More Money, Fewer Problems
I make four times more money and finally have time to breathe.
All of my friends were looking cute in their officewear…
But to Jacqueline, it was all worth it.
Environmental science had been her passion since high school.
For a while, she felt like she was doing just that.
One particular assignment sent her spiraling about the impact she was making or lack thereof.
No matter what she did to test and treat the water, the site always tested positive for pollution.
For many, dream jobs are the ultimate goal.
Its not just about beefing up your resume; its about who you are.
Your role is likely how you introduce yourself to new people; perhaps its even in your Instagram bio.
Thanks to Americangrind culture, its no surprise work is nearly synonymous with self.
To some, such career pivots may be considered selling out abandoning your lifelong passions for a better paycheck.
But what if leaving a dream job is actually the key to a dream life?
The Disillusion Of The Dream Job
Katelynn, 35, always planned to be a sports reporter.
I was my dads sidekick for years watching games, she says.
It was a 180 from what she describes as thepretty toxic environmentof her previous company.
I happened to work with a gentleman who didnt believe women should work in sports, Katelynn says.
Now, she believesher colleaguesare the best of the best.
Similarly, Katie wanted to be a TV anchor as early as kindergarten.
It was really difficult having to tell my parents [about leaving journalism], she says.
My mom had always envisioned me being a TV news reporter too.
But after making a pros and cons list, her answer was clear.
Childhood interestsoften influence career plans.
Brian, 25, always loved theater, so he majored in stage management.
Once you get a job, you have to start interviewing for another one, he says.
He says hell never go back to the grind of the theater scene.
Money Matters
Of course, career, finances, and well-being are inherently intertwined.
After a year in Jacquelines new field, she made about $40,000 more than she used to.
Going corporate also made promotions more accessible to her.
One such team helped her transition into her current operations role when she was curious about potential upward movement.
The career pivot leads to heavier pockets for many.
Brian now makes $60,000 more annually than he did in his various theater-adjacent roles.
Katie made $12.50 an hour at her first news job, or about $24,000 a year.
Now, she doesnt hesitate when buying a plane ticket home for the holidays.
The Work-Life Balancing Act
Dissatisfaction at work obviously affects personal lives.
In working toward the dream role, people might sacrifice their relationships (hi, Andy Sachs!
), but psychologists actually believehealthier personal lives lead to better performance at workand vice versa.
In 2021, Katelynn took a long, hard look at her life before getting married.
Was it the right career for my overall mental and physical health?
How long can my body handlewaking up at 1:45 a.m.?
Her work-life balance has never been better.
I can be a mom.
In fact, I feel like Im encouraged to be a great mom but also be a great employee.
Sure, its a different vibe than her life as a journalist, but Katelynn doesnt regret the decision.
I am so much happier now, she says.
She no longer has to set alarms for the middle of the night.
[But] I dont miss the lack of stability.
Katie also felt the weight of working irregular hours.
I worked every Christmas for four years, she says.
[Leaving journalism] gave me my life back.
After 5 p.m., I go about my day…. Jacqueline sometimes feels like a sellout because working for a retail corporation is almost inherently at odds with sustainability.
I still struggle with [my decision to leave environmental science] to this day.
Its hard to leave something you were so committed to at one point, she says.
She probably wouldnt work for another fashion brand if it didnt align with her values.
And the job after thedream jobisnt always as exciting to outsiders.
Katie admits her traditional marketing gig doesnt sound as interesting as explaining shes a TV anchor.
For Brian, his new role helps him achieve balance.
Although hes not working on Broadway shows like he once pictured, hes fulfilled.
Exactly what I was doing for shows, Im doing for a startup, he says.
I can look back and say I did it, Katelynn says.
As she got older, her priorities shifted, and things fell into place.
For me, I have what I truly feel is a Dream Career 2.0.
