Do You like Your Job?

Updated on October 25, 2011
S.T. asks from Denver, CO
23 answers

Is it more important to be making good money or to be doing something you love? Or the people you work with? What's important to you? I'm pretty lucky, I work with great people and like what I do. But our company has been hurting, I only work part time now, and I haven't gotten a raise in almost 4 years. BUT I'm glad to be here and lucky to have work!

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C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Evidently, the money is more important because I make a good salary, and absolutely detest my job and co-workers.

To be fair, I love this line of work, but I just really don't like the company I work for. They have laid off most of my department, so I do the jobs of 3+ people, and the primary goal of my co-workers seems to be to throw me under the bus, rather than doing their own jobs. (And for the record, they are typically unsuccessful at throwing me under the bus because I do a pretty darn good job at what I do - but it's still distracting and pisses me off to no end.)

3 moms found this helpful

J.U.

answers from Washington DC on

My job is flexible. I can take off when I need to and I can bring my son in if I have no other option. Haven't gotten a raise since 05', holiday pay is gone, no bonus anymore, health care is gone (son and I got on my hubbys). Times are tough, but I am lucky to have a job! I love many of the people I work with and I have been at my place of work since 02'. We all feel a certain loyalty to one another. I try to stay positive and shut the work brain off as soon as my time card hits the clock! ;)

3 moms found this helpful

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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

The only job I have had that I loved is my Santa Job. It pays ok as a part time job for a retiree. You work 70 hours a week during Christmas, but on an annual basis, you only work 6 or 7 weeks.

I worked for most of my life in a job I hated. If I had had investments that would have let me work for less money, I would have quit. But I had a responsibility to my wife and kids.

I'm happy to now be working as Santa. I love it. It fits me and my personality

Good luck to you and yours.

5 moms found this helpful

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

I really do have the best of both worlds...I'm doing what I love for great pay. I'm not rich, but pretty comfortable for someone who is still seeking her degree and a single mother.

I keep expecting to wake up. ;o)

Blessings to you. I pray that you always have what you need.

4 moms found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

I hate my job, and will be going back in a week. But I am the health insurance and I have been with the company for 15 years. The pay is good and the benefits are good. I will be looking for something else when I go back. But with a second baby I have to at least make what I am making now in order to afford to work. daycare is so expensive, but we can not afford health insurance if I am home. I will look inside the company and then get my resume ready and look for something closer to home.

3 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

LOVE LOVE LOVE MY JOB!! :) The pay is awful, I work 7 days a week, I don'tt get benefits, but my boss is my husband's best friend (and his wife is my best friend), so there's a lot of respect and mutual understanding. I get to stay home. I make my own schedule. I sometimes wish I worked outside of the house, but right now, I wouldn't have this any other way!! I'm very fortunate and grateful for this opportunity.

My husband used to have a high stress, well paying job. He hated every second of it. Life was miserable while he worked there. Now, he has a part time job for okay pay (not great, but not terrible either), and he's SO much happier.

I would take happiness over a big fat paycheck any day.

I used to work in a warehouse 60+ hours a week... money does not buy happiness!! All those big paychecks, for what?! I wasn't spending time with my family, and that crushed me. I'm so much happier making 1/4 the money and still being able to dedicate to my home, my family, and my kids!!

3 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

So glad to hear you have a great set of people to work with!! That can make all the difference in the world!!

Hey!! It's a love-hate relationship!! I'm a SAHM...underpaid!!! And sometimes under-appreciated.

I have a great husband and great kids - we all have our moments!!

My job as a recruiter? I like because I can work from home and pick and choose the contracts I work on.

3 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I hate my job, but then I feel guilty for saying that since it does allow me such freedom in my schedule. This is actually why I am still there. My boss is a sociopath, sans that it is a good job.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.R.

answers from Cleveland on

I'm surprised to hear that most people so far actually like their jobs for the most part. I'm 50/50 on mine. I'm one of the few people in the world who is probably overpaid and since my husband's job never seems that stable and I worry about healthcare coverage, I continue to work. I know I'm very very lucky to have this job. I'm not passionate at all about what I do but it's not horrible and I have a super nice boss who gives me some flexibility and I love some of my coworkers. I've been here a long time so it's like a second home. Money/benefits/stability is 90% of the reason I work here. I get very very little intrinsic value from what I do. But I'm very cautious financially and want to make 100% sure I can pay for college for my kids or any medical emergencies etc so for me, money is more important than doing what I love. Someone said to me once "that's why they call it work, not play". Work so you can do the things you love or provide for the ones you love...

2 moms found this helpful
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S.2.

answers from Raleigh on

I'm an ultrasound tech...who wouldn't like that job? Seriously though, my husband is very jealous that after 15 years I still like to go to work. The pay is quite good, too. I've worked several places and the techs I've always worked with have been great. I'm very lucky!!

