Pay or Passion? (with a twist)

[Unagi]

Many people are not choosing to do what they like as a career either due to family commitment, lack of qualification, natural talent, opportunity, or other reasons. Let's say now you have the option of pursuing your interest, but there is a trade off - a low salary.

 

Okay, I would expect most to say "Chase your dreams!" So let's add a little bit of twist to that trade off - it is not exactly your dream job, but it is something you will enjoy as well.

 

Examples,

1) Your dream is to become a doctor. Now you can choose to be a nurse or a higher paying job like an engineer.

 

2) Your dream is to become a pilot. Now you can choose to be an air steward or a higher paying job like a manager.

 

3) Your dream is to become a GP racer. Now you can choose to be a race mechanic with a local team or a higher paying job like an accountant.

 

 

Let's see your opinions on whether you will rather go for something you enjoy, or a more decent salary.

 

By 'decent' salary, I mean something like $4-6k per month. Not enough to make you rich, but lead a comfortable life if you are not extravagant and can manage your finances. The point is it won't make you a millionaire cos I think by then you can already do what you like, haha..

 

Compare that to a job that you enjoy, but earning only enough to make ends meet, with little to no savings, say $1.5-2.5k. Keep in mind that it is still not your dream job.

 

 

I deliberately left a gap between the salary range so you can feel the jump, yet make them close enough to make it a tougher decision.

 

Other assumptions:

Singapore context

 

 

Life is all about decisions. I think this scenario is realistic and applicable to many of us common folks. Please give your votes and comments, best if you have a real life example to share. Thank you.

Edited September 23, 2011 by Unagi
punctuation

[xXxRatedxXx]

Many people are not choosing to do what they like as a career either due to family commitment, lack of qualification, natural talent, opportunity, or other reasons. Let's say now you have the option of pursuing your interest, but there is a trade off - a low salary.

 

Okay, I would expect most to say "Chase your dreams!". So let's add a little bit of twist to that trade off - it is not exactly your dream job, but it is something you will enjoy as well.

 

Examples,

1) Your dream is to become a doctor. Now you can choose to be a nurse or a higher paying job like an engineer.

 

2) Your dream is to become a pilot. Now you can choose to be an air steward or a higher paying job like a manager.

 

3) Your dream is to become a GP racer. Now you can choose to be a race mechanic with a local team or a higher paying job like an accountant.

 

 

Let's see your opinions on whether you will rather go for something you enjoy, or a more decent salary.

 

By 'decent' salary, I mean something like $4-6k per month. Not enough to make you rich, but lead a comfortable life if you are not extravagant and can manage your finances. The point is it won't make you a millionaire cos I think by then you can already do what you like, haha..

 

Compare that to a job that you enjoy, but earning only enough to make ends meet, with little to no savings, say $1.5-2.5k. Keep in mind that it is still not your dream job.

 

 

I deliberately left a gap between the salary range so you can feel the jump, yet make them close enough to make it a tougher decision.

 

Other assumptions:

Singapore context

 

 

Life is all about decisions. I think this scenario is realistic and applicable to many of us common folks. Please give your votes and comments, best if you have a real life example to share. Thank you.

 

All dreams will evaporate once you realize you ain't got enough money to put food on the goddamn table.

[Unagi]

Wow you know what, after further reading I noticed that those articles that usually advice people to choose a job they enjoy are usually from 'ang mo' countries... some HR studies actually suggests that Singaporeans are tending towards higher pay than fulfillment.

 

Seems that even without the 'twist', the majority of Singaporean will already choose pay over passion.

 

Nevertheless, I'd like to see some comments from both sides of voters... thanks.

[Shockard]

It is possible to get a good job and still have a decent salary. It really depends on the company culture, the people make A LOT of difference.

[crazydj]

For me, the pay itself is the motivating factor. Simply put, i am not really fussy about what kinda job i do. As long it pays good and its a decent job (not like man whore or pimp), i will just take it and take it as a learning experience.

 

For example, i used to work part time as a security officer. Late hours, dangerous working conditions, you lose your social life, all your colleagues are smokers which result in you inhaling an excessive amount of second hand smoke, etc., but the money is good for a part timer.

 

Or when i served NS in a Human Resource office. I didn't know what the hell HR was, i hated HR and all that red tape and beuracracy. Only got $490 a month and wasnt enough to even cover daily things in life. But i was hell good a being a HR officer and soon, grew to 'love' it because there was the constant 'unspoken threat' of being 'charged'.

 

My point being is that, through my experiences, i learnt that money is hard to come by and you better not be fussy about what kinda job it is, as long as it pays well.

 

I would rather be the uncle at the food centre selling economic mixed rice and earn profits or 5k plus rather than some junior manager earning less than 3k a month. I rather be a senior level manager of a company rather than a fighter pilot. Being raised in THIS society today made me have only one passion. Passion for money. Remember that no one can survive on a diet of passion.

Edited September 24, 2011 by crazydj

[queirtus]

For me, the pay itself is the motivating factor. Simply put, i am not really fussy about what kinda job i do. As long it pays good and its a decent job (not like man whore or pimp), i will just take it and take it as a learning experience.

 

For example, i used to work part time as a security officer. Late hours, dangerous working conditions, you lose your social life, all your colleagues are smokers which result in you inhaling an excessive amount of second hand smoke, etc., but the money is good for a part timer.

 

Or when i served NS in a Human Resource office. I didn't know what the hell HR was, i hated HR and all that red tape and beuracracy. Only got $490 a month and wasnt enough to even cover daily things in life. But i was hell good a being a HR officer and soon, grew to 'love' it because there was the constant 'unspoken threat' of being 'charged'.

 

My point being is that, through my experiences, i learnt that money is hard to come by and you better not be fussy about what kinda job it is, as long as it pays well.

 

I would rather be the uncle at the food centre selling economic mixed rice and earn profits or 5k plus rather than some junior manager earning less than 3k a month. I rather be a senior level manager of a company rather than a fighter pilot. Being raised in THIS society today made me have only one passion. Passion for money. Remember that no one can survive on a diet of passion.

well said and to add on to that

 

this country is all about money.no money no talk

[bigfatfish]

Passion brings the world to ur feet. U can live a life of no regrets.

[BALLS]

Passion brings the world to ur feet. U can live a life of no regrets.

 

2nd that.

 

10char

[meliname]

When can my dreams come true?

[Wormwood]

I would take the high paying job, save like a maniac and then quit and use the money to move overseas or start a business doing something more fun. I need a high degree of freedom at work and no matter how much I "enjoy" a job, I'd rather not have a boss breathing down my neck.

[adesmond2]

haha.. old thread bring alive.. anyway, personally to add on the first 2 comments..

 

Indeed, no money no talk.. Cut to the chase..

 

Accident scene..

 

1 rich guy with car knock onto the uncle vespa infront.. (no witness nor anyone around)

Uncle say nvm nvm.. no blood nothing..

Rich guy will say, wait for my letter.

Few week later, uncle received letter from lawyer stating that he "reverse" and knock on his car.

 

With money, video can be edited (close to flawless)

With money, white can become black and black can become white.

 

Without money, you can be flamed

Without money, white means white, black means black.

 

So we will just say, go ahead with the $$$ more..

 

Passion job will only kick in after you have the spare $$$ allowed..

 

But of cuz.. this world still have good guys left..

[ahcaibiker]

ideally will be passion with decent pay, if passion pay too low also defeat the purpose...