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Should you aim for a high-paying career or a career you love?
I want to do teaching but my parents want me to do engineering or medicine.
9 answers
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
In my Opinion, as you are studying the field that you are interested in there may be times where you have to work hard and choose the high paying job you don’t like! To get to the career you like. By far, working in an environment where you are happy, is not even working. The minute one wakes up in the morning and says I wish I didn’t have to go to work! You’re definitely not in the right job.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Venujan
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
It’s definitely a difficult decision to choose between a job that pays well and a career that you’re deeply passionate about.
Securing a job that pays more will provide you with greater financial security, allowing you to meet your needs, support your lifestyle, and save for the future. These jobs typically come with additional perks as well, such as better benefits, bonuses, and opportunities for advancement.
Choosing a career you love can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and personal satisfaction. When you genuinely enjoy your work, you are more likely to be motivated, dedicated, and willing to put in the effort required to excel in your field.
Ultimately, finding the ideal balance between a high-paying career and a career you love may be the most desirable outcome. However, this may not always be possible, and you may need to prioritize one over the other based on your current circumstances.
Consider your long-term goals, financial obligations, personal values, and the potential for growth and satisfaction in both options. It's important to reflect on what truly matters to you and what will bring you the most overall happiness and fulfillment in the long run.
Securing a job that pays more will provide you with greater financial security, allowing you to meet your needs, support your lifestyle, and save for the future. These jobs typically come with additional perks as well, such as better benefits, bonuses, and opportunities for advancement.
Choosing a career you love can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and personal satisfaction. When you genuinely enjoy your work, you are more likely to be motivated, dedicated, and willing to put in the effort required to excel in your field.
Ultimately, finding the ideal balance between a high-paying career and a career you love may be the most desirable outcome. However, this may not always be possible, and you may need to prioritize one over the other based on your current circumstances.
Consider your long-term goals, financial obligations, personal values, and the potential for growth and satisfaction in both options. It's important to reflect on what truly matters to you and what will bring you the most overall happiness and fulfillment in the long run.
Thanks for the advice!
Venujan
Being of Asian decent. I understand the whole ordeal of what our parents want. You have to understand that they want you to be financially secure in your life. Therefore, asking you to look for the high paying job. My parents came to the United States with nothing and they worked hard all their lives to give us the better opportunity. You are yourself, perhaps give it a try and see if you enjoy what they suggest. Become a master at it and then perhaps you may teach it one day!!!
Jeffrey Pham
Updated
KAZEEM’s Answer
Oh my friend Venujan, your parents had it all...
Take me as an example:
I'm an educator and I teach biology (a biologist).
Currently, I'm a copywriter who educates people on biology (Education + Biology).
Combination may be the best choice.
You're probably a science student, if that's the case.
Choose either Engineering or Medicine as a CAREER and practice teaching as a HOBBY.
Every field of study involves teaching; after all, someone will teach you too.
Study your subject to teach others even while in college, do a lot of voluntary tutoring as a hobby.
Hobby is a lifelong companion that can be enjoyed with good money 💰.
Peace,
Kazeem.
Take me as an example:
I'm an educator and I teach biology (a biologist).
Currently, I'm a copywriter who educates people on biology (Education + Biology).
Combination may be the best choice.
You're probably a science student, if that's the case.
Choose either Engineering or Medicine as a CAREER and practice teaching as a HOBBY.
Every field of study involves teaching; after all, someone will teach you too.
Study your subject to teach others even while in college, do a lot of voluntary tutoring as a hobby.
Hobby is a lifelong companion that can be enjoyed with good money 💰.
Peace,
Kazeem.
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Venujan!
Why not both?
Why can't you do something you love 𝘢𝘯𝘥 have a high paying career? :)
It sounds like you want to make a difference in the lives of children through education. There are multiple careers that can offer both money & fulfillment in your life!
** Note: For some of the jobs I'll list below, some do need years of working as a teacher. However, you can move your way up into these careers. **
You Can Become A...
✸ Program Director in Special Education. Program directors help create suitable educational materials and teaching methods for students with disabilities. Program Directors in Special Education can make between $55,000 to $115,000 per year.
✸ Student Supervisor. Supervisors help develop tools or standards to help students and/or support teachers. Usually, they can make between $50,000 to $85,000 per year.
