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How to choose between making money and wanting to be happy in a career?

I am currently a rising Junior in highschool and my dream job is to be a marine biologist (More specifically an oceanographer), an ornithologist, or a herpetologist but there are little to few jobs available, and if they are available they don't pay enough for me to grow up and be comfortable. I understand I should be happy with a job but I want to be able to buy groceries and such. Maybe even a treat now and then.

money financial-planning salary passion ornithology herpetology
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John’s Answer

Hi Alina!
When I was in high school I wanted to be an Oceanographer and had taken four years of high school biology classes toward that end. Unfortunately when I got into community college, I took a self-paced Advanced Algebra class where we didn't get much class time or actual instruction, and I wound up withdrawing and settling for an AA instead of an AS degree which you need towards the BS in Oceanography. Then I got drafted during Vietnam and wound up doing a 30 year career in the Navy - where at least I was on the sea a lot :) Later on I got an MS degree in business.
Anyway, there are at least two dozen Marine Biology related careers, including Lab Technician, Environmental Planner, Natural Resource Technician, Marine Scientist, Horticulturist, Veterinarian (marine mammals), Environmental Technician, Wetland Scientist, Marine Biologist, Fisheries observer, Ecologist, Wildlife biologist, Oceanographer, Aquaculture, Teacher (in any of these fields), Archaeologist (with an undersea focus), Environmental Consultant, Biologist, Scientist, Engineer, Research Assistant, Aquarium employee, Research Technician, and Commercial Diver, to name a few.
So perhaps if you broaden your thinking about the more encompassing Marine Biology career, you might see that there are quite a few more jobs available. A quick check on Indeed just now, showed 29 Marine Biology jobs available today just in my state of Washington. Another source of these careers is at NOAA - here's a link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/looking-career-marine-life-look-noaa
While Marine Biologists average around $60K/year, Lab Techs and Researches earn about $70K, NOAA jobs can run from $50K to $150K, but like anything - you have to work your way up.
If you like being outside and doing research involving trees, plants, animals, and the environment - Bureau of Land Management (BLM) might be another option. My sister worked for BLM for thirty-plus years and really loved it - doing everything from forestry to firefighting in Oregon. Just something more to think about and perhaps look into.
I think it's important to try lots of things while your young, and you can shift careers from time to time - most people do, because their interests and needs change over time. I'd encourage you to keep your options open and be willing to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

Good luck on your journey!
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Adrian’s Answer

This is a tough question most people face. My advice is to find certain skills that you may have, find what career choices intersect or match with those skills. Try to think of more than 1 career possibility, if that career doesn't have many jobs and/or possibility of growth (professionally and financially), than move to another one. Life is about balance, need to strive to do meaningful and fun work, but, we also need to meet our financial needs. Working in something that one may love but cannot pay the bills leads to frustration and unhappiness. While money isn't the entire solution for happiness it is an important part.

Adrian recommends the following next steps:

Discover your inteterests and skills
Discover careers that interest you
Try to match your interests and skills with careers that interest you
Find out more about those careers, what are the job growth rate, typical pay for beginners/Sr's, more experienced, etc.?
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Marisa’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team

John and Adrian both shared some great advice! I will add that as a Junior in high school you have plenty of time to make decisions about your career in parts. This is a big question that many people with many different interests and goals grapple with too, and it doesn't all need to be figured out right now. That being said, you are wise for considering your future with such thoughtfulness! If you plan to go to college, I recommend that you follow your passion in education and study marine biology (or zoology, oceanography, etc) and keep your mind open to how what you are learning can translate into a future career. Ask your professors what their careers have looked like, and be curious about what career paths are out there that you might not know about. Life and work should be a balance, and I can assure you there is a world in which you get to work out in the field with marine life and buy yourself a treat here and there, even if it takes some trial and error to get there.
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Citi’s Answer

This question resonates with me. It is a tough decision to make as you choose your career path after high school. Having a stable career is significant when it comes to financial obligations (housing, food, health, family) and experiences (travel), but it could leave you feeling ‘stuck’ or unfulfilled. On the other hand, having a passion and being able to pursue that as a career is incredibly rewarding, and not something that is easily achieved by many. Sometimes there is a way to achieve both. Explore part-time options in an area you are passionate about. There may be an ability to have a more financially stable job full-time and a part-time job on the side that brings you energy and joy. If your passion is strong enough and that is what you decide to follow through on, you likely will not regret it and can be successful.
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Citi’s Answer

I think it depends on your circumstances, but I want to reiterate that you can find a place and time to do both.

Try and find a career path where you have a passion, and then within that field, if you need to, you can find roles/jobs that provide more stability.

Earlier in your career, focus on finding roles where you can learn and grow. Spending time at a Company that values training its junior staff is invaluable, as that growth early in your career will help you throughout any role.
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Citi’s Answer

Typically you will find what out more about what you are passionate about along the journey of working. Jobs can change a lot along a career path, and who knows for what type of company you will end up in. I would choose a major in whatever interests you most, and what will help you develop skills.
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Citi’s Answer

When you’re passionate about your work, it gives you energy and makes you genuinely happier. You’re more likely to push through challenges and excel because you love what you do. And when you love something, it’s naturally easier to stand out. Remember—it’s passionate people who drive real change in the world.
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Citi’s Answer

To start choose a career that has a balance between salary that gives you a level of comfort and a role that you can learn from. Later you may find the ideal role. Same as college where 1st 2 yrs you do general work then later choose a major.
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Citi’s Answer

If you are passionate about what you do, you tend to perform better and that will likely bring a greater measure of success. I always suggest starting with stability at first to establish financial security. Choose skills that transferable and will help you along the way in pursuit of what you are passionate about!
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Citi’s Answer

Neither exactly. I recommend choosing a career that best aligns with your skills and abilities. Think about subjects in which you do well. If your skills are in demand, this would lead to a more stable career path.
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Citi’s Answer

When you are 80, you are more likely to regret what you didn’t do vs. what you have done. So go with your passion!
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Citi’s Answer

Choose the most stable career in the field you love—it gives you long-term security without sacrificing personal fulfillment. Passion goes a long way to finding true happiness.
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Citi’s Answer

I think it’s a balance of both. You want to be comfortable in earning a living and to manage your bills but you also want to make sure that you are doing something you enjoy. The more you enjoy your job the better you will do in your career.
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