5 answers
Janice
Student
Homestead, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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How were you able to decide which path fit you most and made you the most happy?
I’m having trouble choosing between a path that comes easy to me and a path that makes me lots of money
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5 answers
Crystal Zhu Gernhardt
Talent Acquisition Manager
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Crystal’s Answer
Wow, this is such a great and important question. The good thing is, you don't have to choose just one path and can pursue multiple paths at once. However, it is true that sometimes you have to prioritize one and focus most of your energy there.
Prioritize taking care of your basic needs (housing, food, mental health). Without those things, it's difficult to be happy. If that means you need to first prioritize making money, that's fine. Hopefully the path that helps you make money is a path that you also enjoy and have some interest in. At a certain point in your life, making money may become less important and you'll want to prioritize other things or other interests.
I think finding a path that fits you well and makes you happy will probably mean adjusting and changing things up as you move through life. Even if you choose a certain path, try to keep some other options open for the future!
Make sure you can take care of your basic needs. Having some money and a level of financial security is a great thing.
Continue to check in with yourself every 6 months to see if you're still happy with your current path.
Don't forget about your other interests! Maybe you can continue pursuing those paths on the side, and one day they can even become your main path.
Prioritize taking care of your basic needs (housing, food, mental health). Without those things, it's difficult to be happy. If that means you need to first prioritize making money, that's fine. Hopefully the path that helps you make money is a path that you also enjoy and have some interest in. At a certain point in your life, making money may become less important and you'll want to prioritize other things or other interests.
I think finding a path that fits you well and makes you happy will probably mean adjusting and changing things up as you move through life. Even if you choose a certain path, try to keep some other options open for the future!
Crystal recommends the following next steps:
This was super helpful, thank you!
Janice
Angel Gonzalez
Senior Software Developer
2
Answers
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Updated
Angel’s Answer
Hey!
This is an excellent question; the first thing you need to do is find your real passion. Once you find it, you can plan to monetize that; if you achieve that one day, you will feel that you aren't working, and you can release all your potential. Also, remember that your happiness doesn't must be linked to the money you earn.
Today, I prefer more free time and flexibility instead of lots of money.
This is an excellent question; the first thing you need to do is find your real passion. Once you find it, you can plan to monetize that; if you achieve that one day, you will feel that you aren't working, and you can release all your potential. Also, remember that your happiness doesn't must be linked to the money you earn.
Today, I prefer more free time and flexibility instead of lots of money.
Thank you for giving me a path to guide myself with!
Janice
Andrea Chan
IT Support Engineer
2
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hi Janice,
I actually faced the same dilemma as you when I had to decide what to do after finishing high school. I have a deep love and passion for playing music, so I pursued Music Production. However, it's a challenging industry to succeed in financially (compared to other fields). So, while studying music, I also explored other interests and that's when I discovered Information Technology. To keep it brief, I continue to play and create music regularly while working at my full-time job.
The most important lesson from my experience is that you're currently at a stage in life where you have the FREEDOM to make mistakes and fail multiple times, try new things, and change your mind. It will become much more difficult once you're settled in life and have various commitments. In my opinion, regret is one of the worst feelings, especially when nothing can be done about it, so I urge you to take risks and explore different options. This includes trying things you might dislike or wouldn't usually consider because they could surprise you in unexpected ways. The more knowledge and experience you gain, the clearer your path may become, helping you understand what you truly want to do and what you don't.
I actually faced the same dilemma as you when I had to decide what to do after finishing high school. I have a deep love and passion for playing music, so I pursued Music Production. However, it's a challenging industry to succeed in financially (compared to other fields). So, while studying music, I also explored other interests and that's when I discovered Information Technology. To keep it brief, I continue to play and create music regularly while working at my full-time job.
The most important lesson from my experience is that you're currently at a stage in life where you have the FREEDOM to make mistakes and fail multiple times, try new things, and change your mind. It will become much more difficult once you're settled in life and have various commitments. In my opinion, regret is one of the worst feelings, especially when nothing can be done about it, so I urge you to take risks and explore different options. This includes trying things you might dislike or wouldn't usually consider because they could surprise you in unexpected ways. The more knowledge and experience you gain, the clearer your path may become, helping you understand what you truly want to do and what you don't.
Nathaniel Swan
chiropractor
33
Answers
Kirkland, Washington
Updated
Nathaniel’s Answer
Havinbg thde abiligty to change with the times is most important. Many of my first jobs were not great, but they paid the bills as I was always focused on what things made me happy. Helping people was way to vague, but it set me in a direction that ended up as a doctor of chiropractic. So now I can teach my patients how to maintane themselves so they aren't looking for an assisted living arrangement at 60. I love what4 I do and my patients can see that and appreciate that I have an idea for most everything that bothers them. I've had patients that have stayed with me for 25=30 years and will drive 5 hours for me to adjust. You've got this
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Janice
Molly Hollingsworth
HR Clerk
80
Answers
Coppell, Texas
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Janice,
This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
I hope this helped!
Molly H.
This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
I hope this helped!
Molly H.