I do not think the education system or the unprivileged upbringings of the vast majority of people afford them even a remote chance to know what rewarding jobs exist out there. I love my work. And I made a lot to of money doing it after becoming an expert. But I never would have predicted this job for myself. I needed to have work experience first. And I needed to do some work I hated first. Only then did I have context to choose a better path. I agree that you should keep your eyes out for a job that can brings bliss, once you pay the bills of course. But it's not easy to find or at all predictable for most of us. You need to keep an open mind and look and learn from your coworkers, especially the managers and owners. So it may be prudent to take that first crap job with the mindset that you will use it as a springboard for future success..for future bliss.
103
Sadly, even if you are damned good at what you do, and passionate, at 50, anything can happen. I had a dream job -- and was just laid off. Again. I kept telling my people to read, read, read. Knowledge is power in our field. And if you are curious and can keep up with everything out there, there will always be room for you at the table.
As for me, I have to keep reminding myself it isn't personal. It's about the whole dynamic. It's about budgets. Money. Ambitions of those above you. There are people who are less skilled but more political, there are those who know how to make it look like they know what they are doing using "corporate speak" but true passion, true knowledge, isn't hoarded. True leaders share their knowledge and are rewarded with people who work WITH them to achieve goals not FOR them. I have been very lucky to be in this position more than once, and I know I will find my way again, but damn it this doesn't just knock the wind right out of your sails.
As for me, I have to keep reminding myself it isn't personal. It's about the whole dynamic. It's about budgets. Money. Ambitions of those above you. There are people who are less skilled but more political, there are those who know how to make it look like they know what they are doing using "corporate speak" but true passion, true knowledge, isn't hoarded. True leaders share their knowledge and are rewarded with people who work WITH them to achieve goals not FOR them. I have been very lucky to be in this position more than once, and I know I will find my way again, but damn it this doesn't just knock the wind right out of your sails.
204
There's a difference between a job and a hobby. They pay you because you wouldn't do it otherwise.
62
The problem with this article is the word "love". That's totally the wrong word for issue.
I think the better word is "satisfying", "challenging" or "full filling". Work stinks. The only reason we do it is because we have to to pay for the things we need.
To that end, finding work that is personally satisfying, challenging or fulling enough to put in the time to develop expertise and make it one's career/meal ticket is the issue.
Love has nothing to do with it and suggesting so is crap - that's why it's called work.
I think the better word is "satisfying", "challenging" or "full filling". Work stinks. The only reason we do it is because we have to to pay for the things we need.
To that end, finding work that is personally satisfying, challenging or fulling enough to put in the time to develop expertise and make it one's career/meal ticket is the issue.
Love has nothing to do with it and suggesting so is crap - that's why it's called work.
95
A great article. I'd only like to add that being an expert is a life-long learning process, i.e. after becoming an expert in one area you have to deepen and broaden your expertise, otherwise one may end up being an expert designer of VCRs in 2016.
42
I don't know where the author has been working, but it's been my personal experience and observation that the lowest-paying jobs have the least autonomy, the least opportunity for advancement or acquiring an education, the least amount of workplace safety, the fewest benefits and bring the least amount of personal satisfaction and self-respect or the respect of other people. It's very hard to be happy as a clam at your job when you can't pay the rent, the utilities and the grocery bill out of your labor of love.
87
I respectfully disagree with this all-too-common advice, which I followed until my mid-30s. If I could go back to 22-year-old me, I would say: "Go forth and EARN."
You know why? Because working 40+ hours a week is really not that much fun. Even at a job you enjoy.
Plus, how can a 22 yo know what job they will love? Work isn't school. It's hard to know you'll love something you've never tried. Part of the path is trying new things.
I spent the first 10 years of my career in the nonprofit sector, doing work I felt great about. But despite believing in the value of what I did, working just kind of sucks. There's always office politics; there's always that mean coworker or boss; there's always egos and nonsense. Always. Loving the content of your job is not enough.
Also, as I began to run the numbers on retirement, I saw I'd never have anything like financial security if I stayed in the nonprofit sector. Literally never. Not at 50, or 60 or 70: never. And that is the problem with most passion jobs. Do you really love it enough to spend your old age in fear of poverty & illness? To never own a home?
So now I work for a large corporation at a job that is intrinsically meaningless. I make several times what I made in the nonprofit sector, and in 3 years I've saved as much as I would have saved in 30 at my nonprofit job.
In another few years, I'll have saved enough to do what I really want to do: whatever the heck I want.
I just wish I'd started down this path at 22.
You know why? Because working 40+ hours a week is really not that much fun. Even at a job you enjoy.
Plus, how can a 22 yo know what job they will love? Work isn't school. It's hard to know you'll love something you've never tried. Part of the path is trying new things.
I spent the first 10 years of my career in the nonprofit sector, doing work I felt great about. But despite believing in the value of what I did, working just kind of sucks. There's always office politics; there's always that mean coworker or boss; there's always egos and nonsense. Always. Loving the content of your job is not enough.
Also, as I began to run the numbers on retirement, I saw I'd never have anything like financial security if I stayed in the nonprofit sector. Literally never. Not at 50, or 60 or 70: never. And that is the problem with most passion jobs. Do you really love it enough to spend your old age in fear of poverty & illness? To never own a home?
So now I work for a large corporation at a job that is intrinsically meaningless. I make several times what I made in the nonprofit sector, and in 3 years I've saved as much as I would have saved in 30 at my nonprofit job.
In another few years, I'll have saved enough to do what I really want to do: whatever the heck I want.
I just wish I'd started down this path at 22.
277
Sorry to sound snarky, but this kind of analysis contributes a lot to giving social science a bad name. Good work by multiple commenters in pointing out the many weaknesses of this article.
31
I guess I've been very lucky. The best job managing artists, and also making enough money to never have to worry. That's about as good as it gets.
15
Your example of the salary premium for working in a tobacco company nicely illustrates why more people work in the corporate world rather than for NGOs or for other worthy low-income jobs. I'd love to know how many of the Cornell graduates took higher-paying jobs they're not crazy about just to pay off their student loans.
22
V. Woolf made the case for women needing income and space in order to fulfill their potential, but the point applies to everyone.
Folks earning below $50K struggle in the USA. From $50K - $5million there's no increase in reported happiness.
Hit the stability threshold then follow your bliss. Service to others is often a rewarding factor.
Folks earning below $50K struggle in the USA. From $50K - $5million there's no increase in reported happiness.
Hit the stability threshold then follow your bliss. Service to others is often a rewarding factor.
20
Research has shown if you do what you love the money will follow. And this is true because you are happy.
5
I earned an advanced degree in a fairly specialized field. A few months before graduation, I realized that my career choice was likely a bad mistake. Turns out I was right: I hated my first job. And my second. my third, and my fourth. But my fifth? Love it! Same field, even the same employer. What saved my bacon is that I worked for a large company with multiple sites - each a little different than the others (bosses, work culture etc.) I had opportunities to move around without risking seniority or salary. I am so grateful it worked out for me.
32
Wow, so many cynics out there! When I was graduating from college, a family member advised me to "do what you love and the money will follow." For me that was writing. My goal was to find a job at which my primary duty would be writing and that would pay a decent wage. This advice served me very well. I worked hard in a variety of roles (technical writer, freelance journalist, copy editor). Sometimes the work was tedious and sometimes I compromised (like doing tech writing when my kids were young because it paid well and is very flexible). Today I have a well paid job that is 50-75% writing. I experience "flow" several times a week. I look forward to coming into work each day. So in my experience, it is possible.
44
I was fortunate enough to find 2 jobs I loved. or, to be accurate, which I enjoyed about 85% of the time. Both were in communications, first as the program manager at our local public TV station (buying shows and scheduling them). The second was being the web manager for my county government, in California. Neither job was perfect and both were modestly paid - I would have earned much more either in commercial TV or in web work in the private sector. Yet these jobs enabled me to provide useful, educational, sometimes entertaining information to my greater community residents which could improve their lives. I lived well below my means, saved a big chunk of my (modest) salary and retired early. And my husband and I chose not to hhave children. I count myself both lucky and wise to choose job satisfaction over advancement, despite several opportunities, in both jobs. It's wonderful to wake up daily eager to get back to work!
22
I was supposed to be a scientist. But life had other plans. Worked at menial jobs like delivering 400 newspapers a week on a bike starting at age 11 and ramped up to 20 hrs a week throughout high school and college. But work got more interesting, and I created my own science projects in my job, whether helping customers, making processes more effective or traveling around the country and world, absorbing new ideas and perspectives.
The world is a pretty fascinating place, if you just look around a little and try to understand things on a different plane. You might discover both your own value and your limitations, how your boss thinks and her boss, whether your job or your organization has a future and how to best prepare for the next step.
"Loving your work" doesn't adequately describe my day to day experience. But the hardest times were often the most valuable in the long run, like trying to collect $0.35 a week from 70 often forgetful newspaper customers to pay for the papers. Or trying to help an angry customer with a mysterious problem with a brand new $150,000 machine that could ruin his livelihood.
Work can have its own rewards, beyond pay or promotions or acclaim. Sometimes its satisfying a curiosity and sometimes just getting something done. But the curiosity thing usually pays the best in the long run.
The world is a pretty fascinating place, if you just look around a little and try to understand things on a different plane. You might discover both your own value and your limitations, how your boss thinks and her boss, whether your job or your organization has a future and how to best prepare for the next step.
"Loving your work" doesn't adequately describe my day to day experience. But the hardest times were often the most valuable in the long run, like trying to collect $0.35 a week from 70 often forgetful newspaper customers to pay for the papers. Or trying to help an angry customer with a mysterious problem with a brand new $150,000 machine that could ruin his livelihood.
Work can have its own rewards, beyond pay or promotions or acclaim. Sometimes its satisfying a curiosity and sometimes just getting something done. But the curiosity thing usually pays the best in the long run.
34
Couldn't agree more. Maintaining a curious demeanor is the key to uncovering the secrets of the world and filling each day with pleasant surprises. I'm not saving lives but I'm constantly seeking to know more. The more I learn the more I realize I know so little... And it makes the day to day all that much wondrous.
23
Social science findings establish clearly that if you concentrate on social science because that's what love, you will find that you have little chance of living a very satisfying life because you won't earn enough to meet your basic obligations. Especially if those obligations include children.
Social science findings establish clearly that social scientists who are university professors now are the luckiest social scientists who have ever lived, and that their careers will not be re-experienced by the PhD graduates they knowingly over-produce.
Social scientists have difficulty understanding why hundreds of millions of people in wealthy countries have jobs that they consider soul crushing. Non-social scientists have determined that social scientists are confused about the real opportunities available to people who are not social scientists who were awarded tenure between 1960 and 1990, or severely underestimate the ability of people to make important life choices.
Social science findings establish clearly that social scientists who are university professors now are the luckiest social scientists who have ever lived, and that their careers will not be re-experienced by the PhD graduates they knowingly over-produce.
Social scientists have difficulty understanding why hundreds of millions of people in wealthy countries have jobs that they consider soul crushing. Non-social scientists have determined that social scientists are confused about the real opportunities available to people who are not social scientists who were awarded tenure between 1960 and 1990, or severely underestimate the ability of people to make important life choices.
134
I spent 11 years at universities. 5 majors in 4 years as an undergrad, phd in cognitive psychology, degree in law from UMich. Here are the facts I see:
There are huge numbers of people who would love to be teachers of humanities, who would love to be journalists. And today people who'd love to do work related to their phd that they were told would be the path to doing what they love, but they find that they're shut out of these positions.
It's no longer a matter of pay. It that there are not enough jobs in many fields. This is true even for the science and tech areas we supposedly need so many talented minds to work on. People spend 6 years on a phd, 4-6 as a post-doc, and a small percentage of them get jobs as researchers, the jobs they were trained for, told they would get, told they were needed for.
There really are millions of people who would be great at jobs involving research, teaching, or writing about subjects they are passionate about, but the jobs are not there.
So let's stop with this "find what you love" nonsense. It may have been true for a few decades between the golden age of state-funded universities and the outsource-and-automate era we're in now, but we're in an outsource-and-automate era now. Or deteriorate, like our infrastructure.
This is a time when convincing yourself you like writing ads because at least you're writing something isn't going to last as a career. Car sales because you like to talk, no. Bottom line: soul-crushing regardless of pay.
There are huge numbers of people who would love to be teachers of humanities, who would love to be journalists. And today people who'd love to do work related to their phd that they were told would be the path to doing what they love, but they find that they're shut out of these positions.
It's no longer a matter of pay. It that there are not enough jobs in many fields. This is true even for the science and tech areas we supposedly need so many talented minds to work on. People spend 6 years on a phd, 4-6 as a post-doc, and a small percentage of them get jobs as researchers, the jobs they were trained for, told they would get, told they were needed for.
There really are millions of people who would be great at jobs involving research, teaching, or writing about subjects they are passionate about, but the jobs are not there.
