In the workplace, trying to be happy with what you do (when you’re probably not) can sometimes take its toll, especially when you eventually realize that for the most part you just try too hard; and sometimes efficiency and productivity suffer. Some jobs may be a bit odd yet pay generously. High-paying jobs can be deemed a source of happiness and satisfaction, but the stress can be overwhelming. Other jobs are so ridiculously unusual that people are either in awe, shocked or find it funny. There are jobs that don’t need special skills or a diploma to do them, but the pay is so meager you sometimes wonder why you even bother. Check out the jobs listed below and see if happiness can fit into the picture.

• Psychiatrist. These trained individuals are responsible for diagnosing people with mental illnesses and are authorized to prescribe appropriate medication and treatment/intervention. Psychiatrists can set up a private practice or be employed in hospitals, universities and other offices. Salary depends on several factors but the most likely range is from $80,000 to $100,000 per year. Being a psychiatrist can be very interesting if you like doing research and studying individuals. But can you handle the pressure? Can you remain detached to the often depressing stories and behavior you observe in your patients? Finding happiness in this kind of job may be a bit tough, although the very high salary scale can probably compensate for the stress that comes with it.

• Weatherman. We rely on our weatherman for information about the day’s weather; not a bad job if you enjoy the spotlight for a few minutes each day (a little more if there is any nasty weather headed your way). For starters, they work on a $15 to 20 per hour salary. Once you gain more experience, you can earn a whopping $89,000. The job does depend on a lot of accuracy though…otherwise you’ll get a deluge of hate mails instead of fans. But then again, sometimes there is just no predicting Mother Nature.

• World Leader. Taking responsibility for the well-being of millions of men, women and children is what a world leader is expected to do every single day of his life. Though he is given high respect and priority, he gets blamed if problems arise. It’s an alluring idea to rule a country; power is heady. But the burden can be enormously heavy. Think a salary of about $450,000 can compensate for the ever-present risk of getting assassinated; for being blamed when economy goes wrong; for being looked upon as the problem solver of all woes and threats? If you’re a world leader and you can be happy in spite of all that, then you may be cut out for the role.

• Odor Tester. Checking the quality of antiperspirants and deodorants is an odor tester’s main concern. If you have this kind of job, you get to smell armpits all through the day to see if the deodorants are actually working. An average of $35,000 a year can sustain a decent living. But would eight hours a day of inhaling body odor worth the money and make you happy? If your answer is yes, your impregnable olfactory sense is admirable. Some people would say, “Thanks, but no, thanks.”

• Dishwashers. Here are some interesting facts about this job: An estimated 500,000 people in the U.S. work as dishwashers, earning around $8.81 per hour. Florida has the most dishwashers (42,000) but also pays the lowest at $8.62 an hour. Nevada, on the other hand, pays the highest ($11.29/hour). Are the numbers indicative that people might be happy doing this job than any other? Not quite. Although it has always been perceived to be a good starting point to becoming a server/waiter in restaurants and other food establishments. Or maybe become another Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computer, who got a job as a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant when he was 12. See… anything can happen in pursuit of happiness, even in low paying jobs.

The secret of being happy in a job is enjoying and finding pleasure in what you do. If you like what you are doing (whether you are getting enough or not; stressed out or relaxed) and stay positive, productivity comes (relatively) easy. Happiness after all, is just a state of mind – or so they say.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 at 12:25 pm and is filed under Applying for a Job, Career Changes, Free Advice, Job Search Tips, Promotions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.