If You Don't Despise Your Job And Have A Decent Income, What's Your Line of Work -50 People Answer

Finding a job you love is tough. Most people end up in jobs just to pay the bills, even if they aren't super excited about them. On Reddit, there's a funny quote going around: "Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life because there won’t be any positions available or any money in it!"

It's a joke, but it hits close to home for a lot of us who struggle to find that perfect job. In a popular Reddit thread, people shared stories about jobs they enjoy.

It's pretty cool to see the variety. One person loves being a librarian, enjoying the quiet and books.

Another person is a park ranger, happy to be outside all day. There's also a graphic designer who turned their art passion into a paycheck and a teacher who loves helping kids learn.

These stories from Reddit are inspiring. They show that it's not impossible to find a job you like.

Sure, it might not be easy, but these people did it, and their stories give us hope. They remind us that it's never too late to try something new or to make a change in your career.

This Reddit thread inspires us that finding a job you love might take some time and effort, but it's worth it.

1. "I am a kennel attendant. I care for and feed both dogs and cats. One of my daily requirements if I have time to do it, is literally to play with a dog/cat or puppy/kitten. It’s called animal enrichment. It’s meant to help prepare them for a life outside the shelter. Doesn’t even feel like a job. "

RathGodofWar

2. "School janitor."

"$30/hour. 40 hours a week, 12 months a year. I get a s**tload of awesome medical/dental benefits, paid vacation, sick days, every provincial and federal holiday off paid.However, the real perk that I f*****g love, is that I work alone. Once the teachers leave, I have the building to myself. I see my boss once a month, if that. I just show up, put on my favourite podcasts, do my job and go home, money shows up in my account twice a month. I might speak 100 words a shift. It’s absolutely glorious.

About the only thing I don’t like about it are the crappy hours (3-11pm, followed by 7-3 during the winter/spring/summer breaks, but you get used to it), and the lazy f*****g teachers that make my job harder than it needs to be. Overall, I’d give it a solid 8.5/10"

Arctelis

3. "National Park Ranger. Thirty-two years and counting. As with any profession, there are still bad days. "

ThndrChicken

Job Satisfaction and Mental Health

Job satisfaction plays a critical role in overall mental health and well-being. Dr. Patrick Wright, a workplace psychologist, explains that when individuals find meaning and fulfillment in their work, they tend to experience lower levels of stress and higher levels of happiness.

Conversely, dissatisfaction in the workplace can lead to burnout and emotional distress, making it essential to seek careers that align with personal values and interests.

4. "I make good money owning a nice dog boarding facility on my property. I do doggie daycare twice a week in addition to 24/7 boarding; picking up happy dogs around town is pretty damn fun. I love working at home, with dogs, and running my own business. "

Equivalent_Milk_8772

5. "I work at a pet store (only supplies, no animal sales) and make $18 CAD/hr. "

"That might not sound 'decent' but it's better than minimum wage with no meaningful increase in responsibility (aka stress) compared to any other retail worker. In fact, my work environment is lower stress than any other retail/food job I've had and the owner has a keen interest in our well-being. Yearly raises, Christmas bonus, profit sharing, get paid our full scheduled shift if it's shortened or cancelled for weather, aiming to become a living wage employer with promises to increase wages beyond that so long as the business continues to grow.

Plus no one asks 'why' if I turn down a shift or decline to stay later. Respect for personal time is huge. I'm treated like a human being, not a robot with no life outside work."

creepmachine

6. give bubble baths to ducklings and piglets "

picante1985

Research published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology indicates that job satisfaction is linked to improved mental health outcomes. Individuals who enjoy their work are less likely to experience anxiety and depression, underscoring the importance of pursuing meaningful career paths.

In this context, exploring alternative career options can serve as a pathway to greater fulfillment and emotional well-being.

7. "I work in the pathology lab at a hospital. I process blood and biopsy samples onto microscope slides for the pathologists to read. I love it! I feel like I’m helping people, even though I never meet them and they have no idea who I am. "

gobstopper84

8. "I worked in construction doing flooring for 25 yrs. I was always excited when the weekend came to an end and looked forward to the work week. My wife got to stay home and raise our kids. We went on 3-4 vacations a year. Put both my kids through college. So satisfying to be able to work with your hands everyday and create something beautiful in someones home, that will last for years to come. Then cash a nice paycheck for all your hard work. "

brandonbolt

9. "I clean fossils "

Ruminations0

Identifying Personal Values and Interests

Understanding one’s values and interests is crucial when evaluating career paths. Dr. John Holland’s theory of career choice emphasizes that people are happiest when their jobs align with their personal interests and values.

By identifying what truly matters to them, individuals can make informed decisions that lead to greater job satisfaction and mental health.

10. "I got to work at JPL for 35 years, designing and flying deep space missions. Galileo, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Stardust, Solar Probe, InSight and others. It was an exceptionally fun job even when it was hard. And I met a whole bunch of very smart people. "

JUYED-AWK-YACC

11. "Im a librarian"

"Im a librarian and part of my job is organising and creating workshops for children/adolescents regarding STEM. So I get to fiddle around with 3d printers, lasercutters and all kinds of cool things. On the side I also do graphic design and build websites since my previous job was web developer.

My job is different every day and since I work for the government the benefits are really good. Only downside is the pay but I gladly earn a little less to do a creative job where I can basically do what I want."

Teukneugels

12. "Hospice nurse."

guanwho

To enhance career satisfaction, individuals should engage in self-reflection to identify their passions and strengths. Career counseling or workshops can provide valuable insights and resources to help navigate the job market effectively.

