Karen
Should I choose the job I love or the job that makes me money?
Looking back at my 16 years of life, I would have never thought I would have to choose between doing what I love and making money. As a little girl, I always dreamed of being a teacher. I looked up to the agents of change at my school and appreciated all of the things they do for me and the other students. For as long as I remember, I have gone to the local dollar store to buy teacher supplies to use to teach my "students" at home. I kept all of my old workbooks and homework from previous years to reteach lessons to the invisible kids sitting on my bedroom floor. (I don't know if that's creepy or not) As a first-generation U.S. citizen from the Philippines, my father has always disapproved my love for teaching. He would tell me that he didn't come to America to work his butt off and raise a child that would make a lower salary for the rest of her life than he makes now. I have to say, I am smarter than the average student. I get all A's and the occasionally B once in a while as a high school student. I am in the top 10% of my class and in my opinion, I could definitely get a high-paying job in the future. My father knows this and doesn't want me to waste my intellect on becoming a teacher. I understand where he is coming from and would tell my own kids the same, but I believe my true calling is becoming someone who inspires, molds, and teaches others to strive to be the best they can be. I will be a junior in high school in the upcoming school year, so I don't have much time before I will attend college. Please let me know what you think it is best to do and add in any experiences that you have had regarding this life-changing choice. #money #career-choice #future-careers #financial-risk #life-choice #financial-planning #career-details #personal-development
10 answers
Paul A Coulter
Paul A’s Answer
Karen! Why not a career you love and being paid well. Explore the training and development arena. Explore ATD dot com. Check out deca dot org for another possibility. Maybe a Professional Speaker, a Life Coach or Psychologist offer some other paths. Read The Dream Manager as another alternative. I have experience as a Speaker, Workshop creator, facilitator, change consultant and change catalyst all well paying skills. Watch Robert Kiyosaki at u tube New Rules of Money. The idea of job security is a 20th Century mindset and not relevant in todays job market. What is relevant is being cause not effect meaning settling is a choice as is unlimited possibilities. Check out Julie Moret and Marianne Williamson on u tube to see some powerful women at their best. Start reading biographies or autobiographies of women that have made a difference on the planet. Start thinking more nationally and globally. Being an advocate is a higher paying skill-set then being a teacher. Read Make The Impossible Possible and I mentioned the book Rich Dad Poor Dad. The best! My life has far far exceeded any expectations I had when I was your age and even at 35. Lighten up. Read or watch inspiring books and movies. Dead Poet Society with Robin Williams contains some powerful messages. Have some fun being inspired - Sing the words to Row Row Row Your Boat and heed it words. :-)
Hello again Mr. Coulter! I have found your advice to be very helpful and unique (in a good way). I see that many of your inspirations and motivations come from books and other types of visual aid which I absolutely love! Finding people who inspire me to do my best definitely boosts me to walk out of my comfort zone and do what benefits me the most. You are one of them! Thank you for all of your help and best wishes to you and your family!
Karen
Marilyn Balke-Lowry
Marilyn’s Answer
Karen,
As a retired educator, I am probably biased, but I see no more noble and fulfilling position than teaching or educating others in some form or fashion. I treasure the years I spent with young people, and I feel that my ideal path was fulfilled as a teacher and then as a counselor and administrator. Although salaries are lower than in many other jobs, people stay in the field of education because there is fulfillment. You can advance if you have bilingual skills or are trained in areas of need such as math or science, reading education and special needs education. A master's degree will provide a step higher, and if you choose to lead, you can go into administration. You can also have summers off to pursue other interests or jobs or vacation. I was able to obtain full retirement at the age of 52, so I began a new career as an artist and formed my own company in a niche that provides scholarship information to students and schools. I have had a private counseling practice and have traveled extensively during summers as a group leader. The flexibility of this career has a lot of perks you do not get in a corporate field. You are fortunate to be in a generation where women have a tremendous number of options. When I grew up, women could basically be a nurse, a secretary or a teacher. I'm glad I chose my career and know how vital it is to help young people learn to be productive citizens. Good luck in your options, and enjoy your life!
Marilyn Lowry
Marilyn, you words are truly awe inspiring to me. I never thought of the fact that teachers could advance in their field of education, which I felt was another drawback. Thankfully, you taught me that you can really progress as an educator. What really drew me into your answer is the fact that you started your own company and became an artist after you retired at 52. That is my parents' age and they are still struggling with their own jobs! I have a passion for art as well. I will be taking up AP Art this upcoming junior year after taking tons of art classes the last two years in high school. Maybe I can contact you sometime for some advice! Thank you so much!
