Comments on: Our Jobs: Doing What We Love

By: Fashion Girl

Fashion Girl — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:46:32 +0000

Thanks so much for including me in this post!!! I do love my job…I’ve been given amazing opportunities at such a young age. I work in a VERY creative environment with amazingly talented people. I learn something new every day!

By: Brie

Brie — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:21:14 +0000

I’m an occupational therapist- and I could have gone to med school if I’d wanted to, but like Nicole I love working with patients. I learn things from all of my patients and it makes my day whenever I do something that seems small to me, but makes a difference for them. It’s very rewarding.
I get paid well enough to earn a good living.
I have left jobs because I didn’t like the direction the company was going in and because I wanted to move to be with my family.
Now, if I were to go back to school I’d go to nursing school or I’d become a teacher.

By: Another Chris

Another Chris — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:38:46 +0000

I do love my job, now….I’ve 21 years with the same company, and entry-level jobs with this particular company are unpleasant (call-center, and LOTS of being yelled at, by customers), though the benefits and pay are wonderful, so we tolerate, ad hope yo move on. After 12 years I was able to transfer to a job in engineering, and I’ve been there ever since….love the people, love the work, and hope to stay where I am until I can retire. And if I could do anything else it would be teaching grade school…I mentored for a few years, and it was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Wow, what a long reply!! :)

By: Colleen Thompson

Colleen Thompson — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:48:37 +0000

Thanks for the link! Being a novelist is a great gig, but the single writer has to remember there are no sick days and no bennies – including retirement.

Still, it gives me joy, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

By: K.T.

K.T. — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:05:31 +0000

So far, analysis isn’t the bestest job in the whole-wide world, but at least I get to play with a fair amount of technology and pay the bills. There’s some creativity involved, though of a different nature than the creativity I’m used to. We’ll see how the incessant travel treats me when it starts.

If money weren’t a factor, in order of most desire to least, here’s what I’d go do:

novelist (science fiction)
novelist (literary fiction)
english professor (brit lit)
english professor (american lit)
editor
journalist
psychiatrist
courier
babysitter
[50 choices later]
law-talking guy

By: sunchaser

sunchaser — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:21:31 +0000

What Jen says about changing jobs/moving = “spot on”. Actually I think in some ways it’s even easier for people w/kids (from what I’ve read).

What I like: being self-employed rocks. There is absolutely nothing else like it.

What I don’t like: being on the road all the time (it was fun at first, but is kind of old now).

The money is nice, but it’s not the be all/end all.

So yeah, guess what’ll be happening in the next couple of months? (:

So what about your job?

By: Coy

Coy — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:43:00 +0000

How inspiring!

After years of working jobs I despised, I finally found a good career. It’s amazing what a difference it makes when you do something you love. It changes every aspect of your life and puts a perpetual spring in your step.

My new job is fascinating and challenges me on a daily basis. Being stagnant is career kill.

By: geeky

geeky — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:27:39 +0000

I absolutely love my job because of a combination of the reasons Dixie Dynamite mentioned, nice job perks, great coworkers, and that it’s what I’m naturally good at. I have just the right amount of work here to keep me busy and challenged while still having time to enjoy my job’s perks. And like you mentioned, the money has nothing to do with it. I know I could make twice as much money in the corporate world, but I couldn’t wear jeans and flipflops to work there, could I? :)

By: Teresa

Teresa — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:17:04 +0000

I love my job b/c I know I work everyday for a worthy cause. I take pride in knowing the community benefits from the organization I work for.

I’ve always wanted to teach Kindergarten; I wouldn’t quit what I do now, but if the opportunity came about I would definitley consider it.

By: jen

jen — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:11:21 +0000

i don’t think it’s easier for singles to change jobs at all, i think it’s easier for partnered people without kids, because they have a safety net and a partner that can help support them financially if they take a pay cut, help put them through additional schooling, etc.

i love my job even though i wouldn’t say i love what i DO at my job. as usual, i’m the weird one, but the reasons i love my job are, in order of importance:

1. it’s 9-5, no overtime, no weekends. if i show up late, i just stay late, no obnoxious attendance policies. if i want to take a break and get some coffee i just go get some coffee.
2. i get paid a lot for how much i work. also good benefits, good leave policy, good job security.
3. i’m well-suited for the work, it comes relatively easy to me.
4. i don’t have to work with other people and i don’t get bothered by clients/customers/whoever during the day. i sit in my office by myself all day and that’s how i like it.

i have no interest in working harder or getting less money to do a job that is more interesting. and i’m confident that i could not find a job doing work that i like better UNLESS i worked harder and got paid less. moreover, i honestly don’t think that i would love doing ANYTHING if it were my job. i can sit and play videogames for 8 hours straight easily, but if it were my job to play xbox all day, i think i’d be just as bored and frustrated with that as i get with my work.