So let's stop with this "find what you love" nonsense. It may have been true for a few decades between the golden age of state-funded universities and the outsource-and-automate era we're in now, but we're in an outsource-and-automate era now. Or deteriorate, like our infrastructure.
This is a time when convincing yourself you like writing ads because at least you're writing something isn't going to last as a career. Car sales because you like to talk, no. Bottom line: soul-crushing regardless of pay.
115
While I understand the aim of this article, and it is hardly a new message, it poses a dilemma.
In the real world, the wealthy portion of the real world, most people must be extremely confused about what they want out of life, or most people must not have something that pays the bills and that they love to do.
Realistically, Americans do spend enough hours to become experts at certain things by the time they reach young adulthood. Millions upon millions of people have devoted thousands and thousands of hours watching movies and television. We love it, we're great at it. It's what we do when we get home from work. It's what we do when we think we can get away with it while we're at work.
There are virtually no jobs doing this.
The same is true for playing video games, for having interesting (to you) discussions with friends, listening to music, playing sports.
Even if you turn it around and are one of the people who tries to create these things, your survival prospects are low.
The fact is that most people will find it impossible to have what they think is a decent standard of living without the jobs they don't really like. These jobs involve dealing with information, words or numbers, arranging them into certain formats, about things we don't really care about.
Alternatively, we move objects about spaces, things we don't really care about.
In many cases, these unliked jobs don't pay very much. But they exist and we have to do them. End part 1.
In the real world, the wealthy portion of the real world, most people must be extremely confused about what they want out of life, or most people must not have something that pays the bills and that they love to do.
Realistically, Americans do spend enough hours to become experts at certain things by the time they reach young adulthood. Millions upon millions of people have devoted thousands and thousands of hours watching movies and television. We love it, we're great at it. It's what we do when we get home from work. It's what we do when we think we can get away with it while we're at work.
There are virtually no jobs doing this.
The same is true for playing video games, for having interesting (to you) discussions with friends, listening to music, playing sports.
Even if you turn it around and are one of the people who tries to create these things, your survival prospects are low.
The fact is that most people will find it impossible to have what they think is a decent standard of living without the jobs they don't really like. These jobs involve dealing with information, words or numbers, arranging them into certain formats, about things we don't really care about.
Alternatively, we move objects about spaces, things we don't really care about.
In many cases, these unliked jobs don't pay very much. But they exist and we have to do them. End part 1.
49
Having obtained an M.D., I dropped out of clinical medicine after about 15 years of pathology practice. I became a medicolegal claims professional managing malpractice claims. My job was a balance of business, medicine and law. It was the most meaningful profession of my life and the "flow" state became a frequent friend of mine in my nearly 30 years of claims practice. I never regretted the move and no physician I met with a claim was ever surprised I had made the change. Thank God for large favors.
33
This was a mundane topic that meant well. However, I'm really glad the group gave the article the reality check that not only the author needed but also that college aged students need to hear at least once when they decide on a program of study. I really wished someone would have sat me down to look at high demand growth sectors such as medicine/medical/pharmacy/professional sectors, accounting/finance, perhaps engineering as well at the beginning. Discuss what are potentially highly rewarded areas and then ask where students feel they fit best. While its great that we're putting self interests first, it wont matter if graduates will have limited job prospects after graduation....I'm in my 30s and was lucky to wander into medicine early on and now am an employed physician helping people. What fields should we also suggest to students that can be rewarding on multiple layers?
26
This is very thought-provoking article, and quite timely as well, as it revolves around a topic my friends and I have been discussing lately. We are all recently graduated from college, and have gone down various paths - some to graduate school, some to service organizations like TFA or AmeriCorps, others exploring the world and working odd jobs to fund their way, and then those like me, who recruited for corporate jobs during school and are now working at various big companies. I suppose it is us in this last group that are currently pulling in the biggest wages, but I wouldn't necessarily say that we are the "happiest," far from it. Happiness, as this article discusses, is derived from a wide variety of sources, work fulfillment an important one. I don't know that I am fulfilled in my work, but appreciate the mental peace granted by the compensation, and hope to find fulfillment in other venues outside of work, be it friends, family, and hobbies and interests nurtured after hours. I don't know how this will work in the long term, but I'm hopeful!
21
This article really spoke to me. I just left a job that paid well but would not allow me to explore my passions as deeply as I would have liked. I found a similar position with less pay but with greater autonomy, better benefits, and an organizational mission that I could suport. My happiness has increased dramatically, even with the stress of moving and everything that comes with it. I would not have accepted the position if the salary wasn't competitive. Yet I am glad that salary was not my bottom line.
21
Apart from the fundamental problem that the vast majority of people do not have the leisure to hold out for a job they love to do, Robert Half covered this ground decades ago.
The rise of Donald Trump is testimony to what happens when we (the elites) ignore the reality of most people's work lives.
This is Robert Half's formula:
1. Make a list of things for which people are reasonably well paid.
2. Pick something you really want to do.
3. Become very good at it.
It would seem that Professor Frank didn't do enough research on this topic before beginning with Half's #2 criterion.
The rise of Donald Trump is testimony to what happens when we (the elites) ignore the reality of most people's work lives.
This is Robert Half's formula:
1. Make a list of things for which people are reasonably well paid.
2. Pick something you really want to do.
3. Become very good at it.
It would seem that Professor Frank didn't do enough research on this topic before beginning with Half's #2 criterion.
37
Stuck in a job that pays extremely well but that I loathe, I envy those that tell me they love their jobs.
Kudos to them, and to the rest of us whom toil away for family, regardless.
Kudos to them, and to the rest of us whom toil away for family, regardless.
41
This all seems a little obvious. If somebody needs this guidance, I'm not sure I want to hire them.
6
I take the view that we are all born ignorant and in need of learning everything; some where and some time.
If you, FH, are only hiring experienced people, then you are correct. You should not hire them. This article and the people who need this advice are not for you.
But that doesn't mean the advice isn't useful to many people.
If you, FH, are only hiring experienced people, then you are correct. You should not hire them. This article and the people who need this advice are not for you.
But that doesn't mean the advice isn't useful to many people.
20
My addition: if you are able to identify a field you think you will like, look for employee-owned companies. Publicly held companies are regulated enough, in ways that don't always make true sense, to suck all the pleasure out of what you can do in your role. Closely held and privately owned companies can be a crap shoot too, depending how the owners feel about the lives of their employees compared to what their own financial objectives are. But ESOPs have a very different dynamic, and if you're in step with the mission, they can be amazing.
Any job, ultimately, is only as much as you're willing to make of it. Cream rises. Do everything in your power to support the vision, and you will find satisfaction.
Any job, ultimately, is only as much as you're willing to make of it. Cream rises. Do everything in your power to support the vision, and you will find satisfaction.
12
Based on the comments,many readers think the takeaway in this pice is : work only in a job you love, salary be dam-Ed. But the author notes that "satisfaction alone won’t pay the rent" And as for following one's passions and skills ". You’ll be more likely to land a job that offers attractive working conditions and pays well if you can develop deep expertise at a task that people value highly".
In other words:
1. Get a job thst covers your living expenses.
2. Become an expert at something you love
3. And if you want to be paid well for what you enjoy doing gain expertise in what people value highly.
In other words:
1. Get a job thst covers your living expenses.
2. Become an expert at something you love
3. And if you want to be paid well for what you enjoy doing gain expertise in what people value highly.
18
Even if you're lucky enough to do what you love you still work because you need a job. Can't separate that fact. You do what you must.
12
This is one of those articles that states the obvious in a tone as if no one had ever thought of it before. OF COURSE we would all love to be spending most of our lives following our true passions in life. However, as we all know (although apparently a big surprise to the writer of this article) it is often very difficult to earn a living and survive doing that. Even if you are good at that particular passion. The boring truth is that most of us, unless we are very lucky, have to balance the financial realities of surviving with whatever time and energy we have left to devote to what we truly are interested in. Again, I think we all knew that already. This disconnect-from-reality suggestion that somehow we all can just simply CHOOSE what to do is mind-boggling. Life is infinitely more complicated than that.
41
Almost all the commentators have missed the main point of the article- if you don't love an activity it is unlikely you will put in the time to become highly skilled and thus be able to earn a good income.
90
The trend in, at least, the American economy is for jobs that pay less and less.
No matter how good you become at making hamburgers at McDonalds, you will never be well paid.
For those who have the luxury of choosing their work - This is Robert Half's formula:
1. Make a list of things for which people are reasonably well paid.
2. Pick something you really want to do.
3. Become very good at it.
No matter how good you become at making hamburgers at McDonalds, you will never be well paid.
For those who have the luxury of choosing their work - This is Robert Half's formula:
1. Make a list of things for which people are reasonably well paid.
2. Pick something you really want to do.
3. Become very good at it.
11
That point- is a good one, and very valid, and one that the author makes. But his primary one - as in the title - is simply about the value of doing a job you love. Which. is i)trite/old; ii) real life is way more complicated, and far more factors are involved, so advice can be either meaningless or misleading.
I love the way you put it though!
http://whartonmagazine.com/blogs/dear-graduates-of-the-class-of-2016-its...
I love the way you put it though!
http://whartonmagazine.com/blogs/dear-graduates-of-the-class-of-2016-its...
Don't most people hate their jobs and find them soul-crushing? I'm sure this article is right that finding a worthwhile job is better than lots of cash, but most people I know are miserable at work, whether paid a lot or a little. It doesn't seem so easy to find rewarding work.
23
Some comments suggest that the main points of the article are missed. The message is that IF you can do what you love, you are more fortunate than most people in the world. But you can't ignore the need to have basic needs met. As the article correctly, states, research does support the idea that at a certain point, when needs are met, more money does not bring more happiness. I am one of the fortunate ones to have a job I love and it took me years to develop the expertise I needed to be successful. I was lucky to have the support of my family in those lean times of training and I did not start to earn a decent salary until my 40s. So I definitely have catching up to do for retirement, but I wouldn't change a thing. To me this article does not give unrealistic advice; as with anything, finding the balance between pragmatism and following your "bliss" is the key.
14
I would love to hear what you do :) I live in SF (home of tech/start-ups) and work at one currently. I have to give props to the author for a well written article backed by more interesting links/research, far above the average, and one that spurred intelligent and invested comments.
2
There COULD have been an interesting point to this provocative article -- for instance, a discussion of what JK Galbraith termed the two basic types of jobs in "the Affluent Society": 1) jobs that people have to pay their bills but which they'd quit if they got rich; and 2) avocational jobs that people would keep, even if rich, since they're essentially doing what they like. Not many of the latter jobs, and hard to come by...
But all that's here is urging people to "do something worthwhile" is kind of obvious, no?
But all that's here is urging people to "do something worthwhile" is kind of obvious, no?
14
You might be surprised at how many people don't care if what they do is of value to others or not. They just want to do the job in a permanent fog and get paid.
Enjoyment is what you get outside work.
Enjoyment is what you get outside work.
11
As I was figuring out what career path I wanted to follow, I found it helpful to pay attention not just to what I loved but also to what I hated. For a while, I trained in a field in which I was reasonably competent but really, really disliked the work. I decided that even though that might have led to a "good" job by external standards, I would miss out on a lot of happiness by spending years at a job I couldn't stand.
Today I have a job I love. Of course it sometimes feels like work, but every day I get paid to do things I enjoy. Maybe I could have made more money by following my prior career path, but for me, the difference wouldn't have been worth it. I also don't feel the need to stake my happiness on the possibility of early retirement because when I get to the office in the morning, I'm happy to be there.
It's not easy to find the sweet spot that balances "love it" and "good job." However, unlike some of the rather jaded-sounding people who have commented on this story, I definitely think it's worth encouraging people to try. Many of the naysayers appear never to have succeeded in a job they loved -- and they're not the folks who can best judge whether such success feels worthwhile when you do achieve it.
Today I have a job I love. Of course it sometimes feels like work, but every day I get paid to do things I enjoy. Maybe I could have made more money by following my prior career path, but for me, the difference wouldn't have been worth it. I also don't feel the need to stake my happiness on the possibility of early retirement because when I get to the office in the morning, I'm happy to be there.
It's not easy to find the sweet spot that balances "love it" and "good job." However, unlike some of the rather jaded-sounding people who have commented on this story, I definitely think it's worth encouraging people to try. Many of the naysayers appear never to have succeeded in a job they loved -- and they're not the folks who can best judge whether such success feels worthwhile when you do achieve it.
13
I don't have a job I currently love, but I agree. I think if you are fortunate enough to be middle class, you can find a job you love, and my general question is i'd love to hear more from people like you :) people who have found it. may i ask what you do? I currently do sales and a start up and have been trying to solve this problem for myself for more than a few years.