2 moms found this helpful

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I LOVE IT!! I have owned an insurance agency for 6 years but I sell vitamins online that make me MORE money than the insurance! Message me if you or anyone else want more info. It also allows me to be here when the kids leave for school, get home from school, be home all summer with them and all the school breaks and holidays. I love that I don't have a boss anymore and don't have to limit myself to an hourly wage and work away from home. I'm so happy! In fact, I'm tired and I'm going to go lay down for a nap before the kids get home from school. =)

2 moms found this helpful
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S.Q.

answers from Los Angeles on

I love my job. But right now i'm away from my three little boys at a conference, and i just want to go home. I miss them. I work for a not for profit organisation so the pay isn't extremely high, but it's enough for the time being.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.S.

answers from New York on

I'll take flexibility and love of work over money any day. Actually I've never known any other way. My line of work never paid well, but the opportunities i was afforded and the ability to use my passion was well worth it. I say "was" because my I was laid off due to company wide layoffs in an industry that is dying. I have no regrets and am looking forward to my next passion, besides mommyhood that is :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Omaha on

I was a teacher for 13 years. Some days were better than others and working with positive people made all the difference! So yes, to me working with great people is a must! I became a sahm nearly 4 years ago and love my life. If I had to go back to work full time right now, I would cry. So, no, in that case I would rather give up money to have this time with my kids. Now I sub one or two days a week and have been loving that. I love being in a variety of districts in my area as well as grade levels. I love the challenge of flying by the seat of my pants (I am grateful for all of my experience which makes me more comfortable to fly by the seat of my pants!) and the kids are great. For all the news about bullies and mean kids in our schools these days, it gives me hope that I still interact with some of the most polite, well-behaved kids around!
A.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

I have two and I'm lucky that I enjoy both. My FT job pays me well enough for now (we've been in a pay freeze for a few years so I'm going to need to find a promotion sometime in the future and earn more), I have excellent benefits, a great boss, lots of flexibility (2 days in the office and 3 at home) and I like what I do. It's interesting and keeps my brain going and most of my colleagues and clients are pleasant people.

I am also a test prep classroom teacher and private tutor and that's a lot of fun. I love seeing my students work hard, meet their goals and get their higher test scores! I love working with this age group (16-18) and get to see kids at a really exciting time of their lives. This job also pays really well so no complaints there.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I don't make much. My job is pretty boring. However, I've been here almost 10 years. My boss is great and I really like my co-workers. I came back to work after maternity leave and my boss allowed me to turn my full time position into a part time position until my son is in preschool. So, no complaints from me.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I make great money for my age and experience. I love the work that I do. And the people are OK. I don't work with anyone that I can be myself with, but it's been that way for almost 2 years now. Maybe it will change...but I'm good doing the work that I do and being okay with the people. I really do prefer the less my work people know about my personal life the better!

1 mom found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Denver on

I love my job most of the time. It doesn't pay that great (compared to what is ongoing in the marketplace) but I work from home, have a ton of independence, pretty much work as a sole contributor (which I prefer) and just love my company. They are awesome - I respect the management completely and my co-workers are all smart and dedicated. It's a small company (less than 50 people) but they treat us all right. I've had small raises in the past few years but we also went through a period where everyone was on furlough for a bit - they try their best to treat the employees as they would want to be treated. Heck - we just did an all hands meeting at the beginning of the month (almost all employees are virtual so we met in DC) and they gave each of us a brand new iPad 2 in honor of the app we'd just developed. They rock and I'm incredibly blessed to work where I do - can't complain not one bit. :-)

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I love my jobs.

We own our own brokering/consulting company (raw materials, plastics) and we run it from home. I manage all the financials. I LOVE working with Quickbooks, running the numbers, managing all the AP/AR, scheduling deliveries of our materials to customers, managing all of hubby's travel that is involved with making the company work. We currently have 2 warehouses and I am involved with the inventory with each warehouse, 1 in Dallas and 1 in Houston. The economy has been very good to us and manufacturing is thriving. Our sales will exceed last year which is projected to be in the multi million area for raw materials (plastic). We are making good money and we hope things continue to progress well. We are thankful for this opportunity.

My job #2 is a substitute teacher for elementary school. I just LOVE the children and I am in first grade most of the time. I only sub at the same school where my daughter attended and have been doing so 10+ years now. When I go in, sometimes they ask, how/why can you do this when you are running your company from home and I say... this is my mental break day. I love it... the pay is crappy, just like all teachers but I don't do this one for the money.

My job #3 is mom and being completely involved with my daughter (16). I am on the board for the cheerleader boosters and we actively fundraise, advertise, etc. We are so excited because this year we hit a record with our ad sales for the football program at almost $30,000!! This will enable us to send the girls to competition, pay for the competition expenses and provide other perks to the school and girls.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Denver on

I think this answer is different for everyone, however, I lean towards happy which does not mean money over enjoying my job.

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I do several things and love all of them. I am a Shaklee distributor, personal trainer and do free hand engraving/art work.
In the past I was an early intervention specialist. I loved helping the children but did not like the politics and low pay.
Before that I was a mechanical engineer and really liked it. I would not like it now. Sure wouldn't mind having that paycheck though!

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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

I love what I do and am very lucky to be compensated decently for it. It depends on your career though. If you like a job that only pays minimum wage, then it probably isn't going to support a family of 6...then money is more important.

✿.R.

answers from Boston on

I absolutly love what I do. I own franchises on the internet. I can be home when my family needs me and then I get to go out and talk to adults. :)
I am very fortunate to have the best of both worlds. Work part time with great people and great money but I also get to be a SAHM.

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