# Do any of you make money doing what you love to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 17, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080 "2012-04-17T19:32:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/101 "2012-04-23T08:20:26Z")
I never have minded working; I have worked for 60 years, started at 14 and I’m now 74. I have mostly enjoyed the jobs I’ve had, bus boy in a hospital, delivery driver for a feed store, communications (teletype) in the Air Force and teletype again for Western Union. Then Western Union laid me off and it was probably the best thing that ever happened. I got a job as a programmer and have been doing it ever since. So I guess the answer to the OP is YES!!! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/102 "2012-04-23T13:36:17Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The classic definition of a DBA’s job: hours of boredom spent surfing the Web, interspersed with minutes of sheer terror when a server crashes. I know quite a few IT folk whose worklife seems to consist of hours spent in an MMORPG, insperseded with these times when an “OHFUCK!” over TeamSpeak is followed 10-15 minutes later by “phew, ok, that’s fixed, what did I miss guys?” As one of them put it “I’m the network administrator! _I_ am the guy who makes sure people don’t spend too much time reading their personal email. What, am I going to tell me on myself or something?” ---
**Author:** ![HBomb29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@HBomb29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HBomb29)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/104 "2012-05-10T20:52:37Z")
> [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](#): > > Mostly. I am a philosophy professor. Which means I spend about 30% of my time researching and writing philosophy (which I love), maybe another 50% teaching and doing enjoyable teaching-related stuff, and then 20% doing things that are mundane or sometimes downright tedious (grading, administrative work, etc.). > > I’d say I am fortunate to have found a job with such a favorable balance, and I am always working not to let the balance get less favorable (people are always pushing me to take on more administrative work, because I am not completely incompetent at it; I am getting better at saying ‘no’.) Damn that sounds like my dream job!!! I envy you good sir. Perhaps you will be the next Plato or Socrates! You’re also a perfect example of the answer to the question of “what are you going to do with a philosophy degree?” I think that ship has sailed for me though. I do like to read philosophy in my down time. Currently reading Meditations. ---
**Author:** ![HBomb29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a8b319/32.png) [@HBomb29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HBomb29)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/105 "2012-05-10T20:53:40Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > I am a clinical psychologist, and I love my job. Seriously, it is the best job in the world. I get to nurture people while they heal–what’s not to love? Plus, I am just naturally nosy. 🙂 > > Not a workaholic, btw. Lots of loved ones and fun stuff to do. Is it just me who thought “sour grapes” when I read what lindsaybluth had to say? I’ve always fantasized about being a pyschologst because it’s like what you said “I"m naturally nosy”! Lol. That’s so me. I want to see what makes people tick and what people will say in complete privacy. I bet you have some very interesting stories. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/106 "2012-05-10T21:05:24Z")
I used to. I’m hoping I will again somewhat soon. I loves me some Medicare and health reform. No, seriously. I’m the policy geek in the corner going, “Yay! New rulemakings came out today! Sweet!” Whether I actually like the legislation or not is a moot point - I enjoy the challenge of implementing government health programs. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/107 "2012-05-10T21:44:33Z")
I actually like what I do (usually some form of business/technology consulting). However, because it is typically in an environment managed by arrogant, petty, pompous, innept jerkoffs, that makes it a lot less enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/108 "2012-05-10T21:46:22Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I actually like what I do (usually some form of business/technology consulting). However, because it is typically in an environment managed by arrogant, petty, pompous, innept jerkoffs, that makes it a lot less enjoyable. What makes arrogant, petty, pompous, innept jerkoffs rise to the top? ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/109 "2012-05-11T01:43:02Z")
I don’t know that I make a living doing what I love, but I love what I do to make a living, if that makes sense. I have three jobs now: paper carrier, which is WAY more enjoyable than anyone would expect; eldercare provider, which is so rewarding that I get teary when I try to explain it; and scheduling the staffing at the eldercare agency, which is much more enjoyable than I expected it to be, largely because I really like the staff I work with. If I could just do what I love and make a mint at it…I don’t know. I love soapmaking, but making a living at it was a bitch. I like writing smartass comments and short-short articles (say, one paragraph)…if someone wanted to pay me to do that I’d be down with it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/110 "2012-05-11T13:51:07Z")
