Career Choices: Money or Fun?

seltzermint555

I have worked in retail...liked the high energy, and LOVED it when I worked with stuff I had a real interest in (movies, books, educational materials) but really did not like it when I worked with stuff I had no interest in (trendy t-shirts, appliances, hardware)...also unless you're a top manager retail USUALLY pays pretty horribly, so I've long left that behind.

I worked in social services hands-on and had true passion for it. My clients with autism and other diagnoses were amazing and I loved my job. However, funding cuts and things like that always seemed to get in the way of my job. I didn't major in a human services field, and found a glass ceiling due to that (higher positions nearly ALWAYS required a human services degree)...I considered returning to college for that degree, but the positions in my area would only pay 10% or so over what I'd normally earn, so it just did not feel worthwhile to me.

I worked as a social services auditor, and it was an excellent fit for me skill-wise and personality wise, in the nonprofit world. However I was MEGA stressed and wound up leaving that due to a huge life turnaround (lost house in a tornado, ex husband I was married to at the time took a really good job in another city). Sometimes I regret leaving, and remember the whole "career" feeling of having a nice salary, 5 weeks of vacation, my name in the newspaper, etc...but then I remember the stress eating, constant migraines, and never leaving work at work...so maybe not...

Now I'm working in an accounting/administrative job that is pretty much a dead end. It pays okay, and the benefits are pretty good. I have no passion for it, but after several other really, really bad jobs (paralegal for a verbally abusive female attorney being one recent example)...it's okay. It pays the bills. At 37 yrs old with 21 yrs of work experience and a liberal arts degree, I feel kind of like I've failed BADLY at the whole career thing. But I'm not done yet ;-) I am debt free and paying the bills. I could see myself one day starting up my own business or something else. I am not going to do this forever, but I am going to do this for now.

soehlerking

You all are fantastic. Keep on doing what you do.

Timshel_

I chased money, found money, and finally have settled into something I really enjoy.

The good news is, in most cases if you pursue something that is personally satisfying, you eventually find a way to capitalize on it, or at least make a decent living. As long as you don't have grandiose dreams of mansions. 10 cars, and monthly travel, you can do anything and have a nice home, good friends, plenty to eat, a nice car, raise a family, and hit Disney.

MikaMojito

I've got both (at least until my contract runs out). But generally speaking, I'd probably choose money/stability. I wouldn't completely compromise what I believe in but I'd be willing to work a boring job if if the money was right. It would free me up to pursue my passion on my own time without having to worry about filling the fridge.

ldrosophila

I'm on MFP all day, so my job is awesome....I love it.

x2

and it pays well

x3

although i do have some stuff i should be getting done.

I went for stability wanted to know I could always find a job even though the pay is average at least I know I can go anywhere in the country and work

FerretBuellerr

I struggle with this question daily.

I'm still pursuing my undergraduate degree but have been lucky enough to work 2 different co-op jobs in the federal government to gain experience. These jobs have given me plenty of skills and paid much more than the crap minimum wage jobs I was working before. I love the jobs for the money, but that's it. I'm finding it more and more surprising how much the current position I have causes me more depression than when I was working at Subway with a bunch of incompitants.

I know I can never stay working in an office unless the subject matter is something that I have a personal interest in, but I doubt I will ever find such a position. I would rather have a job I love that doesn't pay much than have a job I hate that pays more than I need, but since I'm young I still need the job I would hate to get myself set up financially for my future before I can have a job that I love.

I hope to find a balance one day...

hedgiie

fun with no money, how can you afford the cost of living, money and no fun, sometimes you can find ways to be fun with those money

seltzermint555

When I think about the things I really, truly enjoy doing, I almost feel like I'd grow to hate them if I had to depend on them to make a living. Baking, for example, is something I genuinely love to do. It is a creative outlet for me. It is also an expression of affection. As cool as it would be to wake up and create an awesome new cookie or cupcake recipe every day, I would rather do it for fun or as a kind gesture. Depending on that for money would add stress to my life and take away one of my outlets for stress relief.

I feel exactly the same way. This is why I changed my major in college. I was an Art major, then an Art education major, but I felt that both of those would be less than fun after a few years (or less)!

At one point, in my late 20's, I took a second job at a furniture/interior design gallery thinking it might be the path to living my dream and becoming a designer. It was a fun job (most of the time) but once I understood the reality of it...no way would I be happy doing that job, figuring out Tuscan columns and the perfect lamps for some rich snotty person with bad taste.

Cre8veLifeR

Life is too short to be bored! What is your desire?? What is your passion? If you can't make money at your passion, then make sure you fulfill yourself outside of work! If you can make money doing what you love, start making a plan to DO it!

I have only had one job I HATED -- I lasted 2 weeks! (It was a cocktail waitress in college - I couldn't stand it! drunk people are way annoying when you are sober -- and it was hard. I am still a good tipper to this day!) :noway:

I am an artist, a teacher, a visual thinker. I have a branding & graphic design firm now and LOVE what I do!! My advice - make a plan to get to where you want to be and then do one thing everyday that will take you there.

ldrosophila

When I think about the things I really, truly enjoy doing, I almost feel like I'd grow to hate them if I had to depend on them to make a living. Baking, for example, is something I genuinely love to do. It is a creative outlet for me. It is also an expression of affection. As cool as it would be to wake up and create an awesome new cookie or cupcake recipe every day, I would rather do it for fun or as a kind gesture. Depending on that for money would add stress to my life and take away one of my outlets for stress relief.

I feel exactly the same way. This is why I changed my major in college. I was an Art major, then an Art education major, but I felt that both of those would be less than fun after a few years (or less)!

At one point, in my late 20's, I took a second job at a furniture/interior design gallery thinking it might be the path to living my dream and becoming a designer. It was a fun job (most of the time) but once I understood the reality of it...no way would I be happy doing that job, figuring out Tuscan columns and the perfect lamps for some rich snotty person with bad taste.

My thoughts exactly I'd rather have the money to do something I love to do and do it when I please. Some can combine both though, but for many of us it's not our jobs that are our passion it's our family, our vacations, our hobbies.

And I shouldnt say not our passion I do really like my job, but it's not my driving force in my life.