10 answers
Jennifer
Student
Buffalo, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
610 views
1) If you do something you love for a living, like writing or playing you r instrument, do you ever get sick of what you love? Does it become a chore rather than a hobby? 2) As an English teacher, what are some hardships you had to face in your career?
I am a future English teacher for secondary education! I have a unique case, I am also majoring in Music at the same. I am an avid piano player and an English book nerd. #music
Login to comment
10 answers
KJ Roelke
Worship & Creative Director
3
Answers
Springfield, Missouri
Updated
KJ’s Answer
The short answer? Yes!
I was a Vocal major and now work for a church—I do music day in and day out. But there is a difference between the music I do for work and the music I do to have fun. Just because music is my job doesn't stop it from being a hobby, too, it just means I have to work harder to continue to stay inspired and stay in love with music.
To be paid for something means you have to do it, even when you don't want to. When something is a hobby, you only ever do it because you want to. Just like relationships, sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard, but if you're passionate about your work and you find that your "passion bucket" is running on empty (aka you're sick of that thing you used to love), it's on you to get re-inspired—no one can do it for you!
I was a Vocal major and now work for a church—I do music day in and day out. But there is a difference between the music I do for work and the music I do to have fun. Just because music is my job doesn't stop it from being a hobby, too, it just means I have to work harder to continue to stay inspired and stay in love with music.
To be paid for something means you have to do it, even when you don't want to. When something is a hobby, you only ever do it because you want to. Just like relationships, sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard, but if you're passionate about your work and you find that your "passion bucket" is running on empty (aka you're sick of that thing you used to love), it's on you to get re-inspired—no one can do it for you!
Alison Warren
Academic Administration
57
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alison’s Answer
Hi Jennifer, I started my career as a secondary English teacher. In all honesty, I don’t love reading as much as I did before earning my degrees. After having to do so much of it, first for my MA and then for initial teaching, I did get a little sick of it. Now that I’m many years out of that crunch of so-much-reading, though, the enjoyment is starting to come back a bit. When I find I’m not enjoying a book much, it usually means I just need to switch up what I’m reading. I’d imagine the same would hold true for your music; if you’re finding that you’re worn out with (just for example) performing, maybe it’s time to switch to composing for a little while.
As an English teacher, you’re going to have many challenges in the classroom. There will be ones you’re expecting, like maintaining good classroom management or creating the best possible lesson plans, and there will also be ones you’re not expecting, like when you find you disagree with school administration about something or you realize that you have more homework than your students. You are going to be TIRED. You are going to deal with a student who has a problem that you couldn’t even fathom of when you were their age. If you’re really “lucky,” there might even be, say, a global pandemic that forces you to adapt both your curriculum and your entire methodology overnight while everyone else panics. But, some of your students are also going to thank you. They’re going to become English teachers because of your class. They’re going to admit to you that they (omg) learned something, and maybe it’ll even be something important. It’s all going to be harder than you think it will be, but there will also be moments that are better than you can imagine right now.
As an English teacher, you’re going to have many challenges in the classroom. There will be ones you’re expecting, like maintaining good classroom management or creating the best possible lesson plans, and there will also be ones you’re not expecting, like when you find you disagree with school administration about something or you realize that you have more homework than your students. You are going to be TIRED. You are going to deal with a student who has a problem that you couldn’t even fathom of when you were their age. If you’re really “lucky,” there might even be, say, a global pandemic that forces you to adapt both your curriculum and your entire methodology overnight while everyone else panics. But, some of your students are also going to thank you. They’re going to become English teachers because of your class. They’re going to admit to you that they (omg) learned something, and maybe it’ll even be something important. It’s all going to be harder than you think it will be, but there will also be moments that are better than you can imagine right now.
Jason Petz
User Experience Designer
5
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Jason’s Answer
In regards to doing what you love, yes, you can burnout. The most difficult part of such careers is that part of getting paid means focusing your practice on the demands of others/clients. This often leads to feeling like you do not control your passion. To balance this, I recommend making sure you carve out time for your own exploration of your passion, in your case, music. It's important that even if you get paid to perform that you still set aside time for you to continue to explore on your own terms.
Melisa Cameron
Sr. Project Program Mgr., AT&T Community Engagement
168
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Melisa’s Answer
Hi Jennifer,
Great question! I majored in Music my first two years of college, then completed my BA in Organizational Management. I’m in a career I love in Corporate Social Responsibility and helping connect employees to programs and opportunities that help others and make a difference our world.
