Go for the dream or Go with the punches?

[ppanda]

This past week I had Thursday and Friday off- yet I wound up working because the our systems were crashing. Day by day I hate my job more and more. I laugh when they mention "career" development to me at my reviews year after year because to me this is a job. I never intended on getting into software.
The job pays pretty well (by that I mean it just pays my CT lifestyle which is way overpriced)
I have always wanted to have a carreer in biology. My major was marine biology when I was going to college but times were tough and I couldnt finish due to lack of funds.
If it was something I enjoyed I wouldnt mind working days off. I am passionate about nature and ecology etc and I wouldnt have minded- but to me my current carreer path is just a job..it pays the bills
I am 32 now and realizing I should have made saved my $$ and continued my dream.
I still want to follow my dream of working in biology and working with animals.
Im asking for advice- would you go for the dream or just roll with the current corporate job? Would you go for the money or being happy in a true carreer?

[Fez4PrezN2008]

This past week had Thursday and Friday off- yet I wound up working because the our systems were crashing. Day by day I hate my job more and more. I laugh when they mention "career" development to me at my reviews year after year because to me this is a job. I never intended on getting into software.
The job pays pretty well (by that I mean it just pays my CT lifestyle which is way overpriced)
I have always wanted to have a carreer in biology. My major was marine biology when I was going to college but times were tough and I couldnt finish due to lack of funds.
I am 32 now and realizing I should have made saved my $$ and continued my dream.
I still want to follow my dream of working in biology and working with animals.
Im asking for advice- would you go for the dream or just roll with the current corporate job? Would you go for the money or being happy in a true carreer?
The happiest people are those who love what they do - just look at Ron and Fez... well look at Ron. I went back to school after years and years of being out and re-invented myself and am enjoying a new job that resulted. Find your true passion and follow that with all your heart and you will be a happy person.

[Gvac]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind brother.

Trust me, it's not a cliche. Money does not make you happy. Especially when you detest what you have to do to get it, no matter how much it is.

If marine biology is too far off at this point, I'm sure there are several other career paths involved with ecology or nature that you could choose to work in until you finish your schooling.

Follow your dreams, not the money.

[weekapaugjz]

my advice would be to take a few biology classes at a local college to see if still enjoy the subject enough to finish your degree. if you end up loving the classes, go back and finish your degree. if you don't like it, or don't like taking classes, stick with your current job.

doing what you enjoy is the most important thing in life, not a job you do not enjoy. i started school as a business major thinking i was going to make tons of money in the process. after a year realized i couldn't stand it and switched to history without having any plans just because i enjoyed taking those classes. it lead me into education and really couldn't be happier with my choices. now, i just have to find a job now that school is done...

[K.C.]

And when your deepest thoughts are broken,
Keep on dreaming boy, cause when you stop dreamin its time to die.

Miss Shannon Hoon...and, great song.

[cougarjake13]

This past week I had Thursday and Friday off- yet I wound up working because the our systems were crashing. Day by day I hate my job more and more. I laugh when they mention "career" development to me at my reviews year after year because to me this is a job. I never intended on getting into software.
The job pays pretty well (by that I mean it just pays my CT lifestyle which is way overpriced)
I have always wanted to have a carreer in biology. My major was marine biology when I was going to college but times were tough and I couldnt finish due to lack of funds.
If it was something I enjoyed I wouldnt mind working days off. I am passionate about nature and ecology etc and I wouldnt have minded- but to me my current carreer path is just a job..it pays the bills
I am 32 now and realizing I should have made saved my $$ and continued my dream.
I still want to follow my dream of working in biology and working with animals.
Im asking for advice- would you go for the dream or just roll with the current corporate job? Would you go for the money or being happy in a true carreer?


fuck no

go for the dream you only get one chance at life and you cant just press the reset button when things are done

im kinda in the same boat stuck in one job that ive been doing for over 10 yrs cause its all i ever done but i want out of that lifestyle, i went to college and got a degree and as of now have never used it career wise

im currently in the steps of making that career move that i want to and may even have to take pay cuts salary wise to make it happen but ive been saving up just for that reason

so i suggest that you go for it and od whatever you have to do to make it happen, maybe that means saving up some money to do it, maybe even quit and take out some school loans to pay for things, either way dont just set there and take it and one day be sitting in an retirement home going ya know i wished i would went for it

[ChimneyFish]

I get paid pretty well.
I'm able to afford most of the things I want.
Yet I hate almost every single aspect of my life.
Money has very little to do with true happiness.
There is so much more to being happy than possessions and appearing "well off".


