"Student For Life" Contemplates Workforce Re-Entry

I hate the corporate world. I hate the 9-5 world. I'm have trouble dealing with authority (making the boss-employee relationship difficult) and often do not play nice with others (making working in an office quite a challenge). For years I blamed others. "My boss is stupid", "My work isn't challenging enough", "My coworkers are annoying". This led to a series of jobs in which I looked to find the right circumstances in which I could thrive. I beleive it was my husband who suggested "Maybe its you" to which I am sure I uttered some sort of snarky response. But that thought did enter my head ... and stay there. Eventually I decided to leave the workforce and go back to get my PhD. When I complete the program I will be a Researcher and a Professor, with the ability to tinker with the minds of tomorrows future leaders :)

But this recent article on Yahoo made me rethink: Australia offers 'best job in world'. I figured, if its a job, it can't be good ... no matter what the job descripiton is. But then I read on:

SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

"The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world."

I have to admit, I'm not a great swimmer. But I am willing to learn and improve my skills in order to loaf around on an island for a living. It doesnt say anything about families, but the person who gets the job gets to live "rent free in a three-bedroom beach home". I think that Jeff, Brooke & I can easily manage on that.

You must apply by February 22. 11 candidates will be chosen to fly to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process, and a six month contract will begin on July 1.

Note: This isnt some random picture of a pretty setting. Its the real island. Jeez! I think competition is going to be pretty intense for this job. I know that is pretty obvious, but I cant even get the page to load for the application (just curious!). There must be so many people going to it that the site crashed!