[REV1]

Yes, I'm one of the lucky ones. I was born to do what I do.

[328i_E92_2007]

This is what i get to work on every day. I love it!
Sometimes it takes a while to find the right job. I have worked at some other places that were crap until i landed my job at SpaceX. Keep trying people!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcaBI_I0Td0

[Whostheboss]

I currently work for a small business (60 employees) owned by Father and Son. I'm a software engineer. There is absolutely no stress there. I enjoy my job. The pay is 'OK', it could be higher.
The only complain i have is the location. The company is based in a very remote section of CT. There is 0 social life there. Most of the employees are much older than me. I really wish i could have the same job i have now but i want the building to be in a downtown type scenery and i wish my co workers were also younger (20s and 30s)

[Asianoak]

I can honestly say that I love what I do. Unlike many responses, I am not self employed and do in fact work for a fairly large company.

The key for me was finding a company that shared similar moral and ethical beliefs as myself, and not just posted them on a mission poster on the wall but incorporated them into every aspect of the company. We also go out of our way to try to hire individuals who share the same beliefs so that everybody is moving in the same direction and working towards a common purpose.

The money isn't the best, in fact it is considerably less than what I made while in the mortgage industry. However I am much happier because I feel as though I am working for a company that actually cares about me, and they show that but how much time and effort is invested into associate development. I truly love the fact that I am challenged each and every day and as a result am constantly improving as both an associate and a person. The company asks a lot of it's associates but gives a lot in return. I also made a mental shift when I realized that for me personally money was less of a motivating factor or a measurement for success when compared to personal growth and development as well as the ability to look in the mirror every day and be happy with who I saw and where I was going to work. As long as I am able to pay the bills and live a comfortable lifestyle I feel as though I am making enough, there's no need to be greedy.

It is unfortunate though when I see younger associates come on board who are motivated by just money and who do not have the experience to realize that the grass isn't always greener. They do not respect the company or appreciate what we are trying to do and take for granted all the benefits and resources the company has to offer. Then eventually leave only to realize how good they had it. More and more I experience people who are entitled and do not feel as though they should have to work hard in exchange for a paycheck.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Asianoak

I can honestly say that I love what I do. Unlike many responses, I am not self employed and do in fact work for a fairly large company.

The key for me was finding a company that shared similar moral and ethical beliefs as myself, and not just posted them on a mission poster on the wall but incorporated them into every aspect of the company. We also go out of our way to try to hire individuals who share the same beliefs so that everybody is moving in the same direction and working towards a common purpose.

The money isn't the best, in fact it is considerably less than what I made while in the mortgage industry. However I am much happier because I feel as though I am working for a company that actually cares about me, and they show that but how much time and effort is invested into associate development. I truly love the fact that I am challenged each and every day and as a result am constantly improving as both an associate and a person. The company asks a lot of it's associates but gives a lot in return. I also made a mental shift when I realized that for me personally money was less of a motivating factor or a measurement for success when compared to personal growth and development as well as the ability to look in the mirror every day and be happy with who I saw and where I was going to work. As long as I am able to pay the bills and live a comfortable lifestyle I feel as though I am making enough, there's no need to be greedy.

It is unfortunate though when I see younger associates come on board who are motivated by just money and who do not have the experience to realize that the grass isn't always greener. They do not respect the company or appreciate what we are trying to do and take for granted all the benefits and resources the company has to offer. Then eventually leave only to realize how good they had it. More and more I experience people who are entitled and do not feel as though they should have to work hard in exchange for a paycheck.

Not to be condescending but... if you really think that you're company cares about you then you may not completely understand capitalism... You are one economic downturn away from your company not caring about you... this I can guarantee

[ibarry92]

Out of curiosity: Those of you who went to college, graduated, and worked several years after college, what did you major in? During your undergrad years, did you have a certain preconception as to what you would be doing out of school? Also, what are you majoring in as you are returning a second time?

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by ibarry92

Out of curiosity: Those of you who went to college, graduated, and worked several years after college, what did you major in? During your undergrad years, did you have a certain preconception as to what you would be doing out of school? Also, what are you majoring in as you are returning a second time?

No clue what I wanted to do. I went through different industries. I have been in finance for a few years even though I majored in management. Got my MBA a year ago, got a promo and now I am looking to get into business development or project management (applied for a few positions at my company so we'll see how it goes). I am still trying to figure it out exactly what I would like to do long term. I like travelling, interacting with others and solve problems. Lol

[P1]

Originally Posted by MrPrena

I am also self employed as well.

