I’m at an age where life feels increasingly short. There are things I want to do which don’t fit into three weeks of PTO a year.
I don’t need to make that much money to pay the bills, but I do need some and of course enough to pay for health insurance if this flexible job doesn’t provide it.
Basically, I’m willing to give up pay for being able to take maybe six weeks a year off (or more).
Any thoughts of jobs that might fit the bill?
I live near Boston, so there is quite a bit of competition when it comes to employment.
A para-professional in a public school. Work perhaps 9 months and get decent health insurance with the union contract. The sub teacher suggestion above isn’t going to offer insurance or pay enough to buy insurance.
I was going to suggest something like VIP kids. You teach English to Chinese children and can set your own hours (more or less) and even teach while on vacation if you want.
But they only pay up to ~$20/hour so that’s likely not enough for your needs, but I’m still going to throw it out anyway!
I knew someone who was an artist most of the year, but during tax season he worked for one of the big tax companies. Don’t know if that sort of gig is still available.
What is your expertise? Private high schools hire folks with specific expertise…could you teach math or science…or something? No certification needed, but you would need to demonstrate that you could do the job. Pay isn’t usually terrific, but you would get benefits, and all school vacations…and two months in the summer off.
And there are tons of private schools in the greater Boston area.
Sadly I don’t really have any expertise per se – that’s been the bane of my remaining employed.
I’ve worked at small, offbeat software companies in product marketing and product management. I currently work in “customer success” (as they call it these days) at a start up.
Just about every school district I know of is looking for good para educators for special needs students. Pay isn’t terrific…but there are benefits…and the same school vacations as everyone else. It’s not easy work.
Leverage your German. There might be US companies that want to work in the German market place or vice versa. Translators /interpreters can gain decent money. Just Google ideas with German language and see where that leads you.
Courts also need and use interpreters. If you are fluent, want to get certified and are interested in working in that capacity. It’s an on call position and pays by the hour. You could interpret for medical and legal.
Could you propose some kind of part time plan with your company? … .ie average 30 hours/week (to keep benefits) , but with some 40 hours week plus more vacation. Or heck, with 30 hour weeks perhaps you would not crave more vacation as much.
You could consult. You’ll have to buy your own insurance, and it’s not without its own stresses and scheduling issues, but you can decide what you’ll take on and when you’ll commit to delivering your work. If there’s a tech incubator near you, you could freelance for their companies with projects and those with less than full time needs.
Listen to the podcast Side Hustle School. You might need to develop a side hussle before you can take a dive into something brand new and excel at it and have the flexibility.