Interesting question I have been thinkinga bout a lot because my contract ends in the summer and I need to find a new job anyway. But I really like what I do as a university professor. I enjoy research (well, except for the grant pressure) as well as teaching smart graduate and doctoral students, and I like translating my knowledge in science into work that helps communities. Unfortunately, there are always just a handlful of jobs like that out there nationally, and the competition is fierce - especially for someone who has not gone his way through the US system.
Alternatives? I would love to do more trainings for professionals and community agencies, but they never have money to pay me... I could also see myself as a director of a foundation that awards research money in the health sciences. Maybe I should call Bill Gates and see if his foundation is hiring...
Of course, there was a time when I wanted to run a small restaurant, but over time I have learned that this is a recipe for disaster, and I have much to much respect for the hard workers in the business to meddle in that as an amateur.
Full time wood working would be a 180 degree turn from everything I did in my life, i.e. from academia to honest work
But I am really only an amateur, so I don't think I could survive.
Just rambling, but if I haven't found another job in academia by April/May, I will be in real trouble and may be forced to just follow the money. Getting screwed with contract renewals is no fun...
Stefan