Posted By: Heather Eagar In: Career Goals and Motivation We all want to have our dream career. But in the pursuit of it we might need to do something to make sure we remain financially stable. Here is some advice to help you pursue your dream while remaining financially stable.
Aren’t we all envious of those people who are not only able to figure what their dream career is, but have the guts to actually pursue it? If all people were able to do the same, the world would be a happier place.
But it’s not always easy being a dreamer. Because while these people may be pursuing their passion, it’s often hard to do it without compromising a reasonable income. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are some tips to help you stay afloat financially while taking strides to pursue your dream …
Find a Part-Time or Temp Gig
One of the easiest ways to bring in some extra cash while pursuing your dream career is taking on part-time or temporary work. With a part-time job, you work fewer hours, which leaves you with more time to take on your own projects. And with a temp gig, while you may have to work full-time, you can accept or reject jobs at your leisure based on pay and the length of the project, which offers a different type of flexibility.
Another job that some consider when needing flexible income is substitute teaching. Much like temping, you get to decide when you work. And the money isn’t bad. For most districts, you can make anywhere from $75 to $120 a day. The only catch is that you usually need the equivalent of two years of college under your belt to qualify.
Try Working from Home
In the age where the Internet rules supreme – and companies are trying to cut back on their overhead – it is easier than ever to find a legitimate work-from-home job. So for many who are trying to pursue an income-lacking passion, working from home in customer service, data entry, or even freelance writing gives them the opportunity to bring in income and allows for great flexibility.
If this is a route you’re thinking of taking, it’s a good idea to make sure that the company you’re looking to work for is legitimate. Check online scam reports, ask tons of questions about the business’ reputation, and don’t be shy about asking for professional references. The more effort you make to find out the legitimacy of the company, the more likely you are to actually receive an income from home – and that’s kind of the point, right?
Take On a Lesser Version of Your Dream Job
There is nothing wrong with starting from the bottom to make your way to the top – the same goes for pursuing your dream. For instance, if your passion is wildlife photography, but you’re having a hard time selling your pictures to major magazines, you may want to take a more standard photography job that will give you practice, credibility, and a little income. You can still try to sell your photos on the side until you get your big break, but at least you won’t be starving while you wait.
Pursuing your dream can bring with it many challenges. But by bringing in additional income, you can alleviate stress, which often helps to improve creativity. Anything you can do to help foster what truly makes you happy in life is a great reward within itself.
Comments
Posted by: Becky Donaldson
This is a great article. I am pursuing my dream and you are absolutely on the mark in regards to compromising income but a dream realized is well worth the cost of sacrifice. These are some good suggestions. This article was great. Thanks Heather.
Posted by: Rita Jones
I went to college for 2 years for Paralegal Studies and cannot find a job because I do not have experience. When I tried to get on the Registry, I was told I did not have any experience. How can you get the experience if no one will hire you?
Posted by: Lawrence Weiss
Great "staying afloat" ideas!
Posted by: Jon K. Evans
I actually had my Dream Job in working for Underwriters Laboratories-then lost it in a restructuring. Since I am a Technical Writer by training, I have been pursuing those jobs. The UL job was the only one I had related to TW, and TW has changed so much that I no longer have the background for TW. That's the dilemma I face.
Posted by: Carol
I totally agree with these tips. They have definately worked for me. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Babiker
yes I do agree with you if we don't give on our way to obtain the dream career we will approach it deadsure, only we need to creat or follow new approaches concerning earning a living through part-time jobs which is a lot as you mentioned above in the article.
Posted by: Nancy O'Keefe
I've tired and tired to locate a job and am considering a work at home position but with the nightmare stories you hear it's scary. Please, if you would please give suggestions on good and honest companies. My luck I'll pick the bad apple. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Sincerely,Nancy O'Keefe
Posted by: sheryl douglas
I agree with the comment about the home jobs and where to find them and which ones are legitite. I also could use some suggestions on where to find these jobs, and who is legite and who is not and how do you research to find out the info. I am a college student and need a job to be able to continue going to school. Plus I am over 50 and having a really hard time, as everyone else, finding a job, any job, let alone my dream job.Any help would be greately appricated.
Posted by: Nicolle
This article was a much needed one. I am recently unemployed, and have been working from home using some of the online companies that hire 'independent contractors' to do their work instead of paying an entire department or having to deal with operating costs of a call center. Take a look at my website (portfolio page) for a few examples of actual LEGIT companies that I've been using & send me an email (contact me page of the website) if you'd like any more information on what else is out there!! I've been making it so far & now I'm running my own home-based business doing it!
Posted by: Gwendolyn Scott
Thank you. This article hit on some very good points. I would love to work from home I have checked into several work from home job sites, but they all want money up front and I am a little uneasy about that. How do find a work from home position that does not require up front money.
Posted by: Edia StanfordBruce
It is hard for people 50+ to find work part time or full time. Temporary services these days is harder to find. What we need is practical ways to break through the obvious torpor of being one drop in an ocean of applicants. Any way you look at it, staying afloat financially gets to be as much or more of a job than finding a job. It wears one out. What percentage of energy should be spent on either task?
Posted by: BARUN MITRA
it seems ok but the crunch is if you are late into your career with resposibilites the high from dream job cannot be sustained with meagre income.I tried teaching but my income got scaled down to 1/3 but my expenses remained same... result i blew my savings.
Posted by: tama daniel agediga On: 10/13/2009 2:20:26 PM
great comment. people need to know they can make money legitimatly. and still keep their dreams alive great job.
