The Student Room Group

Should I do something I love & be poor or something I hate & be slightly better off

I realise the answer is blatanly obvious in that you should choose a mix of the two but is there anyone out there that has actually done that? Im stuck between doing english lit at an average uni (coz its so competitive duhh) and end up pretty much as a teacher/librarian or going into politics/international relations which isnt my passion, still an interest but could possibly open more doors for me. X safee x :biggrin:
Reply 1
As much as I want to tell you to follow your heart and do what makes you happy, that annoying voice in my head, aka my common sense, tells me otherwise. I have been thinking about this too and have come to the conclusion that you don't have to choose one over the other.
You can always do what you love in your spare time.
I really thought about what I want in life, I want to travel and see the world, experience new things and you can't do that without money.
I also realized that I'm content with a varied job that allows me to be independent, creative and not doing the same boring routine everyday.
I don't need to be CEO or some hotshot, I just want a job that allows me to do what I love.
My advice to you is to think about what you want to do in life, what's important to you.
Because that is what matters in the end not others opinions or expectations.
If your ambition is to be somebody or do something special then go down the smart career path. If not, then consider the other option.
One more thing to think about. I like reading literature too, but if I were to do it all the time and talk about the same things over and over again every day as you would do as a teacher, I don't think I would enjoy it as much as I do now.
But that is just me it might not be the same for you :smile:
Do what makes you happy, whether it's the one way or the other :wink:
Reply 2
no biggie
As much as I want to tell you to follow your heart and do what makes you happy, that annoying voice in my head, aka my common sense, tells me otherwise. I have been thinking about this too and have come to the conclusion that you don't have to choose one over the other.
You can always do what you love in your spare time.
I really thought about what I want in life, I want to travel and see the world, experience new things and you can't do that without money.
I also realized that I'm content with a varied job that allows me to be independent, creative and not doing the same boring routine everyday.
I don't need to be CEO or some hotshot, I just want a job that allows me to do what I love.
My advice to you is to think about what you want to in life, what's important to you.
Because that is what matters in the end not others opinions or expectations.
If your ambition is to be somebody or do something special then go down the smart career path. If not, then consider the other option.
One more thing to think about. I like reading literature too, but if I were to do it all the time and talk about the same things over and over again every day as you would do as a teacher, I don't think I would enjoy it as much as I do now.
But that is just me it might not be the same for you :smile:
Do what makes you happy, whether it's the one way or the other :wink:


yep. you said it all.
AHAHAHA at robert pattison!!!!!:woo:
Reply 3
Do what you love. More money isn't worth the expense of your happiness.
Reply 4
Money is nothing, you can't take it with you when you die.

Go for what you'll enjoy. Follow the heart.

(ok. enough of the poetics.)

If you're that concerned about it, then why dont you do a combined joint honours degree in english/politics? comprise.

But, imo you should do English. Besides, theres a variety of doors that will open up with a straight English degree too.
Reply 5
Do what you love. No point in having money if you're still going to be miserable. Besides, teachers aren't that badly paid; the pay isn't exactly great but it's by no means terrible at between 20-30k, rising to 35k if you live in London. Do English and be happy.
If you really love English lit and a teacher/librarian is your dream job, go for it. :smile:
Reply 7
do what you love. although you may not be better off, you'll be happier instead of in a strop all the time. also money isn't the only reward when you have a job
Reply 8
Do what you love, so long as its not children! :smile:
Reply 9
I've been thinking about this too. I don't think the money is worth it if you're going to be miserable. Money isn't everything. If you want to go into teaching then go for it! Besides the pay isn't that terrible really.
I recently got head hunted and offered a £7k pay rise, but turned it down because it wasn't as good a role as my current one.
Do what you're passionate about IF you feel it's worth putting up with the lower salary.
Just don't turn into one of those people who complain about being poor and having financial troubles talking about how much they could've earned if they'd 'fulfilled their potential'.

In my opinion people who say money isn't everything either just say it to delude themselves as a way of consoling their low financial capacity or just aren't aware of the perks lots of money can bring.
Oh for gods sake, I hate it when people assume that an English degree leads straight to being a teacher/librarian. Think outside the box woman! The skills you learn can be applied to so many different things - journalism, advertising (and most media type jobs), writing, business etc etc, I would go on but I'll end up going off on tangents. Also, a degree in English Lit is not the end, I plan to do a masters after my degree in a more specialised area and in something to do with art/media (though my art foundation diploma is an advantage with that).

It's a good solid degree that teaches you good solid skills. And it's interesting and academic. Win win. The only people doing English who are destined to be teachers/librarians are the ones who can't be bothered to try and do anything else, and who do English because they think it will be easy.
Reply 13
asdaprice*
I realise the answer is blatanly obvious in that you should choose a mix of the two but is there anyone out there that has actually done that? Im stuck between doing english lit at an average uni (coz its so competitive duhh) and end up pretty much as a teacher/librarian or going into politics/international relations which isnt my passion, still an interest but could possibly open more doors for me. X safee x :biggrin:

Depends how happy the money will make you I guess. Personaly I'd rather be poor and enjoy what I do. 'Tiss a rich man who gets paid to do what he loves'.

If you're interested in politics and international relations, why not join the Model House of Commons and/or the Model UN here on TSR? Details for each in my sig :wink:
don't worry about it between those two degree choices... Get a 1st in English and you'll be on your way to doing something fun and doors will open. It's not as though your other option is going to lead you straight to the top of the City.
You will spend nearly a third of your waking hours for the next forty-five years doing whatever it is you choose to do. Why would you choose to spend those hours doing something you hate? :s-smilie: It baffles me.

Teachers aren't poor by the way. Do you actually want to be a teacher though or do you just think that's what an English degree 'leads' to? :s-smilie:
Reply 16
Do what you love - you'll be a lot happier in the long run :smile:

Also, English opens just as many doors as Politics so don't think you're limited to being a teacher/librarian (unless that's what you want to do, in which case, go for it!)

All you need is enough money to live off comfortably - a six figure salary may be nice but it's not necessary. So just go for what you enjoy!
Do what you love, because you never know how things can turn out at the end - perhaps even better than if you did something you thought you 'should' do. Life can be full of all sorts! I say this after spending a few years having the same concerns as yourself, though. I'd like to think that we all do, but now I'm annoyed at myself for taking a while to realise it! But... better late than never, I suppose.
Reply 18
Go with what would make you happier..as others have said, money means nothing if you aren't happy...i chose a course that makes me happy and will lead on to a happy career and there are other options with this degree too..rather than something that would be more secure financially etc, but i suppose, got to fulfil your passion!
Reply 19
Compromise. That’s the best way forward. It’s important doing what you enjoy, true, but at the same time, what point is there in sacrificing three years and getting into huge amounts of debt if you leave university and find yourself at a dead end.

When I chose to study Economics, it was a compromise as part of me wasn’t 100% sure on what I wanted to study solely, and also I didn’t want to choose something I thoroughly enjoyed but lacked any solid career options. (University is an investment, and as such, you have to think about the possible returns. I do enjoy Economics, and as I said it was a compromise because it as a course contains elements of various disciplines I thoroughly enjoy.)

Latest