<p>I'd just like to preface this by saying this is probably gonna sound like me ranting/venting (and it probably is) but I intend for it to be a discussion.</p>
<p>Anyway, people are constantly saying to "do what you love." But is that actually realistic? I know, subject/activity-wise, I love three things - 1) writing fiction 2) medicine and 3) cooking. But pursuing careers in these are very risky. The VAST majority of fiction writers don't make enough off their writing to support themselves, and most chefs work insane hours for very small amounts of money. I abandoned my dreams of writing/cooking professionally a looong time ago because they simply aren't secure and/or realistic career paths and decided to follow my other love - medicine. But that has it's own set of risks because each stage of progression is met with intense difficulty and small odds (getting into a good undergrad, getting into med school, getting a residency, getting a fellowship, finding a good job in this economy that is apparently never going to get better, etc) and the fact that, if one major's in Human Biology like I'd like to, if you don't make it to med school you're left with a possibly useless degree you don't have any passion for (I'd also like to major in MechE but that carries it's own risks). </p>
<p>So my real question for you guys is are you doing/going to do what you absolutely love and do you encourage people to do the same?</p>
<p>I’ve chosen Drafting as a career, would love to become one of the greatest level designers on Earth, make a certain video game that’s been in my head for months, and write and draw my own comic/manga. Level design takes years to become good at, making video games takes years to complete, and my drawing skills aren’t well developed as far as I’m concerned. I don’t see myself having the time necessary to do all of these, so atleast one of them is going in the trash until I’m in retirement from drafting.</p>
<p>I would love to work with level design, make that video game, and work on my own comic or manga. However, I need something to live off of, so I’ve chosen something else that interests me, Drafting, and will make the other three hobbies.</p>
<p>No matter what happens, I WILL do what I love.</p>
<p>I feel very sad that you’ve given up on your dreams of writing or cooking professionally before even trying to succeed in them. My view about this is that, we all know we only have one life to live (unless you’re a born again Christian or something like that). </p>
<p>If you want to spend your life being afraid to follow your dreams because of what others say or because your scared of failing, I feel bad for you. You can also get a part-time job to support yourself while you’re trying to make more money doing what you love. I know that no one wants to do that, but if you really loved what you were trying to achieve (success in writing, cooking, or medicine) then you would do whatever it took to follow your passion. </p>
<p>I plan on majoring in art and minoring in music. I want these two things to be my primary sources of income someday. I want to sell my art and sing/write/play in a band. However, I know that I will need a part time job while I’m trying to gain success in music and art. I’m willing to risk failing and having to work a job I don’t like because I LOVE what I’m doing. </p>
<p>I know this is really long, but I have a strong opinion on this. I think you should always follow your passion. It won’t be a secure career path and you may struggle a bit, but it’s better than absolutely hating where you go to work for 8 hours every single day for the rest of your life. Both of my mother’s friends have jobs that they despise even though they make a lot of money. It obviously isn’t worth it to them and they wish they had gone after their passions instead of what was sensible and secure.</p>
Being a doctor, though, isn’t going to be something I despise (at least I hope not lol). Would I rather be a successful author of great notoriety? Yeah but the odds of that happening are significantly smaller than minuscule, especially with the way my life has gone. And my desire to be a writer is only marginally larger than my desire to be a doctor as I can always write/cook as a hobby while the same cannot be said for medicine.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to make it sound like medicine was something you would despise. Haha. Sorry that it reads like that. It just sounded like you wanted cooking or writing more than medicine because you said: “I abandoned my dreams of writing/cooking professionally a looong time ago.” It sounded like you really wanted those things.</p>
<p>If you’re passionate about medicine, then you shouldn’t give into the fear or failing in it because it you don’t even try, you’ll definitely fail. If you try at anything, you’ll at least have a chance. Do what you want the most or do everything! You can certainly do at least two of those things. You could cook for a hobby, and write and practice medicine for money. You shouldn’t write or practice medicine for notoriety. You should do it because you love it. I don’t play music or paint because I want to be famous. I do it because I love it.</p>
<p>Also, if you were having trouble making money writing independently, you could make a VERY good income through freelance writing with online companies like WiseGeek or something. I’m starting working for WiseGeek when I turn 18. My mother works from home doing freelance writing (she’s a single mom with 4 kids) and we’re doing fine.</p>
<p>Excellent question! To tell you honestly, I’m not really sure what I love. In a way I love everything, and by the same token nothing. I basically took courses from psychology to physics and I feel like I’m at least proficient in them, like I can do them well. My mom’s a doctor and she’s pushing me in that direction and honestly it doesn’t sound liek such a bad idea. It’s definitely great job security like you mentioned, and if your skill set lines up with what it takes to be a doctor, and if you’re willing to work really hard, it would be a wonderful, fulfilling career. Luckily, for undecided kids like myself, college is a great time to experiement around so if you’re not too sure you’ll at least find out there hopefully. I know at pretty much every top tier school people drop out of pre-med for different things they find and suddenly become passionate about so all I can say is keep your options open!</p>