✸ Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). They help students with speech impairments speak sounds or pronunciation. The national average is $66k per year.
✸ Instructional Designer. You can help implement technology to improve the lives of teachers and students. They can make between $48,000 to $86,000 per year. On average it's around 63k nationally.
✸ Professional Tutor or Private Educator. You don't necessarily have to work as a teacher in a K-12 school. You can become a home-school teacher, nanny teacher, or hospital teacher. Depending on which you go with, the salary per year is different. However, you can make more than public teaching in these roles!
Here's some links to learn more about these jobs
✦ Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? | https://www.asha.org/public/Who-Are-Speech-Language-Pathologists/
✦ What Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Do? | https://www.wgu.edu/career-guide/education/program-director-for-exceptional-children-career.html
✦ How do you become an instructional designer? | https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/career-content/educate/career-profile-instructional-designer/a/how-do-you-become-an-instructional-designer
✦ What Does an Education Supervisor Do? | https://www.zippia.com/education-supervisor-jobs/what-does-an-education-supervisor-do/
✦ What it takes to be a $200,000-a-year nanny | https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/13/success/nanny-high-paying-job/index.html
✦ Examples of job openings for Nanny Teachers: https://www.indeed.com/q-Teacher-Nanny-jobs.html?vjk=dfbb5904fe7f7ee1
Consider what drives you the most for entering education. As long as you know your "Why", you'll find a role that fits you.
Sending you encouragement as you decide what to aim for :)
Why not both?
Why can't you do something you love 𝘢𝘯𝘥 have a high paying career? :)
It sounds like you want to make a difference in the lives of children through education. There are multiple careers that can offer both money & fulfillment in your life!
** Note: For some of the jobs I'll list below, some do need years of working as a teacher. However, you can move your way up into these careers. **
You Can Become A...
✸ Program Director in Special Education. Program directors help create suitable educational materials and teaching methods for students with disabilities. Program Directors in Special Education can make between $55,000 to $115,000 per year.
✸ Student Supervisor. Supervisors help develop tools or standards to help students and/or support teachers. Usually, they can make between $50,000 to $85,000 per year.
✸ Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). They help students with speech impairments speak sounds or pronunciation. The national average is $66k per year.
✸ Instructional Designer. You can help implement technology to improve the lives of teachers and students. They can make between $48,000 to $86,000 per year. On average it's around 63k nationally.
✸ Professional Tutor or Private Educator. You don't necessarily have to work as a teacher in a K-12 school. You can become a home-school teacher, nanny teacher, or hospital teacher. Depending on which you go with, the salary per year is different. However, you can make more than public teaching in these roles!
Here's some links to learn more about these jobs
✦ Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? | https://www.asha.org/public/Who-Are-Speech-Language-Pathologists/
✦ What Does a Program Director for Exceptional Children Do? | https://www.wgu.edu/career-guide/education/program-director-for-exceptional-children-career.html
✦ How do you become an instructional designer? | https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/career-content/educate/career-profile-instructional-designer/a/how-do-you-become-an-instructional-designer
✦ What Does an Education Supervisor Do? | https://www.zippia.com/education-supervisor-jobs/what-does-an-education-supervisor-do/
✦ What it takes to be a $200,000-a-year nanny | https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/13/success/nanny-high-paying-job/index.html
✦ Examples of job openings for Nanny Teachers: https://www.indeed.com/q-Teacher-Nanny-jobs.html?vjk=dfbb5904fe7f7ee1
Consider what drives you the most for entering education. As long as you know your "Why", you'll find a role that fits you.
Sending you encouragement as you decide what to aim for :)
Updated
Joyce’s Answer
This is a great question you've asked! You truly have two fantastic options to choose from, and luckily, the power to decide what's best for you lies within you. I highly recommend taking a step back to reflect on both opportunities by creating a thoughtful pro and con list. To give you a general idea, here's a sample for both options:
Teacher:
Pros - Pursue your passion, make a real impact on young lives, foster deep and long-lasting connections with students, empower others through knowledge, shorter education timeline.
Cons - Lower salary, ever-changing work environment, potential out-of-pocket expenses, job security concerns, high risk of burnout.
Engineering/Medicine:
Pros - Higher income, constant demand for professionals, prestige associated with the title, a vast array of opportunities across industries, fast career growth.
Cons - Lengthy education process, possible high student loan debt, long working hours, potential lack of genuine interest in the profession.