3
Only a college professor in an ivory tower could have written something so out of touch with reality. Yes, of course, we all want jobs that play to our skill sets, which is how we come to like or 'love' a job. But is the professor aware that most of us have lives outside of work? Many of us are public speakers, artists, musicians, life coaches, volunteers, board members, etc. The message should be - support yourself, first and foremost, with something that plays to your skills and takes 40 hours of your time a week (and less if you can swing it). If one ok job pays more than another ok job, you'd have to be pretty foolish not to take the higher paying ok job.
The professor doesn't understand that non-college-professors, who make up 99.9999 percent of the working population, consider their real lives different from their work lives. Einstein took a job at the patent office, he said, because the stress was low and he didn't have to think too hard. This gave him time to do his his 'real' work when he left the office. Who doesn't know about this concept?
The professor doesn't understand that non-college-professors, who make up 99.9999 percent of the working population, consider their real lives different from their work lives. Einstein took a job at the patent office, he said, because the stress was low and he didn't have to think too hard. This gave him time to do his his 'real' work when he left the office. Who doesn't know about this concept?
48
@dga: The thing I find even funnier about what he wrote is that there are many thousands of people in the US following Professor Frank's advice. They are doing something they love and many become very good at it - teaching college students. Alas, since colleges and universities around the US have decided to spend most of their money on sports, bureaucrats, and facilities, they save money by having very few tenure-track jobs. Many of their adjunct professors are on food stamps or working multiple jobs. Perhaps Professor Frank ought to increase the sum of happiness in the world by advocating for colleges and universities to stop getting by on the backs of adjunct professors and start offering decent jobs in college teaching again.
25
"When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money." -Oscar Wilde
369
And the rest of us discuss Oscar Wilde; which is far more interesting than money and an art-form in itself.
22
A lot of life is dumb luck. I had a childhood dream job that I forgot about as I went to school and grew older. Then, by hook or crook, I found myself living the dream. I'm not saying work was always a bed of roses; but, for most of my career (before technology took over), I would have done the job for nothing. The only bad thing, is that "time goes fast when you're having fun." Ever since I got that job, at thirty, it seems like my life has just whizzed by.
P.S. The very best jobs are union jobs. "Stand with your union and your union will stand with you!" It's soooo great knowing you can't be fired because somebody is having a bad day.
P.S. The very best jobs are union jobs. "Stand with your union and your union will stand with you!" It's soooo great knowing you can't be fired because somebody is having a bad day.
33
And then, there's 'smart luck.'
Find a place where good things are likely to happen.
Hand around there.
Bingo! You're in the right place at the right time!
It worked for me, rather often I'd say.
Find a place where good things are likely to happen.
Hand around there.
Bingo! You're in the right place at the right time!
It worked for me, rather often I'd say.
10
I am in my late 50's and left an engineering career after only 18 months. I hated it. Went back to school for an MA in theology, started my own greeting card business, and am now asuccessful entrepreneur with 4 employees. I love my work, the fact that what I do helps others, gives me freedom to set my own schedule...the list is endless. Yes, the first several years were lean, but we made a choice to d what we loved (my husband quit his engineering job and is an AP Physics teacher. We travel several times a month, either for work or pleasure, and have lives that would be impossible to have if we'd never quit our corporate jobs. Yes, we work hard, but we both love our work. I encourage anyone to take the risks we did when you're young, but with this caveat: Work hard, love what you do. The money will surely come if you can be one of the best in your field. The author's words are spot on! PS I'm female, and raising 3 children while building a business teaches wonderful values to your children.
19
Enjoy every single minute of your life. Learn from every single situation.
64
Yes!
Even if what you learn is what not to EVER do again!
Even if what you learn is what not to EVER do again!
10
Alot of posters here seem to have missed the point entirely, although the author mucked it up a bit with the tangent about housing. I think this is the truth of the matter (after 50 years in the workforce, a number of separate careers, jobs, & two professions requiring advanced training and certification): 1) one must pay one's bills, somehow, and it's very important that one not hate that process, whatever it involves; you find paid work that keeps the rent covered; and 2) one must, absolutely, be doing something one loves on a consistent basis; you may not make much money making music or reading stories to little underprivileged kids, but if you love doing it, you have to do it. The pay doesn't have to come from the work one loves, primarily, but that work-love must be a central part of one's life. More fundamental, I think it's all about meaning. You have to do something that is truly, on a soul-level, meaningful. The writer who suggested the question "who needs you?" I think meant something different, but the phrase captures it in another sense: you need to find out what you can do that fills somebody else's needs, that you also love to do just for the sake of doing it. If you have that, then the 20-40 hrs. or whatever you have to put in on the line to keep food in your belly will probably be OK. And so will the other aspects of your life. If you have to live in a big house, drive a beemer, the whole trip--well, that's on you.
72
skweebynut: My question "Who needs you"? was meant in the work sense, whether employed or as an entrepreneur-owner. Your additional sense was a great expansion on my meaning. Thank you.
One issue about meaning is that many, if not most, folks don't know what "meaning" is. A great teacher of mine, a mining engineer from South Africa and consummate philosopher (unfortunately deceased), taught that "Meaning is Difference". That is, the meaning of a person or a thing, in the present context, right now, is the Difference they or it make. A human longs to be a meaning-maker, to make a difference. That's the soul level you wrote of, imho. And, I believe, it is the central issue that is lacking in our society and that leads to the anger and violence. People feel robbed of the ability to make meaning, not realizing that every moment is freighted with opportunity to make a difference. If you are able to make a difference, you will find yourself "in love" with doing that.
One issue about meaning is that many, if not most, folks don't know what "meaning" is. A great teacher of mine, a mining engineer from South Africa and consummate philosopher (unfortunately deceased), taught that "Meaning is Difference". That is, the meaning of a person or a thing, in the present context, right now, is the Difference they or it make. A human longs to be a meaning-maker, to make a difference. That's the soul level you wrote of, imho. And, I believe, it is the central issue that is lacking in our society and that leads to the anger and violence. People feel robbed of the ability to make meaning, not realizing that every moment is freighted with opportunity to make a difference. If you are able to make a difference, you will find yourself "in love" with doing that.
5
You may be fortunate enough to find a job you love. However, sooner or later you will get a new boss. If you happen to get a lousy boss, your "wonderful" job will go south in a hurry. I think the best thing to do is save and invest so that you can be financially independent. It takes a while, but it is worth the effort.
21
Professor Frank is insulated from today's challenges. The economy has radically changed in the past 30 years and "doing what you love" is (sadly) no longer good advice. There are not that many good jobs out there and the global competition is fierce. And I say this as a person who currently has an amazing work situation with a decent degree of job satisfaction. But I'm not blind to what is happening around me.
I'm not saying the job market was ever easy, but it was more doable. Jobs used to be more plentiful so there was a fall back if you didn't succeed at your first choice. It was possible to support yourself. Now...I won't say it's impossible but it's way more difficult. You really need to develop a plan and revise as needed.
IMO, "do what you love" is advice for the moneyed class who will be supported by either their parents or a trust fund. I used to come across these people all the time when I lived in NYC. I also came across a small percentage of strivers who worked day and night to make their dreams come true. But perhaps 5% of the population are people who are so focused that they will get 4-5 hours of sleep per night for many years to achieve their dreams. Because, sadly, that's the level of motivation that's needed today (in the US) to create or find a work situation that goes beyond the daily grind.
I don't discourage young people from "doing what they love" but that phrase needs to be translated into something practical depending upon a person's resources.
I'm not saying the job market was ever easy, but it was more doable. Jobs used to be more plentiful so there was a fall back if you didn't succeed at your first choice. It was possible to support yourself. Now...I won't say it's impossible but it's way more difficult. You really need to develop a plan and revise as needed.
IMO, "do what you love" is advice for the moneyed class who will be supported by either their parents or a trust fund. I used to come across these people all the time when I lived in NYC. I also came across a small percentage of strivers who worked day and night to make their dreams come true. But perhaps 5% of the population are people who are so focused that they will get 4-5 hours of sleep per night for many years to achieve their dreams. Because, sadly, that's the level of motivation that's needed today (in the US) to create or find a work situation that goes beyond the daily grind.
I don't discourage young people from "doing what they love" but that phrase needs to be translated into something practical depending upon a person's resources.
36
I must be older than you are.
For me, at least, the job market was once rich with openings for what I was doing. I was doing the software side of big mainframe computer systems.
Of course, faced with a huge shortage of people like me, the computer industry made my job easier and easier which increased the supply of sufficiently able people.
It was sure fun while it lasted! I got out just in time.
For me, at least, the job market was once rich with openings for what I was doing. I was doing the software side of big mainframe computer systems.
Of course, faced with a huge shortage of people like me, the computer industry made my job easier and easier which increased the supply of sufficiently able people.
It was sure fun while it lasted! I got out just in time.
4
I love the sentiment of the commenters: the world needs ditch diggers too.
Look if we all could get paid well doing what we love, that would be terrific. I think the article is pointing out that what we enjoy doing should be part of how we evaluate difference careers and jobs -- in no small part because you will tend to be better at something you enjoy doing. And being better at something, all else being equal, means higher pay, less stress, more autonomy, etc. Ultimately the article is based on the notion that once survival needs are met, we are working for happiness so don't let your job stand in the way.
But there is no one-size-fits-all advice for everyone. It's undoubtedly true that if you made Jeff Bezos or Warren Buffet re-run his life over, there is a very very tiny chance they would become billionaires because so much random luck is involved every step of the way (not to say they wouldn't be rich or successful, just not the one-in-a-billion kind of rich).
Look if we all could get paid well doing what we love, that would be terrific. I think the article is pointing out that what we enjoy doing should be part of how we evaluate difference careers and jobs -- in no small part because you will tend to be better at something you enjoy doing. And being better at something, all else being equal, means higher pay, less stress, more autonomy, etc. Ultimately the article is based on the notion that once survival needs are met, we are working for happiness so don't let your job stand in the way.
But there is no one-size-fits-all advice for everyone. It's undoubtedly true that if you made Jeff Bezos or Warren Buffet re-run his life over, there is a very very tiny chance they would become billionaires because so much random luck is involved every step of the way (not to say they wouldn't be rich or successful, just not the one-in-a-billion kind of rich).
11
Yes, the world needs ditch diggers, but does that make you want to be one?
I like feeling 'needed' too, but not quite that way.
I like feeling 'needed' too, but not quite that way.
2
The luxury of considering this a conundrum places us somewhere between a delusion and an exclusively first world 'problem'.
4
There are many jobs that have to be done that are quite unpleasant. Nobody cleans out septic tanks or installs air-conditioning ducts for fun.
For this reason, the pay of these jobs can be quite high for the skill level. For people who need the money, it is quite a reasonable option.
For this reason, the pay of these jobs can be quite high for the skill level. For people who need the money, it is quite a reasonable option.
14
This does not seem like the best advice for post-recession America. I know many people who graduated from college determined to follow their passions and not "worry about the money." They then ended up being exploited by employers who didn't feel the need to pay such an overabundance of "passionate" people a living wage. Many are now retooling for second careers that may be less glamorous but are interesting, fulfilling, and provide a reliable paycheck. In the current economic environment, it's a considerable achievement just to have a staid, regular, full-time job that offers benefits and pays the bills.
Only a small percentage people will become highly-paid, top experts in their chosen creative domains. The advice offered here does not seem scalable to the population at large.
Only a small percentage people will become highly-paid, top experts in their chosen creative domains. The advice offered here does not seem scalable to the population at large.
28
I teach science and do research at a private mid-tier university. I interact with students between the ages of 18 to 30 all day, every day. I love what I do and where I do it. I don't get paid as much as public or elite university tenured science faculty. I don't care; the students make this job, and the effort required, worth every minute. There is no real $$$ price tag.
10
If you have job security, decent benefits and some ability to plan for retirement, then I'd say you have it made. If not, then your institution doesn't know how lucky they are to have you.
8
There are a few million people with PhDs who would love love love to be in your shoes.
"In the biomedical sciences, each available faculty position receives applications from hundreds or thousands of applicants"
"Since receiving my PhD in 2012, I left Chicago and moved to Boston for a post-doc, then in 2015 I left Boston for a second post-doc in Indiana. In a year or two, I will move again for a faculty job, and that's if I'm lucky."
"There is little incentive for universities to create jobs for their graduates or to cap the number of PhDs that are produced. Young researchers are highly trained but relatively inexpensive sources of labor for faculty."
"A 2015 study at the University of California Berkeley found that 47 percent of PhD students surveyed could be considered depressed."
See section 7:
http://www.vox.com/2016/7/14/12016710/science-challeges-research-funding...
"In the biomedical sciences, each available faculty position receives applications from hundreds or thousands of applicants"
"Since receiving my PhD in 2012, I left Chicago and moved to Boston for a post-doc, then in 2015 I left Boston for a second post-doc in Indiana. In a year or two, I will move again for a faculty job, and that's if I'm lucky."
