend some time with other adults.

[/ QUOTE ]

It does take a lot of time the first few years. I am in my 9th year now and it has become much much easier. Of course i do spend a lot of extra time because i coach, but that is optional.

PS> Looking forward to my two week Christmas break starting weds /images/graemlins/smile.gif (lots of poker will be played)

[VinnyTheFish]

[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[/ QUOTE ]

ditto

[primetime32]

Civil Servant.

[DJ Sensei]

I definitely feel you on this, I'm graduating in may with BS's in mechanical engineering and math. However, I really don't want to go to grad school just yet, nor do I want a fulltime job. Basically, I want to play cards 20-30 hours a week for my primary income, and have some other job to keep me busy/social/do something productive (and i guess make some money too, although there arent many part time jobs i can think of that would make me as much money as i'll get playing cards.) I also kind of want a break from engineering style pursuits for the time being, after 4 years of dealing with them.

I think working at some kind of non-profit or charity organization with a good cause would be a sweet job. They'll gladly take the help, so part time will be fine, and you get to do something that is beneficial to people. As far as socially acceptable goes, I'd say nobody is gonna look down upon somebody who's doing this kind of work.

[istewart]

Slave.

[AAAA]

If you have a college degree, you can have a teaching license in many states in a year, and a master's degree in 18 months.

[omahahahaha]

How do you get a professional poker player off of your porch?


ANSWER: <font color="white"> </font> Pay him for the pizza!

[SinCityGuy]

For me, "none" has done fairly well so far.

[Nate_Dogg]

With those degrees you should focus on developing an actual career rather than a side-show to poker. You can make a lot more money in the long-run. That said, its not my place to tell you that. More along the lines of your actual post I would recommend working at UPS or FedEX tossing boxes. This usually pays a decent hourly wage and part-timers usually get full health benfits. Also its a physical job so you'll offset your time at the cpu. I know a few people who got through college and grad-school this way. They also pay for higher education and are good about promoting you to full-time positions if you decide to give up poker.

[Mr_J]

Personal trainer.

Choose your own hours, decent pay and be in shape.

[augie00]

male whore

[checkmate36]

I manage a warehouse that sells auto parts. I have 6 employees and they do all the work while I have weekends off and I usually leave at 3:30 in a company delivery car that has no markings on it. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

During the day while my employees are running the show I read books by Ed Miller or other well known authors. At my last meeting of the head honchos they said they are looking into getting all of the locations the internet with new computers.

My job just keeps getting better and better. I suggest sell auto parts. By this time next year I should be getting in at least 500 hands per day while at work. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[mj2]

i have been playing full-time for 2 years and i have also been thinking a lot of finding a job to both do "something productive" and also to meet people and actually socialize again. so i thought teaching would be great. wow, was i wrong. i have a degree in accounting but have always liked math. so i did what was required to teach math which consisted of passing a few exams and taking a 40 hour class. well, i found out it was a ton of work. not only that, the kids were very hard to deal with. granted i taught in l.a. so maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you taught in a smaller city. my first day, i was told to f-off about 50 times and then in my last period, i was hit with a full gatorade bottle. needless to say, i didn't return the next day. i decided to try subbing which would give me even more time to play poker and i wouldn't have to grade tests, deal with parents, prepare lesson plans, etc. but it still sucks. i'm going to stick with it for a little while but i seriously doubt it will be that much longer.

[goofball]

gymnastics instructor worked pretty well for me but you have to like kids. Stay in shape, hang out wiht lots of young coworkers, vary your hours as much as you like every new session depending on how poker is going, and stay in fairly good shape.

[imported_leader]

[ QUOTE ]
male whore

[/ QUOTE ]

I laughed

[arizona]

I was lucky enough to land a job in a call center for reporting business conduct issues. We were a 24/7 operation, but business was very slow in the off hours so there was only one staff member on at these times. Of course I volunteered for the slowest shifts (graveyard and weekends) so I could play poker at work without anyone knowing. If a call came in, I would sit out, do my work, and then return to playing poker. I could easily get in 6,7, or even 8 hours of playing during one 10 hour shift.

Of course, they eventually found out and fired me, but I would have quit if they didn't as I was making 3 times as much playing poker as I was working. And for the record, I was fired for downloadiing unapproved software onto the company network, not for playing poker at work in and of itself. Also, getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me, career wise, as I have been a full time poker player since and have never looked back.

