What do I want to do in life? What
can I do? Is this job a good choice? Will I be able to live off of it? So many college students, especially
upperclassmen, have asked themselves these questions. As college students
approach graduation, these questions become more and more urgent, and students
become more and more stressed out. They start to wonder if the job they
“wanted” to pursue is worth it or if it really is their passion or calling. As
a college senior, I understand this situation. I have often wondered if the
career choice I have chosen, pharmacy, is my truly my calling or my passion. I
have always had a passion for the arts. I love creating things
with my own hand. I love knitting, crocheting, sewing, DIY projects, etc.
However, is art something I can really pursue…as a job? Because these
situations are so commonplace, I would like to explore the topic of whether
students should pursue a dream job or a “real” job. Even though it is tempting
to choose a job or industry that one is passionate about, I encourage college
students not to blindly chase after a dream, especially if that dream is unrealistic. When choosing a job, students must consider their
skill sets, interests, financial stability, and future changes in live.
However, before we jump into
discussing which choice—dream job or “real” job—is better, let’s take a look at
Gen Y, our generation. Writer Tim Urban and psychologist Jean Twenge have
characterized Gen Y as unhappy and miserable. Why? According to Jean Twenge in
her book, Generation
Me, Millennials are constantly told that “you can be whatever you want to
be” and “nothing is impossible” (Twenge, 2006). Millennials have greater
expectations for themselves (and for life) than previous generations do. They
feel that nothing is beyond their reach and that they only need to try. Unfortunately,
the greater the expectation, the greater the fall when that expectation is not
reached. The following images from the article "Why
Generation Y Yuppies Are Unhappy" by Tim Urban illustrates this
concept well:
 |
| Source: Urban, T. (2013) Equation [digital]. |
 |
| Source: Urban, T. (2013) Expectations and reality [digital]. |
Additionally, therapist Meg Jay,
author of The
Defining Decade, mentions that clients in their twenties tend to go
from one job to another because they’re afraid to settle for “some ordinary
thing” (Jay, 2013). To further support this observation, Lucy
Cennamo and Diane Gardner in their 2008 research paper, found that Gen Y differs
from the baby bloomer generation in that Gen Y places a greater importance on
status and freedom when determining job satisfaction. We believe in the
“nothing is impossible” and that makes a dream job all the more appealing.
However, we must take a step back and think carefully before choosing the dream
job.
First, take a look at your skill
sets and interests (not passions). Everyone has something that comes to him
or her more naturally than something else. For example, I’m good at the
sciences. I tend to do better in classes with a biology focus than classes with
a focus on writing. However, am I passionate about biology? No. Even though I’m interested in biology and enjoy studying the subject, it is not
something I am passionate about. When
choosing a job, it is important to take a look at both your skills and
interests, but not necessarily your passions. This is important—don’t focus
solely on your passions, because you may not be as passionate about your
passion in a work setting. However, if you choose a job based on interests and
skills, the chance of losing that interest will be smaller than the chance of losing that passion.
There are a two reasons why pursuing
your passion as a job can be dangerous. The first is that a dream job can
easily become a nightmare. Like mentioned in the previous paragraph, you may
find that your passion isn’t as much fun as expected, especially when forced to
perform on a schedule, forced to spend hours on reports, or forced to endlessly address customer complaints, etc. When choosing to follow a passion, be sure to
ask yourself these questions:
- Will the passion last through thick and thin?
- Is it something you can really pursue as a career?
- Is it something that can support you financially?
The second reason why pursuing your
passion can be dangerous is addressed in the last question—can you live off your
passions? This really depends on the type of lifestyle you want to live. If you want a
luxurious life, you will need a high-paying job. If you want a comfortable
lifestyle, you won’t need as much money. The following chart shows the 2011
poverty line:
 |
| Source: Tiny House listing. (2011). 2011 HHS poverty guidelines [chart]. |
However, most people don't want to live at the poverty line (or even just above the poverty line). Having just enough to survive doesn't sound very appealing. Having extra money definitely enhances our lives by providing extra food, comforts, and non-necessities. According to Elizabeth
Dunn and Michael Norton, professors at the University of British Columbia
School and Harvard Business School, respectively, to live a “comfortable life” in the
United States requires a household income of approximately $75,000 per year. Furthermore,
the two professors cited that researchers at Princeton found a positive
relationship between income and day-to-day mood. So,
if you’re the type of person who wants to live a comfortable life, will you
make enough money to support that lifestyle by pursuing your passions?
However, I’m not saying to disregard
your passions. It is very possible that pursuing your passions will allow you
to have financial stability. However, there are dream jobs that don’t pay well or
are extremely competitive. Thus, I’m asking you to think realistically. Many college
students graduate with a huge debt. For example, according to New
York Times, the average debt for University of Southern California graduates
in 2010 was just over $30,000. That’s a huge sum of money. Can you really
handle student debt and basic living costs with a job that might not pay well? As a college student, you have a long time ahead of you
before retirement. You can still pursue your passions in the future, so don’t rush
the process by thinking you have to get the "perfect" job right away. Sometimes, you
have to go through a period of transition before you find a job to settle with.
Furthermore, having a normal job
doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your passions. In fact, there are many people
have “day” jobs that not only allows them to pursue their passions but also provides
financial security. If you’re really passionate about something, you will find
time for it or will find ways to transition into it. For me, I choose pharmacy
because it allows me to help others and it gives me financial security. Pharmacy
is also a career choice that I know I will enjoy, because learning about different
drugs and how they function within the body interests me. However, even though I
choose a career based on my interests and skill sets, that doesn’t mean I will
give up on my passions for arts and crafts. I know that in the future, I will
start my own store, selling my own creations, and I am okay with the fact
that it may not become a full time job, and even if that were to happen, I don't think I would let go of pharmacy. Being a pharmacist gives me the opportunity to serve the community and also keeps me up to date with different drugs and medicinal discoveries. Thus, I believe that having a "real" job doesn't have to take away from your passions.
Choosing the best job can be
difficult, especially if you have a passion in one field but skills in another.
However, the best job may not be something you’re passionate about—and it
doesn’t have to be something you’re passionate about. As long as the job is of
interest to you and provides financial stability, this job will likely give you
the job satisfaction that you’re looking for. If you’re lucky. your dream job may provide financial stability, but sometimes a passion is meant to remain a hobby. When deciding on a future career, be sure to make smart decisions and to analyze the pros and cons of your choices. Don't automatically choose your dream job.
References
Cennamo,
L., & Gardner, D. (2008). Generational differences in work values, outcomes
and person-organisation values fit. Journal
of Managerial Psychology, 23(8), 891-906.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02683940810904385
Dunn,
E., & Norton, M. (2012). Don't indulge. Be happy. New York Times Sunday Review. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/opinion/sunday/dont-indulge-be-happy.html
"How
much money do you need to live comfortably?" (2011). Tiny House Listings. Retrieved from http://tinyhouselistings.com/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-comfortably/
Jay,
M. (2013). The defining decade: Why your
twenties matter--and how to make the most of them now. New York: Twelve.
Student debt at colleges and universities across the nation.
(2012). New York Times. Retrieved
from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/05/13/business/student-debt-at-colleges-and-universities.html
Twenge, J. (2006). Generation
me: Why today's young Americans are more confident, assertive, entitled--and
more miserable than ever before. New York: Free Press.
Urban, T. (2013). Why Generation Y yuppies are unhappy. Huffinton Post College. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but1-why/generation-y-unhappy_b_3930620.html
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