10 answers
Reece
Student
Hempstead, New York
1
Question
Asked
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How do you balance a hobby you love with a career that can support you?
I am about to be a junior at a High school in New York, and most people are expecting me to know what I want my future career path to be. However, for the longest time, I have been on the fence on what I should be doing because the career path I want isn't the most guaranteed to give me a steady salary (Art). However, the career that most people believe I should pursue doesn't really make me excited for my future. I was hoping to get advice that could help me reason out my future. Thanks!
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10 answers
Jessica Gegner
Change Partner Senior
80
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Fantastic question! There's a diverse array of career paths in the realm of Art that can provide you with a reliable income if you're genuinely passionate about this direction:
- Graphic Design is an ideal avenue to earn a living in the business sector while indulging in your artistic side. The key distinction is that you'll be creating digital art for clients rather than personal projects.
- Art therapy is another possibility, allowing you to use art to assist individuals in navigating trauma and other challenges. While it might be a more specialized field, it offers a consistent income and the gratification of aiding others.
- Art education offers a chance to refine your abilities in a manner that enables you to impart artistic knowledge to others. You can teach at various age levels, from elementary to college. It's crucial to understand the temperaments of your prospective students and the skills you'd like to teach (for instance, basic techniques for elementary students or advanced methods for college students) before embarking on this journey.
These are just a handful of alternatives, but you could also consider a career unrelated to art that resonates with another interest you have. Are you fond of helping others? Do you enjoy working with children? Securing a regular 9-5 job that you find fulfilling while allowing you to pursue art as a pastime, could be a balanced approach. For instance, I enjoy writing music and playing in bands, so my 9-5 job affords me the chance to engage in music during my free time. If you're passionate about art, chances are you're a natural problem-solver. Trust your gut, chase your dreams, and financial stability will follow.
- Graphic Design is an ideal avenue to earn a living in the business sector while indulging in your artistic side. The key distinction is that you'll be creating digital art for clients rather than personal projects.
- Art therapy is another possibility, allowing you to use art to assist individuals in navigating trauma and other challenges. While it might be a more specialized field, it offers a consistent income and the gratification of aiding others.
- Art education offers a chance to refine your abilities in a manner that enables you to impart artistic knowledge to others. You can teach at various age levels, from elementary to college. It's crucial to understand the temperaments of your prospective students and the skills you'd like to teach (for instance, basic techniques for elementary students or advanced methods for college students) before embarking on this journey.
These are just a handful of alternatives, but you could also consider a career unrelated to art that resonates with another interest you have. Are you fond of helping others? Do you enjoy working with children? Securing a regular 9-5 job that you find fulfilling while allowing you to pursue art as a pastime, could be a balanced approach. For instance, I enjoy writing music and playing in bands, so my 9-5 job affords me the chance to engage in music during my free time. If you're passionate about art, chances are you're a natural problem-solver. Trust your gut, chase your dreams, and financial stability will follow.
Sravan Nallana
Product Management
2
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Sravan’s Answer
I admire your determination to continue enjoying your hobbies while working.
1. Identify your hobby goals - Let your passion be your driving force, not just the potential for earning income.
2. Based on your goals, schedule your time - Be it weekly or monthly.
3. Establish clear expectations within your organization.
4. Plan ahead - This helps to prevent conflicts with important tasks or events.
5. Be ready for unexpected situations - You might need to miss some events due to work obligations. (This is where most people falter, as these situations are quite common. However, you must confront them. Even in challenging times, don't let the thought of giving up your hobby or job cross your mind.)
1. Identify your hobby goals - Let your passion be your driving force, not just the potential for earning income.
2. Based on your goals, schedule your time - Be it weekly or monthly.
3. Establish clear expectations within your organization.
4. Plan ahead - This helps to prevent conflicts with important tasks or events.
5. Be ready for unexpected situations - You might need to miss some events due to work obligations. (This is where most people falter, as these situations are quite common. However, you must confront them. Even in challenging times, don't let the thought of giving up your hobby or job cross your mind.)