[tech]

If you don't care about the money and are just doing it to be socially acceptable, just start your own home business doing whatever you want. Sell stuff on eBay, mow lawns, or whatever you deem socially acceptable.

Given your background, one thing that comes to mind immediately is some type of business doing tutoring in math and science to high school and/or college students. There is always demand for this, hourly rates are decent, and you set your own hours.

[XChamp]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be back later this weekend to comment.

[Baulucky]

[ QUOTE ]
hourly rates are decent

[/ QUOTE ]

Please put a $ number on "decent" for the US.

[splashpot]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
hourly rates are decent

[/ QUOTE ]

Please put a $ number on "decent" for the US.

[/ QUOTE ]
For private tutoring, you could probably get anywhere from $15-25 USD per hour.

[tech]

[ QUOTE ]
Please put a $ number on "decent" for the US.

[/ QUOTE ]

Private tutors normally charge $35-$100 per hour, depending on the subject being taught, background of the individual, area of country, whether the tutoring is done in-home or not, and other factors.

[splashpot]

Ok, I was wrong then.

[tech]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, I was wrong then.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/01/nyregion/01tutor.html

You don't need to register and read the whole article above. Just read the tagline -- the dude charges $400 per hour for tutoring. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Online tutoring is cheaper ... sometimes you see that as low as 20 per hour. Most offline, private tutors are at least 35-40. Good ones are more. Subjects like math and science command more money because there are more people that need tutoring in them and less people qualified to do it.

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school

[/ QUOTE ]

He said low stress, though.

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I teach high school - its perfect. Lots of time off.
Summers to play full time. You could take some extra classes to get your teachers license and teach physics or math

[/ QUOTE ]

I have looked into this a great deal. Then I always run into teachers/former teachers who say it's unbelievably time consuming. The more I think about it, though, the less I believe them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Believe them.

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Intersting discussion... So how does one go about becoming a teacher? I'm in my mid 30's and currently work as a IT professional. Is mid 30's too late to consider this?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's never too late. Plenty of people quit their careers to become teachers. I know a man that did it when he was in his late 40s.

[/ QUOTE ]

So how does one go about making this switch? I assume it involves going back to school and getting some kind of a license. How long does this process take?

[/ QUOTE ]

It depends on the state. In NJ, for example, it is incredibly easy. I majored in engineering and was able to become employed as a math teacher without too much trouble. All I had to do was file for a "certificate of eligibility", which gave me the right to seek employment as a teacher. In order to get that you need to have 30 credits in your subject area you wish to teach. Then, I had to take a math subject area test (Praxis II), which anyone with an engineering degree could pass going in cold. After being hired, I had to attend a pointless class one night a week for the first year. After a full year of teaching, I was certified.

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Please put a $ number on "decent" for the US.

[/ QUOTE ]

Private tutors normally charge $35-$100 per hour, depending on the subject being taught, background of the individual, area of country, whether the tutoring is done in-home or not, and other factors.

[/ QUOTE ]

The difficulty with this is the initial networking required to get students to tutor.

[Baulucky]

[ QUOTE ]
the dude charges $400 per hour for tutoring.

[/ QUOTE ]

For $400 an hour, I'd drop most other activities, including poker. A supply of suckers...err, students... willing to pay $400 an hour is IMO, very difficult or impossible to secure.

[lastcoyote]

What about a sales job? There are a number of "commission only" or salary + commission type positions selling all number if products and services. Lots of theses jobs let you operate out of a home office. Make sales calls all day and come home around 2 or 3 in the afternoon.

Usually there is paperwork, quotes, follow-up calls, etc. that you need to do when you get home but you should be able to put fit in a good amount of poker and social life in if you manage it right.

If you are smart, have a decent personality and work hard you can make a decent living in sales. If you are very talented there's a good chance can make way more in sales than in poker.

[scrapperdog]

[ QUOTE ]
Aint exactly low stress but there aren't many jobs that are. I have the same schedule but I'm a librarian. You need a masters degree for my sort of position but it's low stress. Hey, you could be a postal worker, I hear that's real low stress.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am also a librarian and dont think it is low stress. Actually most jobs are not low stress, get used to it.

