Ideal jobs

[sobrique]

Ok, so I've kind a been pondering a bit recently, what my 'ideal' job would be.

Unfortunately, most of my list at the moment is a negative one. Not so great really.
Anyway, on the off chance of that someone can think of something my ideal job would be:

Something that involved problem solving - probably in an IT sense, as that's where my technical expertise lies.
Has some kind of 'solution development' too - I rather like taking a problem, figuring out the quick, the cheap and the good way of dealing with it, and approximately costing it up.
I also like 'R&D' type stuff, that involves taking a new tech, and figuring out if/how we can make use of it.
Something that's vaguely flexible about when I do this. (I'm really good on my 'good' days, and a bit crap - in a 'not very productive' sense on my 'bad' days)

And ideally:
Not requiring being on call (Getting phoned up in an emergency I mind less than 'having to remain in a place and state that I can respond to an emergency' if you appreciate the distinction)
Doesn't have repetitive boring, but not quite boring enough to pass off tasks. (Restoring backups for example)
Doesn't require oodles of traveling around the country on my own time. (I don't mind being paid to drive to London and back, I do mind having to get to London for 9am work a full day, and then get back again under my own steam)

So, anyone know what this dream job of mine is called? :)

And on an unrelated note, went back to the doctor regarding a checkup for water and stuff. Am mostly not having any problems, and managed to shock them with the amount of weight I've lost. Since January I've gone from 133kg to 116kg. (With clothes on, but I figure that's the same error margin both times). 17kg, or for the imperially inclined 37.4 lb or 2.7 stones. (I trust their scales more than I trust mine)

I'm actually fairly pleased with that. I've still got a way to go before I reach my objective, but progress is nice. (And hey, you don't lose that kind of weight overnight without an amputation). Even if my week has otherwise been a bit 'bleugh' in a 'nothing really got done' sort of sense, and I'm still extremely weary today.

Comments

[jorune.livejournal.com]

I can think of a role that broadly fits your dream job "Technical Architect" or "Solutions Architect" but it comes with one large drawback, you'll be stuck in meetings and teleconferences.

I have a friend at LTSB who does it and he gets involved early on in the infrastructure and planning meetings for big projects. Teleconferences of 2-3 hours with 10-20 people on the phone are common and he gets to speak for 10-15 minutes, the rest of the time he is forced to listen to project managers, business analysts and senior infrastructure managers witter on amongst themselves.

Barclays or perhaps Getronics have people doing this role, I guess you have to find out what they call it.

[syntheticbrain.livejournal.com]

Oddly I think I'm heading towards the BA side of that. I have a project I need to lead on (I have the background knowledge and the technical skills) and a project I need to do (no one has any idea what's going on, I've been left to dig out the requirements and build the system) and what I find I'm actually doing is the BA work for a project I'm only peripherally involved in that the actual BA isn't doing.

If either of you see a vacancy for an in-house BA or tech/business interface on £35k+, could you let me know? Likewise I'll look out for a Tech/Solutions architect.

[jorune.livejournal.com]

If you want to become a business analyst then LTSB made all its existing staff sit BA ISEB exams; Completing the qualification would show drive and initiative to future employers. It may also clarify whether your local in-house interpretation idea of what a BA does vs the job on a national level.

There is also the possibility that the BA on your current project is being pulled by forces you are not aware of and so has not been doing the job you think they should be doing. Part of the strains between BA and developers is not fully understanding each other job.

[syntheticbrain.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip - I'd looked at the BCS awhile ago and forgotten all about it. Now if I can talk work into paying for it...

I appreciate I only see 1/8th of the BA's time - it's what she does with that time that annoys me, but then, that's work for you! : )

Ed: Sorry for hijacking your post - some of the BCS stuff for system design may be of interest : )