"There is little incentive for universities to create jobs for their graduates or to cap the number of PhDs that are produced. Young researchers are highly trained but relatively inexpensive sources of labor for faculty."
"A 2015 study at the University of California Berkeley found that 47 percent of PhD students surveyed could be considered depressed."
See section 7:
http://www.vox.com/2016/7/14/12016710/science-challeges-research-funding...
10
In other words, assuming you can get a job that meets the minimal amount of money you need to live decently in a particular area of the country, if the job is fulfilling, you'll be reasonably happy. Now for the problem. Our country is not interested in paying people enough to meet their basic obligations. If you are over the age of 45 finding a new job even if you have one can be difficult. If you don't have one because you've been downsized due to cost or whatever the current excuse is, you can count on being unemployed for awhile since most businesses don't want to pay for experience.
At this point in my life, my late 50s, I'm tired of hearing how we need to increase the retirement age. It's hard enough finding a job when one is a new graduate, changed careers midstream, or older than 45. Since businesses are actively discriminating against anyone over the age of 45 perhaps we should offer anyone who cannot find a job after the age of 50 the option to retire with a decent pension, medicare, and social security. That would end the problems employers and job searchers have: no one over the age of 50 would bother to look for a job and employers wouldn't have to deal with anyone over the age of 50 who expects to be paid more than a starting salary for their experience.
I have been lucky in my work life. Most of the time I've felt like I was playing. However, office politics, the sheer stupidity that often passes for HR and management have made me wish I could retire.
At this point in my life, my late 50s, I'm tired of hearing how we need to increase the retirement age. It's hard enough finding a job when one is a new graduate, changed careers midstream, or older than 45. Since businesses are actively discriminating against anyone over the age of 45 perhaps we should offer anyone who cannot find a job after the age of 50 the option to retire with a decent pension, medicare, and social security. That would end the problems employers and job searchers have: no one over the age of 50 would bother to look for a job and employers wouldn't have to deal with anyone over the age of 50 who expects to be paid more than a starting salary for their experience.
I have been lucky in my work life. Most of the time I've felt like I was playing. However, office politics, the sheer stupidity that often passes for HR and management have made me wish I could retire.
142
Some fascinating comments already shared. While I currently am in a job I thoroughly enjoy and am well paid at, it took me a few decades to get here. I do think it is critically important to recognize that for personal happiness to be achieved, the bills have to be paid and a strong financial foundation needs to be built. Targeting a career doing something one loves sounds good but it can backfire if it doesn't provide the financial foundation needed for a family.
I recently was divorced and the family no longer exists in its former state. 95% of the reason was due to the financial stress involved in raising a family...A good chunk of this was due to my ex-wife's excessive graduate school debt and subsequent low-paying job due to her pursuit of a job she "loved". I am not blaming her (and I gave her the go ahead to pursue her dream), but rather trying to emphasize that financial matters need to be handled first for a marriage and family to thrive. Don't stick your head in the sand...The emergence of the Gig economy is going to create a lot of opportunities for young people to work in less stressful jobs...The question is whether this really will lead to long term happiness.
I recently was divorced and the family no longer exists in its former state. 95% of the reason was due to the financial stress involved in raising a family...A good chunk of this was due to my ex-wife's excessive graduate school debt and subsequent low-paying job due to her pursuit of a job she "loved". I am not blaming her (and I gave her the go ahead to pursue her dream), but rather trying to emphasize that financial matters need to be handled first for a marriage and family to thrive. Don't stick your head in the sand...The emergence of the Gig economy is going to create a lot of opportunities for young people to work in less stressful jobs...The question is whether this really will lead to long term happiness.
47
People have different priorities.
Right now my priorities are to find a part time job that will help me with some money while I finish up school. I'm not worried about rent and food because I live with my parents at this time. My second objective here is for the job to offer something valuable to me besides money. I'm interested in fashion for personal reasons so I am looking for work in a clothing store because I think I will learn more about mens fashion this way.
Next year, my priority will be a job that will pay enough for me to pay rent and food and other costs of living.
The year after that my priority will remain the same, but I will add on the addition of a job that will be outside of the US because I want to live abroad for some time.
Nowhere in my thoughts do I even consider that I should love my job. But I do think that I shouldn't hate it, nor my life because of it.
Right now my priorities are to find a part time job that will help me with some money while I finish up school. I'm not worried about rent and food because I live with my parents at this time. My second objective here is for the job to offer something valuable to me besides money. I'm interested in fashion for personal reasons so I am looking for work in a clothing store because I think I will learn more about mens fashion this way.
Next year, my priority will be a job that will pay enough for me to pay rent and food and other costs of living.
The year after that my priority will remain the same, but I will add on the addition of a job that will be outside of the US because I want to live abroad for some time.
Nowhere in my thoughts do I even consider that I should love my job. But I do think that I shouldn't hate it, nor my life because of it.
7
The true expert is not the man who has earned his certifications, but the man who creates the knowledge that society deems worthy of a certificate.
The certificate simply gives you entry to the craft. Expertise is attained much, much later.
The certificate simply gives you entry to the craft. Expertise is attained much, much later.
11
I see a lot of commenters either didn't read to the last paragraph or missed the points of the article. The points are that once you have sufficient income to take care of your basic needs and you have the chance to get another job that gives greater satisfaction take it. If you have the chance to take another job that may pay less and still will provide you sufficient income but provides you with greater satisfaction, consider it. As to those who say people are stuck in their jobs, perhaps. My full time jobs of "you want fries with that" or how much concrete do we need to pour today or yessir, I will emply your wastebasket next did not divert me from my ultimate objective of an education and a job I loved. Those who think they cannot do it, will never do it.
10
Personally, I take another view -- I mostly just want to get my working career over with as soon as possible. I make sure to save over half my income so I can retire in around 18 years of work instead of the standard 43. I doubt there's anything I'd enjoy enough more that it's worth another 25 years doing the same thing (namely, sitting hunched over a laptop in an office).
I would certainly never take a job at a tobacco factory, or any other job that makes the world a worse place, but I also don't expect my career to be the main source of satisfaction in my life.
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-beh...
I would certainly never take a job at a tobacco factory, or any other job that makes the world a worse place, but I also don't expect my career to be the main source of satisfaction in my life.
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-beh...
29
I chose to take a professional path in my late 20s that put me in the non-profit and public service/public sector world for the rest of my career. In my profession, given other options I could have pursued or developed, this likely meant that I did not earn some ~$50-200k per year that I could have, for 25+ years.
As one of my friends who was in the higher paying grind track said years ago, I probably had the best odds of actually living to enjoy my retirement. And that's where I am now, very secure financially thanks in part to savings and investment and spending habits, albeit with a lot less than friends who went the private practice route. But they can't go sailing or play their guitar any day of the week like I can ... ;-o I have more than enough so can say based on that it was worth seven figures to me to have a job I cared more about ...
As one of my friends who was in the higher paying grind track said years ago, I probably had the best odds of actually living to enjoy my retirement. And that's where I am now, very secure financially thanks in part to savings and investment and spending habits, albeit with a lot less than friends who went the private practice route. But they can't go sailing or play their guitar any day of the week like I can ... ;-o I have more than enough so can say based on that it was worth seven figures to me to have a job I cared more about ...
9
It is not only a 'job' which creates the sensation of timeless interest. Any activity can do this. I would single out reading as one of the most lasting in my experience, after years of immersive interest in craftsmanship which almost always caused the sensation of flow, especially when i charged for my work not by the hour but by what i felt to be the value of the finished piece. But reading outlasts work for me, and I would think for many.
11
Hearses don't have luggage racks.
66
Yes, but not crarrying luggage with you can get you into a hearse quicker than you should. The trick is to carry the right amount, without obsessing it, as the article says.
1
In my 50s, I'm still trying to do what I love and still not getting paid for it. I have a bachelor's and a master's in music. I work in a word processing center at a law firm. You can't just pick something you love and get paid for it. Those careers are loved by everybody and there aren't enough jobs in those careers for everybody -- even after thousands of hours. I know.
150
Buying less will help. In fact, being forced into buying less makes you put less emphasis on "sticking it to others," and expecting things to bring happiness. It's a win-win to do what you love and get paid, though less. It's your money or your life.
22
Most of the posters here recognize that the advice of this column is neither practical or pragmatic. It's a false dream for most that will lead them astray. As several have said, get to work and find out what that is all about. There is one point I haven't seen made yet. The key question to answer is "Who needs you?" Prepare yourself, answer the question and discover that you will therefore be needed. That is what opens doors to work-discovery and self- discovery.
Good luck, folks. My working days are over and it was a great ride, a very fulfilling career I could not have foreseen but was prepared for by education choices. What you put in your noodle will be used in ways you cannot now imagine. As the future emerges in front of you, be prepared, and keep preparing your whole life. Opportunity opens to the prepared mind. Believe it.
Good luck, folks. My working days are over and it was a great ride, a very fulfilling career I could not have foreseen but was prepared for by education choices. What you put in your noodle will be used in ways you cannot now imagine. As the future emerges in front of you, be prepared, and keep preparing your whole life. Opportunity opens to the prepared mind. Believe it.
35
What interests me is the advice to become an expert at something. While it is arguably better to be a machete than a Swiss Army knife, it's also important to be the right KIND of expert. For example, you might love being a teacher, and you might be an expert at it, but you won't be rewarded for it the same way being, say, a programmer or a financial analyst is rewarded.
19
So a stupid programmer should earner more than a faculty who teaches you and does research. No wonder we have gizmos we don't need and national security isues that have become an addiction for programmer thugs.
3
Focusing on this article's bizarre aside about real estate. If you're one of the poorest people in a rich town, your kids will go to BETTER schools, not worse. Note that I say "town" not "city". There are a few cheaper apartments and houses on the edges of Millburn, and the kids who live in them go to exactly the same high school (there's only one) as the wealthy children in Short Hills. Ditto for other small wealthy NJ towns: economic segregation doesn't start until a place is big enough to have more than one school. Would you be better off spending the same money on a much nicer house in a town where people were poorer than you? Of course not, you'd get worse schools! Sure, your kids would have to deal with the social and psychological burden of being relatively "poor" compared to their classmates, but I did that and it's not so bad. The benefits of free-riding on services paid for by your richer neighbors are substantial.
33
Agree! Our wealthy school district has a small population of low income first generation students. The school has the resources to work with each student to help them achieve. The most academically able are placed in a program to prepare them for attendance at the nations most elite schools where they will attend free of charge. All students are helped to attend a good college at low or no cost. Of course it is not easy to be the " poor" in a pool if rich but bad schools are not one of the problems.
3
"First Rule of the Job Hunt: Find Something You Love to Do."
Worst. Advice. Ever. It's why you have millions of Millennials living in their parents' basements or vagabonding from job to job in a depressive stupor.
Very, very few people go through life doing what they love. For the rest of us doing what we like well enough and can tolerate is enough. Because here's the secret: work is its own reward. Besides, how do you know you'll love a job until you do it for a couple of years?
Work is like love. At first, wow. But after the excitement wears off the banality of it can crush you if you don't keep some perspeective.
No matter what your job, if you approach it with integrity and a desire to do the best job possible, you will feel ethical and rewarded. You may be bored or have a lousy boss so OK, look for something else.
American culture puts an insane amount of pressure on everyday life. When every pencil, paper clip and bread knife has to "spark joy," when every last thing you do, think and feel has to be "AWESOME!" and when you have to unconditionally love your job you will never, ever be satisfied or happy.
Worst. Advice. Ever. It's why you have millions of Millennials living in their parents' basements or vagabonding from job to job in a depressive stupor.
Very, very few people go through life doing what they love. For the rest of us doing what we like well enough and can tolerate is enough. Because here's the secret: work is its own reward. Besides, how do you know you'll love a job until you do it for a couple of years?
Work is like love. At first, wow. But after the excitement wears off the banality of it can crush you if you don't keep some perspeective.
No matter what your job, if you approach it with integrity and a desire to do the best job possible, you will feel ethical and rewarded. You may be bored or have a lousy boss so OK, look for something else.
American culture puts an insane amount of pressure on everyday life. When every pencil, paper clip and bread knife has to "spark joy," when every last thing you do, think and feel has to be "AWESOME!" and when you have to unconditionally love your job you will never, ever be satisfied or happy.
281
Yes! There was a lady in my medical school class who was expecting our training to be a "magical experience" - she got out after the first year. Life is not magical every minute!
6
I'm a major fan of Robert H. Frank and I have several of his books. Nevertheless, this is the most foolish of his advice I have ever read. I loved psychology as a kid. I spent nine years in college studying it and I earned a Ph.D. at age 27. I scored at the 94th percentile on the national licensing examination (EPPP), proving I was pretty good at it relative to my peers. I had approximately a fifteen-year career with the Ph.D. and I have had to move all over the country in search of employment. I have drawn unemployment six times and I was forced into early retirement. I am surprised that Dr. Frank would give such naive, dangerous, and poor advice.