Keyston Rice
Supervisor
178
Answers
Lawrence, IN
Updated
Keyston’s Answer
I get where you're coming from. Back when I was your age, I was into boxing and won Golden Gloves as a youth. Even though I ended up in a different career, I kept my passion alive. Balancing your passion and a steady career can be tough, but it's possible. Maybe consider a compromise – explore art while having a stable job like I did as a car salesman. It's all about finding that balance that works for you and makes you excited about the future.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
613
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Choosing a career can be a big task. While some use college to focus on their chosen profession, I think there is space to use college as a way to see ode which direction you go in.
Treat this like a project for school. Look for a couple sources who do what you want to do. Ask them questions about their profession, lifestyle (pay if they’ll share) and see if the average from those conversations is something you think you can live with.
Finding a balance can be tough, but I think you are asking the right questions!
Treat this like a project for school. Look for a couple sources who do what you want to do. Ask them questions about their profession, lifestyle (pay if they’ll share) and see if the average from those conversations is something you think you can live with.
Finding a balance can be tough, but I think you are asking the right questions!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1861
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students may have similar question. Why don't you try to your career on what you have interest first? Given you haven't had a family and not much financial burden, you have more flexibility on your career choices. Also, imagine you work on a career you have no interest 8-10 hours daily, it is really a pain.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Identify the career related to your hobbies, interest, etc.
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a singer, musical actor, musician, music composer, music producer, etc.
if you have interest on Maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, financial analyst, banker, music teacher, etc.
2. Explore more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Identify the career related to your hobbies, interest, etc.
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a singer, musical actor, musician, music composer, music producer, etc.
if you have interest on Maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, financial analyst, banker, music teacher, etc.
2. Explore more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Reece
In choosing a career path it is good to try to balance your interests and talents with what will provide you with a decent living. We all want to make a good living doing what we love. There is a common misconception that if you go into an "Art" field that you will not make a steady income, and that you will live in poverty. However, once you start looking around, I think you will find that there are careers in Art that can pay well, are stable, and are very satisfying.
Graphic designers and art directors, who work in all sorts of scenarios, are examples of art careers that can and do pay well. My sister in law worked as a graphic designer for an electrical utility company, designing brochures, internal reports, ads and so on; she retired after 30 years, made good money and loved her job. I met a person recently who got a job as a graphic designer for the federal government, and he makes six figures plus the federal benefits. Of course, these types of jobs can be competitive to attain, and like all career fields, the entry level pay may be low. Finding your dream job in graphic design depends on your level of skill, talent, internship and job experience, professional references, geographical location, and the overall economy.
I worked in art education and taught art in middle school. It was a steady job, the starting pay in my school district was better than most school districts, plus we were usually given a yearly raise and a cost of living increase; my summers were free; I had access to health insurance, and I loved teaching. Of course, it depends on the school district where you work and its commitment to the arts, so it pays to look around (you can check out teacher salaries at school district websites), but education is an option if you like the idea of sharing your love of art with kids.
So, as a junior in high school, I would not write off a career in Art just yet. I would do some research at your school and local library to find books and websites that can give you a better idea of job and income prospects in different art careers. There are many more art career jobs than the two I mentioned above. If your school or local library has a career center, start there.
You might also look into careers that are art related. For example, there are lawyers who specialize in assisting artists, writers, musicians, and museums. There are artists who work in hospitals and specialize in medical illustration. There are psychologists who use art as a way to heal people (Art Therapists). Lots of possibilities out there for you to discover.
I hope this helps. Best wishes.
In choosing a career path it is good to try to balance your interests and talents with what will provide you with a decent living. We all want to make a good living doing what we love. There is a common misconception that if you go into an "Art" field that you will not make a steady income, and that you will live in poverty. However, once you start looking around, I think you will find that there are careers in Art that can pay well, are stable, and are very satisfying.
