The best part of the job

When I was a newspaper reporter and wanted feedback, I would go straight to the source. I would stop by a local coffee shop and grab a coffee. To help stir the pot, so-to-speak, I would grab a few issues of that day’s paper and leave them on the empty tables. I would watch patrons and get their reaction to whatever I had written in the paper.

I’d watch them closely looking for responses:

• Did they skim? Or did they sit there and dive into my piece?
• What was their reaction? A smile? A head-nod?
• How long did they stick with my story? When did they check out? How deep did they read?
• If they were with friends, what did they discuss? What things were important to them?

I was surprised to find that I got a ton of enjoyment out of the exercise and it gave me great information about writing and myself.

Oh, those were days when print still mattered. Times have changed, but the memory got me thinking about careers and how every job has its pros and cons.

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First day on the job

In the end, I’d be terrible at most jobs. Too much math and science in this job. Too much structure and rigidity in another. However, there are parts or elements of different jobs that I would absolutely love. Here’s what I mean:

—Surgeon: Saving someone. You leave for work and you see a neighbor out walking. You give him a wave and think to yourself: “Yea, Mr. Hooper, he’s alive because of me. Without me, he’d be a dead man walking. You da man Brian.” (Yes, it’s a good thing I’m not a doctor. My ego would be unbelievably large.)

—Priest: Saving someone. Oh, trust me, no one wants to see me preaching on the pulpit. God would take one look and send lightening down on the house of worship. And I would get lost easily in the theology. Yes, yes, I know God works in mysterious ways, but that would be one heck of a miracle. Right up there with the parting of the Red Sea or the blind getting their sight. Saying that, though, I’ve long loved the peace that great priests, rabbis, imams and other spiritual leaders share with others.

—Chef: Full stomachs. I would be walking on air watching my patrons leave with full bellies and smiles on their faces.

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—Pilot: A smooth landing. For someone who never flew until I was in my late 20s, I love flying. I wouldn’t care if it would be a jumbo jet or jet fighter, I would love being a pilot. The best would be bringing the jet plane down, out from the clouds, for a smooth landing. Move over Tom Cruise and Maverick, BriMan is here.

—Veterinarian: Earning doggy kisses. Most jobs come with a benefit or two that’s out of this world. Could be the money. Could be the high you get from the job. Few would beat the doggy kisses that you’d get from a dog or puppy that you made feel better. The absolute best. Is there still time for me to go back to school to become a vet?

—Fireman or policeman: Protecting and serving. Oh, I’m in my mid 50s, but looks can be deceiving. I’m still a little kid inside who wants to be Superman for a day or two. Firemen and police are the next best thing, right? Who wouldn’t want to be “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound” all to save others. And to work as a journalist for the Daily Planet newspaper to boot. It would be the best of all worlds.

—Game developer: Playing the game. D’uh.

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—Teacher: Learning in action. Here’s one I’ve observed from a distance a time or two. You enter a convenience or department store. A parent approaches you in tears. They thank you for helping their son or daughter. They tell you that before you came along, it took everything to get their child to school. Now their child can’t wait to go each day.

I have to imagine that’s got to be a great feeling inside. Right up there with “Go Brian, it’s your birthday. Go Brian!”

—Wedding Photographer: Seeing happy people. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sad person at a wedding. Oh, I’m sure the stories of demanding brides and grooms on the wedding day are endless. And when it comes to showing the finished product, I would want a 100 mile buffer. I wouldn’t want any part of that job. I would want to be long gone. On the day itself, though, I would get a kick out of seeing all the happy smiles.

I’m convinced I would be amazing in some of these jobs. I work hard, I’m dedicated, I’m a fast learner, and I care about providing great service! Anyone want to hire me for the day?

What job would you like to try for a day?