Life Planning 101
posted in employment, goal |Queercents has a great two parter on Jobs, Careers, and Money (Part I, Part II) it made me think of my current state of affairs with my “career” cum “job.”
I entered the company with no degree doing something I had done for a hobby (Web Design) for years - now I was getting paid salary to take part in a Fortune 500 company’s web site(s) (one of many people, I should say). I knew a couple guys here who don’t have degrees and are making decent money - they’ve got a condo, a car, and a dog. I was dating my wife at the time, and it seemed like a good gig, and tho-and-behold! A position opened up! I applied, and after being introduced to my future boss, I was told to put in my resume (and send my boss a copy, directly).
I got the job. (Obviously ;)
This of course lead me to the first professional, dedicated position of my life. Salary, 401k, benefits. Retirement. Career path. Or so I thought. As time went on, I learned new skills, learned new technologies, but was finding myself less and less impressed by my career - I enjoy designing, I enjoy making flyers for friends, making web sites - in my free time. Doing it professionally really took the joy out of it - you’re restricted, and even when you’re given free reign, it’s still not as exciting as I thought it’d be. Implement new code and technologies, find new ways of doing old things. But it’s just not that exciting - it’s my job, it’s what I do. I know the answers, I can tell them code when they ask, I know what’s causing that display error - but it’s not allowing me to grow as a person.
I’ll hold off for now until part II (which I didn’t intend, but this is something insightful for me).