Graphic designers and art directors, who work in all sorts of scenarios, are examples of art careers that can and do pay well. My sister in law worked as a graphic designer for an electrical utility company, designing brochures, internal reports, ads and so on; she retired after 30 years, made good money and loved her job. I met a person recently who got a job as a graphic designer for the federal government, and he makes six figures plus the federal benefits. Of course, these types of jobs can be competitive to attain, and like all career fields, the entry level pay may be low. Finding your dream job in graphic design depends on your level of skill, talent, internship and job experience, professional references, geographical location, and the overall economy.
I worked in art education and taught art in middle school. It was a steady job, the starting pay in my school district was better than most school districts, plus we were usually given a yearly raise and a cost of living increase; my summers were free; I had access to health insurance, and I loved teaching. Of course, it depends on the school district where you work and its commitment to the arts, so it pays to look around (you can check out teacher salaries at school district websites), but education is an option if you like the idea of sharing your love of art with kids.
So, as a junior in high school, I would not write off a career in Art just yet. I would do some research at your school and local library to find books and websites that can give you a better idea of job and income prospects in different art careers. There are many more art career jobs than the two I mentioned above. If your school or local library has a career center, start there.
You might also look into careers that are art related. For example, there are lawyers who specialize in assisting artists, writers, musicians, and museums. There are artists who work in hospitals and specialize in medical illustration. There are psychologists who use art as a way to heal people (Art Therapists). Lots of possibilities out there for you to discover.
I hope this helps. Best wishes.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1921
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Reece !
You should always stand by what you love. If the other people are telling you what career to have, how to spend your life and you're not interested in it, go with your instincts and intuition and go with what you care about and love - art. After all, it is you who will live your life, not the others.
It's interesting. A lot of times people have opinions about the creative fields but they themselves have never experienced it. Art is a broad term and there are many careers in art, too. What you'll need to do is practice the art that you love and have been doing and decide which type of other work you can do while also applying for art jobs. There are so many different art jobs from selling your work independently to working in a museum or gallery or teaching. I have a feeling that you will always be around art.
Some of the types of work that people do when they are pursuing a passion are clerical work, basic computer work, food service, retail sales. Decide what types of environments you enjoy being in and let that inspire you about a support job. It may not always be that way. If you go to college, you might be able to work in the Art Department through a work study program and that would be excellent experience for you. You can also find out about galleries near you and inquire about their art showings and how you can show your work. Attend the galleries and ask questions. Someone who is pursuing art, as you are, knows more about it than people making assumptions. So, take small steps, make little goals that will lead to a plan.
As you get older, things will start to be more clear, less confusing and I think that you will learn a way to make art your profession and be able to earn a living. I highly suggest going to college and getting at least a Bachelors degree because you will be able to have better opportunities. Things do get easier as you progress and I do hope that this has been of some help.
Best wishes to you in school and take it one step at a time.
You should always stand by what you love. If the other people are telling you what career to have, how to spend your life and you're not interested in it, go with your instincts and intuition and go with what you care about and love - art. After all, it is you who will live your life, not the others.
It's interesting. A lot of times people have opinions about the creative fields but they themselves have never experienced it. Art is a broad term and there are many careers in art, too. What you'll need to do is practice the art that you love and have been doing and decide which type of other work you can do while also applying for art jobs. There are so many different art jobs from selling your work independently to working in a museum or gallery or teaching. I have a feeling that you will always be around art.
Some of the types of work that people do when they are pursuing a passion are clerical work, basic computer work, food service, retail sales. Decide what types of environments you enjoy being in and let that inspire you about a support job. It may not always be that way. If you go to college, you might be able to work in the Art Department through a work study program and that would be excellent experience for you. You can also find out about galleries near you and inquire about their art showings and how you can show your work. Attend the galleries and ask questions. Someone who is pursuing art, as you are, knows more about it than people making assumptions. So, take small steps, make little goals that will lead to a plan.
As you get older, things will start to be more clear, less confusing and I think that you will learn a way to make art your profession and be able to earn a living. I highly suggest going to college and getting at least a Bachelors degree because you will be able to have better opportunities. Things do get easier as you progress and I do hope that this has been of some help.
Best wishes to you in school and take it one step at a time.