[MikeSmith]

im getting my Phd in pharmaceutical sciences right now, im on salary, get health insurance and free tuition and have only 9 hours and dont start research until May =SPARE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most jobs are low-stress. The problem is that most people stress themselves out at their jobs regardless.

Jobs that have actual stress include things like "hostage negotiator."

I worked through college dealing cards in a casino. Half the dealers thought it was very stressful and an awful grind. The other half though it was the easiest, most care-free job in the world. Same job.

My advice is to find a job that you can leave at work. Doing an independent career thing, or starting a business, looking for people to tutor. . . these are things that will nag you when you're not doing them, as you think about how to market and get more business, etc. You should focus on something which is there when you go to work, and which you can forget about when you leave. Virtually all such jobs have little or no inherent stress other than what people put on themselves via office politics or other B.S.

Talk to someone who has given their two-week notice because they've decided to quit, often in part because of "the stress." How stressful was their work the last two weeks? It's almost always a breeze. . . not because the job has changed, but because THEY have.

[scrapperdog]

Ahhh to be young again....

[CountDuckula]

[ QUOTE ]
Talk to someone who has given their two-week notice because they've decided to quit, often in part because of "the stress." How stressful was their work the last two weeks? It's almost always a breeze. . . not because the job has changed, but because THEY have.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was laid off from HP a couple of months ago; I had a month's notice. The last couple of weeks I was there was much less stressful, but not because I'd changed. It was because I was wrapping up my work and handing it off to other people who had to do it after my departure. I was relieved to be free of HP, even though being laid off is stressful in itself (fortunately, they gave me a decent severance package, amounting to about 4.5 months of pay, and a couple months' worth of benefits), because of the incessant deadlines; every time we'd meet one deadline, the next one was breathing down our necks.

While there is something to be said for how one's perceptions affect stress, many well-paying jobs are quite stressful in and of themselves.

-Mike

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]


I understand why you would feel pressure from others that you should be more successful in your career.
But, really, why should you/I care??
If others have a problem with it then it's THEIR problem.


[/ QUOTE ]

I don't care what random people think of me; however, I do care about what my loved ones think of me. None of them want me to play poker. At that point it's not really my decision. Even if they are wrong, I can't desert them just for a career.

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]


I think working at some kind of non-profit or charity organization with a good cause would be a sweet job. They'll gladly take the help, so part time will be fine, and you get to do something that is beneficial to people. As far as socially acceptable goes, I'd say nobody is gonna look down upon somebody who's doing this kind of work.

[/ QUOTE ]

This was my original idea, and I'm actually still contemplating that. I would play poker 25-30hrs a week and spend 15-20hrs volunteering, hopefully at a skilled position. But, this does not help answer the question, "What do you do for a living?" When I substitute teach other teachers always ask me what else I do because they know I can't make a living at it.

[RikaKazak]

real estate agent, just go back to school for a short time (semester) and do that. Choose your own hours etc. (this is coming from someone who has real estate agents work for him, not is one)

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]
If you don't care about the money and are just doing it to be socially acceptable, just start your own home business doing whatever you want. Sell stuff on eBay, mow lawns, or whatever you deem socially acceptable.

Given your background, one thing that comes to mind immediately is some type of business doing tutoring in math and science to high school and/or college students. There is always demand for this, hourly rates are decent, and you set your own hours.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm going to look more deeply into this. However, I think I'll need to get certified to teach if I want any hope of starting a successfull tutoring company.

[Homer]

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I think working at some kind of non-profit or charity organization with a good cause would be a sweet job. They'll gladly take the help, so part time will be fine, and you get to do something that is beneficial to people. As far as socially acceptable goes, I'd say nobody is gonna look down upon somebody who's doing this kind of work.

[/ QUOTE ]

This was my original idea, and I'm actually still contemplating that. I would play poker 25-30hrs a week and spend 15-20hrs volunteering, hopefully at a skilled position. But, this does not help answer the question, "What do you do for a living?" When I substitute teach other teachers always ask me what else I do because they know I can't make a living at it.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you don't feel comfortable telling them you play cards, make something up. I'm a consultant, I teach nights at XYZ learning center, I'm a male prostitute, I'm looking for a full-time teaching position, etc. Who cares what they think?

[MicroBob]

[ QUOTE ]
When I substitute teach other teachers always ask me what else I do because they know I can't make a living at it.

