LILY ANDERSON / ASST. OPINION EDITOR

Over the past few months, I spent hours applying to internships that I felt zero excitement about. I was simply doing it because I thought I had to. Recently, I had an epiphany. I have the rest of my life for a “serious” job. Instead, I decided to find a job outdoors and near the water that would provide me with new skills and feel more like play than work. Now, I cannot wait to get started. 

As we get closer to summer and graduation ceremonies, many students find themselves at a critical crossroads. The pressure to secure an internship at a prestigious firm or land a position promising a secure future is growing. However, another option — often ignored yet very beneficial — lies alongside these paths: the “fun job.”

The standard narrative suggests that early career choices must be strategically aimed at long-term benefits to be practical. This view is not without value. Internships and corporate jobs provide experience, networking opportunities and a strong foundation in a competitive job market. But they aren’t the only options worth considering, especially during a phase of life begging for exploration and personal development.

Fun jobs — characterized by their relaxed environments, unconventional roles or alignment with personal passions — are well-suited for the transitional era after graduation or during summer breaks. These opportunities present a compelling case for those looking to infuse joy and personal satisfaction into their professional lives. 

That being said, the flexibility to pick between jobs is definitely a luxury. Not everyone has the financial freedom to follow fun over a paycheck. However, many internships are unpaid or offer minimum wage, making a unique job with comparable pay even more enticing.

These enjoyable positions are surprisingly effective at cultivating soft skills, otherwise known as “people skills,” which are crucial across all professions. These soft skills can include the leadership traits, adaptability and problem-solving skills that one might develop through managing activities at a summer camp or the customer service expertise one could gain from working in a local bookstore. Such environments require high interpersonal communication abilities and crisis management knowledge, just like the pressures in more structured corporate environments. These skills aren’t exclusively exercised in formal office settings, so having them will put you at an advantage over others in the future.

You may also learn skills you weren’t expecting to learn that prove themselves to be important later on. I learned accounting skills through my first job working as a dock hand when I was 16, skills I otherwise wouldn’t have learned for years. 

Engaging in work that sparks personal interests can also significantly boost creativity and motivation. Jobs that align with one’s passions lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and inspire innovative ideas that might be stifled in more traditional roles. Whether the job is spending a summer working at an art gallery or assisting on a marine biology expedition, these experiences can ignite a lifelong passion and possibly direct your career path in unexpected but more fulfilling ways.

Another key advantage of choosing a fun job is its potential to reduce early career burnout – a growing concern among young professionals today and a feeling we’ve all definitely felt as the semester comes to a close. Stepping into a high-pressure environment immediately after graduation can be overwhelming, lead to imposter syndrome and drain you of any excitement you originally had. Fun jobs provide a necessary pause and a chance to recharge. This break is a breather supporting mental health and future professional performance.

Networking opportunities also occur in these less conventional settings. Fun jobs often involve interacting with a diverse array of people, from fellow enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. These connections can be as valuable as those made through internships and corporate positions, often leading to unexpected opportunities and insights. 

While the appeal of a traditional career path is strong, it’s important to remember that unconventional, seemingly less severe jobs have substantial merits. These roles offer more than just a paycheck; they provide joy, real-world skills and unexpected professional growth. They underscore the truth that sometimes, the path that fuels the soul is indeed the best path possible.

This summer or after graduation, if you find yourself drawn to a job that speaks more to your heart than to your resume, it might just be the right choice. Every job can teach valuable lessons; sometimes, the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places. Choosing the fun job isn’t a detour — it’s just a different route.

A traditional office job may provide some skills, but not the perks of a ‘fun job.’ Photo courtesy of Brooke Cagle/Unsplash