Help me decide what to do with my life...

[ProfJohn]

Btw? wait until you are married before you tell the girlfriend that you are giving up the $100k a year career to become a poor college professor.

 

[ViviTheMage]

travelling is my thing

 

[MyThirdEye]

Real Estate?

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33

Originally posted by: Naustica
There's this thing called hobby and working 9-5 gives you plenty of time. Passion doesn't have to be a job.

But working 9 to 5 in a corporate-style office makes me miserable, so I can't enjoy my hobbies.

I've heard the "that's life" argument and I really don't accept it. =)

Well 9-5 is pretty easy - not long hours at all. If you don't have time for anything else after working only 8 hours a day, then you have some time management issues.

 

[jonmcc33]

Join the Army?

 

[Orsorum]

Only you can decide. Start saving money now, though, and make sure you don't become accustomed to a high standard of living. If you save and if you live frugally, you will have much more flexibility with these kinds of choices than if you save little and live an exhorbitant lifestyle.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
I've found that good, old-fashioned obligation isn't such a bad thing. In my case I started a family a little earlier than I had anticipated, so my plans, as tentative and unfocused as they were, were shifted in a direction that I hadn't planned on. What I've learned to do is work with what life gives me. I put as much effort as I can into whatever I do, try to influence my life's path where I can, and make the most out of the cards I'm dealt when I can't influence them. However, above all I try to keep a good attitude and recognize all the positivity life has to offer. This is easier said than done though, and takes a concious effort at all times. With practice I think I've become a much happier, satisfied person and I predict I will stay that way as long as I put the effort out.

I know this may sound corny, and I admit at times I fail miserably, but it IS possible.

You know someone has a quote from Ghandi in there sig on these forums that states: "You must be the change you seek in the world." I find that brilliant.

Agreed, good points. To me it sounds a little too much like the OP expects to live well ($50k-$100k) doing something that he loves. Not all people have this luxury, why should you?

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
Work to live don't live to work.


It's rare for someone to love what they do for a living. A job's a job. You do it to make money so on the weekends/free time you can afford to do what you want.

Just because most people work jobs they are unsatisfied with doesn't mean that everyone should give up?

If you want to teach at the higher level (college), life is pretty good. Most professors make good money, teach only 3 - 4 classes, and are left plenty of time to do their research.

Pursue your dreams. Making 100,000 / yr isn't worth waking up unhappy and feeling depressed on a regular basis no matter what anyone else says. There will be people who will wonder why you walked away from a career like that, but it seems to me that you know the answer.

Good luck!

 

[imported_Imp]

You don't have to blow it all to "live your dreams". Your music/teaching/writing will probably turn into crap for you the moment you realize that you'll have to start begging for money. There's a lot of the above 3 (less so the teaching), that don't make it big. No one said you can't slug it out 9-5 AND do what you like. I found out that one of my coworkers was IT during the day and some jewelery artist during night and "sick" days or something.

Being a college professor isn't that bad. A lot of my professors (engineering) get to each, work in consulting and research.

Just this past summer I traded money for a job I would have liked a lot more. So I ended up making double what I would have made at my preferred job, but guess what, with the double pay I got the money and time to do almost everything I wanted. Hell, I even started to like my job.

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
Work to live don't live to work.


It's rare for someone to love what they do for a living. A job's a job. You do it to make money so on the weekends/free time you can afford to do what you want.

Living to work is being a workaholic.

Loving your job does not necassarily mean living to work.

Rare? I don't understand how so "few" (you said rare right?) people love what they do for a living.

I admit that I've worked jobs that i didn't quite like, and man was I ever job hunting for something more to my liking.

It also helps that my background is something I really enjoy doing.

If you can't seem to find a job that you love, it might be possible that you just aren't looking hard enough.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: JoeKing
Work to live don't live to work.


It's rare for someone to love what they do for a living. A job's a job. You do it to make money so on the weekends/free time you can afford to do what you want.

Living to work is being a workaholic.

Loving your job does not necassarily mean living to work.

Rare? I don't understand how so "few" (you said rare right?) people love what they do for a living.