[/ QUOTE ]


I'm not sure why you can't just tell them you play poker.
Most people will think it's "cool" anyway.


I was a bit bashful about talking about what I did for a living amongst mostly strangers.
I would say something that sounded pretty lame like 'work from home on computers' or something vague like that.

This was what I told guys on my rec-league soccer teams when I was asked.
The next season when I was asked i just said, "This will sound kind of silly...but I actually play poker for a living..mostly on the internet" and most of the responses were "doesn't sound silly at all. I used to play a lot when I was in the Navy..." (etc etc).


Would there be some kind of moral deal about telling the other teachers?? Or is it just kind of awkward to speak about something like that??


FWIW - If I went back to my hometown for a reunion or something and met up with my former math/science teachers I would have no problem telling them what I do.
I was the top player on our chess team and considered to be pretty smart in my math classes so none of them would be surprised and I suspect many of them would find it very interesting.

There are a couple of math teachers I had who would certainly laugh to learn how some of the things I learned in their classes apply to how I make my living.

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]


If you don't feel comfortable telling them you play cards, make something up. I'm a consultant, I teach nights at XYZ learning center, I'm a male prostitute, I'm looking for a full-time teaching position, etc. Who cares what they think?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think I've made my point clear. I'm not going to lie to my family/loved ones about what I do. Their friends, neighbors and family are sometimes curious and ask them what I do for a living. They are the ones that care what people think and care themselves about what I do. For example, my mom told me she was too embarrassed to tell the neighbors what I was doing when they asked her. I don't want to put my mom in that position.

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
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If you don't feel comfortable telling them you play cards, make something up. I'm a consultant, I teach nights at XYZ learning center, I'm a male prostitute, I'm looking for a full-time teaching position, etc. Who cares what they think?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think I've made my point clear. I'm not going to lie to my family/loved ones about what I do. Their friends, neighbors and family are sometimes curious and ask them what I do for a living. They are the ones that care what people think and care themselves about what I do. For example, my mom told me she was too embarrassed to tell the neighbors what I was doing when they asked her. I don't want to put my mom in that position.

[/ QUOTE ]

You said in that post you didn't want to lie to teachers who sometimes ask what else you do.

I understand you concern about pleasing your loved ones. However, when you are completely honest with them and stop worrying about what they and their friends/neighbors think, I believe you will be much happier. That was my experience, at least.

[XChamp]

[ QUOTE ]


I understand you concern about pleasing your loved ones. However, when you are completely honest with them and stop worrying about what they and their friends/neighbors think, I believe you will be much happier. That was my experience, at least.

[/ QUOTE ]

How can I possibly be happy with myself if everyone I love is not and I can change it easily?

[Homer]

[ QUOTE ]
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I understand you concern about pleasing your loved ones. However, when you are completely honest with them and stop worrying about what they and their friends/neighbors think, I believe you will be much happier. That was my experience, at least.

[/ QUOTE ]

How can I possibly be happy with myself if everyone I love is not and I can change it easily?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's most likely not going to be as easy as you're making it out to be. You want to do a certain thing with your life and everyone else wants you to do something else and is embarassed to tell others about what you enjoy doing. Doing something you aren't passionate about for many hours a week for many weeks will begin to wear on you, most likely. Also, at some point it may become frustrating to see your parents for the nth time displaying disappointment in your poker play and/or lying about it to others.

It all boils down to being constrained from living life the way you want to live it.

I'm an attorney. My job didn't mesh well with poker my first few years because I was working all the time, but not that I have more experience I'm able to devote more time to poker. I just received a raise to $130K/yr with an annual bonus from between 10-25% of my base salary. On the days I "work from home" I'm usually able to get in 2 to 4 hours of poker. So I have a decent job with decent pay that allows time for poker. However, some people don't consider lawyering as socially acceptable.

[AAAA]

if you spend some time as an affiliate, which you should do anyway to solidify some tax deductions and generally make recordkeeping much easier, you will be able to have your mom say that you do online internet marketing, which is certainly acceptable and the "in" thing these days.

if they bother to ask what, you work in the entertainment industry and it isn't porn! if they ask any more than that, the correct response is, "Why do you ask?" and when they say they are just interested in your well-being...she can say, "well thank you, I will pass on your interest and concern."