Praveen Prabhakar
Program Manager
54
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Praveen’s Answer
Juggling a cherished pastime with a job that provides for you can be tough, but with thoughtful planning and good time management, it's certainly achievable. Here are some guidelines to help you strike that balance:
Organize and Establish Objectives:
Identify your priorities and establish distinct objectives for both your job and your pastime. Knowing what you aspire to accomplish will steer your decisions and assist you in effectively distributing your time.
Manage Your Time:
Proper time management is key. Draft a timetable that details your working hours, leisure time, and other commitments. Set aside specific time slots for your pastime and adhere to them as much as possible.
Integrate Your Pastime into Your Daily Schedule:
Discover ways to blend your pastime into your everyday schedule. For instance, if you love reading, you can allocate your commute or lunch break to this activity. This way, you're still participating in your pastime even on hectic workdays.
Establish Limits:
Set clear limits between your work and leisure time. When you're working, concentrate on your tasks and duties. When you're indulging in your pastime, fully engage in it without pondering about work-related issues.
Adaptable Work Schedules:
If your job permits, consider adaptable work schedules such as telecommuting or flexible hours. This can grant you more control over your time, making it simpler to accommodate your pastime.
Weekends and Days Off:
Utilize weekends and days off to devote longer spans of time to your pastime. This can assist you in making significant progress and indulging in your passion without the restrictions of work.
Delegate and Contract Out:
If your job takes up a lot of your time, think about delegating certain duties or contracting out work to make more room for your pastime. This might involve hiring help for household tasks or administrative duties.
Prevent Overwork:
Be aware of overwork. Overcommitting to both your job and your pastime can result in fatigue and reduced pleasure in both areas. It's okay to decline additional commitments if you feel overextended.
Ongoing Learning and Enhancement:
Continue learning about time management methods and productivity tactics. As you gain knowledge and experience, you can refine your strategy to achieve a better balance.
Regular Evaluation:
Periodically check how well you're maintaining the balance between your pastime and career. Are you achieving your objectives? Are you content with how you're utilizing your time? Modify your strategy as necessary.
Keep in mind that finding the right balance might necessitate trial and error and adjustment. Priorities can change over time, so stay flexible and open to making alterations to your routine to ensure that both your career and your pastime get the attention they merit.
Organize and Establish Objectives:
Identify your priorities and establish distinct objectives for both your job and your pastime. Knowing what you aspire to accomplish will steer your decisions and assist you in effectively distributing your time.
Manage Your Time:
Proper time management is key. Draft a timetable that details your working hours, leisure time, and other commitments. Set aside specific time slots for your pastime and adhere to them as much as possible.
Integrate Your Pastime into Your Daily Schedule:
Discover ways to blend your pastime into your everyday schedule. For instance, if you love reading, you can allocate your commute or lunch break to this activity. This way, you're still participating in your pastime even on hectic workdays.
Establish Limits:
Set clear limits between your work and leisure time. When you're working, concentrate on your tasks and duties. When you're indulging in your pastime, fully engage in it without pondering about work-related issues.
Adaptable Work Schedules:
If your job permits, consider adaptable work schedules such as telecommuting or flexible hours. This can grant you more control over your time, making it simpler to accommodate your pastime.
Weekends and Days Off:
Utilize weekends and days off to devote longer spans of time to your pastime. This can assist you in making significant progress and indulging in your passion without the restrictions of work.
Delegate and Contract Out:
If your job takes up a lot of your time, think about delegating certain duties or contracting out work to make more room for your pastime. This might involve hiring help for household tasks or administrative duties.
Prevent Overwork:
Be aware of overwork. Overcommitting to both your job and your pastime can result in fatigue and reduced pleasure in both areas. It's okay to decline additional commitments if you feel overextended.
Ongoing Learning and Enhancement:
Continue learning about time management methods and productivity tactics. As you gain knowledge and experience, you can refine your strategy to achieve a better balance.
Regular Evaluation:
Periodically check how well you're maintaining the balance between your pastime and career. Are you achieving your objectives? Are you content with how you're utilizing your time? Modify your strategy as necessary.
Keep in mind that finding the right balance might necessitate trial and error and adjustment. Priorities can change over time, so stay flexible and open to making alterations to your routine to ensure that both your career and your pastime get the attention they merit.