Just ask yourself what you really want out of life.

[epo]

A simple question for you. When you get up in the morning do you hate the thought of going to work?

If the answer is YES, then you are not going for the dream.

[ppanda]

Thank you everybody for your input- I am gonna take steps to go back to school- I'm setting boundaries with my current job tp accomplish this.
if ever is a time for me to do it, now would be the time- Im not married no kids so nothing to really jeopardize.
And besides...you only live once right?

Thanks buddays

Pat

[lleeder]

I think one of the best examples of this is our own East Side Dave. He wanted to work for Ron and Fez so he went back to school got his degree, worked overnights in some shitty Jersey station and finally got to be producer of the show. You should go for your dreams. That other job or jobs like it will be available at any time. I heard somewhere that most peoplethat make drastic career changes usually make the same money but are much happier.

[ppanda]

Thanks Lleeder- thats exactky what I'm talking about. At this point I need to take steps towards being happy- its not even about the money anymore. This current job has resulted in some health related issues for me which is giving me the big push to make the change.

[Don Stugots]

Go for it!

[Don Stugots]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind brother.

Trust me, it's not a cliche. Money does not make you happy. Especially when you detest what you have to do to get it, no matter how much it is.

If marine biology is too far off at this point, I'm sure there are several other career paths involved with ecology or nature that you could choose to work in until you finish your schooling.

Follow your dreams, not the money.

trust him, that is my life!

[cougarjake13]

Thank you everybody for your input- I am gonna take steps to go back to school- I'm setting boundaries with my current job tp accomplish this.
if ever is a time for me to do it, now would be the time- Im not married no kids so nothing to really jeopardize.
And besides...you only live once right?

Thanks buddays

Pat

good for you

have fun and enjoy life

[DorothyCrosley]

We only live one life why be unhappy during it if you can change it? I mean if its something attainable go for it..I mean if you would have said my dream is to be president or something like that i would say stick with your job but your dreams are realistic. I say go for it!

[Don Stugots]

"i had a dream
an awsome dream
people in the park
playing games in the dark

say you
say me......"

[ralphbxny]

Go for the dream!!

[ppanda]

OK- I am sorry to bring back this thread but. I took three days off this week to go to a family reuniun and spend time with cousins that I havent seen in years. Do you know so far both days...and we will see about tomorrow, I recieved numerous calls from work about issues!!! I AM PISSED!!! WHY CANT I TAKE 3 DAYS OFF WITHOUT BEING BOTHERED!!! I PHUKIN HATE MY JOB!!!
If it was something I was passionate about I wouldnt care but to me this is just a job. I dot want to spend 8- hours and week + weekends + my days off working.

"The dream"s going to take numerous years of study.
My salary is low based on the area I live... and I am considering just quiting and taking three retail jobs because I have mortgage and the ususal bills to pay.

Suggestions? If not it just felt good to vent a bit.

[ppanda]

PS- I have worked the last 10 years in the industry I am in now and if I make any move I need for it to NOTbe in this industry..It is corrupt and fuked up and I need a total departure.

[Don Stugots]

ok. can you find another job in the meantime?

[ppanda]

ok. can you find another job in the meantime?

thats what Im plannng, I just dont want a "job" that will interupt my weekends and vacations. Its fukin insane...Im on call like a doctor and paid like highschool janitor.
I told a forumn member that a job was availble but advised them of what Ive been going through and didnt want to recommend tem because I cant out of good conscience say that it is a great job. Dont get me wrong.. There are conveniences. I work from home 4 days out of the week. The pay is not so great based on where I lve because its the one the most expesive counties in the tri-state.
But is it worth the stress?
Im ready to take three bullshit stress free jobs- like at a grocery store, best buy or what not until I can move to a more affordable state or country for that matter.

