Where Would Einstein Work?

Some time ago, after a call from a recruiter that was so over the top it reminded me of Phil Hendrie, I ran into the following bit of career advice from Albert Einstein:

If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber or a peddler, in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.

Amen. (And pardon me for indulging in something of a rant. The rest of this post is based more on impressions than hard data...)

It seems that employers in thinking occupations uniformly expect an inordinate amount of time and energy from potential hires. (I have a guess as to why.) It's almost as if sleeping at night, spending time with one's children, or even giving one's mind a rest from work every few days somehow constitute cheating them out of what is rightfully theirs. From this recruiter, I got the distinct impression that admitting to a hobby or two would be a deal-breaker in an interview. I chose not to work with him.

-- CAV

P.S.: Regarding hobbies, the main benefit to the employer is a well-rested and better-rounded employee. That said, I fondly recall a time that I once applied my home brewing knowledge to a purchasing decision for my lab and saved my boss most of the price of a potential purchase.