Things are changing economically. Core human values won’t change. Or, at least that’s what I’m banking on as embark on my latest venture. I just posted the following ad on Craigslist:

Universal Apprentice - Will Work For Free! (Hampden/Medfield & Surrounding)

As the economy continues to go downward, I’ve begun realizing the importance of learning practical manual skills which I can trade, share and teach other people. I am seeking unique learning/work opportunities to build on the skills I already have, perfect my craft and expand into other areas of expertise.

At 28 years old, I have become a hard-worker, quick-learner and dependable person. I want to be as well-rounded as possible (a renaissance man) by learning new things and putting myself into challenging new situations. I think that’s the best way to stay young, to stay happy and to stay sharp.

Money follows motivation + experience, I figure. So I’d rather be engaged and excited about learning new things than making a bunch of money and having cushy benefits. Given the right opportunity, I would be happy to work in a shop or similar for free, contributing labor hours in exchange for practical real-world training - something like the medieval guild system with the apprentices, the journeymen and the master craftsmen. I’m interested in working with and for other people who share these interests, passions and philosophies and bring them to bear in devotion to their craft and the small business they’ve built around it.

I’m also interested in overhire, temp/short-term work, pt work and prefer getting paid (for positions where its available) cash on a daily or weekly basis.

I’ve done some work already in these fields: (And aim to advance my skills and learn new techniques)

- Stained glass shop work: painting, restoration, design, construction & installation
- Organic gardening, landscaping
- Animal care, specifically dog daycare facilities
- Theatrical/scenic carpentry: have worked at a summer stock theatre & Everyman in Baltimore (also run crew)
- Events: I recently helped set up a booth at a craft festival in Timonium, and have been doing strike/load-in work

Skills I am interested in learning: (I’m open to working for free in exchange for solid practical instruction and example)

- Metal work of all kinds, welding, machining, metal fabrication, auto mechanic (vintage and classic cars, especially), bicycles
- Electronics repair, amps, musical instrument repair (luthier)
- Sound, electrics, lighting, tech work at events/theatres/venues
- Leatherwork, shoemaking (cobbler)
- Non-theatrical carpentry, framing, finish work, joinery, furniture-making (traditional techniques, especially), wooden boat-making
- Stone work, masonry, brick-laying
- Brewing, wine-making
- Horses, goats, working with other livestock
- Hunting, tracking, trapping, foraging, shooting, dressing & butchering meat (woodmanship)

If none of those quite fit… …But you still have need of a free hand, an able body and a focused mind, please don’t hesitate to contact me with a description of your idea, need or opportunity. I’m confident we can negotiate a way to work together towards our mutual benefit. My main mode of transportation is a bike, and I prefer to work within the community in which I live, supporting it with my labor hours and experience. I’m more interested in indoor shop-work given that the seasons are rapidly changing, but other exceptional opportunities may be welcome.

Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon!

With that formally begins my new shift in approach towards jobs which I began exploring in a recent written piece. My aim is to put myself into learning positions as my job. To learn how to do things from the people who know best, and to let the money figure itself out as needed. I’d like to write a chronicle of my experiences and share it here as both a way of cataloguing and reflecting on what I’ve done and where I’ve been and also hopefully as a means of inspiring other people to have the freedom in their life to do the same.

Cheers, and the first round’s on me!