What do you do for a living?

[Leda EmBorr]

When I majored in art... back in the 80's... people told me I could never make a living that way. So began my quest for "what I want to do when I grow up". If only I didn't listen to them and followed my heart.

As it stands, I have no degree, no marketable skills (except for serving coffee and smiling) and no job.

[Kryy Jacobi]

Why grow up? (To quote our favorite Obi-Wan, "that's why I'm here." On this site.. that is.... to not grow up )

You know, my mom asked me a couple of months ago if I regretted changing from art, and I said "probably". So I find no fault with "following your heart" -- it's how God has gifted you.

But I understand about the "marketable skills". I never expected to work in an office -- I thought I was too ditsy and naive when I was younger, but I wound up being the breadwinner for a number of years after the family business closed.

There's some book about "30 Days to the Work You Love" or something like that -- Dave Ramsey the financial guy talks about it. (I'll see if I can find it.) With all of your talents, there is something that is right for you that you can develop as a profession, degree or not!

Besides, being "Mom" is a very important job and the one with the most far-reaching impact.

[Leda EmBorr]

Ditsy and naive! That would be me. lol!!!!

I'd be interested in reading that book!

[acalsohei]

Hmm. Marketable skills. In college and before, I was told it's impossible to make a living as a performing musician, so I'd better get a music education degree. (The only other possible choice for a young musician in 1980.) So, I taught orchestra for 16 years, thinking that was all there was. I really enjoyed teaching, but hated the politics in public schools, particularly in my last district. It took three years to realize I was working in an emotionally toxic environment, and another 5 to work up the guts to leave. Fast forward to now-I'm making my living teaching privately, playing cello (most of the time for pay-not much, but pay!), and running a music business. By the way, I have no formal training for any of this. I probably wouldn't be able to do this without my college courses and years of teaching experence, but this is much closer to my "dream" job than I ever thought possible while in college. It's not necessarily as secure financially, but that peace of mind that comes from doing what you love is worth a lot! I'm all for following your dreams!

[dalailala]

Besides, you never really know what "marketable skills" you might have hidden, and I honestly don't mean that in a perverse way. I worked in a mall retail store for 10 years after I gave up on writing and quit college, and I thought that, like my mother before me, retail was all I was capable of doing. But it turned out that my basic skill set of being able to smile and serve... well, books, in my case, plus knowing how to use a computer, was enough to get me a customer service job in an office, answering phones and greeting our few walk ins. Eventually I learned to do nearly everything else in the office (except for how to do the art!) and was the Operations Managers right hand.... err... woman.

When I decided recently to go BACK to college, I had to leave there, but now had some new office skills to take with me. I got a job doing data entry (again, knowing how to use a computer is more of a "marketable skill" than one might think), until they realized that my major was tech writing. Now I am writing and editing their procedural manuals instead.

At any rate, the moral of the story is that you can start with just a little bit to get your foot in the door. Once you're through the door, you never know where it might take you.

Aw heck, now I gotta go find that Bilbo Baggins quote....

-Lala

[acalsohei]

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

[dalailala]

Ah, thank you! I had that a bit confounded with "It's a dangerous business going out your front door!"

I think I have a tagline now....



-Lala

[acalsohei]

Cool, Lala. That song is in the early part of the first book of Fellowship of the Ring. I set it to music while in college, and Donald Swann (of Flanders and Swann) also set that text to music.

[Ari C'rona]

This is a cool thread! It's interesting to hear what many of you do besides TJA.

I spent over 20 years teaching elementary school before I resigned to homeschool my son. We love the change- my hubby, too. We now have time to spend doing things we never had time for before along with the usual duties required of motherhood.

Actually, I'm just as busy now as I was then. I spend a fair amount of time with Hendel D'bu helping with her administrative duties and adventuring around the area in search of letterboxes (another hobby), not to mention getting involved in costuming (that was a grand adventure!)

a-c.

[Leda EmBorr]

acalsohei said:

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

That's a very good saying. Rings true!

[Mon-Jas Charan]

I was offered a job to day ... it was in the 6 figure range ... turned it down, I did not wish to relocate .... to Iraq.

[I Five]

I've still got my fingers crossed for you

[Darcu RyMal]

I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones. I took an interest in all kinds of technology by the time I was about 8, about when I saw Star Wars the first time...imagine that! It wasn't necessarily my "life-plan", but having such a love of this stuff I actually did follow my heart and ended up with a career path I'm very passionate about, which has a lot of demand, and pays pretty well.

Lots of people seem to think my type of career field is about the $$, but I don't think you can be really great at what you do if that's all it's about. I think you must have a sincere love of what you are doing to be truly happy with it. I just got lucky that what I love can also be a decent career. Those of you who are struggling...I encourage you to follow your heart and dreams. Life seems to have a funny way of working-out for those with a little faith in themselves and others. Chin-up and good luck to all those still searching to find their way!

May the Force be with you...
~Darcu

[Mon-Jas Charan]

Agreed ... I have worked too long for a "paycheck" ... I have not had a job I looked forward to going to ... always a struggle to get out of bed and drag my self to work ... my last job (Just abOve Broke) was tolerable because I got to work from home ... I would have chucked it years ago if it were not for that. I'm no good at office politics ... I'm always labeled as a problem, because I point out the flaws in the reasoning in how things are done ... My one manager said in a review that ... "You not only point out why it won't work, but you have all the proof and documentation to support it ... Upper management does not like that."

What I love is preforming playing music ... watching the smiles and joy it brings to people ... Going to hospitals and seeing the children and making them "believe" that Jedi and Wizards are real and they will recover from their injuries and such is the best part of life.

[I Five]

Wow...you guys are getting pretty deep...I don't know if I love what I do! I've never in my entire life worked anywhere but here...I started part time when I was 12 patchig sod, then I ran forklift for a few years, then I was a parts runner, then I got shipped to the office . I've worked in the office thru high school & college. I've been full time since 1994....I really don't know what else I'd do for a living anymore

I do love the freedom to take all the vacation time I need in the winter (I LOVE to travel), but the summer hours do get long.

I'd still like to become a professional waterskiier or downhill racer or astronaut...I wonder if it's too late? ;D