That should certainly be the end of it.

I recommend a sales job. Try to get one that allows you to work from home a day or two a week. Sometimes it can be stressful, but if you get good at it, your income potential is huge. Plus, these jobs generally aren't cerebral, so it won't tax your brain and wear you out like other jobs might.

[Peter Harris]

[ QUOTE ]
I already am a substitute teacher. It's not particularly socially acceptable to be in your 20s with a degree from a decent school and substitute teach.

[/ QUOTE ]

it's not particularly socially acceptable to play poker. Who gives? Do what makes you happy.

[XChamp]

Can people please focus on suggestions for jobs? There are many reasons why I am asking this. I'd rather not get into a discussion about why since I don't feel like talking about my personal life on the internet.

There have been some great suggestions on here so far. Thanks a lot.

[AAAA]

Personal trainer can be a job that pays well per hour, and is good for your health too, physical therapist or any type of motivator.

An actual doctor or chiropractor would likely take more years of schooling, but it is a good long term career choice. Chiropractors can spend time online playing poker between patient visits.

Any job that can be done via the phone or that doesnt' take long hours of actually working, but many hours of being "on call."

I know of executives who are looking for personal assistant, but that job may be more of a live in glorified chauffer job. It may not suit your mother's taste of career advancement, but it does involve hours of sitting around waiting for other people. Mobile phones/PDAs do poker these days.

[ QUOTE ]
An actual doctor or chiropractor would likely take more years of schooling, but it is a good long term career choice. Chiropractors can spend time online playing poker between patient visits.

[/ QUOTE ]

So that's what my [censored] doctor is doing while I'm sitting in the waiting room for 45 minutes! I knew that bastard was up to something.

[TStoneMBD]

psychologist... or a job that sits around all day waiting for appointments to arrive.

[_dave_]

I fix computers for people.

Easy money if you know what you're doing, choose your hours, do only the easiest jobs if you like. You have to put in some time to learn the stuff, but I believe anyone could learn this if they wanted. It really isn't hard.

I can charge at least £30/hour, which is what, $50? No idea what the going rate for computer fixing is in the US, but £30 is cheap in the UK. Business customers will pay much more - broken computers = lost business.

Hardware faults, problems with Windows, clean up virus / adware / spyware, copy "My Documents" and saved email from a crashing computer, etc. - plenty things are easy to fix, but are totally baffling to someone who just uses the machines.

The work is quite satisfying most of the time - people can be very happy when you save all thier important business data from what they thought was a knackered computer.

These days jobs are more common than ever - PCs and cheap broadband are everywhere, and Windows XP gets overrun by malware so easily.

Probably not your thing, but maybe an option worth thinking about. Most colleges run short PC repair classes.


dave.

[Lucena]

You may want to be a nighttime manager for a small hotel.

I did this for awhile and it worked pretty well for me. Most of the job is just being there if the phone should ring, if someone gets locked out and so forth. There was a batch of reports I would run for the nightly audit (took about 30 mins) and things would pick up a bit with checkouts right at the end of the shift.

In between however I was able to get in about 6 hours of poker.

[VinnyTheFish]

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hourly rates are decent

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Please put a $ number on "decent" for the US.

[/ QUOTE ]
For private tutoring, you could probably get anywhere from $15-25 USD per hour.

[/ QUOTE ]

High school Math Tutor from $60 to $125 per hour in NJ - depending on the level

[FrogMouth]

Are you athletic, do you live where it snows?

I have spent several seasons teaching snowboarding, and its very rewarding. You're outdoors, active, always meeting new people and enjoying a sport that most pople love. Totally stress free, show up for your shift, and enjoy your day.

I would reccomend a "small mountain" rather than one of the large resorts. At the resorts things are much more corporate, too much BS to deal with. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be an awesome skier/boarder to teach. Compitent to make it down the trails, and a decent personality are all thats needed.

Downsides are the pay is very low, and you need to find work in the off season. Although many of the regular instructors will have lines on easy sumer jobs

Good luck!

[Flopzilla]

Indian casino or Walmart greeter...
gotta have a big smile, tho... /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

or a pro dog walker

or eBay scammer

or my favorite,

WELFARE RECIPIENT!!!

dude i'm a dog walker, i just went pro last wk!