However, I am very diversified in terms of what I do.
I also work part time at night (easy job) to supplement my savings. It is very low paying job, but I really like it.

Let me tell you this. Self-employed gives you time off when you want. You have flexible hours. You can play with your kid while you work.

One think I would remind everyone this. It is probably 10x stressful than 70hr/wk high paying job. I gotta work 3-4x harder to just make dollar per dollar base. It sounds easy, but it is not easy to make a buck by just sitting down drinking coffee. I gotta research the market for newer products, and finding a wholesale/bulk sales is extremely difficult. If that niche goes away, I need to diversify more (find another market) to compensate that.

People need to stop having the mindset that you can only have work-life balance when you're your own boss. That's not true. I work for a large company, and as long as I get my work done, I set my own schedule. I work in the office, I work from home, I work from a customer site. Does not matter. The problem is that people work for antiquated companies that have not embraced the new world of work, where you still need to go in at 9am and leave right at 5pm. Horrible.

Disclaimer: I sell the tools large enterprises need to implement just this, so I practice what I preach.

[Asianoak]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Not to be condescending but... if you really think that you're company cares about you then you may not completely understand capitalism... You are one economic downturn away from your company not caring about you... this I can guarantee

Funny how when somebody starts a sentence with "not to be condescending" or "I don't mean to offend you" it's always condescending or offensive or whatever else they start off saying they aren't intending to be.

Anyway, while you are right under most circumstances when times were difficult and the company I work for was at times losing money, rather than massive lay offs, compensation cuts, benefit reductions or other cost cutting measures my company actually restructured compensation to ensure that associates continued to be able to make the same amount they were accustomed to. They recognized that associates that were stressed about being able to pay their own bills and or lose their jobs were ultimately ineffective at their jobs and therefore less loyal and motivated. So by ensuring associates could maintain their accustomed lifestyles they created more loyal associates as well as more focussed and harder working associates.

Another example of an exception to the rule is a local small business who's owners made the decision to cease taking salaries for themselves and went out of their way to keep every one of their associates employed throughout the recession. In fact, they went so far as to pull from their own personal savings in order to continue to pay their associates at the same level they were used to even when the business was losing money. This went on not for weeks or months but for several years and cost the owners several million of their own savings. This again is because they recognized the need and importance of loyal and happy associates. Associates who can not pay their own bills are not going to be as engaged or motivated to go out of their ways to help the business be successful.

To your point, in both of these scenarios there would ultimately be a breaking point where money runs out and hard decisions must be made. My point however is that not all businesses are run under the same mentality that the bottom line is the soul driving force. There are companies out there that while recognizing the need to turn a profit also truly believe in helping people and trying to enrich the lives of its associates and customers.

Hopefully you will be able to experience this for yourself at some point if you haven't already.

[ASBSECU E93]

I have the credit pen for a $2 Billion asset credit union - and I love my job. I was able to build the commercial lending group from scratch, rewrite policy using the best practices of my prior experiences over the last 20 years. Imagine being given the autominity to make the lending side actually work for the benefit of your target audience.

One thing I learned very early - I am a commodity. I have developed a skill that is always in demand for financial services. I have likely sourced, originated, approved, and/or negotiated a Billion in closed and funded loans over my career...

[MrPrena]

Originally Posted by P1et

People need to stop having the mindset that you can only have work-life balance when you're your own boss. That's not true. I work for a large company, and as long as I get my work done, I set my own schedule. I work in the office, I work from home, I work from a customer site. Does not matter. The problem is that people work for antiquated companies that have not embraced the new world of work, where you still need to go in at 9am and leave right at 5pm. Horrible.

Disclaimer: I sell the tools large enterprises need to implement just this, so I practice what I preach.

Yup. Sales reps are little different than avg office job.
I saw some part time licensed financial advisors at Wells fargo. They got the greatest hours.
insurance agents is another job which has great freedom.

[Nkc]

I don't love the work I do but I love my job. I love being in business but I don't have much love for the business I'm in. It gives me the freedom to do the things that I want to do in life and it also helps that it pays the bills and then some.

[kevinbahnz]

i'm on the ropes, I love the financial aspects of my business but i work 7 days a week 9am-10pm.