126
Musicians’ joke: Do you something you love—and starve.
44
The most popular comments are so depressing. "Shut up Millennials and work!"
You people sound like you'd be tons of fun at a dinner party.
You people sound like you'd be tons of fun at a dinner party.
5
What a silly column. "Doing what you love" is for people in the arts, or in some cases the helping professions like medicine or teaching or charity.
For everyone else, the key to job satisfaction is doing something that matches with your abilities. A boring accountant will experience "flow" if she has a knack for numbers and details. She'd be miserable in sales and and the salesperson would hate accounting. The fact that they both might love salsa dancing is not relevant.
Figure out the kind of person you are, what tasks would suit your strengths. then figure out the job that incorporates those tasks and you'll be fine.
For everyone else, the key to job satisfaction is doing something that matches with your abilities. A boring accountant will experience "flow" if she has a knack for numbers and details. She'd be miserable in sales and and the salesperson would hate accounting. The fact that they both might love salsa dancing is not relevant.
Figure out the kind of person you are, what tasks would suit your strengths. then figure out the job that incorporates those tasks and you'll be fine.
141
Do what you love is idiotic advice in this day and age. Find something that engages your mind and you can make money at. Do your homework- look at what industries are hiring for what kind of positions. Get training.
If I were to give an 18 year old job hunting advice, the last thing I would say to them is "do what you love". As other posters have pointed out, that advice only applies to rich kids. The 99% don't have the luxury of trying to find "what they love". We have to survive.
If I were to give an 18 year old job hunting advice, the last thing I would say to them is "do what you love". As other posters have pointed out, that advice only applies to rich kids. The 99% don't have the luxury of trying to find "what they love". We have to survive.
79
At age 71, I regret thst I did not receive this advice 60 years ago.
16
Even doing what you love, and being very good at it, can't save you from incompetent but politically savvy supervisors who prefer less experienced, and even toadying, employees.
The bottom line is that some fields require more brainpower and hard work than others, and in those fields it is less likely that refuse will float to the top. Engineering, chemistry, physics, veterinary medicine; most young Americans seem not to have the sustained concentration to get degrees in those subjects -- look at how many foreign-born people have jobs in those areas -- but those are the fields I'd recommend.
And of course, we have many Americans who don't have the luxury of deciding what to choose among their "passions." With our factories shut, they have few opportunities. But don't trust Donald Trump to bring back those jobs.
The bottom line is that some fields require more brainpower and hard work than others, and in those fields it is less likely that refuse will float to the top. Engineering, chemistry, physics, veterinary medicine; most young Americans seem not to have the sustained concentration to get degrees in those subjects -- look at how many foreign-born people have jobs in those areas -- but those are the fields I'd recommend.
And of course, we have many Americans who don't have the luxury of deciding what to choose among their "passions." With our factories shut, they have few opportunities. But don't trust Donald Trump to bring back those jobs.
26
Sorry - I believe there have been about 1.3 million (or so I'm told) H1b - so-called Skilled worker visas granted over the past 8 years - these are people primarily brought in to be paid lower than American workers. There are PLENTY of Americans studying STEM subjects and getting degrees. And PLENTY of those are under-employed or not employed in areas relating to their majors due to the overuse of these H1b visas. And - not to mention - PLENTY of older American STEM workers who are either at-risk of losing their jobs to these H1b workers or have already lost their jobs.
Please do NOT equate the number of foreign workers with any assumed idea of American skill sets.
Please do NOT equate the number of foreign workers with any assumed idea of American skill sets.
12
Margo is correct. There are vastly more Americans with those degrees that we were told were highly desirable, who spent many years of study, research, low pay, scrounging free food, only to find that there are a thousand applicants for every university faculty position or that the corporate/industrial job will go to the person imported for a lower wage or will be exported to a person in a lower wage nation.
We live in a service sector economy. Which sounds nicer than it is, because far more people are on the service provider end ("would you like to see the dessert menu?") than the service user end ("sure, [aside] we can bill it to the client").
We live in a service sector economy. Which sounds nicer than it is, because far more people are on the service provider end ("would you like to see the dessert menu?") than the service user end ("sure, [aside] we can bill it to the client").
3
I agree. If you try searching "chemistry jobs" on Google, you'd likely find blogs dedicated to how there is a LACK of such jobs (I am a STEM major in college and this is exactly what I found, much to my dismay ). Actually, just recently NYT came out with an article detailing how there is a lack of positions in the science and academia field. There are reports of PhDs working for less than $18 an hour or stuck in low positions until well into their 40s. It's quite depressing considering how much time, money, and effort go into those degrees. Heck, I know guy who didn't even finish high school and he makes 100k working in IT. Most labs nowadays are full of people from overseas because natives would not be willing to work for such low pay. Sorry to inform you. Yes I am that science-loving intelligent motivated youngster you wish America had but since science doesn't love me back I should find an alternate career.
6
Hilarious.
Here's the reality: what you love to do doesn't translate into a job in the real world.
Here's the other reality: learn to love money; then get whatever job you can that pays you the most money; and then, and only then, will you be able to actually (afford to) do what it is you really love to do.
This is the sad harsh reality of the world, and until you have money, your passionate pursuits have little, if any, place in it whatsoever.
Here's the reality: what you love to do doesn't translate into a job in the real world.
Here's the other reality: learn to love money; then get whatever job you can that pays you the most money; and then, and only then, will you be able to actually (afford to) do what it is you really love to do.
This is the sad harsh reality of the world, and until you have money, your passionate pursuits have little, if any, place in it whatsoever.
28
I disagree, but aside from that, making money can be its own prison.
6
If you may give up what you love for money, what do you do with the money?
Buy back what you loved, duh.
It goes full circle.
Buy back what you loved, duh.
It goes full circle.
1
This sounds much like this video from six years ago.
https://youtu.be/u6XAPnuFjJc
https://youtu.be/u6XAPnuFjJc
3
Mr. Frank, most people never have the opportunity to make the choice to do what they like. Most people work to eat. To assume that isn't the case for most people is to deny reality. Your column is nice, but wholly unrealistic.
32
Yes, by all means do what you love. But the greater message here is its mirror image: learn to love what you do. But, you say, it not what you want to do? Think again. Learn to adapt. Engage with the task at hand and learn everything you can about it. Thanks, Dr. Frank.
130
Sounds like an arranged marriage. And they can work if both sides want it to.
3
The trouble with jobs is that you can't understand what someone else does until you have either done it yourself or paid close attention to it over a period of time. University classes, summer jobs and hobbies can't possibly reveal all the things someone might become passionate about during a long working life.
Most jobs involve a range of activities, some of which may be absorbing and some not. Anyone at the beginning of their working life who turns down jobs because they're not something they "love" is cheating themselves out of opportunities to do the rigorous exploration needed to find and develop a personally rewarding career path (or paths, these days). You can contribute to a mission you don't buy into in order to discover what kinds of everyday processes you enjoy working on, and perhaps to earn enough money to pay for further education. You can do tedious tasks all day in order to learn about the value of a collegial workplace, how to communicate effectively, how to manage time, or even just how to get through a day. Most jobs provide valuable perspective on other jobs: what’s the person in the next cubicle doing; why are the people in that other department so interesting to talk to; what do managers really do all day; how can you tell if you’re in a pathological work environment; etc. etc. In short: if a job looks interesting, take it and see where it leads!
Most jobs involve a range of activities, some of which may be absorbing and some not. Anyone at the beginning of their working life who turns down jobs because they're not something they "love" is cheating themselves out of opportunities to do the rigorous exploration needed to find and develop a personally rewarding career path (or paths, these days). You can contribute to a mission you don't buy into in order to discover what kinds of everyday processes you enjoy working on, and perhaps to earn enough money to pay for further education. You can do tedious tasks all day in order to learn about the value of a collegial workplace, how to communicate effectively, how to manage time, or even just how to get through a day. Most jobs provide valuable perspective on other jobs: what’s the person in the next cubicle doing; why are the people in that other department so interesting to talk to; what do managers really do all day; how can you tell if you’re in a pathological work environment; etc. etc. In short: if a job looks interesting, take it and see where it leads!
26
"Flow" occurs for me in 5 minute stretches between interrupting emails, instant messages, and people stopping by my desk. It's sheer bliss.
23
I recommend finding a career that balances your interests, aptitude and sufficient pay. This is different for everyone. If you want to have a family, you might want to opt for a job with higher pay and less job satisfaction. As a result you can work fewer hours to afford kids and get your satisfaction in life more from your kids than your work. It all balances out.
16
As a recent grad, I find advice like this (essentially "follow your passion") always skips over a crucial step: finding that passion in the first place. In college, many are consumed with coursework, which I assume is what many are referring to as their all-consuming-activity example, and are left little time to explore the real world. Once in it, the reality that every employer wants an expert to fill entry-level positions makes it difficult to hop around, picking and choosing once we decide a certain job or field isn't right. And there are financial and practical consequences when you discover that marketing isn't your thing, but maybe you want to try your hand at biology?
"Find something you love" sounds nice, and I want to believe it works, I really do, but given what I've seen of this world so far...I can't.
"Find something you love" sounds nice, and I want to believe it works, I really do, but given what I've seen of this world so far...I can't.
12
For this reason, I highly recommend a stint (or two) in AmeriCorps for young people: it's like an internship, but better because it's paid (although minimally) and it's a way to get your feet wet in the professional world you are interested in.
Then, once you've spent a year figuring yourself out and hopefully narrowed your interests, you can use your AmeriCorps Eli Segal Education award(s) at your choice of qualified public institutions to continue your pursuit of profession.
Then, once you've spent a year figuring yourself out and hopefully narrowed your interests, you can use your AmeriCorps Eli Segal Education award(s) at your choice of qualified public institutions to continue your pursuit of profession.
3
I totally agree with you. I found something I was passionate enough about to sell my condo at a huge loss, return to school at 38, get into a new field, and then had that career derailed. Now, I suspect, in my late 50s, that by playing my cards right, being frugal and putting money away, that I will be able to leave the workplace and in "retirement" actually find and cultivate true passions. I'm crossing my fingers, anyway!
4
New Yorker Cartoon:
Unshaved unwashed person holding a sign "Followed my bliss".
I came of professional age in the early 80s. Slowly and painfully I learned the following lesson: this is a bunch of dangerous hooey. In addition to being unrealistic, it burdens the worker with the idea that something is wrong with not loving your job. not to mention bankruptcy and starvation wages. I'm honestly shocked that this is still being peddled as a career strategy. Please wake up, the 99% are calling.
Unshaved unwashed person holding a sign "Followed my bliss".
I came of professional age in the early 80s. Slowly and painfully I learned the following lesson: this is a bunch of dangerous hooey. In addition to being unrealistic, it burdens the worker with the idea that something is wrong with not loving your job. not to mention bankruptcy and starvation wages. I'm honestly shocked that this is still being peddled as a career strategy. Please wake up, the 99% are calling.
72
(Not Mark) I'll be sure not to pass this article on to my daughter and hope no one she knows links to it. She hates these articles. Since graduating from college with a good degree she has been looking for a good job. We don't have any friends in high places or a network of rich family members to help her get ahead and this economy is awful. I think of all her friends out there working away, just lucky to have a job, any job and just get sick of this bilge water type of article.
33
"Find Something You Love to Do" is a stupid as parents telling their children "You can be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do".
You cannot. The world does not care that your parents said you were very special or that you truly believe you have skills and talents that will net you a corner office and a six figure salary right out of school.
Anyone who believes this nonsense best have parents who are happy to have their special snowflakes live in their basement forever.
You cannot. The world does not care that your parents said you were very special or that you truly believe you have skills and talents that will net you a corner office and a six figure salary right out of school.
Anyone who believes this nonsense best have parents who are happy to have their special snowflakes live in their basement forever.
25
FSM -
Everything is possible - everything is not probable. And, I wholeheartedly agree with your statement. Thank You!
Everything is possible - everything is not probable. And, I wholeheartedly agree with your statement. Thank You!
5
It's incredibly toxic to tell kids "You can be anything you want if you just set your mind to it." Um, no, I can't be an NBA star if I'm 5'3". No, I can't be a rock star if I can't sing. Etc. etc. No, I can't move to a tropical island and live off the fat of the land. All this mantra does is make tons of young people feel like failures.
7
The column rests on an enormous foundation of privilege.
57
This article seems to have more than its share of "what ifs".
I've discovered that it's great to be able to do something well, that most lucrative jobs are ones people shy away from, usually anything math related, as our schools have been dumbed down for the past 60 years. If you really want to make money and show your value to your employer, go into sales.
I've discovered that it's great to be able to do something well, that most lucrative jobs are ones people shy away from, usually anything math related, as our schools have been dumbed down for the past 60 years. If you really want to make money and show your value to your employer, go into sales.
