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How can someone balance pursuing their passions with choosing a career path that provides financial stability?
I have always felt like a lot of what I am passionate in is not incredibly lucrative. Because of this, I have felt the need to force myself to change my interests to fit a profitable career path. How can one attain a job with financial stability while also making room for their natural passions?
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Steve’s Answer
It is a great question Brock and I love the other answers and I am going to give you a similar answer but a slightly different perspective.
I am 58 and have been in IT for almost 4 decades. My first degree is in Accounting and Specialized Management. I always loved computers and technology but back in the early to mid 80s there were not a lot of jobs, or colleges that offered it as a major. Back then most of the jobs were mainframe development or operations, there was really no real internet so there was no need for cyber-security departments, there was no real distributed environment never mind mobile or cloud computing. I never dreamed that this career could be as lucrative as it was so I went into accounting.
Out of school I got a good job as a Junior Comptroller/Cost Accountant for a manufacturing firm with a 4 year career plan to become an officer in the company. And I hated the work, I found it boring, I was good at it but didn't like it. Back then we had a computer guy come in for 2 half days a week to do code maintenance, troubleshooting of our small mainframe, etc. and he reported to me. One day we were having coffee discussing work and he asked me why I was doing what I was doing when I was obviously not happy (or at least uninspired) and whenever we work on technology I come to life. I though about that a lot and by the end of the week I walked into my bosses office and told him I was planning to switch careers (which meant I was going to have to leave my company).
I enrolled in a local college who had a very aggressive night school program and took a lot of my credits and took some jobs that I was able to use my business knowledge to get some technical experience. About 1 year into my new degree I landed a job (was supposed to be temporary for 6 months, this was back in February of 1991) with my current company doing database programming and running a couple of mini-computers that they had. I have been in multiple roles here over the last 35 years and have not only bee successful but happier and fulfilled.
This did not go as planned but I always worked hard to both learn and make myself valuable as well as whatever role I am in provide value. I focused much more on that then on I need to do this and then this and then this because the world (technically, socially, politically, economically, etc.) changes so rapidly. If you ask me to guarantee you what is the right job for you to pursue to get the best job out of college I first need to travel into the future to see what the work world will look like in 4 to 5 years when you graduate and since I don't have a time machine I cannot tell you that.
So the practical advice I will give you, is:
1. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that are in your interest area but stay flexible as you will get more information from school, your network, the news, etc. and the career you choose may not even exist yet.
2. Develop a love for learning and growth, no matter what you choose to do this will serve you
3. Know that no one has it all figured out, life is hard, if it weren't where would the fun be in that. Often we look at others and think they have it all figured out and usually it means they are better at hiding their flaws and stresses. You will make mistakes along the way and don't stress about them embrace them! Learn from them, grow from them. It sounds cliche but all successful people learned how to make mistakes but use them as fuel for growth, motivation, or even guidance that it is time to pivot.
You are destined for great things in whatever you decide to pursue and I am excited for your journey!!!
I am 58 and have been in IT for almost 4 decades. My first degree is in Accounting and Specialized Management. I always loved computers and technology but back in the early to mid 80s there were not a lot of jobs, or colleges that offered it as a major. Back then most of the jobs were mainframe development or operations, there was really no real internet so there was no need for cyber-security departments, there was no real distributed environment never mind mobile or cloud computing. I never dreamed that this career could be as lucrative as it was so I went into accounting.
Out of school I got a good job as a Junior Comptroller/Cost Accountant for a manufacturing firm with a 4 year career plan to become an officer in the company. And I hated the work, I found it boring, I was good at it but didn't like it. Back then we had a computer guy come in for 2 half days a week to do code maintenance, troubleshooting of our small mainframe, etc. and he reported to me. One day we were having coffee discussing work and he asked me why I was doing what I was doing when I was obviously not happy (or at least uninspired) and whenever we work on technology I come to life. I though about that a lot and by the end of the week I walked into my bosses office and told him I was planning to switch careers (which meant I was going to have to leave my company).
I enrolled in a local college who had a very aggressive night school program and took a lot of my credits and took some jobs that I was able to use my business knowledge to get some technical experience. About 1 year into my new degree I landed a job (was supposed to be temporary for 6 months, this was back in February of 1991) with my current company doing database programming and running a couple of mini-computers that they had. I have been in multiple roles here over the last 35 years and have not only bee successful but happier and fulfilled.
This did not go as planned but I always worked hard to both learn and make myself valuable as well as whatever role I am in provide value. I focused much more on that then on I need to do this and then this and then this because the world (technically, socially, politically, economically, etc.) changes so rapidly. If you ask me to guarantee you what is the right job for you to pursue to get the best job out of college I first need to travel into the future to see what the work world will look like in 4 to 5 years when you graduate and since I don't have a time machine I cannot tell you that.
So the practical advice I will give you, is:
1. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that are in your interest area but stay flexible as you will get more information from school, your network, the news, etc. and the career you choose may not even exist yet.
