4 Stimulating job aspects that keep adventurous types happy

Broadly speaking, people who score highly on measures of extraversion tend to seek stimulation. More than just adopting an outgoing social interaction preference, these people also gravitate towards other stimulating situations such as active leisure activities, work pursuits and travel. A stimulating job is also crucial for the adventurous type.

There are four categories for the adventure-seeker:

• Disinhibtion: A desire to seek stimulation through partying, drinking and sexual variety

• Thrill and Adventure Seeking: A desire to engage in risky and adventurous activities and sports that provide unusual sensations

• Experience Seeking: The pursuit of new sensations through music, art, travel, or psychoactive drugs

• Boredom Susceptibility: An aversion to monotony

If any of these categories describe you, then it is imperative for you to identify the type of lifestyle a job can offer you instead of searching for a position in the hopes that it would satisfy your sensation-seeking desires!

In view of maintaining your pursuit of intriguing experiences, here are four crucial aspects to look out for in the organisation you wish to apply to.

1. Provides adventure courses

Out of adversity comes success and there’s no better teacher than experience. Martin Luther King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands during challenge.”

In addition to satisfying the desire for out-of-ordinary situations, adventure courses also aid in reinforcing certain corporate goals such as team building, communications, camaraderie and appropriate risk taking.

One organisation that provides a good range of adventure courses is the Singapore Army. Its employees have the privilege of opting to take on courses like the Jungle Confidence Course, Basic Airborne Course and Basic Diving Course. The Jungle Confidence Course for example, consists of a survival phase where trainees are left alone to survive for three days with the most basic tools; and an ending phase that is a race against time to trek back to base camp.

Whether it is roughing it out in the lush greenery of the jungle, jumping off a plane or exploring the depths of sea, these are activities barely known to the corporate world but all too familiar for the keen thrill-seeker.

2. Provides overseas training and opportunities

The thought of venturing into a foreign land for the purpose of work is likely to light up the face of an experienced seeker. For these individuals, experiencing new cultures, observing different sceneries and exploring in unfamiliar terrains are what keeps them feeling alive.

Having participated in a number of peace support operations and humanitarian assistance disaster relief (HADR) mission at both regional and international levels, the Army’s provision of overseas training and operations are not only able to fulfill wanderlust but humanitarian aspirations. On her overseas experience in a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise, Military Expert (ME2) Tan Ting Ting shared that it was gratifying because she was given the chance to utilise her skills as a medic to make a difference in treating and saving others. Such efforts by the Singapore Army offer realistic and challenging training opportunities that instill confidence in its employees too.

There are two more stimulating job characteristics that you need to know about on the next page!

3. Provides opportunities to learn new skills

Since being bound within the four walls of an office and stuck in the same routine is unappealing to sensation seekers, learning new skills and changing job scopes is one possible aspect that can keep these individuals motivated.

In the Singapore Army, employees are granted the chance to operate high-tech equipment including tanks, infantry carrier vehicles and Armoured Vehicles Launched Bridges. An exposure to both the theoretical and practical aspects of these military equipment caters for a rare and well-rounded opportunity such as this, which is unique to the Singapore Army.

4. Has job rotation possibilities

Individuals who tend to be bored daily routines should look for job rotations to break the monotony of work.

Should the thought of experiencing different positions in your career excite you, the Singapore Army is one place to consider. You have the option of exploring various responsibilities such as commanding, training and planning. Under the Command appointment, you would be responsible for grooming soldiers and leading them to achieve missions and training milestones. While under Training appointment, you will play a critical role in influencing a new generation of soldiers. Planning and executing functions and activities for the Singapore Army and possibly island-wide events on the other hand, fall under the Staff appointment.

With the ability to create changes in your job scope, the Singapore Army allows you to constantly challenge yourself with new and varied responsibilities, as well as explore different job opportunities.