I actually faced a similar dilemma when I finished high school. My parents wanted me to enter Business School as I excelled in it. However, I chose to follow my passion and became a Pastry Chef first. The experience, despite the low pay, irregular hours, and physically demanding work, allowed me to gain valuable skills and knowledge that ultimately led me to be a successful business owner.
The truth is, only you can decide what's right for you. Both choices hold great potential, and as long as you stay optimistic and believe in yourself, you can reach your optimal potential.
Remember, a dream is merely a goal without a deadline. Set your deadline, and you're sure to reach it. Your passions/goals/dreams will change often so being prepared is key. Wishing you all the very best on your incredible journey!
Teacher:
Pros - Pursue your passion, make a real impact on young lives, foster deep and long-lasting connections with students, empower others through knowledge, shorter education timeline.
Cons - Lower salary, ever-changing work environment, potential out-of-pocket expenses, job security concerns, high risk of burnout.
Engineering/Medicine:
Pros - Higher income, constant demand for professionals, prestige associated with the title, a vast array of opportunities across industries, fast career growth.
Cons - Lengthy education process, possible high student loan debt, long working hours, potential lack of genuine interest in the profession.
I actually faced a similar dilemma when I finished high school. My parents wanted me to enter Business School as I excelled in it. However, I chose to follow my passion and became a Pastry Chef first. The experience, despite the low pay, irregular hours, and physically demanding work, allowed me to gain valuable skills and knowledge that ultimately led me to be a successful business owner.
The truth is, only you can decide what's right for you. Both choices hold great potential, and as long as you stay optimistic and believe in yourself, you can reach your optimal potential.
Remember, a dream is merely a goal without a deadline. Set your deadline, and you're sure to reach it. Your passions/goals/dreams will change often so being prepared is key. Wishing you all the very best on your incredible journey!
Updated
Lora’s Answer
Always keep in mind that a significant portion of your life will be dedicated to your career. When you pursue a job that you're truly passionate about and genuinely enjoy, it will feel more like a fulfilling journey rather than traditional work. So, go forth and embrace what brings you the most joy and satisfaction – your happiness is absolutely worth it!
Updated
Marian’s Answer
Hi Venujan,
This is a very interesting question and great to see that you think about such things as it's very important in life to have clear vision on this topic.
First of all I would say that people should always follow their passion in life. On the other hand, it's also very important to listen to parents as well, as they always want the best for us. I think that you should follow your passion for teaching and if you haven't done some work experience so far, you should definitely do some to see if you enjoy the experience and interaction with students as that's the core role of teaching.
On the other hand, if the teaching doesn't work out you can always shift your career into different direction and retrain to something else. There's a lot of successful people who started with teaching and eventually leveraged their teaching skills in other professions.
This is a very interesting question and great to see that you think about such things as it's very important in life to have clear vision on this topic.
First of all I would say that people should always follow their passion in life. On the other hand, it's also very important to listen to parents as well, as they always want the best for us. I think that you should follow your passion for teaching and if you haven't done some work experience so far, you should definitely do some to see if you enjoy the experience and interaction with students as that's the core role of teaching.
On the other hand, if the teaching doesn't work out you can always shift your career into different direction and retrain to something else. There's a lot of successful people who started with teaching and eventually leveraged their teaching skills in other professions.
Updated
Abhishek’s Answer
It totally depends on what you prefer, if you prefer a high paying job then go for it but if you're a person who think that okay I'm earning an appropriate amount of money but i love to be in this job then go for this one.
Believe me, money do excites for a short period of time but when you enter in a consistent schedule life literally get paused for a while and something has to be there to you in this job and money can't do this.
Believe me, money do excites for a short period of time but when you enter in a consistent schedule life literally get paused for a while and something has to be there to you in this job and money can't do this.
Updated
Abhishek’s Answer
It totally depends on what you prefer, if you prefer a high paying job then go for it but if you're a person who think that okay I'm earning an appropriate amount of money but i love to be in this job then go for this one.
Believe me, money do excites for a short period of time but when you enter in a consistent schedule life literally get paused for a while and something has to be there to hook you in this job and money can't do this.
Believe me, money do excites for a short period of time but when you enter in a consistent schedule life literally get paused for a while and something has to be there to hook you in this job and money can't do this.
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