<p>For the past 3 years, I've been tirelessly working through the undergraduate Architecture program at Lawrence Tech. I had chosen architecture because I possessed both design and analytical skills, and I enjoyed it. I've received and won both honors and additional scholarships for my work. However, I realized that school is A LOT more sugar coated than the real life profession. I got discouraged from the field after talking to numerous professionals in the field. The hours are long, the pay is minimal at best, the legal liabilities, and the amount of education is insane for professional licensure (bachelors + masters + 3-5 year Internship Development Program + 40 hour-Registration exam). Discouraged, I switched over to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Digital Arts, purely to focus on more modern technology implications such as web design and development. However, I still feel unsure about my future, since it's almost unrealistic to think that you can get a job doing what you absolutely love. Sure designing websites is fun, but everyone and their mom wants to design. That's why I'm more prone to the web development side of things, which makes me want to switch to a Computer Science degree....but the program focuses more on software development than web development.....bleh. Honestly, I'm torn between my future. I want to do what I love, but with more than 50% of the work force hating their jobs, sometimes you just got to suck it up and think realistically. Work is called work for a reason. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Do what you love. Your future happiness is worth so much more than money and security.</p>
<p>I did.</p>
<p>serious problems with "money and security" will have a long lasting effect though on one's life - so "doing what you love" in your early 20's might tarnish with the wear of debt and limited financial options in your future. </p>
<p>Food for thought.</p>
<p>To quote Steve Jobs (2005, Stanford Commencement Speech):</p>
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<p>The key, in my opinion, is not "doing what you love," but finding a balance between responsibility and enjoyment. I do not understand kids who break their backs in their twenties to become investment bankers. Most of these kids do not care about investment banking, but are lured in by the potential money that can be made. Likewise, I do not understand kids who finish high school, than travel and party during their twenties. Both these approaches can lead to very serious consequences.</p>
<p>The great thing about doing what you like is that you excel naturally...I was too much of a chicken to go for what I really loved, and studying isn't exactly enjoyable...I have to "work" for my grades. And yet, when I take electives in fields that interest me, my grades are usually high, as I enjoy the studying process.</p>
<p>My advice: we live in a VERY competitive world. For that reason, I believe the safest thing is to go for what you're good at and enjoy doing (so that all those hours of work don't become an inferno). The important thing is to have realistic expectations about future employment/salary (e.g., I will not earn a six-figure salary with an English major).</p>
<p>I dont know was that worth. I think that maybe is best to open something what is yours and live from that. Investing for thousands, and thousands dollars in your schooling can be risk. It is maybe better invest that money in some fine job, because sometimes man can go years and years in school but if he doesnt have strong interpersonal skills and if he is insecure, he can be rejected in most employments. So it is maybe better if somebody is not some secure person, with many self confidence, that she open something what is hers instead to invest 100 thousand dollars in schooling. For thousand dollars man can open mini factory and can be independent!</p>
<p>It sounds like you know what you want to do, and on top of that, you have a recognized ability to do it. As far as a secure future is concerned, you seem to be set. You may have to move around hunting for job opportunities for a while, but please, don't give up! My parents' best friend is an architect, too, and not only did she go through all of the education in her home country but actually had to do it all, and I mean ALL, over again after the war struck. She's extremely happy, employed, and economically well-off today.</p>
<p>Most people lack either passion or ability; you have both. For the love of God, don't trade that in - it's not about idealism, quite the opposite.</p>
<p>"Do what you love" is way too simplistic. You have to choose your tradeoffs. Your mood might even change day to day and you might love your decisions one day and regret them the next.</p>
<p>Being good at something requires you to be willing to master all the related undesirables. I find that that is often the difference maker. Attention to detail is often attention to the undesirable details.</p>
<p>Best advice ever: Do what you love but make sure you can eat too.</p>
<p>Ya I'm not sure what to do once I get my ba in business (well Industrial Labor Relations) and mba...maybe work for a network like nbc or cbs? I was trying to think of fun things and I took a tour of CBS for a business management course and liked it. I'm not sure what parts of business are truly fun tho! I guess that will come w/ time. But I want the money and the passion!</p>