Great careers?

Parent Cafe
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<p>For help in guiding younguns towards happy, fulfilling lives, I’m wondering if folks here could ponder and post thoughts on people you know who are particularly happy with their careers. Do you know people who seem to be happy in their work? Who are able to make work dovetail nicely with their lives? Who seem to be able to find time for family? Who seem to be able to make a comfortable living without working 80 hour weeks?</p>

<p>I’m sure much of this depends on individual outlooks and appoaches to life, however I’d like to know if you have noticed any job categories where people seem to be particularly happy.</p>

<p>Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!</p>

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<p>Happy thanksgiving to you, also…</p>

<p>In the health-field, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy come to mind…</p>

<p>Non-health field? Hm… engineering if you love math? Teaching?</p>

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<p>The self employed, LOL! That is a joke, in part, but also I am partly serious about that.</p>

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<p>Investment Bankers - most people will shrug and say how could an investment banker be happy, the ones I know are making so much money and are loving what they do. One I recently met said “the beginning is rough but by the 3rd year you have the potential to make 7 figures and the hours are far less demanding, who wouldn’t be happy?”</p>

<p>Besides for I-Bankers many enjoy their work. A lot of IT professionals are in love with what they do. Many teachers and professors are happy in the beginning of their careers if that counts.</p>

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<p>Speech Pathologist…in HIGH demand and lots of options. Personally I would not recommend public schools, but for some that option would be appealing as well.</p>

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<p>The “greatest career” of all is the one that you feel happiest doing.</p>

<p>Seriously. The adage about do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life is really true.</p>

<p>Follow your truest passion, don’t spend so much time worrying about being financially wealthy, because when you are fulfilled emotionally you will be satisfied with all that you have.</p>

<p>I live by this credo, and I preach it to my D (a sophomore in college).</p>

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<p>Justamom - Unfortunately it is rather difficult to find employment doing what you love and most of the time you have to “settle”</p>

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<p>^I love doing nothing. :)</p>

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<p>I am still ( just started) in school- for horticulture- design.
I love it- very practicum oriented & next fall the school hopes to implement a sustainable horticulture program and as the first year of all the hort programs are virtually identical, I hope to switch to the sustainable horticulture.</p>

<p>A few things I would say.
Don’t listen to others about what is a “hot” field, or stable/prestigious etc.
My family only valued “white” collar jobs and so for years I tried to put myself in that mold even though I wasn’t suited. I didn’t even realize that I was so influenced.</p>

<p>However I have always been interested in science/art and physical activity and horticulture encompases all three. ( as do other careers as well- like dance except I am not so graceful)</p>

<p>I agree with justa mom.</p>

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<p>So during Thanksgiving dinner, one of the cousins mentioned that a recent Time magazine issue had an article on great careers. What a coincidence - and I didn’t even start the topic of conversation at the table. Anyone able to post a link?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>