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If all else fails, there’s always the temptation to run off and join the circus.  Joining the circus is much harder these days, however, because there just aren’t as many as there once were.  It’s even more difficult to find work in the carnival of the American imagination.  The culture that gave birth to the carnie of the 20^th century is still there, although its focus is on other forms of oddity, and the outlet for their curiosity is satisfied by reality television.  There are plenty of stories and films that document the sideshow experience, and from all accounts, there was never very much in there to romanticize.

These days, the best bet for finding this kind of work is through the state fair system.  Contacting the local state fair is easy enough, and there are usually a number of employment opportunities when that time of year rolls around again.  This is the best way, by far, to get a little experience in working in this kind of atmosphere.  Judging from the testimonies of the workers, however, it’s usually a hard job with low pay at best.  Working the fair circuit is definitely a road to adventure, but the adventures are more morose than exciting.  But there is something in the mythic imagination that always wants to leave this open as a possibility, and popular culture does hold it in a peculiarly romantic position, despite the real life experiences of the workers.

Most of the employment opportunities will have something to do with setting up and taking down, and anyone who’s worked a concert for spare cash in high school knows what that gig is about.  There are always going to be roadies with a lot more experience, and a lot of egos being thrown around.  It’s difficult labor, and this is made much tougher when the circumstances are less than welcoming.  Operating rides isn’t difficult to learn, but it can be tedious, and the crowds can be less than grateful.

There is room to grow, however, for someone who has some special skills and talents.  Guessing someone’s weight can be interesting and rewarding, although the position is one that is rarely open.  If one has psychic talents, guessing someone’s name can be a great way to start developing that gift.  Reading palms and cards are also good options, and a way into a much wider field.  With these, the carnival and fair should be seen as a gateway to other employment situations that are more amenable to these arts.  But the roughness of the fair can be the perfect entry point, with high pressure, low wages, and plenty of opportunities to study human behavior in extraordinary situations, and there is something romantic in that.