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Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” But even without such a serious phrase from a Chinese philosopher, we all understand that having the privilege to work at a job you enjoy makes the process of working and a person's life easier. 

Yet there’s no universal answer to what job is the most enjoyable, as, like with many other situations in life, it's to each their own. So let’s take a trip through some of the jobs people online say they enjoy, even if it might look like a profession from hell to others. 

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#1

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Lunch lady :)
I work at an elementary school and I get to chat with kids while giving them (tbh, really good tasting) and FREE meals. We get to feed the kids that don't have a lot to eat at home, see the kids grow and learn, be nicer to them than most adults in some of their lives, get recognized outside of school, we don't have to take our work home with us, we get treated nicely by staff, we get to go to parties for the school staff in the forbidden teacher's lounge, drink soda in school (something I always wanted)...
We get weekends, holidays, and summer off!
I personally wear cute earrings and bright makeup which thrills the s**t out of them, and the cleanup is pretty simple, and we get to go home after lunch. Not only that but it's a unionized job with retirement benefits. It's honestly a great time. I also get all the juice boxes and free school pizza I could ever want hahahaahahaha.

ActualLiteralHobbit , Alex Green Report

Final score:
140points
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#2

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Janitor. I am incapable of taking my work home with me, and there’s absolutely no way any job can have more instant gratification than cleaning. 10/10 recommend all of you with diminished ability to wait for results to go clean for a living. You make the world better every day you show up to work, because a world with less filth is just plain better. The floor Zambonis are really fun, too.

Oh, and as a university janitor I’ll be getting free college. Anything I want to study, it’s paid for as part of my benefits. Instead of taking out student loans to get a job, I’m getting a job to pay for school. Love that.

AndromedaZ , Liliana Drew Report

Final score:
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Ashley Noelle
Ashley Noelle
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've cleaned houses, buildings, and offshore oil rigs off and on over 20 years. In between, I've worked as a veterinary assistant, medical administrator, and countless other jobs. I always go back to cleaning. Next month I go back offshore to do laundry! It's so peaceful. No one bothers you, can listen to music, get a great workout, and make good money! It's a great job if you don't like people, haha!

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#3

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Gardener. Cultivating happiness, one plant at a time.

CoulTwist1 , Quang Nguyen Vinh Report

Final score:
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Lil Miss Hobbit
Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk what scientific evidence we have, but the older I get the more I realize that SO many honest to goodness happy people garden. Idk what it is, but if someone is legit joyful, ask about their tomatoes. 99% they have a little greenhouse out back.

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To talk a little bit more about job enjoyment, Bored Panda got in touch with a career coach, Caroline Hickey. 

She said that many people are now starting to realize the appeal of the skilled trades -- electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, to name a few: “I've seen a lot of career coaching clients become disillusioned with working from a laptop in these big offices and working on projects that don't feel tangible, and instead, they [are] pursuing a skilled trade, as they feel that being able to see the tangible outputs of their efforts on a day-to-day basis can deliver higher levels of job satisfaction for them.” 

Besides the job’s tangibility of results, Caroline mentioned another factor that makes people enjoy their job -- job security. Skilled trades can be applied here, too, as they are “often highly in demand and, therefore, clients have often opted to pursue this route in search of financial and employment stability.” 
#4

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Book editor. You get to read books during business hours, *and* you get paid to do it! Bonus: you also get to get all smart and wise ("This bit is not working, rewrite it...") and you get paid for that too. Another bonus: you're getting invited to all sorts of fancy social gatherings, mingling with authors and academia... I got to do this for seven years, probably the best, most relaxed, and fun seven years of my professional life.

filipv , Christin Hume Report

Final score:
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#5

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Library technician here! It's honestly the hidden gem of peaceful careers. You're surrounded by knowledge and the thirst for it, helping people discover new worlds and ideas daily. There's something about the quiet hum of book lovers delving into pages that's incredibly soothing. Plus, if you're a bookworm, getting first dibs on new releases is a sweet perk. And the best part? Watching kids get excited about reading – it feels like you're really making a difference in fostering the love for books in the next generation. It's more than just stamping due dates; it's about being a steward of a treasure trove of literature and information.

Georgette_Signorile Report

Final score:
84points
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Pandarosa
Pandarosa
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow this made my day, I'm starting the course soon and I'm so excited to hear it's as good as I imagine!! Thanks OP 😁

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#6

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Farming, I feel strong after I come home even though everything hurts.

Fishdogdragon117 , Jannis Knorr Report

Final score:
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Anywhere but Here
Anywhere but Here
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just had a conversation about this with a fellow farmer. We agreed that the challenge of it can have you wondering what the hell you’re even doing it for, and then you look over the land on a particularly beautiful hill, or see the animals running and playing. And you realize it’s something other people don’t get to experience. In those moments you feel really lucky to do what you do.

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When thinking about emerging professions that might be enjoyable for some people, Caroline advises people to think about national and global discussions. With this kind of thinking, three themes that are supported by the latest labor market insights come to career coaches' minds -- tech, education, and sustainability.

