Discussion about passion in the workplace

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>Hello. I'm currently a freshman Accounting major, and before I register for classes for next fall, I want to make sure I'm heading down the right path. I know a lot of people always say if you don't love your career you'll be miserable, etc. The problem I have with this theory is just how many people who do average careers are truly passionate about them and love them? I just find it hard to believe that most accountants, or those who found other managerial type positions through accounting, are really passionate about it. I mean, its financial processes and stuff (for lack of a better word) like that. How many people are really honestly passionate about that? </p>

<p>The reason I'm asking is because although I'm most likely going to pursue accounting, lately I've been considering doing something that I feel would be more rewarding. Maybe something that would actually serve a purpose towards others and the world and has a purpose besides simply earning me a steady, substantial paycheck. Just ideas that I've thrown around in my head have been engineering in some sort of renewable energy career (hard to get into something so narrow), Firefighter/paramedic work, or maybe heading to Navy OCS after college. Preferably something that I would use my brain more, but in a sense that it is fulfilling in other ways besides a paycheck, maybe the FBI. </p>

<p>If I had to guess, I'll probably wind up pursuing a typical accounting career because of the practicality, steadiness, and because I feel I could succeed in it. But therein lies the basis of my question. Are those reasons usually the reasons why people go into accounting, or do most actually honestly love it and have a passion for it? If thats the case, then I guess I'm on the wrong path. I just don't see how many people could, especially considering how many study it.</p>

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<p>Just to clarify: This isn’t about people HATING something and going into the field. This is intended for those who don’t love it and don’t hate it. Its just something they do.</p>

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<p>I have come to the realization that everything gets boring after awhile no matter WHAT it is.</p>

<p>The good thing about accounting is there is different paths you can take with this 1 degree.
Different industries as well.</p>

<p>If you like to solve problems and do something which is respected and pays well.
Accounting is for you.</p>

<p>It isn’t being a rock star that is for sure!
It also isn’t skiing in colorado.</p>

<p>It is working 40-70 hours a week in an office with other people trying to accomplish certain tasks & projects which help a business run efficiently.</p>

<p>Average accountant works around 50 hours I would assume.
You get good hours, good pay, and time off on weekends, vacation, etc.</p>

<p>Do you think the President of the U.S. likes his job?
At certain times he does, others he does not.</p>

<p>Do you think rock stars or movie stars like their jobs?
I would assume a lot of them do not …drug overdoses, depression, other problems set in for many of those people.</p>

<p>If you go through life with this philosophy:

  1. I will do my job with the best of my ability but my job is not who I am.
  2. I will live my life to the best of my ability and do good by others
  3. I will make a difference both in my job and my personal life</p>

<p>You will enjoy your life.
Accounting is a great profession but don’t make it your life.
Sometimes you will hate it and other times you will enjoy it.</p>

<p>If you are interested in IT stuff considering a minor or double major in MIS/IS.
If you want to get into Tax, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Audit, or Cost Accounting. Let it be known.</p>

<p>Go through college always figuring out what you LIKE about accounting.
For me, I enjoy MIS stuff and how information flow correlates to accounting principles/processes.
I also enjoy Cost Accounting & Financial Analysis.</p>

<p>I don’t mind Financial Accounting but I definitely don’t enjoy it.
Tax is what I would never want to do, I would not enjoy a tax job at any point.</p>

<p>Hope this helped</p>

4

<p>Good response. Your thoughts on it are similar to mine. I always thought that I don’t have to love my job, as long as it always me to be comfortable enough to enjoy my life outside of work. If I find myself in a position that I’m actually somewhat enjoying my work, well thats even better. I just think that anyone who claims to have a passion for accounting, not to insult those individuals, but I just don’t see how its possible. I have a passion for sports, a passion for nutrition and fitness, and a passion for travel/geographic beauty, but those jobs aren’t necessarily readily available, and I can’t sit here and pretend my “new passion” is accounting. </p>

<p>I also kinda want to help someone or something, or serve a purpose, which is why NOCS, Air Force, US Marshals, and especially FBI intrigue me. I feel like I’d be actually serving a greater good. Even if its only 4 years like some military obligations are, I may consider something along those lines before entering the “real” work force. But that is something to decide upon later in my college life, not now. Renewable energy really interests me so I’ve considered engineering like MechE or Electrical, but I just don’t know about the whole calc 1-3 and differential equations thing!</p>

<p>Any more responses are welcome.</p>

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<p>I was a MechE major for my first two years.
I switched not because I was doing bad but because I didn’t enjoy the math. It wasn’t too complicated I just didn’t find it enjoyable at all. The idea of engineering is much better than the actual profession/study in my opinion.</p>

<p>I go on a mission trip to Africa every year to help those in need.
I suggest you do something like this if you don’t end up in a career path which fulfills your desire to help others and MAKE A DIFFERENCE.</p>

<p>I also suggest you do what you can in your local community to help those.
It sounds better to most humans to help those in distant places but in reality the people who are our neighbors, friends, and acquittances may need our help and encouragement the most.</p>

<p>Think about volunteering opportunities…not for the sake of a resume builder but for the benefit of others.
Big Brother/Sister & YMCA are the two organizations I have helped with the most.</p>

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<p>Thanks. This may just be a feeling that I’m having now because I don’t really have much of a family and feel the need to become part of a greater cause, which may wear off if I get married, think about a family, etc. Until then I’m keeping Navy OCS and Air Force OTS in mind for after graduation :). But more importantly i’m 95% sure I’m sticking with accounting, and I’ll probably be 100% decided on something after my adviser appointment on friday.</p>

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<p>I agree man.
Everyone feels the need to be part of something greater.</p>

<p>It’s really easy to get bogged down with life and all of its duties but it’s always good to realize that there is more than just the simple get up and leave box, go to work in a moving box, go work 8-9 hours in another box, come back to your box, to watch a smaller box and start it all over again.</p>

<p>If you lived near me, I’d invite you to my church and some of the other volunteer things I’m apart of.
Don’t be afraid to search out those kinds of things. Good luck</p>

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<p>@domrom1, if you are thinking about Navy or Air Force, look into ROTC options! They offer scholarships, plus you get commissioned as an officer right after graduation as opposed to hoping you get a slot at OCS/OTS and having to go through their programs afterwards.</p>