I agree that having passion for your work is important - but often the passion comes from putting your efforts towards solving a problem and/or working towards a solution. Teachers have passion for educating others ... but it's because they want to help improve their students' lives, or because they want to help educate fellow citizens, or because they love to learn/research a specific topic.
Instead, I would suggest job-seekers figure out what problem(s) they most want to solve and figure out what skills they need to have/develop to best solve those issues. (I like the "T-shape" approach for ensuring you have broad skills as well as one deep set of skills.) Framing it that way makes it much easier to decide what salary you are willing to take (or not take) or what investment in education you will do (or not do) in order to solve a problem. And the problem to solve might have societal impact like 'how do I cure ALS?' or it might be more local ie 'how do I feed my family this month?'
Instead, I would suggest job-seekers figure out what problem(s) they most want to solve and figure out what skills they need to have/develop to best solve those issues. (I like the "T-shape" approach for ensuring you have broad skills as well as one deep set of skills.) Framing it that way makes it much easier to decide what salary you are willing to take (or not take) or what investment in education you will do (or not do) in order to solve a problem. And the problem to solve might have societal impact like 'how do I cure ALS?' or it might be more local ie 'how do I feed my family this month?'
11
I think I'd modify this to "find something you enjoy that also pays money." Many of the things I enjoy doing don't pay, but computer programming can satisfy that creative urge and also pay the bills.
12
"One of the most important dimensions of job satisfaction is how you feel about your employer’s mission."
Is this a joke? Really, in all seriousness. Most of us are just trying to hang on, make enough money to pay our bills. Love what we do? Yea, I'd love to ski all day long, but that won't pay my bills. And wait until you're over 50, tossed out the door (because of your age), not able to find any meaningful work (because of your age). Most "employer's mission" in today's world is squeeze as much as you can out of your employees, pay them as little as possible, get rid of them when they hit 50 and then hire only "gig workers" because it's cheaper. What fantasy world is this writer living in?
Is this a joke? Really, in all seriousness. Most of us are just trying to hang on, make enough money to pay our bills. Love what we do? Yea, I'd love to ski all day long, but that won't pay my bills. And wait until you're over 50, tossed out the door (because of your age), not able to find any meaningful work (because of your age). Most "employer's mission" in today's world is squeeze as much as you can out of your employees, pay them as little as possible, get rid of them when they hit 50 and then hire only "gig workers" because it's cheaper. What fantasy world is this writer living in?
52
He's an academic (most likely tenured, didn't check) at a prestigious school. They don't call it the Ivory Tower for nothing (yeah, I'm one of these too).
7
I live this scenario
1
This kind of stuff is written by people who don't have to worry about money and think that just meeting basic needs is a romantic notion akin to Its a Wonderful Life. The truth is just meeting basic needs leads to a small life and lots of frustration. For anybody who aspires to travel, dining out and having enough money for experiences (think even attending professional sports games, movies and having hobbies) meeting basic needs is a dystopian alternative. In addition, growing old only meeting basic needs is depressing and hard. I know, I've seen it happen. My advice to any young person is that picking a field that assures good financial reward allows much freedom, family well being and a larger life of experiences. It's crap to think that inthis day and age that money doesn't matter. It does.
30
Money is not everything but many of these passionate jobs still require some experience, which job hunters still need to gain from elsewhere.
4
Yes, do what you love, we heard that a lot at the music conservatory......
Please read Mozart in the Jungle for an expose on the "joys" of the music biz. Speaking from experience, I can attest that sometimes it's better to choose something you enjoy a little less that pays a regular salary.
Please read Mozart in the Jungle for an expose on the "joys" of the music biz. Speaking from experience, I can attest that sometimes it's better to choose something you enjoy a little less that pays a regular salary.
17
In my own career, expertise means nothing, it's all about whether or not people like you or can identify with you. The article also ignores the role of perception. The people who make it to the top are able to manage other people's perception of how valuable they are.
Let's face it... almost every career is relatively easy and doesn't require all that much preparation other than acquiring time-consuming degrees. Isn't one reason for college degrees just to delay a portion of the population from entering the job market? The most important part of success is getting opportunities and making sure you're perceived as valuable, not having skills or knowledge.
Let's face it... almost every career is relatively easy and doesn't require all that much preparation other than acquiring time-consuming degrees. Isn't one reason for college degrees just to delay a portion of the population from entering the job market? The most important part of success is getting opportunities and making sure you're perceived as valuable, not having skills or knowledge.
15
Amazing.
I live in a household where we have two extremes
Me: Self Employed, 4 years into my business. Not rich, but I love what I do and I found my niche. I wake up in the morning happy. I go to bed happy.
I cannot vacation, travel the world, I don't eat out often, I can't go out and buy various things like books, new clothes, etc. I run on a bare bones budget, with little to no overhead aside from investing back into equipment. Without my support system for emergencies, I would be homeless and on the street.
Him: Makes plenty of money, very well off, and I guess there are some small moments in which he's happy with his job. Otherwise he comes home depressed, defeated, frustrated, dreads waking up in the morning and is so exhausted when he comes home that there's nothing left. He regrets. Wishes he had gone a different route. When I ask about potentially moving into a job he likes better or a part time gig so he can work on his writing, I get the answer back loud and clear: He can't afford to do it.
He's right.
It doesn't matter what our souls want, because we live in a society in which happiness is not a currency. $$ is. So people do- and always will- depend on a tortuous job, because we need to pay everyone else to live our lives. We can't support a family, children, wives on happiness.
There's no way around it. Just my 2 cents.
Me: Self Employed, 4 years into my business. Not rich, but I love what I do and I found my niche. I wake up in the morning happy. I go to bed happy.
I cannot vacation, travel the world, I don't eat out often, I can't go out and buy various things like books, new clothes, etc. I run on a bare bones budget, with little to no overhead aside from investing back into equipment. Without my support system for emergencies, I would be homeless and on the street.
Him: Makes plenty of money, very well off, and I guess there are some small moments in which he's happy with his job. Otherwise he comes home depressed, defeated, frustrated, dreads waking up in the morning and is so exhausted when he comes home that there's nothing left. He regrets. Wishes he had gone a different route. When I ask about potentially moving into a job he likes better or a part time gig so he can work on his writing, I get the answer back loud and clear: He can't afford to do it.
He's right.
It doesn't matter what our souls want, because we live in a society in which happiness is not a currency. $$ is. So people do- and always will- depend on a tortuous job, because we need to pay everyone else to live our lives. We can't support a family, children, wives on happiness.
There's no way around it. Just my 2 cents.
50
But you mostly make the author's point - you are happier even though you're barely able to survive. That's what matters is what the author is saying.
4
I understand that - but I can do my own thing (and find happiness) because I don't have any other obligations to fulfill. No kids, no husband (though I do have a boyfriend), up until a few month ago no new car payment, no house payments, I'm on a flexible/work as I can schedule with my rent so all I have to worry about is my business, funding my business, putting food in the fridge and paying off the debt I accrued while surviving in my first and second years.
I can't think of anyone else around me that can actually manage to pull it off. I guess I was trying to say that, yes, it's everyone's dream to do what they love - but the dream has to be put on hold because, reality and practicality.
I did my dues... 25 years of being miserable and hating my job, until I finally broke (seizure, spawning from stress and harassment at work) and had no choice but to do out on my own. It took me just as long to know what I wanted to do for my soul, what my market niche was, etc.
I work outside on construction sites all day (I do Architectural/Construction Photography and often have to drive across state lines to various projects). It's one of those things everyone thinks they can do (but really have no idea how) so I was able to get a leg in the door and grow from there. If I had gone any other route photographically (weddings, babies, kids) I wouldn't have survived.
I can't think of anyone else around me that can actually manage to pull it off. I guess I was trying to say that, yes, it's everyone's dream to do what they love - but the dream has to be put on hold because, reality and practicality.
I did my dues... 25 years of being miserable and hating my job, until I finally broke (seizure, spawning from stress and harassment at work) and had no choice but to do out on my own. It took me just as long to know what I wanted to do for my soul, what my market niche was, etc.
I work outside on construction sites all day (I do Architectural/Construction Photography and often have to drive across state lines to various projects). It's one of those things everyone thinks they can do (but really have no idea how) so I was able to get a leg in the door and grow from there. If I had gone any other route photographically (weddings, babies, kids) I wouldn't have survived.
3
How do you know what you love? What I loved had no hope of a job by the time I finished my degree (a shortage followed by 99.99% unemployment). And what I learned might have been a lovable interest for me also has since disappeared. Other possible lovable interests were not open to women when I was in my 20s.
I am actually good as several high paying slots that would have been quite stimulating and left me with the sense of being a contributor which I would have found if I had followed the money.
My advice is develop skills, do a double major (one universally practical one like accounting or biz or marketing) if college is the path, and go out to interview people. Ask about a set of jobs in a wide swath of fields. Who makes what/does what from gov to ecology to biz and beyond. As many interviews as you get to talk. Make it a project. Don't just do "women's job either if you are female. Construction management, sure. Ecology reconstruction, sure. Specialty insurance, why not. Logistics, give it a whirl. Start you own biz, maybe. And no STEM is not a job, it is a generalized skill set, good but just a tool set.
A friend with a dog walking biz is making more than another with a Ph.D. Love dogs but remember winter and don't break an ankle.
I am actually good as several high paying slots that would have been quite stimulating and left me with the sense of being a contributor which I would have found if I had followed the money.
My advice is develop skills, do a double major (one universally practical one like accounting or biz or marketing) if college is the path, and go out to interview people. Ask about a set of jobs in a wide swath of fields. Who makes what/does what from gov to ecology to biz and beyond. As many interviews as you get to talk. Make it a project. Don't just do "women's job either if you are female. Construction management, sure. Ecology reconstruction, sure. Specialty insurance, why not. Logistics, give it a whirl. Start you own biz, maybe. And no STEM is not a job, it is a generalized skill set, good but just a tool set.
A friend with a dog walking biz is making more than another with a Ph.D. Love dogs but remember winter and don't break an ankle.
15
There is a huge universe out there of jobs that might not be "what you love" but aren't "soul crushing" either Also, I find it hard to believe that most young people really know what they might love as a job - maybe I'm slow or uniquely unfocused, but while I knew some things I wasn't interested in when I finished college, it took years of pretty good jobs to find out what I really loved doing - and there are tons of other jobs I might have loved but just never had a chance to try.
11
Whatever magic world the author lives in - I want the address.
23
It's called "tenured professorship" and, sorry, it's a private club closed to new members for generations.
36
Would Robert Frank love his job as much if he were an adjunct faculty paid $2,000 a class and juggling three teaching jobs while raising small children? Having tried different jobs and different careers I have found that who you are working for matters as much or more than 'being in your flow'.
58
If it were only that simple....
6
#1 own your business = happiness
#2 run your business = satisfaction
#3 make $ = enough is plenty, a lot is an added benefit but not required.
#2 run your business = satisfaction
#3 make $ = enough is plenty, a lot is an added benefit but not required.
2
I figured the first rule of job hunting is not to be a woman over 40! Who knew I just needed to pursue my passion???
39
And that is how I fell into the adjunct faculty trap. Didn't worry about the money.
19
I would prefer not to.
2
This story highlights some serious issues with human judgement. It implies happiness is a relative concept. That how you feel about yourself is defined by comparing yourself to your neighbors. All a part of the insanity.
All this wasted energy. In fact - if you have access to food, a place to cook it, running water, a functioning toilet and a dry and comfortable place to live - then you live better then 99% of all humans throughout history. You live better then the rich did in the past.
And all this has been understood by the teachers for a very long time....
Lau Tsu said:
"when you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete" - then basically everything will be OK.
It was true 2600 years ago - and its still true today.
All this wasted energy. In fact - if you have access to food, a place to cook it, running water, a functioning toilet and a dry and comfortable place to live - then you live better then 99% of all humans throughout history. You live better then the rich did in the past.
And all this has been understood by the teachers for a very long time....
Lau Tsu said:
"when you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete" - then basically everything will be OK.
It was true 2600 years ago - and its still true today.
11
This worked for me. For young folks, the problem now, though, may involve defining what it is that they love that also can actually become a profession in this gig economy that changes faster than they can first experiment, try stuff out, and then build up those thousands of hours you need to develop the expertise Prof. Frank correctly indicates you'll need. And thinking about those early, experimental steps, requires some down time, some freedom to play and dream -- that does not fit easily into many young lives.
2
The college students that you used to illustrate your thesis have yet to purchase a house, pay for day care, or work for a non-profit. Is it really news that college students are idealistic?
10
The first rule of the job hunt is: find a job, unless mommy is still paying your rent.
"Do what you love" is advice given to people who don't really need to work to avoid starving to death. It has no immediate meaning for people who must clean the toilets in office buildings, vacuum other people's living rooms, change the diapers of other people's children, in order to make the money for rent and food.
