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So my professional future is possibly in a state of flux. I don't forsee getting fired from my current position any time soon, but I do have a couple things on the fire that look like they might lead to offers.
The first one would be work, similar to what I'm doing now (which I really dislike), for a company that I don't care anything about. However, it would be for a much higher salary. Like, much higher.
The second would probably be the same as what I'm making (or maybe lower) and would require me to move to another state. On the other hand, I would be doing a job that I enjoy more, and I would be working for the online gaming community.
So you see why I'm kind of at an impasse. Where I'm at, it's stable, I'm getting good experience, and it looks good on a resume. The first prospect would land me somewhere that I'm just as miserable and would be mostly a dead end position, but during the meantime I'd be getting a substantial paycheck. The second prospect would make me happy, though I might end up living in a hovel.
Which brings me to the title. They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure goes a long way to living comfortably, which makes me pretty darn happy. I hate this because I like to weigh out pros and cons, and I honestly don't know how I should weigh "fat stacks of cash and convenience" against "going to work with a smile and feeling proud of myself".
I've seen a lot of people in poor situations, but are happy because they're doing what they love. People who start their own business, or who work for little to no pay to see their dreams come true. Me, I've never really been that truly happy or had a dream that I was working towards. I always was just going through the motions. Go to school, get a degree, get a job so you can make a living so you can go to your job.
But now that I have the prospect of going for something that I want to do... I find myself hesitant. What's the risk involved? What if it turns out to not be as good as I think it is and I hate it after 3 months? What if they fire me because I'm not as good as they want me to be? I'm paralyzed with indecision, and I just wish the answer was clear.
I have to move forward, I just wish the doubt didn't hang on my mind so heavily.
 
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What kind of work will you be doing for the online gaming community? If that is something you are truly passionate about, then you should pursue it, but otherwise the enjoyment of the job will likely wear off and you will end up with a lower paying job that you are tired of. My recommendation would just be to take the high paying job. Most people don't enjoy their job, and you will be in the same boat. However most people do what they enjoy outside their work hours, and having higher pay gives you more options.
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Couldn't have said it better than ray. Curious as to what your current line of work is and what you would be doing in the gaming way, but you don't seem particularly keen on saying exactly, so all I can say is that his advice seems rock solid.
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FuDDx
United States5016 Posts
Good luck man!!
I have been struggling a bit lately with how to continue ..to progress and stay happy...
If your single and have no "real" ties where your at I say go for the gaming position in a heart beat. I wish, and Hope to one day be able to use my balloon/magic skills to do something in the world of gaming.
Money does not = happiness in my experience, it does allow you the chance of exposing one self to more things, allowing the chances of finding something one is passionate about a bit easier... really good luck!!
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My current job is a software consultant. I work in a variety of technologies and programming languages and work with multiple clients. The first prospect would be similar - working in a bunch of technologies to maintain various programs and applications for the company. More stable since it wouldn't be consulting, but similar work type.
The second, I would be doing web development, including maintenance, updating, and database management. I like web development, and honestly I'd be working in technologies that I really enjoy (.NET and SQL). I'd like a .NET development position over either of the other two even if it wasn't in the gaming industry. So it's not only a position where I'm supporting and growing the community I love, but it's also technologically a position I would prefer. Of course, it comes with the downside of the risk.
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On May 16 2013 06:29 Chairman Ray wrote:
Most people don't enjoy their job, and you will be in the same boat. However most people do what they enjoy outside their work hours, and having higher pay gives you more options.
And because "most people" do that it is the right way to do it? If it turns out that the job is not as enjoyable as he thought, he can still quit and live with the experience and turn that into something positive. But it might actually turn out to be enjoyable, so why be so negative about it beforehand and cop-out of the decision by doing what most people would do.
Most people also live super unhealthy and watch shitty TV shows in their free time.
That said, I don't really have an opinion on which job to take, that depends a lot on actually how much more enjoyable the one job is and whether or not you 100% know that the other job will be frustrating for you.