However, I still use what I’ve learned in my music education on the side, as a hobby and to serve as a volunteer musician at my church and for other events. Just like KJ shared, something that is your job "can also be a hobby you love.”
In my career, I manage volunteer events. But I too serve as a volunteer on my own, for causes and organizations I am passionate about helping. I have fun and enjoy volunteering with others and meeting new people in the process. I would say there definitely are days when the job is more challenging than others, but I never get sick of what I do.
And for me, if I do have a challenging day, I can sit down later and play the piano as a way to unwind or de-stress. Don't you love that about music? It can calm and move us.
In my experience, the career I have is something I also find very fulfilling and enjoyable. Attitude is everything and by continuing to learn and grow with every opportunity, you can stay inspired and energized.
Best wishes for success in your education and career goals.
music
Seek out a mentor or individual in a career that interests you and learn more about their job, what they like, dislike about it.
Consider a job shadow day, if you are able to do so.
Keep asking great questions! There are a lot of people who want to help you succeed in your goals.
Challenge yourself to learn and memorize a new song to play each month for fun.
Great question! I majored in Music my first two years of college, then completed my BA in Organizational Management. I’m in a career I love in Corporate Social Responsibility and helping connect employees to programs and opportunities that help others and make a difference our world.
However, I still use what I’ve learned in my music education on the side, as a hobby and to serve as a volunteer musician at my church and for other events. Just like KJ shared, something that is your job "can also be a hobby you love.”
In my career, I manage volunteer events. But I too serve as a volunteer on my own, for causes and organizations I am passionate about helping. I have fun and enjoy volunteering with others and meeting new people in the process. I would say there definitely are days when the job is more challenging than others, but I never get sick of what I do.
And for me, if I do have a challenging day, I can sit down later and play the piano as a way to unwind or de-stress. Don't you love that about music? It can calm and move us.
In my experience, the career I have is something I also find very fulfilling and enjoyable. Attitude is everything and by continuing to learn and grow with every opportunity, you can stay inspired and energized.
Best wishes for success in your education and career goals.
music
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Ariana Tomasi
6
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ariana’s Answer
Hi Jennifer!
I was a psychology and a music major in college, so I completely understand where you are coming from! I declared both majors halfway through my college career, having very similar questions in my mind. I can only reassure you that choosing to major in things I'm passionate about only grew my enjoyment for them! It made me understand why I love performing so much. It also gave me the opportunity to individualize my studies: for example- I learned how I could develop my personal brand by incorporating my music major into my psychology research, papers, etc. Definitely go for it- you won't regret it! Take this opportunity to learn and explore all you can!
I was a psychology and a music major in college, so I completely understand where you are coming from! I declared both majors halfway through my college career, having very similar questions in my mind. I can only reassure you that choosing to major in things I'm passionate about only grew my enjoyment for them! It made me understand why I love performing so much. It also gave me the opportunity to individualize my studies: for example- I learned how I could develop my personal brand by incorporating my music major into my psychology research, papers, etc. Definitely go for it- you won't regret it! Take this opportunity to learn and explore all you can!
Nadia G
Psychologist, Coach & Career Advisor
56
Answers
Norway
Updated
Nadia’s Answer
The answer to question 1 is yes :) That's why it's important to have a work-life balance. I guess most of us doesn't have only 1 thing that love to do. For example, my real passion is supporting others in career development, but also I love reading books. When I need to take a breath or allow myself to get a fresh view on the 1st thing, I pick a new book to read and usually its plot is far away from career topics :)
John Lowe
Teacher
56
Answers
Seal Beach, California
Updated
John’s Answer
I can say it never became a chore. Build into your life reminders of why you like your job so much. They will cheer you up if you start to get discouraged. You could also tell yourself, "Remember how badly I wanted this career when I was in high school?"
Norman Hawkins
Professional Services Engineer
3
Answers
New Castle, Pennsylvania
Updated
Norman’s Answer
Question1 :
Well, the thing is, if you do something for a living that you love to do, the odds that you will get bored or sick of what you love to do, is not likely, since its what you love to do.
When I was in my last year of high school, I heard and saw people around me that were working for a living and alot of them were always unhappy, or hated their jobs. Most of them hated the idea of even getting up in the morning and going to work. I thought that if I could do something for a living that I loved to do, then that would make it easier to go to work and also enjoy working, since I would be doing it the rest of my working life.
Well, I found that thing and for me it was being a software developer for computers. For me, I loved the aspect of writing programming code and seeing the result happen on a computer screen. I get to be creative and that is what fuels my desire to keep doing it. It gives me such a thrill.