It is advice given to, and accepted by, those for whom 'doing' is optional, not essential.
It is one of the reasons so very many recent college graduates live at home with their parents, jobless, or live above their means in places like New York, subsidized, still looking for "love"
"Do what you love" is advice given to people who don't really need to work to avoid starving to death. It has no immediate meaning for people who must clean the toilets in office buildings, vacuum other people's living rooms, change the diapers of other people's children, in order to make the money for rent and food.
It is advice given to, and accepted by, those for whom 'doing' is optional, not essential.
It is one of the reasons so very many recent college graduates live at home with their parents, jobless, or live above their means in places like New York, subsidized, still looking for "love"
103
This is a foolish normative statement. Nothing more
You're misguided and jealous because I assume you "had to get a job." I do what I love and have for 30 years. Have I had a few speed bumps and potholes along the way, hell yes, but they just build character. Maybe you should retread this article again and take notes
10
Very appropriate suggestion for job hunters. My philosophy today is money is not everything and additional pay on paper that one may get may quickly evaporate. More pay may mean more taxes and a different location in a different state may mean additional state taxes, additional auto insurance, additional parking fees, additional cost of living and in the end possibly a lower take home pay. One of my former colleagues recently moved from Arkansas to Long Island, NY to a higher paying job but in the end it is something he loves to do but all the unanticipated expenses and taxes he is not as excited. Add to that because of him not being used the mad traffic in the NY area he got into a multi car accident with additional medical expenses and auto insurance. Also the commuting time went up and less time to spend with his young daughters. So I would add a second rule of the job hunting; think through all the financial possibilities and time constraints and lifestyle adaptation that will be required when job hunting to a new out of state location.
15
The reverse is also true. No need to live in the big cities exclusively and it's easier to move out to the boondocks if you are happier there (surrounded by peace and quiet) while making as much or more because your skills are more prized. It's not just money, but also fickle things like fame and status that don't contribute really to your happiness beyond a certain threshold.
3
Unfortunately, most of the jobs where you can do something positive that makes the world a better place are with nonprofits, and nonprofits are notoriously toxic workplaces. After ten years of working in research administration and playing a role in bringing disease cures to fruition, I am looking to return to the private sector, where the focus is the work, I will have a job ladder and promotional opportunities, I will have the tools and training I need to do my job, my performance will be evaluated objectively, my accomplishments will be recognized, non-performers are fired, and I won't be expected to move mountains for pennies while managers paid market-rate competitive salaries relax in their vacation homes. Yes, the grass is always greener, and I also would say no to a pro-tobacco job, but I have had enough of the administrative incompetence and emotional abuse common in the world of nonprofits.
78
Wow! Did you happen to read the Amazon work experience articles? Expect to work long hours including weekends, always be online, and do Office Space like work with ridiculous deadlines. My suggestion is deeply research the company and culture you are going to work in, and don't believe the hiring manage but check out the social boards.
8
I don't know that non-profit was shown to be "toxic workplaces". It seems to me that you're generalizing your personal experience, as unfortunate as it may have been, to an entire sector.
Maybe you should reflect on the fit between yourself and the organization(s) you worked for?
Maybe you should reflect on the fit between yourself and the organization(s) you worked for?
3
I can't believe that actual research was required to reach these obvious conclusions. People feel better when they are good at what they do? People feel more satisfied when they agree with the purpose or politics of their employer? A sense of economic wellness is relative to those around me? I think we all knew this stuff in second grade. Recess is more enjoyable than math. I get bored in the summer without enough to do. It's more satisfying to make money from your own lemonade stand than pulling weeds for the rich neighbor.
18
I guess that everything is obvious (after you're told what the answer was).
1
The bottom line of this piece is laughably divorced from reality.
After graduating college, I tried my hand at "doing what I loved" from 9-5. I ended up with a series of OK jobs -- but it's hard to focus on "increased satisfaction" when the forefront of your mind is consumed by rent and student loan woes.
Fifteen years and an MBA later, I don't much care for what I do from 9 to 5 (or 6 or 7...) -- but the pay allows me to enjoy the (fewer) hours of leisure very richly.
My bottom line: not all of us are lucky enough to marry our occupations (jobs) with our vocations (life callings). A job is a job, and we're all disposable. Why not focus on "the more satisfying conditions" comprised by other aspects of life -- connections to friends, family, and community?
After graduating college, I tried my hand at "doing what I loved" from 9-5. I ended up with a series of OK jobs -- but it's hard to focus on "increased satisfaction" when the forefront of your mind is consumed by rent and student loan woes.
Fifteen years and an MBA later, I don't much care for what I do from 9 to 5 (or 6 or 7...) -- but the pay allows me to enjoy the (fewer) hours of leisure very richly.
My bottom line: not all of us are lucky enough to marry our occupations (jobs) with our vocations (life callings). A job is a job, and we're all disposable. Why not focus on "the more satisfying conditions" comprised by other aspects of life -- connections to friends, family, and community?
285
Rule of thumb --- find a job you can deal with that pays enough for you to do what you like to do.
13
Well said, every study forgets the most critical fact, we need money live and unless you have a trust fund, you take a job that is often the most bearable
6
Looks like you stopped reading midway. Professor Frank is not merely advocating "doing what you like", he's also advocating becoming an expert and acknowledging how difficult it is.
When you're an expert, you can do what you love -- and get well paid for it.
When you're an expert, you can do what you love -- and get well paid for it.
7
I worked in a vocation that I sincerely loved at a couple of institutions in higher learning. Unfortunately they had no clue as to how to support and care for those who put in hours and hours of work out of a sincere love for students and the mission. It didn't take long for many of us to burn out or over time just not care. Love of a job must also include being able to love or at least respect those who manage and lead a company or organization.
93
Great comments here! It seems that not everyone agrees with Professor Frank, the man with two first names.
I read a book about flow back in the 80s. My job provided occasional instances of the state of flow, but also had the benefit of great income and career potential. I gave up my passion for a life of financial security, and although I have occasional regret, overall it was the right decision. It's lovely for Mr. Frank to be up in the ivory tower of academic tenured freedom, able to pontificate on the beauty of working for yourself, but it also limits the real world view of the writer. As others have noted, oftentimes the need to provide food, clothing and shelter outweigh the desire for personal satisfaction.
As the philosopher Judge Elihu Smails once said, "The world needs ditch diggers too."
I read a book about flow back in the 80s. My job provided occasional instances of the state of flow, but also had the benefit of great income and career potential. I gave up my passion for a life of financial security, and although I have occasional regret, overall it was the right decision. It's lovely for Mr. Frank to be up in the ivory tower of academic tenured freedom, able to pontificate on the beauty of working for yourself, but it also limits the real world view of the writer. As others have noted, oftentimes the need to provide food, clothing and shelter outweigh the desire for personal satisfaction.
As the philosopher Judge Elihu Smails once said, "The world needs ditch diggers too."
90
Unfortunately the social sciences have demonstrated a significant problem with replication. That is to say that there is evidence that recent articles published in learned journals are more wishful thinking than replicable science. That said, the degree to which a piece like this relies on such research is directly related to how much credence you can put in it's conclusions/recommendations.
So if some piece of social science research yields results that are politically correct and run counter to ones own reality, one might suspect nonsense underlying the results.
So if some piece of social science research yields results that are politically correct and run counter to ones own reality, one might suspect nonsense underlying the results.
18
For all its dressing up with "research" this column could have been written by auntie Helen. Big on tired advice (do what you love!) it ignores the harsh realities of a brutal capitalist system where mere survival is foremost in people'say minds. Most people don'the have the luxury of choosing lesser paying jobs with bean bag chairs versus higher paying ones with less luxurious conditions. Most have jobs with lower pay and harsh conditions, if a job at all. The economist'so world view is on clear display here and it isn't pretty (or linked to reality).
158
Thanks. I've been considering moving to LA for a job. I don't want to live in LA, but the goal of the company is profoundly interesting to me. I think I could find 'flow' in a job there, and it is something I havn't ever found in a job before. I've been accused of looking for the perfect job. Why do people accuse me of that as if it is bad? Are they so unhappy with themselves that they want everyone else to be just as unhappy as them?
Misery loves company, I guess.
Now comes the hard part, the risky part. Can I get a good job there? Will they have me? I don't want to go live on another planet. I like this one. But some people want to do just that. I think you would have to find flow in such a job in order to do it properly, to take it seriously enough. So many companies do such uninteresting things compared to that.
What is wrong with looking for the perfect job?
Misery loves company, I guess.
Now comes the hard part, the risky part. Can I get a good job there? Will they have me? I don't want to go live on another planet. I like this one. But some people want to do just that. I think you would have to find flow in such a job in order to do it properly, to take it seriously enough. So many companies do such uninteresting things compared to that.
What is wrong with looking for the perfect job?
3
Go to L. A. Dave.
It is quite possible you may find "Flo" there.
She may be slinging hash in a local diner....
Good luck.
It is quite possible you may find "Flo" there.
She may be slinging hash in a local diner....
Good luck.
8
A person can spend a lifetime of resources to train themselves to do what they love (think of the cost and actual time involved to get an advanced degree) only to discover there is no market for that skill or it becomes suddenly obsolete through technological advances. Most employers won't pay anything close to a living salary--the price to stay healthy and happy--without a degree that costs $100k+ and 5+ years to obtain (1000 hour metric is irrelevant--we mostly measure expertise with training certificates). You need to be very lucky to be born with a passion that matches the needs of employers and the support to realize that passion. This article reads like a fantasy novel.
221
This is pretty much the comment I was going to write. I took a job several years ago to learn a skill that was very much in demand. I became certified in the profession and have maintained my certification through professional development courses and volunteer work. I have learned that as much as companies say that they value these skills, they are now paying less for it than they did five years ago. The salary for someone with my level of expertise this year is barely more than when I started in the field. So, I have the expertise that is supposedly highly valued, but few are willing to pay for it.
76
Encouraging a life of mediocrity in order to find a "soul saving "career is to discourage ambition as well as achievement. Innovation and entrepreneurship are the products of drive and hard work. While it may not be "soul saving", we have iPhones because of the driven, competitive people who created the products that we depend on.
10
Hannah Arendt persuasive argued that Edison's "necessity is the mother of invention" is a myth, and that most creative discovery is produce of "idle curiosity," a thesis promulgated in Joseph Pieper's "Leisure: the Basis of Culture."
There are two basic poles in this debate, and many insightful contributors on this issue straddle the poles in a synthesis; indeed, Edison himself has said that, while success is "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration," science and innovation fundamentally rely on a quest to discover and improve.
Many hardheaded discipline/'it's all about character' proponents like the 1%/99% dictum, but it's against them: think about professional athletes (at least those most admired, like Jordan, Bobby Jones, Joe Dimaggio) their exertions are fueled by their passion; it's clear they'd exert as hard without the remuneration. Think of Tom Hanks or Spielberg. They work hard, but motivated by love for what they do. I'm sure it's the same among tech innovators.
Our society is noble and civil to the degree passionate unalienated engagement in reasonably well remuneration work is available to all. Therefore I'm with Michael Waltzer: pay the most for jobs low on intrinsic rewards and satisfaction, and, frankly, tax the heck out of the opposite, or whatever to come closer to overall rewards equality, away from the "Winner take All' dynamic publicized elsewhere by Professor Frank.
There are two basic poles in this debate, and many insightful contributors on this issue straddle the poles in a synthesis; indeed, Edison himself has said that, while success is "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration," science and innovation fundamentally rely on a quest to discover and improve.
Many hardheaded discipline/'it's all about character' proponents like the 1%/99% dictum, but it's against them: think about professional athletes (at least those most admired, like Jordan, Bobby Jones, Joe Dimaggio) their exertions are fueled by their passion; it's clear they'd exert as hard without the remuneration. Think of Tom Hanks or Spielberg. They work hard, but motivated by love for what they do. I'm sure it's the same among tech innovators.
Our society is noble and civil to the degree passionate unalienated engagement in reasonably well remuneration work is available to all. Therefore I'm with Michael Waltzer: pay the most for jobs low on intrinsic rewards and satisfaction, and, frankly, tax the heck out of the opposite, or whatever to come closer to overall rewards equality, away from the "Winner take All' dynamic publicized elsewhere by Professor Frank.
1
"Resist the soul-crushing job’s promise of extra money and savor the more satisfying conditions you’ll find in one that pays a little less."
This is the most distressing thing I've read in a while and I hope readers take this advice with a (little more) grain of salt. It's also amazing class-blind. Window washers, garbage collectors, maids, wardens. Are they all fulfilling their passions, ferrying garbage from sidewalk to truck over and over and over?
Don't give "do what you love" advice to people living "do what you must" lives.
Millennials will do well to follow the one smart piece of advice in this article: find a skill people need. Don't be scared to work hard in a well paid industry outside your passion. Your tummy will thank you. As will your future self 50 years from now depending on the fruits of your younger efforts to survive.