[P1]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

i'm on the ropes, I love the financial aspects of my business but i work 7 days a week 9am-10pm.

Seven days a week from 9am until 10pm? No thanks.

[Billup]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

i'm on the ropes, I love the financial aspects of my business but i work 7 days a week 9am-10pm.

That sounds absolutely terrible.

[kevinbahnz]

yes it is, but it has gotten us out of debt and my wife can stay home and raise the kids. I'm going on my fifth year and I will be renewing the lease for another 10 instead of 5 . The 10 being my goal if I make it , I will retire and move to a 3rd world country where my can go further.

[P1]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

yes it is, but it has gotten us out of debt and my wife can stay home and raise the kids. I'm going on my fifth year and I will be renewing the lease for another 10 instead of 5 . The 10 being my goal if I make it , I will retire and move to a 3rd world country where my can go further.

I respect your hard work and it's nice to see you're no longer in debt, but have you even seen your kids in the last five years? I assume they are in bed by the time you get home from work.

[kevinbahnz]

Originally Posted by P1et

I respect your hard work and it's nice to see you're no longer in debt, but have you even seen your kids in the last five years? I assume they are in bed by the time you get home from work.

Kids? What kids? J/k It's true I don't get to see them much but We just had another baby girl so I am changing my workday to 12 hrs from 9-9 and to just 5 hrs on Sunday. It's not much but I am trying for my kids. We all have to make sacrifices.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

i'm on the ropes, I love the financial aspects of my business but i work 7 days a week 9am-10pm.

Every day 9am to 10pm? That's the most horrible thing I've heard of in this day and age and I manufacture in China. I can imagine sucking it up for a year but 5? And still signing up for another 10? Man you really must have had a lot of debt. How do you even sustain a relationship with your wife, kids, family and friends? You a real warrior and I hope sometime good actually comes out from all that time spent at work.

[davis449]

Originally Posted by P1et

People need to stop having the mindset that you can only have work-life balance when you're your own boss. That's not true. I work for a large company, and as long as I get my work done, I set my own schedule. I work in the office, I work from home, I work from a customer site. Does not matter. The problem is that people work for antiquated companies that have not embraced the new world of work, where you still need to go in at 9am and leave right at 5pm. Horrible.

Disclaimer: I sell the tools large enterprises need to implement just this, so I practice what I preach.

This is what I was trying to get at in the last part of my post. I get decent flexibility (doctors appointments, errands, other must-do things that might come up in the middle of a work day) in the VERY large company I work for and the work stops when I leave for the day.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by P1et

I respect your hard work and it's nice to see you're no longer in debt, but have you even seen your kids in the last five years? I assume they are in bed by the time you get home from work.

His son was the one that got hit in the RSX so I suspect his kids are a little older.

Still, I agree with your viewpoint in general.

[grieverr]

No, I don't

I landed on an IT job many years ago and have been a system admin in some capacity in that sector since (over 10 years now, I'm in my mid 30's). I've always liked computers so it wasn't that bad. But I started a new job last year with what basically is a startup, and I currently work by myself for long hours and it's really, really getting to me.

As I think back on why I stayed doing this kind of work for so long it was because of the people I worked with, and because every few years my role would change and keep things (sorta) interesting. Now, there is no people, just me in a remote office, and I've come to really be annoyed by troubleshooting computer issues.

So I'm going through a career midlife crisis now where I desperately want to go into a totally different field, but I haven't narrowed down what it is I want to do. I went to school for art - I wanted to draw comic books - but then I thought "that's stupid, I'll never make a living that way". I also had interests in doing something with the community. The one thing I said back then was, "I'll never be a stiff working behind a desk typing his life away". Can you guess what I'm doing?!? So yeah, somehow along the way I lost a vision of what I wanted and "settled" for what I thought was right or the responsible thing to do. I didn't realize that maybe comics wasn't the way to go, but I could have used my art in other ways to be gainfully employed.

So let that be a lesson to you young'ns. Don't only follow money, because even if you get it, it won't take away the crapiness of having to do something you hate to get it, which explains (to me) why a lot of successful people abuse drugs and alcohol. Thankfully, I've avoided that and all things considered I don't have it bad. But I do want to make that change to have a more pleasant and happy everyday.

woo! I guess I needed to get that off my chest!