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Caroline said that the data suggests that the two growing sectors will be technology-related roles and the health & care sector. She also said that according to WEF Jobs For the Future research, the top four predicted growing jobs in these sectors are:

  1. AI and machine learning specialists; 
  2. Sustainability specialists; 
  3. Business intelligence specialists; 
  4. Information security specialists.

Then for the sustainability sector, WEF Jobs For the Future research also predicts the top four growing jobs globally:

  1. Sustainability specialists;
  2. Renewable energy engineers;
  3. Solar energy installation;
  4. Systems engineers.
#7

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often My boyfriend used to be a projectionist in a cinema. He would run seven 35mm projectors for three 16 hour shifts in a row. Three very full days on, then four off. He brought home a great pay packet too.

He always used to tell me how much he loved it, and used to get so much joy running the films for people. Especially film debuts and packed rooms.

The flickering light and clattering noise of the projection room was like a magical land, as I would sneak into the movies through the rear doors and watch everything. All the platters were spinning and everything in motion, it was wild. Light just jumped around everywhere.

Sadly he was one of the last hold outs before it all went digital. He sometimes gets very down he’s not doing it anymore. A sad loss of a profession.

kristymartinezzz , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:
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#8

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Working as a park ranger offers tranquility and the chance to work in some of the most beautiful spots on earth.

Longjumping-Cup-6761 , Taylor Flowe Report

Final score:
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#9

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Being a mailman, you quickly sort your mail and parcels, then you head out to deliver. Once you are outside you are in control, you deliver the mail and parcels, then you go home. Might be an early start, but the early finish gives you more time to do whatever you want while its still daylight. I can't stand sitting at a desk or being inside all day, so it's a perfect job for me.

lachstar333 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Final score:
61points
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Tucker Cahooter
Tucker Cahooter
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6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad that they are the exception to the "going postal" category of workers

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Lastly, Caroline mentioned the education sector. She said that data shows that the UK will need 1 million teaching and educational professionals, such as university and higher education teachers, by 2035. At the same time, globally, there will be 3 million more jobs for vocational education teachers and university and higher education teachers by 2027.

So, if you think that your calling might be in any of these mentioned sectors, maybe it’s time to try it out. After all, as our interviewee explained, the need for professionals in these jobs is only going to grow, so it’s quite likely that job security, at least in a sustainability sense, is almost guaranteed. 

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What do you think? What are professions that are more enjoyable than people think? Or maybe you have some prophecies of what enjoyable jobs are going to be in demand in the near future? Share it all with us in the comments! 
#10

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often I work at a nursery. It’s relaxing to water and prune plants while listening to a podcast or music.

BigWill3o3 , Los Muertos Crew Report

Final score:
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Szzone
Szzone
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. That's what I do to relax after work. That sounds amazing.

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#11

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Stay at home dad.

Stayathomedadof6 , Ksenia Chernaya Report

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#12

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Palliative care. It’s an absolute joy and privilege to spend the last weeks/days in a persons life with them. There can be much more laughter and joy in the terminal phase than many people think. It can be tough and heartbreaking too, but the good outweighs the bad by far.

clovisclotildo , TopSphere Media Report

Final score:
51points
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ElfVibratorGlitter
ElfVibratorGlitter
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is something I would not be able to emotionally handle. Think it takes an angel to do this work.

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#13

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often School-based child therapist. ended up here by accident, stayed for the Uno and Connect 4.

Individual-Isopod128 , Mikhail Nilov Report

Final score:
47points
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#14

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Locksmith: best career ever 8 years in and I love it.

Foilcube , Maria Ziegler Report

Final score:
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MagicJacket
MagicJacket
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it true you have to go to Yale University to get a job as a locksmith? 😂 Sorry, but that's too good a joke to not make.

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#15

Wildlife photographer.

Yes, there's awful bits -- weather, bugs, cold, rain, mud, mudslides, more mud, did I mention mud? heat, rain, cars breaking down, being sick away from any doctor, your gear getting delayed or stolen, police stops that are merely bribing stations, chancy trips near coca fields, walking along steep cliffs to set up equipment, altitude sickness, malaria preventative medicine that messes with your brain, mosquito netting that is merely a suggestion, elephants that look at range rovers as rivals, having your batteries die right before you get that once in a lifetime shot...

I'll shut up now.

Aargau Report

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45points
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Michal Dolyniuk
Michal Dolyniuk
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried it for fun. Mosquitos are the part when I decided it's not for me. But good shot is forever 🙂

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#16

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Vessel Planner. It's basically a videogame. I coordinate load/discharge of cargo ships and create stow plan. I get to work with a puzzle and b******t with managers at terminals. Some days I'm busy with work and other days I just browse the Internet. Perfect work/life balance.

dazednconfuse , Tom Fisk Report

Final score:
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#17

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Ive been a fire fighter for about 15 years now and i gotta say, best career ever!!!