This is the most distressing thing I've read in a while and I hope readers take this advice with a (little more) grain of salt. It's also amazing class-blind. Window washers, garbage collectors, maids, wardens. Are they all fulfilling their passions, ferrying garbage from sidewalk to truck over and over and over?
Don't give "do what you love" advice to people living "do what you must" lives.
Millennials will do well to follow the one smart piece of advice in this article: find a skill people need. Don't be scared to work hard in a well paid industry outside your passion. Your tummy will thank you. As will your future self 50 years from now depending on the fruits of your younger efforts to survive.
369
It starts in childhood. My wife and I were both encouraged by our parents to do something in life we love, not the salary. After a combined 19 years in college, we spent our career doing what we liked, science research. My wife, in the public sector, made much less money than she could have in the private sector. It was not about the paycheck or the benefits, it was serving the public.
10
I'm with you Tom. I worked in the public sector because of the kind of work I wanted to do. I never made as much money, but I made enough. The bonus is that now that I'm close to retirement, I realize what an amazing thing a (defined benefit) pension is. I'm sorry that so many US workers no longer have pensions. Mine will be life changing for me.
4
"One of the most important dimensions of job satisfaction is how you feel about your employer’s mission."
Having watched 16 people (now 17 as I just put in my notice) leave in one year primarily due to low wages and a frustration with 6% raises (usually only after 2-3 years based on industry standards) I can say with great certainty that how you feel about your employers mission ranks much much lower than how you feel about the way your employer treats and compensates you.
I know a good number of underpaid ex-coworkers who will gnash their teeth and give serious sideeye if they ever encounter anyone doling out " do what you love" advice. They, like me, found careers doing what they loved and quickly realized that when you're young, what you love can sometimes be synonymous with what comes easy to you. And if something comes easy to you in your early twenties, you can bet it probably comes easy to a lot of other people therefore driving competition up and keeping wages stagnant in an industry where entry level salaries in 1992 were about $27k and are now about 32k.
Point being, don't do what you love, do what will challenge you and pay your bills.
Having watched 16 people (now 17 as I just put in my notice) leave in one year primarily due to low wages and a frustration with 6% raises (usually only after 2-3 years based on industry standards) I can say with great certainty that how you feel about your employers mission ranks much much lower than how you feel about the way your employer treats and compensates you.
I know a good number of underpaid ex-coworkers who will gnash their teeth and give serious sideeye if they ever encounter anyone doling out " do what you love" advice. They, like me, found careers doing what they loved and quickly realized that when you're young, what you love can sometimes be synonymous with what comes easy to you. And if something comes easy to you in your early twenties, you can bet it probably comes easy to a lot of other people therefore driving competition up and keeping wages stagnant in an industry where entry level salaries in 1992 were about $27k and are now about 32k.
Point being, don't do what you love, do what will challenge you and pay your bills.
190
How about this: cultivate your talents as much as your circumstances will allow, and seek a career outlet/venue, within the parameters of what your constraints may be,that maximally allows the expression and development of those talents in a way consistent with preservation of your dignity and adherence to your ethical principles.
Then, societally focus on making the distribution of this kind of opportunity as equitable as possible. As I said in another comment, follow Michael Waltzer's suggestion of trying to increase pay to the less intrinsically satisfying jobs, and find ways to have the more intrinsically satisfying as well as higher paid work subsidize the former category.
I'll give a stark example: Our premed meritocracy offers the smart and ambitious a 25 year grind, rewarded at the end with high pay, high status, high intrinsic rewards, and self-esteem that can make Trump seem humble (ok, I exaggerate a BIT). I say, excise the Darwian shtick, tell would-be doctors 'do it for love, expect modest pay' and adjust the reward system accordingly. Fewer medical capitalists (and BMWs, Rolexes, and country club memberships) but more passionate (and compassionate) caregivers. Indeed, I'll sacrifice some of the Type A competitive ambition-achievement driven quality for a more noble and humane society, if necessary. But I actually think quality would go up.
Then, societally focus on making the distribution of this kind of opportunity as equitable as possible. As I said in another comment, follow Michael Waltzer's suggestion of trying to increase pay to the less intrinsically satisfying jobs, and find ways to have the more intrinsically satisfying as well as higher paid work subsidize the former category.
I'll give a stark example: Our premed meritocracy offers the smart and ambitious a 25 year grind, rewarded at the end with high pay, high status, high intrinsic rewards, and self-esteem that can make Trump seem humble (ok, I exaggerate a BIT). I say, excise the Darwian shtick, tell would-be doctors 'do it for love, expect modest pay' and adjust the reward system accordingly. Fewer medical capitalists (and BMWs, Rolexes, and country club memberships) but more passionate (and compassionate) caregivers. Indeed, I'll sacrifice some of the Type A competitive ambition-achievement driven quality for a more noble and humane society, if necessary. But I actually think quality would go up.
9
People are frustrated with 6% raises?
22
I love my employers mission: higher education. I was given a raise of $.10 -yes, ten cents - an hour. With a straight face and sincere gratitude for my hard work, as well as a reminder that some people got nothing. Raising a child gets harder evry year
28
Find something you are good at. Loving a job over the long term comes from competence and feelings of accomplishment no matter the field or the money.
38
The article hits all the correct points about passion, flow, and becoming an expert in the a particular field. One crucial point that was missing is for college students to analyze the economy and identify the careers that are in high demand as well as careers that are overcrowded. A recent graduate will find the highest starting salary and lasting job security in a career that is not overpopulated in a highly competitive field.
12
I'm a Cornellian. Robert Frank was a star professor when I was there in the 80s. However, he is only partially right here. If you are going to be a worker bee, then yes, having subject matter expertise in one or a very limited number of areas has historically been helpful. However, it is not necessarily fulfilling, nor does it generally lead to the greatest success. In fact, outside of the realm of finance, specific subject matter expertise is as likely to be a trap as it is to be a means of work life fulfillment.
To be happy and successful today requires being well rounded, knowledgable in a number of areas, with the kind of mental flexibility necessary to navigate the new at all times. If you dig deeper than these surface surveys, you will find that the most successful people in corporate America, and, more importantly, the most successful entrepreneurs share these traits, not expertise in one area.
To be happy and successful today requires being well rounded, knowledgable in a number of areas, with the kind of mental flexibility necessary to navigate the new at all times. If you dig deeper than these surface surveys, you will find that the most successful people in corporate America, and, more importantly, the most successful entrepreneurs share these traits, not expertise in one area.
61
Bad advice. That applies to top 0.1%. For the other 99.9%, expertise pays off every time.
2
Dear Robert,
My daughter has been asking me this question several occasions, and is still not convinced by the reply to the point that she almost forgets that she had raised this question to me in the past on several occasions.
Like I told her that if a person loves something and if he still wish to persue that love as his profession, then the profession demands that you are absolutely alert and on toes while performing loosing the very love factor one is used to. Take example of a professional tennis player, a golfer or a footballer a boxer for that matter, these players because of the intense competition are unable to experiment as much as they would like to (exception Roger Federer) for the fear of loosing. Thus converting a passion into a profession is a rear occurrence and many a times is not rewarded in your life time, take example of the famous artists(Picassos and like) and the way they lived their life.
Another point is suppose if one likes to sing, or sleep or drink do we advocate they do this 24 hrs a day, a seperate time can be allotted to your passion each day, and one should try to earn in the mainstream basically, as per the demands of the modern day life or business.
Hope I will be able to satisfy my daughter, she has just graduated as a Civil Engineer and now seeks a complete turn around and is seriously thinking to become a Graphic Designer.
My daughter has been asking me this question several occasions, and is still not convinced by the reply to the point that she almost forgets that she had raised this question to me in the past on several occasions.
Like I told her that if a person loves something and if he still wish to persue that love as his profession, then the profession demands that you are absolutely alert and on toes while performing loosing the very love factor one is used to. Take example of a professional tennis player, a golfer or a footballer a boxer for that matter, these players because of the intense competition are unable to experiment as much as they would like to (exception Roger Federer) for the fear of loosing. Thus converting a passion into a profession is a rear occurrence and many a times is not rewarded in your life time, take example of the famous artists(Picassos and like) and the way they lived their life.
Another point is suppose if one likes to sing, or sleep or drink do we advocate they do this 24 hrs a day, a seperate time can be allotted to your passion each day, and one should try to earn in the mainstream basically, as per the demands of the modern day life or business.
Hope I will be able to satisfy my daughter, she has just graduated as a Civil Engineer and now seeks a complete turn around and is seriously thinking to become a Graphic Designer.
8
Urge your daughter to try several years as a Civil Engineer before she abandons the field. She may find the satisfaction she thinks she'll get in graphic design is waiting for her right there in CE. I've been advising people on careers for 30 years. I've seen many people jump to a new career before understanding what their current one truly offers in terms of satisfying their emotional needs.
36
Electrical engineer here working in the civil engineering field. I worked for one year as an engineer after college, thought I wanted to be a teacher, spent five years of my life obtaining a Master's Degree, certification, and teaching, then jumped right back to engineering after realizing poorly valued/treated people outside of engineering are.
I hated engineering my first year, reason being that I didn't know anything and I couldn't do anything. I was asked only to do mundane tasks. Nearly seven years since coming back after teaching, I have my full blown engineer's license, my phone rings off the hook from folks attempting to recruit me, I have become one of the senior staff/partners of an engineering firm that is the fourth largest in the world and the largest in New York City. I am currently designing the new LaGuardia Airport.
Engineering is tough because it takes about five years or so, or more, to know much. However, once developers and other big wigs begin to rely on you for your knowledge and previous experience, it is deeply satisfying.
Best of luck to your daughter. Advise her to hang on at least until she obtains her PE license.
I hated engineering my first year, reason being that I didn't know anything and I couldn't do anything. I was asked only to do mundane tasks. Nearly seven years since coming back after teaching, I have my full blown engineer's license, my phone rings off the hook from folks attempting to recruit me, I have become one of the senior staff/partners of an engineering firm that is the fourth largest in the world and the largest in New York City. I am currently designing the new LaGuardia Airport.
Engineering is tough because it takes about five years or so, or more, to know much. However, once developers and other big wigs begin to rely on you for your knowledge and previous experience, it is deeply satisfying.
Best of luck to your daughter. Advise her to hang on at least until she obtains her PE license.
64
As a graphic designer I am often confused with being an "artist". I am not an artist in that I don't create for myself but for clients in other industries. I like the fact I have to research their industry to do a good job for them. If your daughter likes extensive research then graphic design might be a good fit. If she thinks it is all about being an artist she might be disappointed. Another point to consider is that clients often have ideas that are really bad and part of my job is to steer them to something more appropriate that will be a better fit for their product. As you can imagine, it can be frustrating to convince people who have their minds made up to look at other alternatives that might be more profitable for them in the long run. People skills are really important in the field of graphic design. There are graphic designers who specialize in a variety of industries and we don't all design logos or websites. If she talks to a variety of designers she might get a better feel for the profession.
2
I spent 20 years in the corporate sector and now 13 years in the non-profit sector. In my experience it's a lot more satisfying, albeit less financially rewarding, to align your values with your career. I'll take that trade off every day of the week!
I'm currently in my 4th job since leaving the telecommunications industry in 2003. Each of the 4 jobs have been extraordinary and have allowed me to build my skill sets, but it's taken until now to find the "flow" that the writer speaks of. As we used to say in New York, "it's a thing of beauty."
I'm currently in my 4th job since leaving the telecommunications industry in 2003. Each of the 4 jobs have been extraordinary and have allowed me to build my skill sets, but it's taken until now to find the "flow" that the writer speaks of. As we used to say in New York, "it's a thing of beauty."
69
Working 20 years in the corporate sector probably funded your retirement, mortgage payments, kids' college tuition...
It's alot easier to downscale to work at your passion if you have a plush bank account
It's alot easier to downscale to work at your passion if you have a plush bank account
6
Let's measure the satisfaction of the children instead of the parents. Parents are not happy people because each child requires enormous resource. The easy answer is to avoid counting the needs of a child. Children in better neighborhoods do better. It's true in every country and historically accurate.
The first rule:
1) Create a budget
The second rule.
2) Find a job that supports that budget.
The third rule
3) Your passion will change throughout your life, - stay educated. Keep up with the time, industry changes and so do you.
Rule zero:
Take care of your children.
The first rule:
1) Create a budget
The second rule.
2) Find a job that supports that budget.
The third rule
3) Your passion will change throughout your life, - stay educated. Keep up with the time, industry changes and so do you.
Rule zero:
Take care of your children.
81
Why?
1. The initial difference in stating salary between (EE and ME) is likely to only about $2K - $3k.
2. That will vanish quickly if you like what you are doing, as you are likely to perform well. OTOH, if you don't like what you're doing, it's unlikely that you will perform as well.
3. Liking hat you do and being good at it is worth a ton of things over the long term.