2. Develop a love for learning and growth, no matter what you choose to do this will serve you
3. Know that no one has it all figured out, life is hard, if it weren't where would the fun be in that. Often we look at others and think they have it all figured out and usually it means they are better at hiding their flaws and stresses. You will make mistakes along the way and don't stress about them embrace them! Learn from them, grow from them. It sounds cliche but all successful people learned how to make mistakes but use them as fuel for growth, motivation, or even guidance that it is time to pivot.
You are destined for great things in whatever you decide to pursue and I am excited for your journey!!!
Updated
Licenciada Natalia’s Answer
Hi! I think that at the end of the day you should ask yourself if you’re okay, if your work brought you any satisfaction, and whether you can give yourself some time to do other things you’re passionate about. Financial stability doesn’t always go hand in hand with emotional stability. Your health should be the priority.
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Brock. You need to that your passion doesn't always have to be your main job. Many people work in careers that provide money and security while keeping their hobbies or interests as a side activity. For example, if you love art but worry it won't pay enough, you could work in graphic design, marketing, or teaching. These jobs give you a steady income and still let you use your creative skills.
Another idea is to look for jobs that connect with your passions in some way, even if it's not exactly what you love doing. For example, if you care about protecting the environment but worry about low-paying jobs in activism, you could choose work in sustainable business, environmental science, or government programs. These jobs give you money and stability while still letting you help causes you care about.
Managing your time is also important. You can divide your energy so that your job gives you security, while your hobbies or side projects keep your passions alive. Many people find that having a job that pays the bills makes their passion projects more fun because they don't feel pressure to make money from them. Volunteering, freelancing, or working on small projects outside of your main job are good ways to stay connected to what you love.
Another idea is to look for jobs that connect with your passions in some way, even if it's not exactly what you love doing. For example, if you care about protecting the environment but worry about low-paying jobs in activism, you could choose work in sustainable business, environmental science, or government programs. These jobs give you money and stability while still letting you help causes you care about.
Managing your time is also important. You can divide your energy so that your job gives you security, while your hobbies or side projects keep your passions alive. Many people find that having a job that pays the bills makes their passion projects more fun because they don't feel pressure to make money from them. Volunteering, freelancing, or working on small projects outside of your main job are good ways to stay connected to what you love.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Bryleigh
You're very welcome
Wong Loke Yuen
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hi Brock,
I hope you got a lot out of Mr. Wong’s answer, because I 100% agree with it.
One thing I want to add is this: people often call it LUCK when someone does what they love and gets paid well, but most of the time it’s not luck at all, "it’s alignment". I’m someone who genuinely enjoys technology, problem-solving, mentoring, and coaching teams, and I’m fortunate to be paid well for it. That didn’t happen overnight; it came from aligning what I enjoy with skills that create value for others.
We sometimes fall into the mindset that “passion doesn’t make money,” but if you look closely, you will find successful people in every single field. The difference isn’t the passion itself, it’s how creatively and strategically that passion is applied. As Mr. Wong mentioned, the key is finding adjacent paths where your interests connect to real-world needs.
Another important idea is to play to your "strengths". When you combine your passion with what you are naturally good at, and apply consistent effort you increase the value you bring to others. That value is what leads to financial stability, growth, and long-term satisfaction.
The goal isn’t always to force your passion to be your job right away. Instead, aim for a life where your work and interests feel integrated, not in conflict. When passion, strengths, and hard work come together, money tends to follow. In almost every passion, there are dozens of ways to create income, you just have to be willing to explore, learn, and put in the effort.
At the end of the day, results come from PASSION + STRENGTH + CONSISTENT ACTION. If you stay open-minded and committed, you can absolutely build a career that supports both your life and what you care about.
Good Luck
- Siva
I hope you got a lot out of Mr. Wong’s answer, because I 100% agree with it.
One thing I want to add is this: people often call it LUCK when someone does what they love and gets paid well, but most of the time it’s not luck at all, "it’s alignment". I’m someone who genuinely enjoys technology, problem-solving, mentoring, and coaching teams, and I’m fortunate to be paid well for it. That didn’t happen overnight; it came from aligning what I enjoy with skills that create value for others.
We sometimes fall into the mindset that “passion doesn’t make money,” but if you look closely, you will find successful people in every single field. The difference isn’t the passion itself, it’s how creatively and strategically that passion is applied. As Mr. Wong mentioned, the key is finding adjacent paths where your interests connect to real-world needs.
Another important idea is to play to your "strengths". When you combine your passion with what you are naturally good at, and apply consistent effort you increase the value you bring to others. That value is what leads to financial stability, growth, and long-term satisfaction.
The goal isn’t always to force your passion to be your job right away. Instead, aim for a life where your work and interests feel integrated, not in conflict. When passion, strengths, and hard work come together, money tends to follow. In almost every passion, there are dozens of ways to create income, you just have to be willing to explore, learn, and put in the effort.
At the end of the day, results come from PASSION + STRENGTH + CONSISTENT ACTION. If you stay open-minded and committed, you can absolutely build a career that supports both your life and what you care about.
Good Luck
- Siva