As the economy becomes progressively more disconcerting, we tend to abandon the idea of ever holding a dream job. But they are still out there. If you're having trouble imagining them, here's a small, inspiring sample.

Lipstick Namer

Baguette Me Not. Asphyxia. Caribbean Coral. Sheryl Adkins-Green, vice president of brand development at Mary Kay, says that the people they hire to name lipsticks have a passion for "beauty, fashion and pop culture." Namers are required to shop for cosmetics, visit trendy advertising agencies, attend beauty conferences and meet with make-up artists in order to stay current.

Adkins-Green notes that namers must also have an "ability to see into the future and forecast consumer desires," because the company develops lipsticks 18-24 months in advance.

Educational Requirements: BA in marketing, business, communications or related fields

Salary: $45k-$65k, depending on experience

Job Perks: Free product samples. Paid to shop. Subscriptions to fashion magazines.

Flight Attendant

The seat belt sign is on, so please stay seated for this section of the article. Flight attendants "learn through an intensive four-week training course that being a flight attendant is all about the safety of our passengers," says Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas of AirTran Airways.

Because of the safety concerns, potential flight attendants have to pass a physical, an FBI background check and, once hired, yearly recurrent training.

Education: High school degree; some college is preferred.

Salary: Starts at $19.25 per hour with periodic raises.

Job Perks: Discounted travel for attendants, immediate family and parents. Flexible work schedule with 70 hours minimum per month. Each month your trips can be different (the more senior you are, the better this perk).

Bat Ecologist

Speaking of flying - How high can a bat fly? is the question currently dogging Dave Redell, a bat ecologist. The recent boom in wind farms in his area has the scientist worried about turbines interactions with bats. That concern led to a study of the creatures' flight altitudes. "There's always something new to do and learn," he says.

Redell prides himself on the perspective his job requires him to take, "working towards a larger picture." Preserving bats can impact the entire eco-structure. A bat's remarkable ability to eat insects, for example, can mean we need fewer pesticides. Just 150 bats eat enough cucumber beetles to prevent them from laying 32 million rootworm larvae, which can destroy massive amounts corn crops. Redell does much of his work at night.

With the spread of white nose syndrome, which is killing off significant numbers of bats, bat ecologists, will be in demand.

Education: College degree in any wildlife-related field; management jobs require an advanced degree.

Salary: $25,000- $50,000 as government employee; private consultants earn slightly more.

Job Perks: Being paid to be outside. Using high grade technology and cutting edge tools in areas like thermal imaging and radar.

Vegas Performer

"Magician, comedian, pickpocket," is how Ben Seidman describes his Vegas act. He spends his time writing new material and changing tired standards into his unique brand of performance. "I practice [my technique] on friends, because if I practice on strangers, I'll get arrested," he says. Strangers don't take kindly to having their wallets swiped. He also spends time on logistics: organizing his tours and ensuring his equipment makes the trip intact.

Education: Seidman says that his BFA in theater isn't technically necessary, but he values his training in "staying true to [himself] and translating that to an audience."

Salary: $500-$5,000 per gig.

Job Perks: Doing what you love! Seidman says that he didn't choose his profession; the profession chose him. "I can't imagine not doing this." Adventure. The performance venues range from high-end Vegas clubs to anarchist conventions.

Anarchist conventions? Pay and insurance benefits are among the expected benefits from holding a job, but maybe it's not too much to look for a little fun, too.