I cant live like this.

A quote that I once heard went like this:
"Nobody on there death bead said 'I should have spent more time in the office'"

Life is too short to be a sprocket in this corporate nemesis.

[Bob Impact]

thats what Im plannng, I just dont want a "job" that will interupt my weekends and vacations. Its fukin insane...Im on call like a doctor and paid like highschool janitor.
I told a forumn member that a job was availble but advised them of what Ive been going through and didnt want to recommend tem because I cant out of good conscience say that it is a great job. Dont get me wrong.. There are conveniences. I work from home 4 days out of the week. The pay is not so great based on where I lve because its the one the most expesive counties in the tri-state.
But is it worth the stress?
Im ready to take three bullshit stress free jobs- like at a grocery store, best buy or what not until I can move to a more affordable state or country for that matter.

I cant live like this.

A quote that I once heard went like this:
"Nobody on there death bead said 'I should have spent more time in the office'"

Life is too short to be a sprocket in this corporate nemesis.
:unsure:

I love you.

[Don Stugots]

i have to check but panda might be living the same life as me.

[Bob Impact]

i have to check but panda might be living the same life as me.

Why because I love you too?

Panda is living my life but getting paid more. :dry:

[Fat_Sunny]

I cant live like this.

Life is too short to be a sprocket in this corporate nemesis.

Man, 20 Years Ago F_S Was At A Similar Point. He Had A Very Good Corporate Job, And Was Actually Making Good Money. But He Was Working 50 Hours A Week And Travelling 30-40% Of His Time, Which Sounds Glamorous But Was Only Exhausting. Imagine Flying 22 Hours Each Way To The Phillipines For A ONE DAY Meeting! Aargh.

So Fat's Great Idea Was To Start A Business And Be His Own Boss. Well He Did Fine At That, But He's Ended Up Working 20 Years About 70 Hours A Week, With Exactly 4 Days Of Vacation Each Year.

And On Each Of Those 4 Days, He Gets The Three Calls "What Do I Tell This Person", Or "How Do I Do This".

Quality Of LIfe-Wise, Having Your Own Business Is NOT A Good Alternative, Despite What People Think.

The Only Thing F_S Can Recommend Is That You Try To Save Every Penny You Make, So That When You Are 55-60, You Can Slow Down And Maybe Get A Part-Time Job Or Set Up A Low-Stress Side Business. That's What F_S Has Been Trying To Arrange This Year.

F_S Doesn't Want To Sound Too Cynical, As He Really Does Love Working...It Is Just That If You Are In The Corporate World Or Have Your Own Business, You Really Cannot Ever Get Away From It. Not Even For A Day. And That Sucks!

[ppanda]

Why because I love you too?

Panda is living my life but getting paid more. :dry:

Ugg- but its still not enough to pay off the guilt in me.
Im in the healthcare industry(well the software portion anway)...closest thing I can compare is the to being a the para legal for a defense atourney for O.J.

[ppanda]

Anithor thing I can tell you Like F_S said I do a bit of traveling and based on that plus the obscene hours I can tell you thank god Im not married because my wife would have left...taken the kids and half the furniture and I probably wou;d not have noticed...Im not exagerating,
I have two people on my "team" who have told me their wives are complaining about the amount hours the jobe requires.

[Ritalin]

Panda, there's always another way. The trick is to find it without fucking yourself, you know what I mean?

I know where you live - not the street address - and where you live is part of the problem. Have you ever thought about moving? You obviously have skills, and they're probably in high demand. Why live in a place where you can't enjoy what you earn?

If you want to get into something else, why not live in a place where that transition would be possible? Fairfield County is not that place. You could probably sell your house, move somewhere much cheaper - and just as nice - and be able to work less and start your schooling to become something else.