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Is it better to choose the career that I love or the one that makes more money?

I'm a student who will start working in the future and I've always been curious of which is better

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Subject: Career question for you
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Jasmine,

Getting Started

The choice between a career that fuels your passion and one that fills your pockets is a quandary many of us grapple with. Each path has its unique benefits and drawbacks, and the final decision rests on your personal aspirations, values, and priorities. Let's delve into a comprehensive analysis of the merits and demerits of following a passion-driven career versus a financially rewarding one.

Choosing a Passion-Driven Career

Selecting a career that resonates with your interests and passions can yield immense joy and gratification. When you love your job, it feels less like work and more like a calling, enhancing your chances of success. Here are some crucial factors to mull over when considering a passion-driven career:

Job Fulfillment: If you're passionate about your work, you're more likely to experience high levels of job satisfaction. You're likely to feel more motivated, engaged, and fulfilled in your daily tasks.

Personal Development: A passion-driven career often encourages continuous learning and self-improvement, fostering personal growth as you strive to master your field.

Resilience: Passionate individuals tend to be more resilient when faced with challenges or setbacks. Their innate motivation helps them surmount obstacles and stay dedicated to their goals.

Work-Life Harmony: Enjoying your work can lead to a healthier work-life balance. Managing stress and maintaining overall well-being becomes easier when your job brings you happiness.

Long-Term Dedication: Opting for a passion-driven career increases the chances of long-term dedication to your profession, which can pave the way for long-term success and recognition.

Choosing a Financially Rewarding Career

Conversely, choosing a career primarily for its financial rewards has its own set of benefits. Here are some considerations when money is a major factor in your career choice:

Financial Security: A high-paying job can provide financial stability for you and your family, offering opportunities for wealth accumulation, investments, and achieving financial goals.

Lifestyle Quality: A well-paying job can afford you a certain lifestyle quality, providing access to superior healthcare, education, housing, travel, and other luxuries.

Flexibility: A high income can offer more flexibility in lifestyle choices, such as early retirement or pursuing costly hobbies or interests.

Supporting Loved Ones: Higher earnings can allow you to financially support your loved ones, donate to charity, or make a positive societal impact through philanthropy.

Career Advancement: Some high-paying careers offer quicker advancement opportunities and potential for rapid career progression compared to passion-driven fields.

Striking a Balance Between Passion and Financial Goals

Ideally, finding a career that you love and that also pays well is the sweet spot. It's feasible to align your passions with profitable opportunities by exploring industries that cater to both your interests and financial goals.

Consider doing extensive research into various professions, gauging market demand for different skills, networking with professionals in your desired fields, seeking guidance from experts who've successfully balanced passion and financial success, and assessing potential growth paths within specific industries.

Ultimately, the choice between a passion-driven career and a financially rewarding one is deeply personal. It should mirror your values, ambitions, lifestyle preferences, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.

Top 3 Credible Sources Consulted:

Harvard Business Review
Forbes
The Balance Careers

These sources were referenced for their esteemed insights on career decision-making strategies, specifically those balancing passion with financial considerations.

Blessings,
JC.
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Misha’s Answer

In an ideal world, it would be both. You should “love” your job or at least derive great satisfaction from it. However, we need to be pragmatic based on personal lives (needs, family, finances, etc.). You also need opportunities to grow and learn so you should be willing to take positions that help you to learn, even if it means sacrificing a little of the passion you feel and/or your remuneration.

Curtesy of Cloudera New Hires

Misha recommends the following next steps:

Education/Learn
Network
Achieve at your current position
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Sanchita’s Answer

Having both is like hitting the jackpot, but don't lose heart. Never let go of your passion. Strive to find a solution that offers you the best of both worlds. Opting for just one could lead to discouragement and loss of motivation. Keep pushing, you've got this!
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Annah’s Answer

Jasmine, this is a good question I bet a lot of people are thinking about. I have several thoughts- see what you find most useful. First this is a values-based question. What do you value most of all? Are material goods important to you, or are you fine having just enough (or somewhere in-between)? These days it is wise to think about whether you want to own a home or have children because you can start planning financially. Consider your current location (or where you hope to live) since geographically the cost of living may vary widely (also true for salaries). Do you plan on attending graduate school? This can make a big difference- but it truly depends on your topic of study. In the US, our culture places more value on certain fields such as law, medicine, and technology. This cultural value results in higher salaries. It is a skewed system. I must also say, there is a way to create a lucrative and exciting future for yourself no matter what you decide to study! Skill level does not always mean instant success; as with anything in life, luck, hard work, creativity, and motivation may get you where you want to go. There is no one recipe for a good life. I suggest finding a middle ground between what you love to do and what you know you can make a living doing. Sometimes in life you have to make sacrifices- work a job you do not love in order to do what you love on the side. Remember, not 'loving' a job does not mean you do not find it somewhat enjoyable. I do not believe in perfect; I also believe in taking risks in life. Sometimes you need to take a leap into the unknown to see if you can fly! Give yourself time to really know yourself and gain experience. The people I know who are most satisfied did not rush- they followed their hearts to build a life based upon their individual passions and yep, values. They did not define their success by what others had achieved but by their own sense of purpose. However long it takes, is how long it takes! Western culture loves an award, a degree, a gold star, and a deadline. While I like all of these things, try removing the notion there is a time limit. By doing this you remove the stress and pressure. I realize this is not always possible- life can be quite stressful and unpredictable. But what you can try to do is find a balance. Some suggestions if you choose to do more digging- meet with a life coach or read the book, What Color is Your Parachute. Meet with your academic advisor, volunteer or intern. If you are in the US, look at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website for salary and career outlook. And whenever possible, reach out and talk with people in the job (or field) you hope to have. This kind of knowledge is invaluable. Good luck on your journey! Know that you may always hit pause and re-evaluate your choices. Be open to the unexpected and learn from all your failures and your wins in life. Both are equally useful; this is a perspective that will serve you well (I swear)!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. The most important is to find a career you have interest. If you have interest, you can do it good and can warm substantial income.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out 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 counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Loveth’s Answer

Dear Jasmine, this I will call The age-old debate!