Goat-Hammer , Andrew Gaines Report

Final score:
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ElfVibratorGlitter
ElfVibratorGlitter
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5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And, practically, is there anything sexier than a firefighter coming out with a rescued kitten/child. Man or woman. :)

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#18

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often I liked driving a bus for seniors. Some of them sucked, but most of my passengers were total sweethearts! I liked how friendly and kind they could be :).

MomoIsBaby , Aji Maulidio Indra Rukmana Report

Final score:
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Lene
Lene
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter is almost 7yo. She goes with the same bus every morning that is driven by a sweet sweet lady called Karin. Karin is so happy and interested in my kid. Asks me how it's going with her epilepsy and all that. She's such a sweetheart. And in the afternoon my daughter's bus driver is an elderly man called Jørgen. He is such a gem! Always lets my kid have som sweets -and tells her to pick some for her sisters and mom, too! And he stops the bus in the middle of the road so cars can't just blast by and, potentially, kill "one of his kids" as he says. He has also been extremely worried about my daughter's epilepsy. In the house we LOVE bus-Karin and bus-Jørgen 🚎💛💛💛🚎

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#19

Hairstylist!! I love that I can literally change lives with just an hour long appointment.

eyesonrecovery Report

Final score:
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#20

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Not my profession, but I had a long talk with the funeral director who handled my dad's about why he decided to do it, and what he said stuck with me- he gets to work with people who are having a hard time and tell them *yes*, like, he can basically get you everything you want.

I can vibe with that.

kooshipuff , The Good Funeral Guide Report

Final score:
38points
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Marnie
Marnie
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any funeral director in a "traditional" funeral home is a shyster.

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#21

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Nightshifts as a hotel receptionist.

-

I read a lot of books or play games on my Switch.

Firvulag , Mikhail Nilov Report

Final score:
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Bec
Bec
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My S.O. hated it, third shifts are tough on you, probably didn't help that the hotel was getting rundown towards the end, so he often had to call the cops. They kept promising to get him off third shift, but new hire never lasted long.

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#22

Woodworking.

Not cabinet making. Which i can see being fun, but wood working. I was semi retired and volunteered at a small shop and I loved it.
Running the tools. Even the sweeping.

Bloody enjoyable.

cidknee1 Report

Final score:
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UncleJohn3000
UncleJohn3000
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6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your woodworking project is becoming bloody, back up a step.

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#23

Tour guide: you get to talk about the city you live in and you love. You meet People who are on vacation so they are relaxed and fun.

If only I could do it full time during the whole year.

gabmori7 Report

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Bec
Bec
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6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've thought about doing something like this when I retire from teaching

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#24

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Sanitation worker.
Everyday is different.
Working outdoors is great (exception of rainy days)
Keeps you active and helps you stay fit without trying.
Depending where you work good pay; strong union; pension etc.

Ok_Judge_7565 , Fatih Güney Report

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#25

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Train conductor. I play Tetris all day with railcars basically, work outside and only talk to my engineer and Forman. I take a lot of satisfaction in it.

Different-Bear3705 , Alex Fu Report

Final score:
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#26

I really enjoyed serving at times. Always go home with cash, work isn't hard usually and always stays AT work, and you get discounts on good food and drink.

it helped that I worked at a DND-themed pub, so the atmosphere and clientele rocked.

Cheerful-Piggy3160 Report

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flower petals
flower petals
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m glad- it’s not often I’ve read servers having such a positive experience of their jobs.

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#27

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Nursing home aide. I did this when I was younger, it was very formative for me. Obviously there were the less fun parts. The hygiene care, heavy lifting, combative residents, and occasional removal of sex workers for the wiley ones. But, overall it was eye-opening to an early 20-something me. I had the opportunity to talk to residents that had the most incredible stories to share, some from WWII and Great Depression. I loved seeing photographs of them at my age, learning about the active lives they lived, and hearing their advice, even if some of it was outdated. None of them are alive anymore, but I still think of them from time to time.

Edit: a word.

sloaneysbaloneys , Kampus Production Report

Final score:
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g90814
g90814
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6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it's too bad the pay for this kind of job is s**t (in US anyway), it's going to be needed a lot more in the coming decades.

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#28

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Barista; don’t get me wrong it’s low paying and the customers can be hellish at times; but if you’re at the right shop in the right part of town catering to a more coffee enthusiast /community oriented clientele instead of a corporate office clientele, it’s a fun job, you basically just get paid to socialize with nice people and give them things that make them happy, which in turn makes me happy.

quantipede , Quang Nguyen Vinh Report

Final score:
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#29

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often Chef work gets a bad rap. But man, getting it right feels so f*****g good.

MariachiArchery , Rene Asmussen Report

Final score:
24points
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P Peitsch
P Peitsch
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed, it's so satisfactory .... it gives you a good feeling sending out delicious food, and hearing from waiters, people liked it.

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#30

30 Jobs That People Like Working At, But That Aren’t Talked About Often I loved being a home theater installer. It bums me out big time I can't do it anymore.

OhTheHueManatee , Alexander JT Report

Final score:
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Note: this post originally had 41 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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