Career decision (read post before voting)

[Pyramid_Party]

Hi,


When making a career decision would you rather make it based on having passion for it or whether the job has a good salary, stability, etc? See I have some passions, but when I think about doing it everyday I am having 2nd guesses. For example, being an aquatic biologist. The work seems fun, but you also are out in the field a lot. For some reason having to be out in the field in various places causes some anxiety to me. But the thing is, if I do this on my own in my free time, like visit a little creek or stream I love it, I feel totally in peace and relaxation. I don't get it.

There are a few other things that interest me, things like; Limnology, ecology, microbiology, clinical laboratory science etc. See, I like to solve problems, analyze things, I like living things and studying them, learning about their habitat, how they live etc. I find all that interesting, but I don't know if I am 100% passionate about it. I think with my personality of liking to solve problems and analyze things, it draws me to these kinds of subjects. I also like nature and relaxation etc. So that is another thing that draws me.

Should you make a decision and go with something based on what you think are your 100% passions, or would you back off to something you kinda like, has a good salary, great job stability?

See, I am torn with the idea that I might go with something I am passionate about and when actually working the job it would ruin what I once enjoyed. On the other hand, I am attracted to the idea of a job that is interesting, but not necessarily something I am really passionate about. But it is still a great career. I guess I am worried that I may be passionate about something today, but in a few years I may not and because I am doing it everyday I will grow to hate it.

 

[Wiggles92]

Go with the field-based career. Based on conversations with people in that field, you'll be doing lab work in the off-season under most circumstances, so you'd get the best of both worlds: field work for your peace and relaxation & lab work for your analyzing and such.

 

[Lusus_Naturae]

I had to find a job I'm happy with and pay the bills with. I have a "dead end" job, or so I'm told, but I think what a job is and how much it pays gets too much hype. I like my job, I'm good at it, and I could do it for the rest of my life and be happy. Growing up everyone said I should be a vet, I was good at it - I tried it, and what I enjoyed doing when someone brought me a hurt bird or limping dog became full of stuff I never wanted to do. Everything I enjoyed doing with old time methods got run over with technology, laser surgery, medications, and more. It has its place, just not where I want to be working. I still enjoy fixing up critters that get brought to me, but now I do it on my terms and not a 9-5 pressure of paying bills and how much to charge people to fix their kitty. I didn't lose my passion for this or any other hobby I have, I simply work a boring job that pays the bills so I can do what I really like doing now.

As for what job you might like, how about trying an internship for a week or even a few days somewhere and see what it's like doing that kind of work? Maybe your dream job isn't even something you have found yet, or considered. When you mentioned studying streams and such, but not wanting to work in the field or travel I started to think back to someone working at The Shedd Aquarium designing display tank habitats based on geography of the fish. Most of the research can be done online, so no travel really. If you are thinking more nature/outdorrsy stuff you might look into Fish and Game, State Park research requirements and stuff like that. I almost went that direction myself but then I got married and we moved and stuff happened. Jobs don't have to be forever, at this point grab something you like that has some potential and give it a try.

^Wiggles has some good points there too.

 

[bbortko]

Do you want a family? If yes do you want to be constantly leaving them. Are you going to afford a lifestyle you will find acceptable with your dream job. Is there a good demand for the fields of your interest, how likely are you to actually land your dream job?

 

[pacu mom]

Do a job search in the areas you have a interest. Does the job require a masters or doctorate degree? Is your lifestyle such that you can support yourself and your family on whatever the salary/wages are? How much experience will you need to land a good paying job in your chosen field? How many entry-level jobs are there that you'll probably have to take before you have enough experience?

Unless you're independently wealthy, and it doesn't matter if you work or not, the most prudent thing to do is to get education and training that will give you a marketable job skill. There are very few of us in the working world who have a dream job that completely fulfills our passions. Aiming for economic stability that allows us to pursue our passions is a lot more attainable.

 

[12 Volt Man]

sometimes you can be totally passionate about something that doesn't necessarily translate into a good career choice.

myself for example, I am passionate about food and cooking. everyone is always saying why didn't you become a chef?

my answer was because very few earn a decent living off of it and the hours are crazy long (with few holidays)

can be tough for starting a family etc.

those that can are doing very well and some are rich celebrities (eg. Bobby Flay, Jamie Oliver etc)

but I didn't trust skills enough to think that I would be one of those lol.

but I also loved science and earned an honours degree in biology.

but still, the really good paying jobs required a masters or better and it was almost all contract work with lots of travel all over.. no stable employment. which kind of scared me.

I ended up using my science education to get into the environmental feild (after going back to school for one year) and I now earn a good living in a stable job that isn't going anywhere.

is it what I expected to be doing when I started university? no.

but it is perfect for what I want to do with my life now. it allows me to earn enough to do well yet still have time with my fiance and soon children.

my advice: earn a good education that you can always fall back on, and then worry about where it takes you later.

things tend to work themselves out. if you have that education you will end up doing something that you like and it will earn you good money.

having the education opens the doors to do what ever it is you want to do.

it will allow you to pick something that you like yet still earn a good living doing it.

the way costs of living are going up around the world, its going to help in future years.

good luck

 

[phillydog1958]

If you don't mind putting the time into the education that will allow you to pursue a doctorate in aquatic biology, i Say go for it. Have a back up plan. You might want to do field research and publish literature on your findings, but also, you can always resort to teaching biology. Unfortunately, we're living in a time where the global economy is at risk of collapse. These days, the notion of having your dream job is probably more of a dream than a reality. Sometimes, "You gotta do what you gotta do." Good luck in your decision. Just remember, to have a back up plan that will allow for other options and remember that, "Where there's a will, there is a way . . ."

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Thanks for all the replies. Really really helpful. I am not so money driven. I think something like 50-60K a year is perfectly fine for me. Even 40K would be ok as long as it is something I enjoy. I have no children or no GF/wife. No plans for it for at least several years. I think for me the main thing is to have some satisfaction, but it does not necessarily have to be something I love. I figure I could enjoy hobbies and passions in my own free time. The thought about stability and having a marketable skill is more of importance.

 

[Gage Zamrzla]

Here's my two cents, I left a job to work at a LFS and I started out taking about a 1/4 pay cut from my previous job. I had to adjust to the work and realize it wasn't just fun and games working at a LFS and 9 months later I've already gotten a pretty sweet raise and multiple privileges that most fishkeepers and even LFS workers don't have. It's also gotten me in with a bunch of people I can eventually do business with down the road if I get the chance to open my own shop. What started out as doing what I love turned into nothing more than work but with patience and hard work and always reminding myself this is what I love doing I'm in a pretty decent position and have a pretty good looking future and connections in the business as well for down the road. I'd say do what you love because nothing sucks more than waking up, taking that deep sigh and driving to work already counting down how many hours until you get home. Life should be about being happy not just money or the idea of "success."

 

[Fat Homer]

Having done jobs for just the salary, i would say avoid it if possible... Now that i do what i love and it pays the bills and couldnt be happier... Even with the slight pay cut compared to before, at least i enjoy going to work and have no intentions of looking for another job...