[Mara Mountain]

Hi PC Pals,

I'm in the process of looking for a new job. I've been consistently working since I was in high school. I have a full time job in finance however it's not my passion. I am "comfortable" because I've had the same job for years but it's not enough compensation wise to help me reach my future goals. I'm also bored. I don't see how I'm helping people and I don't see myself in this industry forever. But if I stay in the industry without a passion for it, I may get a new job that pays more but in the end, still happy. If I go for a complete career change, it would be starting over with less salary and then I wouldn't make any of my goals like buying a house or saving for a wedding. I'm torn. I'm a number cruncher but would love to help people. Anyone have any suggestions on how to find your passion and not go broke in the process ?

[Travelinglady]

Well, off hand, I'm thinking maybe you could do some volunteer work in your spare time in different areas.

Or do you remember your other classes you liked in college? Perhaps you can keep your current job and take some online classes or night classes, too.

I am hesitant to recommend that you quit a job in this economy......

[Mara Mountain]

Thanks Payne I am volunteering now but I didn't consider taking night classes online. That's something I may look into. I didn't want to quit my job now before finding another one. Thanks again!

[viryan23]

Originally Posted by Mara Mountain

Thanks Payne I am volunteering now but I didn't consider taking night classes online. That's something I may look into. I didn't want to quit my job now before finding another one. Thanks again!

Hi there! I think you made a good decision on keeping your present job.^^
You asked about how to find your passion, right? Well, I have read a book that might answer your question. Bo Sanchez, the author of How To be Truly Rich gave the following suggestions:

1. Know thyself. Think about the hobbies and activities you are engaged with that makes you happy.
2. Ask yourself, How can I make money out of it?

For example, I like taking pictures of people/places. I can start making money out of it by being a freelance photographer or by selling my photographs online. And then, I also like growing ornamental fish. I can start a business by selling some of the fishes I bred or grown.

I hope it can help you. ^^

[tokiwartooth]

That's a good decision not to quit your present job yet. I was in the same boat as you, working at a hardware store that was steady but not my passion, and boring. So I kept the job as I looked for jobs in my field, and finally found one last October. I can say now that it was the best decision I've made in a long time. But definitely keep your job until you find another. In this economy, any job is good. Night classes are a good idea too, especially if they're online. My advice though, don't go with online universities like the University of Phoenix. I've read more horror stories than good ones, and a lot of employers don't look favorably upon a degree from that institution or ones like it. Be wary of any for-profit schools. If you have a local community college or university, I would consider taking classes with them. Most of them offer online classes that you can take any time of the day. When I got my bachelor's, I took a few online classes and they were quite handy with the hectic schedule I had with classroom-based classes. Just don't take so many that you get overwhelmed. Just because they're online doesn't mean that they don't have heavy workloads. I did that once and I thought I was going to go crazy. I had taken 20 credit hours in one semester. I made it through but it was crazy. That was 6 classes in one semester. Normally I would consider taking 3 to 4 classes. That's an acceptable workload. Also look into what kind of financial aid they offer. Some places are different with how many classes you have to take to get certain types or amounts of financial aid. When I got my associates, 9 hours was full-time, and when I got my bachelor's, 12 hours was full-time. Also, I took out a lot of loans. In hindsight I wish I hadn't. I should've taken just what was needed to pay for the classes. But I used the rest to pay for my apartment's rent. Now I owe about 85,000 dollars.