Yes. Sure there are annoyances but I do get paid for doing something I love to do. And I think I’m overpaid too, which really helps. But then my job has also evolved a lot: from being a member of a team, to leading the team, to leading several teams, to then abandoning leading the teams and being an independent consultant, and now finally moving back into academia. I’m working on another book, my first non-technical one, and maybe my dream job would be to be able to focus on that (all the other books I was paid to write, this one is my own). ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/111 "2012-05-11T15:14:02Z")
Erm. Would like to change my answer to “Yes, I make money doing what I love to do.” Apparently, free-lancing as an artist isn’t half-bad, once the numbers are crunched down. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/112 "2012-05-11T16:38:20Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > What an encouraging thread. It looks like most people are doing what they enjoy. Oh, dear - I wouldn’t make such assumptions from this sort of poll. They tend to be self-selecting. I for example thank my lucky stars for my job, which is a pretty sweet gig. But _love it_? Absolutely not. I wasn’t really raised that way :). Jobs to my family were just what you had to do in order to make the necessary cash to enjoy the rest of your non-working life. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/113 "2012-05-12T04:38:22Z")
I drive around in a van and solve mysteries with my friends. Wasn’t number 1 on my list of things I love to do, but it was definitely on the list. Can’t complain. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/114 "2012-05-12T13:07:59Z")
Yes!! I wake up every morning excited about what I will do that day. Is it all fun and giggles? No, it never is. As a freelancer I have to wait for my clients to pay me, deal with subcontractors across the globe in a different time zone, unresponsive service providers, days when I just want to say “fuck this!”, etc. But then again a good marriage is not roses and butterflies every day, it’s the sum of the parts that matter. This is the most meaningful, satisfying, exciting, stimulating job I ever had. I took a big pay cut, but things are getting better and luckily my husband’s salary means he was able to cover the hole in our income. My boss is a bitch, but we get along fine. And she lets me work in pajamas. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/115 "2012-05-12T14:06:18Z")
I’ve made money in two separate careers doing things that I enjoyed, sometimes even loved. The problem has mostly been that there’s just too goddamn much of it at times. Give me the four day week and six-hour day, and no problemo. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/116 "2012-05-12T16:33:33Z")
Yes. I’m an (academic, postdoc) computer scientist. I currently work in Northern Italy. I get to work with some of the most intelligent people in Europe, working on a project that sounds like science fiction to the typical software engineer and travel all over Europe (Budapest, Bergen, Edinburgh, Paris, etc.) too. I’m also paid quite well too, and get something like 17 weeks off per year. Occasionally there’s some drudgery (I’m the only native English speaker in the office, so I’m the designated author/proof reader for European Union bureaucracy — and there’s a lot of that) but most of the time my job involves doing things that have never been done before and talking about a subject I love with other people who feel the same. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/117 "2012-05-12T19:38:28Z")
On Friday I had to get two 18 year olds to open up to me about how they were molested when they were young boys and then go into great detail for official statements. No I don’t enjoy my job. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/118 "2012-05-12T21:58:23Z")
NO ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/119 "2012-05-12T23:05:02Z")
I sometimes say that if my university didn’t pay me (pretty well) to talk to students about fiction, and how to write it, I would be one of these lunatics you see on the subway, holding forth loudly to himself and everyone about weird shit that runs through his mind. Fortunately, they give me a classroom and a subway-carful of listeners, so it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/120 "2012-05-13T11:30:02Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > On Friday I had to get two 18 year olds to open up to me about how they were molested when they were young boys and then go into great detail for official statements. No I don’t enjoy my job. Amway? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080/121 "2012-05-13T14:00:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Amway? Could I interest you in some cleaning products? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-of-you-make-money-doing-what-you-love-to-do/619080.md?page=7)