Brett Pongratz
Software Developer
5
Answers
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Creating and immersing myself in the world of music is my ultimate passion. However, it's no secret that this is a costly endeavor. Therefore, it was imperative for me to secure a job that not only provided a good income but also offered flexibility and didn't require excessive overtime. Software development emerged as the perfect fit. It allows me to work from the comfort of my home, earn a substantial income, and maintain the freedom to chase my musical dreams.
However, a word of caution: steer clear of companies that demand a lot of overtime or on-call duties. These can significantly cut into your valuable hobby time. So, always remember to prioritize your passion and personal time when choosing a job.
However, a word of caution: steer clear of companies that demand a lot of overtime or on-call duties. These can significantly cut into your valuable hobby time. So, always remember to prioritize your passion and personal time when choosing a job.
Gregory Barclay, M.D., DLFAPA, FASAP
Psychiatrist
29
Answers
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Hey Reece!
Your question shows you are a very deep thinker! That is so cool!
It is unfortunate that there is such pressure on you to "name" a future career path when you are just beginning your junior year of high school. That is completely wrong, in my opinion. You mentioned that you have an interest in art, which makes me assume you have some talent and skill in this area as well as a love of the medium. Correct?
My advice is to listen to your calling and summon the strength to fend off the expectations of the adults and peers who want to see you in a planned career path that meets their expectations for you. This will be hard to do, and it can be done in a non-offensive way, e.g. saying "thanks but I am not ready to commit to anything yet" and other non-definitive answers.
Let me share something. I have had a very successful career as a physician - over 40 years, but not a day goes by that I don't think of the life and career I left behind (music) because others told me I should pursue something that was more prestigious and financially secure. True, but what I have lived with, and live with in spite of a lot of therapy years ago, is the pervasive sense that I am living someone else's life, not my own. I didn't have the courage to challenge those who implied that I needed an alternative "more acceptable" career. You will ultimately have to live with yourself - those who advise you otherwise will be long gone in the end. And while it may have all been true ("you will never make a good living as a high school music teacher", etc.), I still live with the "what if I had defied them" reality of the life I could have lived but left along the side of the road.
Do what you love and what makes your life full - all else (including the money) will follow. You will live and ultimately come to the end of your life with the awareness that you made choices and have had to live with the consequences.
Good luck! I hope this little bit of advice helps some! You seem like the kind of person who will land on your feet no matter what, because you are asking a very important question and that takes courage and intelligence to do so!
Your question shows you are a very deep thinker! That is so cool!
It is unfortunate that there is such pressure on you to "name" a future career path when you are just beginning your junior year of high school. That is completely wrong, in my opinion. You mentioned that you have an interest in art, which makes me assume you have some talent and skill in this area as well as a love of the medium. Correct?
My advice is to listen to your calling and summon the strength to fend off the expectations of the adults and peers who want to see you in a planned career path that meets their expectations for you. This will be hard to do, and it can be done in a non-offensive way, e.g. saying "thanks but I am not ready to commit to anything yet" and other non-definitive answers.
Let me share something. I have had a very successful career as a physician - over 40 years, but not a day goes by that I don't think of the life and career I left behind (music) because others told me I should pursue something that was more prestigious and financially secure. True, but what I have lived with, and live with in spite of a lot of therapy years ago, is the pervasive sense that I am living someone else's life, not my own. I didn't have the courage to challenge those who implied that I needed an alternative "more acceptable" career. You will ultimately have to live with yourself - those who advise you otherwise will be long gone in the end. And while it may have all been true ("you will never make a good living as a high school music teacher", etc.), I still live with the "what if I had defied them" reality of the life I could have lived but left along the side of the road.
Do what you love and what makes your life full - all else (including the money) will follow. You will live and ultimately come to the end of your life with the awareness that you made choices and have had to live with the consequences.
Good luck! I hope this little bit of advice helps some! You seem like the kind of person who will land on your feet no matter what, because you are asking a very important question and that takes courage and intelligence to do so!