One issue that you’ll see constantly debated in books and articles about choosing a career is the idea of “doing what you love.” Should a person “follow their passion” as a primary guiding light for their career? Or does it make more sense to choose a career based on income and aptitude?
There are pros and cons behind each path. Following your passion means that you’re going to usually end up spending a significant part of your workday doing something you deeply enjoy. However, jobs like those often have a low average wage (though there are often high-end rewards for high performers).
On the other hand, choosing a career based on average income and your personal aptitude will lead you to a job with a strong income level and a career path you’re naturally suited for, but you may not end up enjoying your job or your career at all.
My own life has been full of the push-and-pull between these two paths.
When I first went to college, I studied something I’ve been passionate about my entire life: biology. There were three classes I deeply enjoyed in high school – math, English, and biology – and I felt that the jobs I could end up doing with a biology degree would be incredibly enjoyable. I didn’t really worry about the pay too much.
Continue Reading: The Myths and Realities of ‘Doing What You Love’ – The Simple Dollar