I admit that I've worked jobs that i didn't quite like, and man was I ever job hunting for something more to my liking.

It also helps that my background is something I really enjoy doing.

If you can't seem to find a job that you love, it might be possible that you just aren't looking hard enough.

Do you really think even close to 25% of the population love what they do? Hell no. Garbage men, the drive through people at McDonalds, etc, etc, etc. Where did this sense of entitlement that we deserve to love our job come from? It's the middle class entitlement mentality and the sooner you lose it the better off you will be.

 

[Capt Caveman]

There's a reason why it's called work.

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: JoeKing
Work to live don't live to work.


It's rare for someone to love what they do for a living. A job's a job. You do it to make money so on the weekends/free time you can afford to do what you want.

Living to work is being a workaholic.

Loving your job does not necassarily mean living to work.

Rare? I don't understand how so "few" (you said rare right?) people love what they do for a living.

I admit that I've worked jobs that i didn't quite like, and man was I ever job hunting for something more to my liking.

It also helps that my background is something I really enjoy doing.

If you can't seem to find a job that you love, it might be possible that you just aren't looking hard enough.

Do you really think even close to 25% of the population love what they do? Hell no. Garbage men, the drive through people at McDonalds, etc, etc, etc. Where did this sense of entitlement that we deserve to love our job come from? It's the middle class entitlement mentality and the sooner you lose it the better off you will be.

All i can say to that is, not my problem. You are not entitled to love your job, however, you can work hard to get a job you love. This middle class bullcrap, I have no idea what the fvck you are talking about.

Bottom line is. If you follow your dreams and work hard, you CAN enjoy what you do for a living.
If you don't like your job, hell, all I can say is that I didn't pick it for you. You chose to take the job you are currently in. Whether or not you like it, that's up to you. If you hate it so much, find a job more to your liking. Is that so difficult to do? Life isn't fair, I know. However, if you put your mind to do, you can achieve anything. I work hard to reach my objective. And I don't stop working hard till I do.

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
There's a reason why it's called work.

yeah, you get paid for what you do!

And it's even better when you have fun doing it!

My dream job: Going to a place called 'work'.

Having fun, and then get paid every 2 weeks.

And yes, I have achieved this dream job several times.

I have no idea why so many people hate their jobs.

 

[swaytech]

work at wal-mart

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Hyperblaze

Originally posted by: JoeKing
Work to live don't live to work.


It's rare for someone to love what they do for a living. A job's a job. You do it to make money so on the weekends/free time you can afford to do what you want.

Living to work is being a workaholic.

Loving your job does not necassarily mean living to work.

Rare? I don't understand how so "few" (you said rare right?) people love what they do for a living.

I admit that I've worked jobs that i didn't quite like, and man was I ever job hunting for something more to my liking.

It also helps that my background is something I really enjoy doing.

If you can't seem to find a job that you love, it might be possible that you just aren't looking hard enough.

Do you really think even close to 25% of the population love what they do? Hell no. Garbage men, the drive through people at McDonalds, etc, etc, etc. Where did this sense of entitlement that we deserve to love our job come from? It's the middle class entitlement mentality and the sooner you lose it the better off you will be.

All i can say to that is, not my problem. You are not entitled to love your job, however, you can work hard to get a job you love. This middle class bullcrap, I have no idea what the fvck you are talking about.

Bottom line is. If you follow your dreams and work hard, you CAN enjoy what you do for a living.
If you don't like your job, hell, all I can say is that I didn't pick it for you. You chose to take the job you are currently in. Whether or not you like it, that's up to you. If you hate it so much, find a job more to your liking. Is that so difficult to do? Life isn't fair, I know. However, if you put your mind to do, you can achieve anything. I work hard to reach my objective. And I don't stop working hard till I do.

The "middle class bullcrap", as you put it, is the attitude some teens and 20-somethings have that they deserve to be wealthy and have a great job. This nearly always stems from growing up middle class.

Bottom line is anyone who works hard and follows their dreams can enjoy what they do? Really? A trash man, someone who works at McDonalds? Really?

