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I know this is a completely theoretical question for 99.9% of us, but I like to think about it anyway.
I spent the last 10 years of my career, before launching Work It, Mom!, doing work that was interesting, stimulating, often exciting, but work that I was not passionate about. Due to a lot of factors, not the least of which is being an immigrant to this country, I’ve always known that I needed to support myself and in addition, be able to help my parents (and my grandparents), if possible. This meant that I chose my career path with money very much in mind.
Money was never my main consideration, however. For example, I had a chance to go into investment banking, where people make mad money, but I didn’t, because I had no interest in it. I left a successful career in consulting for a much lower-paid job with a smaller company, because I found that type of work much more engaging and impactful. In other words, I tried to balance money and interest level when choosing jobs, compromising a bit on each with every opportunity, but not willing to give up completely on either to maximize the other.
And then I made the leap and gave up a high-paying job I didn’t enjoy to do something I was passionate about — starting Work It, Mom!. This time, I am doing something I LOVE, and am extremely passionate about, but it’s something that only has a promise of money in the future, not at the moment. I let my idealistic gene take over for the first time in my career.
I know that I am lucky to even have a chance to try this passion-instead-of-money career experience — we have savings that we can rely on for a limited period of time and I am married to someone who makes a good salary, which, while not enough to sustain us, is extremely helpful. I’d also like to think that with a lot more hard work, I can turn this into passion-and-money job, so this is a temporary situation.
But thinking about my own experience and reading what members said in response to a question about how much money has to do with your career choice, made me wonder how others have chosen to optimize either money or interest or something else in their careers. So please sound off in the comments:
If you could afford to make less money, would you choose a different career? Are you at your current job because it’s something you like doing or is money or flexibility or someting entirely different driving your choice?
This entry was posted on Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pm and is filed under Career Talk, Money, Working Women Issues.
Tags: career, Money, salary, working moms
April 14th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Yes, I would definitely leave my career in healthcare if money wasn’t a factor. Though I love caring for my patients, I do have this secret dream of running a children’s bookstore…combined with a flower shop…combined with a candy store. Hmmm…sounds love, doesn’t it?
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I love the idea:) — I’ve always wanted to run a stationary store/cupcake cafe:)
-Nataly
April 14th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I think for me it comes down to the saying, “For every thing there is a season”. For this season in my life, with elementary-aged children, I am exactly where I want to be…running my own consulting business from home. Setting my own hours. I’m able to take my kids to school and pick them up most days. Some days I don’t work at all. Other times I’m busy. I really enjoy the work I do, as well. Will this still satisfy me in 10 years when my kids are in college? I don’t know…but it works now.
I love your site! I’d like to link at my blog. And to celebrate my 100th blog post and as a tribute to the many working moms, I’m giving away at least one pair of turquoise and sterling silver earrings in a drawing. Love to have you and your readers stop by, check it out and enter the drawing (just by leaving a comment). My blog is in no way affiliated with my business…it’s just for fun!
http://www.bluemangocreations.blogspot.com
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I really like the seasons concept — I need to think about my life more that way. Thanks for that!
-Nataly
April 14th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I recently read something along the lines of the “seasons” idea from Amber’s comment - life as a series of chapters.
For me, my career choice was based more on the idea of employability than directly on money - I wanted to be reasonably sure I could always find a job in my field, and be capable of supporting myself and contributing to my family.
But if that were less of a concern, I would choose a career based more on what I actually enjoy doing. My dream job would involve reading and writing.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Hi Natalie,
I like provocative questions — and certainly this is one of them.
I happen to absolutely love what I do. I know it might sound boring or not sincere, but I assure you that my answer is not of these two things. Marketing communications has always been my thing — it combines so many different things that this career offers somebody like me (who gets bored pretty rapidly of doing the same thing all over again) such a huge variety that sometimes I get to complain that I’m not keeping up with the latest development. And this keeps me on my toes and gives me something to always aspire to.
Luckily, in this field you can make some good money as well — it is always good to love what you do and get paid accordingly.
If I were to have the power to change something in my job, that would be the “duh” factor in how we approach sometimes communications. I strongly believe that people are not so silly (hence the fact that they do not trust anymore any messages that get thrown at them) and they do not deserve all these lame detergent-type or mobile telecom-type commercials. I found these commercials so lame I can barely stand my TV set when these things are being aired …
Anyway, long story short: there are things to be improved in my field of activity, but I’m too passionate about it to trade it for something else because of such a little inconvenient.
Cheers!
April 15th, 2008 at 8:07 am
When I first started my career, it was something I WAS passionate about (marketing publications). As I’ve gotten older and been promoted into different roles, the passion has lessened significantly, and I think there are many other fields I’m moved by and I would probably prefer to do something else. (A bookstore, yes, or working with kids or even retail - I’d love to work in the fine china dept at Macy’s!)
I guess the things driving my choice to stay are the flexibility the company allows me (working from home sometimes), the stability of a large company, and fear of the unknown. Big fear. I admire you, Nataly, for closing your eyes and jumping in!
April 15th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Yes, I’m pretty certain if money were not an issue I’d be baking (and hopefully selling) pies, and other tasty treats in a cozy little bake shop or cafe. Maybe some day.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Nope, I´d be doing what I do now . . . but less of it! I´ve always dreamed of being a writer and now that I am one, it´s perfect and allows me to stay home with my two boys, but I feel that I have to work too much and it takes away from my time with my family.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:44 am
haha ooh if money werent a factor i would try out all kinds of things! ironically, all of them are services and interface with people - jewelry store, bridal shop, etc! but then i also have a passion for technology and gadgets so really, my current job and company are a really good combo of technology and people. It’s not my dream job but i certainly don’t hate it! and one day i will try out some of these other ideas floating around in my head! (i have a couple of website ideas too, so Nataly - one day i may be knocking on your door for advice!)
April 15th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Oh I am in your same shoes! I worked in IT for so long and it was intense and sometimes fun and sometimes awful…but I always thrived on the energy, achieving the goals etc….never on passion for the job! I got into it as I wanted to make money (sounds awful, but thats what it was)!!
Now…after my 4th baby, I left that world and started my own baby website that is slowly, slowly growing…but is also not quite there yet in terms of filling that salary void and my savings is starting to dwindle!!
I do truly believe that all things happen for a reason (sounds so cliche) and that I am going down this path to end up somewhere that I am meant to be!
I think you are making fantastic strides with WIM…it is a lovely website and I thoroughly enjoy stopping by every day!! A couple of nice big sponsors and you will be on your way
April 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
For me money’s not really the issue — we could live on DH’s salary, my part-time income allows us to invest more and enjoy life more. I was once passionate about software, but have lost that spark over the years. We’d both like to get out of engineering, but haven’t yet been able to identify something to get into instead.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I am working in my dream career, which pays accordingly less than most other careers, but I have a crappy job at the moment. Frankly, about half my jobs in this dream field have been crappy. I often think I should have chosen money over love of work and gotten my fulfillment outside 9-5.
BUT I have a side business that I absolutely love, that pays nothing, and probably never will, and I couldn’t have done it had I not been in the dream field. So it’s a toss-up.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Definitely. Most days I love what I do but it’s a real drain on time with my family. Thankfully I work for people who have families too and are understanding. That said I’m expected to work 55 hours a week. Dad’s a stay at home dad so currently I have seriously limited options. It’s kind of cool to bring home the bacon but I’d love to run a greenhouse or be teaching little ones (5-7 years olds).