13. "I’m a colorist. It’s like photoshop for movies. I love it. But I feel very lucky to have this job, and to be successful in the industry. "

manatwork3543

14. "Farmer here."

sharpshooter999

15. "Electrician. It’s hard work most days, but satisfying seeing it all lit-up and functioning properly. Knowing my work will still be in service many years from now feels good, and seeing customers marvel at their new light fixtures looking great is a good feeling"

You11NeverKn0w

The Importance of Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is essential for maintaining mental health and well-being. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that individuals who prioritize balance between work and personal life report higher satisfaction and lower stress levels.

Establishing boundaries and allocating time for personal interests can significantly enhance overall happiness and satisfaction in life.

16. "Scientific glassblower."

skadubreggae

17. "I do voiceovers."

orlandospeaks

18. "I am a NY state worker."

Affectionate-Fact540

19. "Most people just aren't able to count their blessings."

Oshester

20. "I am a lighting designer."

"Not for everybody; but I am a lighting designer. Days are long, but there’s something amazing about finishing out a day by making a musicians show look as incredible as they sound. Used to tour, but hopped off the road because my partner and I had a kid, so now I’m working at local venues, and while you don’t build the same relationship as you do on the road, working a different show every time you go in means needing to be prepared for anything, it’s all very rewarding, and while the days can be super long, they’re very rarely dull. And I mean, I get paid to go to concerts, so that’s also a nice touch."

randomnonposter

21. ""Technical Illustrator. I love working with 3D models and illustrating. I work from home half the time and keep whatever hours i want. My boss has faith that i will do my job so i rarely ever see him. Since starting this job 2 years ago i have paid off all my debt and even sent my parents some money for everything they have done for me.

Ponasity

22. "I am the only IT guy for a family owned business. They know nothing about computers so as long as everything is running smoothly they leave me alone. I only put in about 45 minutes of actual work every week. "

tablefor1please

23. "I do intraoperative neuromonitoring."

FakeDocMartin

24. "I work in a logyard"

"I work in a logyard in S Oregon. Log trucks come in and are unloaded. The load is rolled out on the ground, and I scale the logs. I measure the lengths and diameters, calculate the gross volume in board feet, and make deductions based on defects such as frost seams, insect damage, burn scars, lightning strikes, etc. I work outside, so it can be rough in the winter/summer, but it keeps me moving, and it's an interesting gig. Been doing it about 6 years now. AMA"

Cult_Of_Cthulu

25. "I’m an Estate Buyer"

Based-Chad

26. "I work for a church."

Osaving

27. "I stock shelves at a grocery store,"

Thesonictrainiac

28. "I'm a carpenter"

MerknUincomments

29. "I’m an accountant for a bank. Good salary, great benefits, tons of PTO and all holidays off. It’s not particularly exciting, rewarding, or fulfilling but it gives me the security and freedom to make my life as exciting, rewarding and fulfilling as possible."

PM_Me_UrRightNipple

30. EMS pilot."

hems72

31. "Art Director (graphic design, advertising, etc.)"

notjustdrums

32. "I'm a therapist."

Professional-Top-882

33. work as a housekeeper at a motel.'

MotherOfNerds855

34. "I work in Robotics and Machine Learning"

Aggravating_Boy3873

35. "

fuffy_bya

36. "I work at home."

Ambitious_Studio8461

37. biologist."

FellowConspirator

38. "I'm a paralegal at an attorney's office"

"I'm a paralegal at an attorney's office. I essentially do all the writing and research for cases and assemble the files and information an attorney needs for trial.

I thought about going to law school, but during my internship clerking for the county courthouse I found that people with Bar cards were working clerk jobs like me, saying there's a too many lawyers out there to get a job.

I decided that throwing down 6 figures on law school and not even having a job guaranteed at the end is too big of a risk, and instead got a paralegal certificate for a fraction of that price, and have been doing paralegal work for 10 years now.

It's not crazy money by any means, but $40k+ a year supports me and my family and that's fine by us."

quiaudetvincet

39. Traffic controller."

ATC_av8er

40. "Longshoreman.'

Tryn4SimpleLife

41. therapist, ~70/hr I work 2.5 days a week and bring home ~950. I am in an incredibly supportive environment, clients are great, love my coworkers. I’ll be returning to med school soon and will have to quit🥲😭😢"

anon

42. "Independent Dog walker"

Rfg711

43. "I’m a statistician"

sundried_potato

44. "Aerospace Engineer "

Boomshrooom

45. Owner. "

Towhatend7

46. "I'm an IT generalist."

EdgyGoose

47. "Landscaper"

HaliaIvory

48. "School teacher"

thirdtimer_2020

49. "Tattoo artist"

NucularOrchid

50. "Sales. "

anon

This Reddit thread shows us that finding a job you love is possible. It's full of stories about turning hobbies into jobs, encouraging us to look for work that makes us happy.

It tells us that the best job is not just a place to earn money but somewhere we feel right at home.

Psychological Analysis

This article underscores the importance of aligning career choices with personal values for enhanced job satisfaction. Understanding the mental health implications of work can guide individuals toward more fulfilling career paths.

Encouraging self-reflection and open conversations about career aspirations can foster a supportive environment for career development.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Job satisfaction is intricately linked to mental health, and understanding this relationship is vital for personal well-being. By pursuing meaningful careers that align with personal values, individuals can enhance their overall happiness and emotional health.

Ultimately, fostering a healthy work-life balance is essential for achieving long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in both personal and professional domains.