Are you passionate about your career?

[marie1203]

I used to love my job. It was in hotel management. I loved the people I worked with and the job. It never felt like work but more like something I enjoy doing.
Then I started rescuing animals and that is my passion. So I quit and now I am back in school hoping one day I will be a vet. I know there are parts of the job I won't enjoy as much but knowing I can help animals will make it all worth it.

 

[PatsMom]

I'm a financial planner and I love what I do. Working with people that have tons of money is fun because you get all kinds of different situations to deal with. But the most rewarding part of the job is working with people that really need the help. I've worked with young couples that needed a budget and a savings plan. That is very rewarding when they come back for review and you see the progress they are making towards goals.

It took me a few career changes to get to where I am but I guess it was all worth it. It was tough to return to school in my 30's to study for the Certified Financial Planner board exams - took me a few years to do all the coursework but I passed the board exam on my first shot!

I plan to continue what I am doing for as long as I can stand the travel associated with my current job. Then I will cut back and work from my home for a lot less money and only work with middle income people on an hourly basis.

 

[Andtototoo]

I don't think you have to have "a calling". It is possible to just have a job, which is a means to the end (pay the bills). We can't all be over the moon about what we do to get by in life.

My calling is actually my hobby. It will never pay the bills, and that's okay with me. That's what my job is for.

But if something happened, I would go into another line of work with no problem. My career is not a calling. It's merely a way to allow me to pursue my calling in my down time.

That's how I am too. My hobbies are my true calling, but I'll never make money at them and that's fine -- for one thing, having to make money at them would make them stressful and less enjoyable.

My dh is passionate about his career. I'm not sure that passion has made him any happier about his actual work, however. In fact, sometimes I believe that passion has made him UNhappier, because he takes the obstacles and frustrations (that all jobs have) very seriously and has a hard time letting go, whereas I'm more, "Eh, whatever. What's for dinner?" Nonetheless, he must be happy in it because whenever he's been so frustrated that I suggest he consider other options he looks at me like I'm crazy.

 

[ols386]

I wouldn't call my job a career, but I do enjoy it.

 

[Minnie824]

No, don't like my job. The only things I like are the pay, and the convenience of being able to work from home and adjust my schedule as needed. I would love to write a book someday, but I know that wouldn't work as a career for me. Some people I work with are very passionate and love their career, but to me, its a job, its needed and its not bad. I also don't know what I'd switch to after being here for almost 15 years.

 

[mrsklamc]

Doesn't it stink? I don't know if I have to go out and try different things ( probably not financially feasible) or just suck it up and deal

I just suck it up and deal since there are good things about my job- I'm off at 4:30 most of the time and I can wear jeans every day if I want to.

DH did apply for a job at a university that came with 12 hours free tuition for him or a family member so I thought about what I might take if he got it, but they haven't called, so I just trudge on....I hope to be a SAHM in a couple of years though so I might use those years to do some experimenting or volunteering in other fields and see where that gets me.

 

[njmom47]

No. It's a job so I can make a living and support my family.

I like my job, don't get me wrong, but I am not passionate about it.

This is me. I do like what I do but I don't have a degree (just 20 yrs experience in the field).

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

Yes. I work in early intervention for children with developmental delays. My oldest son had severe speech and language delays and my younger son is on the autism spectrum with numerous delays and deficits that are ongoing. I have seen first hand the power of early intervention and I am thrilled to in some small way give back all the services that were provided and continue to be provided for my child(ren). I especially love being a voice of encouragement to the moms because I know what the bad days are like....and I know they'll get through them, sometimes it really does help to cry on the shoulder of someone who truly has BTDT.

 

[rwdavis2]

No. It's a job so I can make a living and support my family.

I like my job, don't get me wrong, but I am not passionate about it.

Yep!

Mine is interesting enough so I don't go insane but the day I retire will be the last day I ever program a computer.

 

[SLK1]

I don't believe your job has to be your passion, but you should have something you're passionate about in your life, whether it's your hobby, a charity, your kids, whatever. Something should be able to set off a spark in you. Sometimes a job is just a paycheck to fund your hobbies and weekends, and that's o.k. too.

The important thing is to try to make a difference to someone or something...and then you just might feel the passion.

 

[debf]

I don't love my job, but the perks are pretty good and I guess that's why I have stayed so long. I get 4 weeks vacation a year. I work Mon-Thurs. I drive about 8 miles to work. I don't pay any medical copays for me or my family members. Oh and I work with my mom. So that's nice too.

 

[Squirrel!!!]

My career is my passion and nworks well with my life interests. It is what I wanted to do with my life since I was 7 and I have been a veterinarian for 22 years. I am interested in what I do, excited by the changes in medicine, challenged with not becoming stagnant and "old school". I enjoy knowing my clients and obviously science/animals are my big passion.

That said, the work enviorment is work. There is a reason we have to be paid to do it, huh?

 

[klacey1]

Yes. From high school on, I knew I wanted to work in publishing and I do. Now, I used to edit books and enjoyed that more than what I do now (magazines), but overall, I love the industry and like most days at work.

 

[joyjoy]

There is a reason we have to be paid to do it, huh?

Exactly. I always say "There's a reason they call it work, you know.".

 

[fitgirl36]

Um nope. I've been at my job since I graduated from college. Great pay, that's what keeps me there. Good benefits too. My DD stays with my mom while my husband and I are at work. If I didn't work all fun stuff would be gone. I could forget about going to Disney twice a year and staying in a deluxe, buying my DD the clothes and toys I want to buy her. Obviously we still have a budget, but things are much easier.I've told my husband if for some reason my mom was unable to care for my DD who is almost 1 my working days would be over and I would become a SAHM.