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On May 16 2013 07:03 Bommes wrote:Show nested quote +On May 16 2013 06:29 Chairman Ray wrote:
Most people don't enjoy their job, and you will be in the same boat. However most people do what they enjoy outside their work hours, and having higher pay gives you more options. And because "most people" do that it is the right way to do it? If it turns out that the job is not as enjoyable as he thought, he can still quit and live with the experience and turn that into something positive. But it might actually turn out to be enjoyable, so why be so negative about it beforehand and cop-out of the decision by doing what most people would do. Most people also live super unhealthy and watch shitty TV shows in their free time. That said, I don't really have an opinion on which job to take, that depends a lot on actually how much more enjoyable the one job is and whether or not you 100% know that the other job will be frustrating for you.
No, but doing something in E-sports, at least right now, is not necessarily the track to enjoying the job. In fact, it could lead to severely reduced pay and not enjoying the job at all either. Honestly, just because a majority of people do something doesn't mean it is right, but for the way the professional world works, there is a reason why people take a job they dislike for the better pay. A lot of fun is to be had outside of work, and while some people greatly enjoy there jobs, a majority of people enjoy the freedom money gives them outside of it.
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SERIOUS ADVICE BELOW
+ Show Spoiler +Req you should totally just do what I did and have a baby. That will solve all of your possible financial issues.
But yeah honestly, shallow as it may seem, go for the higher paying work because the experience and security it provides may allow you to pursue possible less fruitful but more personally rewarding options in the future.
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Go 4 money, lower paying jobs that are more fun will not go anywhere, but the higher paying jobs are a lot harder to find.
Make the sacrifice for a few years, see how it goes. If its so so bad, start looking for something more enjoyable
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Take a job you enjoy. I find it so fucking sad that people push you to do something you dislike and are not interested in to get a better paycheck.
My father had a very high income for a job he disliked. I have seen him unhappy all my life. Stressed, frustrated, and going to work everyday with a sad face. He raised his children, my sister and me to only do something that would really interest us. We both became musicians. It's tough, it's hard, it's badly paid but every day i go to work with excitement, and loving with all my heart what i am about to do.
What's money compared to that? Nothing.
Do what is important to you. Money doesn't buy a good life. It buys cars, big tv. And then? Is that what you long for in life? Then you would be a really sad person.
One day, you will look behind and think: what have i done with my life? I'm not sure you will want to tell yourself: i tool this horrible and boring job i hated instead of something i truely loved to have a big bank account.
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On May 16 2013 16:40 Biff The Understudy wrote:
Take a job you enjoy. I find it so fucking sad that people push you to do something you dislike and are not interested in to get a better paycheck.
My father had a very high income for a job he disliked. I have seen him unhappy all my life. Stressed, frustrated, and going to work everyday with a sad face. He raised his children, my sister and me to only do something that would really interest us. We both became musicians. It's tough, it's hard, it's badly paid but every day i go to work with excitement, and loving with all my heart what i am about to do.
What's money compared to that? Nothing.
Do what is important to you. Money doesn't buy a good life. It buys cars, big tv. And then? Is that what you long for in life? Then you would be a really sad person.
One day, you will look behind and think: what have i done with my life? I'm not sure you will want to tell yourself: i tool this horrible and boring job i hated instead of something i truely loved to have a big bank account.
Some food for thought: Might be kinda offensive.
What's money compared to that?
I'm sure that when your dad looks back he will think he did a great thing in life. Raise kids with hard work so that they can live their lives to the fullest and follow their passions instead of being unable to afford to do what they want to be/become.
What your passion is compared to money?
Maybe your dad is still working his ass off because he's making sure that you can do what you want to do. Maybe you can't take his workload of him due to you earning too little to support him back. I hope the latter was unneeded for me to say. Alas, not everyone in this world has the luxury to have parents or governments to support us.
Anyway, @ OP:
I used to be/am still in a pretty much similar situation as you:
Option A: Earn A LOT of money, help my parents, take workload of their shoulders
Option B: Follow my passion, depend on my parents if i fail, etc.
I took option A due to pro's obviously outweighing the cons.
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EPT
