Swap your 9-5 for Something More Exciting (For a Day)

Ever fancied doing something different for a living? Go on, you can admit it – and don’t worry, we won’t tell your boss.

At some point, we’ve probably all wondered what it would be like to wake up and go to work somewhere a world away from our normal nine-to-five.

And while being an secret spy or a professional beer taster might not be a viable option for most of us, there’s no reason you shouldn’t give it a go – if only for a day.

So as 3rd April is officially “Don’t Go To Work Unless It’s Fun Day”, we’ve come up with some experiences to help you do just that…

1. Primate Keeper

If you’re looking to get into the monkey business, then a day as a primate keeper at a monkey sanctuary might be the job for you. After hearing about the background of these cute capuchin and woolly monkeys, it’s time to get stuck in and help out with the mucky stuff. As a keeper, you’ll be preparing their food, cleaning their enclosures, picking (and tasting!) their woodland treats – as well as learning all about the animals in your charge.

2. Polo Player

Polo isn’t just for the Royals, y’know – and you don’t have to be a riding pro to enjoy a taster of this high octane sport either. After donning a pair of jodphurs, you’ll be taught the basics of hitting a ball (from the safety of a crate) before hopping aboard your second expert tutor: a professional polo pony. By the end of your session you’ll be hooking and riding off in your first real chukka – and you’ll no doubt have the jargon down to a fine art, too.

3. Beer Brewer 

Although tasting beer for a living might seem like a pipe dream for most of us, for the brewers at Cropton, it’s been a way of life since 1984. An early start is required to step into their slip-proof shoes as you learn the art (or should that be science) of mashing, boiling and fermenting the perfect pint of ale, before giving it a go yourself. Of course, you’ll then need to give your product a taste – just to check the flavours, obviously.

4. Secret Agent

Don’t worry if your applications for Mi5 have gone unanswered, your training mission – if you choose to accept it – is just down the M1 in Milton Keynes. Here, a world of espionage awaits. You’ll need to learn the skills of camouflage, marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat to stay ahead of your enemies, and earn your right to fire. Good luck.

5. Rock Star DJ

Even if you haven’t ever wanted to do any of the above, we’ve all definitely grabbed hold of the iPod at a party and attempted to wow the crowd with a selection of our finest tunes. How successful we’ve been is another matter entirely. But never fear, your future party playlists will be mixed to perfection after a day at the Technics DJ Academy. You’ll be scratching and cross-fading in no time, and with a CD to take home, you’ll even be able to prove it at your next shindig.

What job would you love to do for a day?