While financial stability is important, it is also important to know that pursuing a career you love can lead to:

- Greater job satisfaction
- Increased motivation
- Better mental health
- Stronger work ethic
- More creativity
- Improved overall well-being

That being said, it's also important to consider your financial needs and responsibilities. Here are some potential options to consider:

- *Find a balance*: Explore careers that align with your passions and offer fair compensation.
- *Start small*: Pursue your dream career, even if it means starting at a lower salary, and work your way up.
- *Supplement with a side hustle*: Engage in a passion project or freelancing to complement your primary income source.
- *Invest in yourself*: Develop skills to boost your earning potential in your desired field.

Remember, success is not solely defined by money. Prioritize your happiness, growth, and fulfillment – and find ways to make a living that aligns with your values and passions!

Good luck 👍🏾
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Jasmine !

Choosing a career is a personal decision that one makes based on life experience and decisions one makes about how they want to spend their life and how they want to contribute and participate in their community and the world. It's great to obtain some advice about this and it's never too early to start exploring careers. How a persons' career goes is so variable and conditional and also reflective of choices they make, so particular fields of work are not good or bad, just individual to the person.

There is employment that pays well that people wholeheartedly enjoy and love. Then there are jobs that pay well which are boring, alienating and the only motivation is the money. You can also choose a career that pays poorly but your whole heart, mind and body are totally dedicated to it and keeps you very fulfilled. No matter which one a person chooses, there are always additional ways to earn more money and additional ways to be involved with their passion subject even if it doesn't pay or pay well. People usually make a decision between the two options you've asked about based on what is happening in their lives at the time. That is one of the conditions.

A well-paying job that you're not interested in that pays well can actually be okay if the rapport at work is great and you have an excellent manager. So many things go into a career or a job or working, it's not so predictable or definite no matter what a person chooses. When it comes to the money, people are able to accept or reject the job if they do not like the salary. Bottom line is that people should spend their days doing what they love and if they don't work at their passion, find something outside of work that they are passionate about. No one wants to spend their lives miserable and without financial support, so people usually come to a resolve about this and it can be different at various times of your life, too. It doesn't always stay the same.

Engaged in two careers at various times, I chose two careers that I love and actually at various times, it paid very well. I can tell you that no matter what you choose, you will always be able to support yourself as there are many options around doing what you love and enjoying your day to day life.
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Jasmine,

Choosing between a career you love and one that makes more money is a common dilemma, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Here are some factors to consider that might help you make your decision:

Choosing a Career You Love

Pros:
1. Job Satisfaction: You're more likely to enjoy your work and feel fulfilled.
2. Motivation: Passion can drive you to excel and continue learning and growing in your field.
3. Happiness: A job you love can contribute to overall life satisfaction and well-being.
4. Less Stress: When you enjoy what you do, work-related stress might feel more manageable.

Cons:
1. Income: Sometimes, careers driven by passion might not pay as well as other fields.
2. Job Availability: Your dream job might have limited opportunities or be highly competitive.

Choosing a Career for Money

Pros:
1. Financial Stability: Higher income can provide financial security and the ability to afford a comfortable lifestyle.
2. Opportunities: Some high-paying careers offer significant growth opportunities and benefits.
3. Flexibility: With more money, you might have the flexibility to pursue hobbies and interests outside of work.

Cons:
1. Job Dissatisfaction: If you don't enjoy your work, you might feel unfulfilled despite the higher income.
2. Burnout: Working in a high-paying but stressful job can lead to burnout and negatively impact your mental and physical health.
3. Lack of Motivation: Without passion for your work, you might find it hard to stay motivated and engaged.

Finding a Balance

- Hybrid Approach: Look for a career that balances both passion and income. Sometimes, you can find a middle ground where you enjoy your work and still earn a good living.
- Long-Term Strategy: Consider starting in a higher-paying job to build financial stability, and then transition to a field you’re passionate about once you’re more financially secure.
- Side Hustles: Pursue your passion as a side project or hobby while working in a higher-paying job.

Personal Reflection

Given your varied interests and career plans, reflect on what aspects of work and life are most important to you. You might find that your interests in anatomy, psychology, and possibly veterinary work align with both personal fulfillment and financial stability in different ways. Think about what kind of daily work activities you enjoy, the lifestyle you envision, and how different career paths align with these aspects. Ultimately, the best choice is personal and depends on what will bring you the most satisfaction and happiness in the long run.

Best wishes.
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Karen’s Answer

A career that you love will bring you gratification and much more happiness. Money may provide for necessary items or put you in a position where you feel a need to purchase things you don't need.

At the end of your life I believe you will smile more if you choose doing what makes you happy.

With every good wish.
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Alyssa’s Answer

Securing a substantial income can empower you to grow on both personal and professional fronts. On a personal level, commanding a salary higher than the average ensures that you can comfortably meet your basic necessities, while also having sufficient funds for leisure activities such as travelling and entertainment. Additionally, it enables you to extend a helping hand to others.
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