I think it's great if someone can find something they love and make money from it, but that's not even close to a majority of the population. It just upsets me when people think they deserve that rather then feel blessed when it happens. And for the record it doesn't seem like the OP is willing to do what it takes to reach his objective.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Originally posted by: JEDI
my advice:
get out now because the more $ u make, the harder it is to quit. and walking away from a 6 figure job is HARD!

take the chance. pull the trigger. follow your dream. and if u fall on your face, try again or try another passion.

once u get kids, you'll probably NEVER walk away from a high paying job, even one that you HATE w/a passion.

do it while you're young.

OP, I'm quoting Jedi because he is spot on! Not exactly sure why you think you "need that income to live" right now, but it'll never be easier than it is now for you to take risks and maybe suffer some adversities while pursuing your passions. If you go for it, the worst that can happen is that you will fail (maybe multiple times) before going back to the corporate career you hate. If you don't go for it, it'll be much worse -- you'll always wonder "what might have been...".

Go for it! :thumbsup:

 

[intogamer]

Work and Play is too different things

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Become a professor.

You get paid to advance societies collective knowledge.

'nuff said.

 

[aplefka]

I've gotta check this thread out for some answers when I've got time. I'm in the same place and I'm still in college.

 

[imported_Armen]

Damn the American mentality!
you have to realize this that your job is not you! and it's neither your life. You don;t describe your self as a computer science majored. Do your sport, see your movies, go out with friends and make more friends and participate in a community whatever. Engineering has noting to do with this.

 

[AlgaeEater]

I'm in the same boat, but without the success and a little bit opposite. If you can't see yourself a slave to a 9-5 corporate job, then get another job and see how that works out for you.

I'm actually happy with my job, but the pay is abysmal and not enough to live on. (Under 30K in CA) So I'm stuck making barely enough to eat and pay rent, but work is a snap, casual and easy going and I live 5 minutes away from it. (Woohoo! No commute and get to go home at lunch every day and come back). If it wasn't for my more successful girlfriend, I'd be in quite the predicament financially. As one of my ex-co workers said before they left, "It's all love until the pay check comes".

You need money in the bank first before making radical life decisions. I suggest you tough it out for a few years and save up a couple of pennies until you're secure enough to go a few months without working. Then you can make that career change or job change to get you out of your rut.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: savoyboy
Start dating men and see how that goes

lol wtf

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
I've found that good, old-fashioned obligation isn't such a bad thing. In my case I started a family a little earlier than I had anticipated, so my plans, as tentative and unfocused as they were, were shifted in a direction that I hadn't planned on. What I've learned to do is work with what life gives me. I put as much effort as I can into whatever I do, try to influence my life's path where I can, and make the most out of the cards I'm dealt when I can't influence them. However, above all I try to keep a good attitude and recognize all the positivity life has to offer. This is easier said than done though, and takes a concious effort at all times. With practice I think I've become a much happier, satisfied person and I predict I will stay that way as long as I put the effort out.

I know this may sound corny, and I admit at times I fail miserably, but it IS possible.

You know someone has a quote from Ghandi in there sig on these forums that states: "You must be the change you seek in the world." I find that brilliant.

Agreed, good points. To me it sounds a little too much like the OP expects to live well ($50k-$100k) doing something that he loves. Not all people have this luxury, why should you?

You know when you get right down to it I think most of us are missing the point of satisfaction. Satisfaction with ones life doesn't have to mean "I can afford to indulge in all of the material things I want." And if it doesn't mean that, then why the hell do you need such a $$ job? Is it for the sense of security? Well I can tell you that comes from self confidence, a knowledge that you have developed as a person who can support himself and his loved ones in a way that balances the major needs in our lifes; physical health, emotional health, and a means to "get by" without the need to sacrafice two much from the first two.

This fixation on wealth, to me, is an expression of insecurity. There are far better ways to reach satisfaction in life, but you've got to build them from yourself and not around yourself.

 

[intogamer]

"You must be the change you seek in the world."

Good quote I'ma remember that

 

[Regs]

Become a part time bartender like I did. Travel. Never to late to learn an instrument.
Goto to art galleries...Lots of things to do.