I am also a musician, and I love doing that, but I don't think for me it would be as reliable for monetary income as my software job is.
I have done my software job all my working life and I never get tired of doing it. Yea, I have worked for some lousy companies I discovered after awhile, but I never got tired of what I did for a living. I always and still do look forward everyday of doing my job, whether its for one company or another, I still get to do what I love. To me, you can't beat that. To get paid for doing something you love to do, is like the idea job. I don't look my age and I attribute that to not dragging myself down emotionally because I hate my job or I can't stand going to work everyday, which is what could make you age early in life. So, if you choose to do something for a living that you love to do, you will find out you are going to be better off than if you choose something to do just to get by. You may have to make adjustments along the way, but overall you will still be happier.
Questions:
As for the hardships of being an English Teacher, I can tell you that some of my best friends are actually school teachers and its not an easy career. Its not even about being an English teacher, but just any kind of teacher. If you are talking about a teacher position like in a school, there are always situations there you come across, whether its uncontrollable students, or the the school has issues in the way they handle things, or you get laid off because of what ever reason and so on. Now days, schools are nothing like they used to be when I was young. These days you never know whats going to happen when you go to class. I personally would not be a teacher in today's society. Of course I am speaking from the context of being in the USA. Maybe schools abroad in other countries may be better, but what I see happening in schools today, frightens me. That's not to say we don't need teachers, we surely do, but a person who wants to be a teacher needs to be a special type of person to be able to handle today's standard of students. I give Kudo's to all people who are currently teachers.
Good luck to you in your future endeavors.
Well, the thing is, if you do something for a living that you love to do, the odds that you will get bored or sick of what you love to do, is not likely, since its what you love to do.
When I was in my last year of high school, I heard and saw people around me that were working for a living and alot of them were always unhappy, or hated their jobs. Most of them hated the idea of even getting up in the morning and going to work. I thought that if I could do something for a living that I loved to do, then that would make it easier to go to work and also enjoy working, since I would be doing it the rest of my working life.
Well, I found that thing and for me it was being a software developer for computers. For me, I loved the aspect of writing programming code and seeing the result happen on a computer screen. I get to be creative and that is what fuels my desire to keep doing it. It gives me such a thrill.
I am also a musician, and I love doing that, but I don't think for me it would be as reliable for monetary income as my software job is.
I have done my software job all my working life and I never get tired of doing it. Yea, I have worked for some lousy companies I discovered after awhile, but I never got tired of what I did for a living. I always and still do look forward everyday of doing my job, whether its for one company or another, I still get to do what I love. To me, you can't beat that. To get paid for doing something you love to do, is like the idea job. I don't look my age and I attribute that to not dragging myself down emotionally because I hate my job or I can't stand going to work everyday, which is what could make you age early in life. So, if you choose to do something for a living that you love to do, you will find out you are going to be better off than if you choose something to do just to get by. You may have to make adjustments along the way, but overall you will still be happier.
Questions:
As for the hardships of being an English Teacher, I can tell you that some of my best friends are actually school teachers and its not an easy career. Its not even about being an English teacher, but just any kind of teacher. If you are talking about a teacher position like in a school, there are always situations there you come across, whether its uncontrollable students, or the the school has issues in the way they handle things, or you get laid off because of what ever reason and so on. Now days, schools are nothing like they used to be when I was young. These days you never know whats going to happen when you go to class. I personally would not be a teacher in today's society. Of course I am speaking from the context of being in the USA. Maybe schools abroad in other countries may be better, but what I see happening in schools today, frightens me. That's not to say we don't need teachers, we surely do, but a person who wants to be a teacher needs to be a special type of person to be able to handle today's standard of students. I give Kudo's to all people who are currently teachers.
Good luck to you in your future endeavors.
Anson Hoi
Sales
8
Answers
Macau
Updated
Anson’s Answer
Hi Jennifer,
Answer for question 2:
1. It is hard to take care all your students who have different levels.
2. the ways to find fulfilments
3. Students are afraid of making mistakes.
Answer for question 2:
1. It is hard to take care all your students who have different levels.
2. the ways to find fulfilments
3. Students are afraid of making mistakes.
Michael Mitchell
Safety & Environmental
2
Answers
Madison, Alabama
Updated
Michael’s Answer
If you aren't careful it is so easy to get burnt out. I have a photography/videography business that I have had to be careful not to get too busy or it takes the fun and creative side out of it if all your doing is trying to rush to get work done and out the door. Biggest advice is always remember why you started the business in the first place and don't let yourself compromise that.