Karen
Paul A Coulter
Paul A’s Answer
Karen - Finding Your What with Julie Moret at u tube
Thanks Mr. Coulter! Already on it!
Karen
Marilyn Balke-Lowry
Marilyn’s Answer
Karen you are welcome to contact me at any time. I am on Linked In and have both a personal and an art presence on Facebook. If you are on FB, I would welcome you to be my friend, www.facebook.com/marilynlowry or www.facebook.com/imaginartbymarilyn.. Best of luck...and follow your dreams...the money will come. It always has for me. Most of the time you will not know where it will come from, but if you trust in your heart, it will be there for you.
Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn!
Karen
Paul A Coulter
Paul A’s Answer
Hi Karen! Watch Lemon Drops by Julie Moret at u tube. I loved it! Trust you will too!
I will be binge-watching her videos. She seems like a great motivational speaker!
Karen
Paul A Coulter
Paul A’s Answer
Karen! How awesome!
Thank you!
Karen
Imane Faouzi Zizi, APMP
Imane’s Answer
Hi! This is a very good question. We always have this idea of a dream job since childhood but let me tell you that our dreams and aspirations evolve all the time as we grow and gain more experience throughout life. You can have more than one dream job and it is is totally fine to change your career if you find out that it doesn't fit your passions and motivations anymore. I started my career in the HR field which was something I wanted to do since a while... and I changed after one year to have a job in bid management. Actually, you can have transferable skills that would fit in many job areas, like communication, leadership, time management and so on... just follow your motivations and passions and you will get your dream job everytime ! :)
Ruth Kadanoff
Ruth’s Answer
Please remember that being a teacher does not mean only taking teacher training courses.
Pick a field you care about and major in that . You will be a better teacher and also if you want to change later make it easier. People often change course in life, be prepared to continue learning forever. I changed from being a theoretical physicist to going to medical school at age 39 and just retired at 80
Kristen Kilroy
Kristen’s Answer
Sorry I am a little late to the game here to answer, but thought I'd share my two cents in case you're still battling this question or if others are interested.
Please keep in mind that life can take you on many different paths. Although you may go to school for one thing, your passion may guide you to something completely different. For example, there was a teacher in my high school who went to school to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. He practiced it for a few years and decided his passion was teaching, thus becoming a physics teacher. He was able to share some really cool stories and real-life examples that helped students thrive by giving them a better understanding for why they were sitting through a boring physics class.
If you are set into the path of making more money so you can help your family, try looking outside of the box (such as what Paul A answered). For example, I went to school for engineering and am passionate about manufacturing and product design. And although I love the technical aspects of product design, my particular field was not very high paying and no room for career growth at that particular company. Based on my technical skills, I was presented with an opportunity to join a software company on their support team for much higher pay. I was not sure how much I would actually like the job (technical support did not sound appealing for an introvert such as myself), but I decided to take the leap and give it a try. Turns out that I found a new passion - teaching customers how to effectively use the software was fun and challenging and I really enjoyed it. It let me be more financially set and had room for career growth in many different directions. I am still at that company and have since switched roles to Technical Marketing because they needed someone who was good communicating and understood the technical aspects that could help sell the products. Building off from the skills from my engineering experience and the technical support experience was perfect for my new role.
Hopefully this gets your mind thinking to understand there are both opportunities and compromises out there. My mother and aunt were both teachers and it is certainly a field that is close to my heart and I fully respect everything teachers do. Secretly, I would love to get into it, but for now, I am OK with where I have ended up. Maybe one day I'll decide to get into teaching and have some cool stories like that physics teacher!
Good luck!
Kristen recommends the following next steps:
Katya Lev
Katya’s Answer
So, if you really feel that you want to make a difference and influence someone is amazing - being a teacher doesn’t have to stop there- you can become a principal, work for the department of education, conduct your own private tutoring online, maybe even open up a local children centers- after school. So , I think it all depends how you view it. You can become a life coach, a career counselor-you can make it really big and also make tons of money and be happy. Just explore the entire teaching field and directions are many to go to.
It’s important to do what makes your happy- you will understand it later-life needs less stress and more people that are passionate about their careers to make it a great place to be.
Hope his helps.
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