The Importance of Having a Job you Love—and a few tips on how to find one

An opinion piece

In March 2017, I was two months away from finishing my event management program and being done with school—forever. Needless to say, I was so excited to never have to study again and was ready to start my career in the real world. I had done everything “right” when I was in school, or so I thought. I had volunteered at a variety of events for two and a half years, had completed two internships, was a straight A student, and had an unquenchable thirst for events. Surely finding a job would be easy, I thought to myself. Oh, 22-year-old me, so young, so naïve!

I started my job hunt sending resumés to every open position I could find. More often than not, I received an interview, sometimes a second, but never got an offer. I was averaging three interviews a week in March and April of that year, but still didn’t get a job. It was disheartening. I continued to apply and was (finally) hired for a fulltime one-year maternity contract at the end of July. The job wasn’t events per se, but it used the same skill set, so I was happy with it. I figured if anything, it would be a good way to build my resumé even though it wasn’t 100% what I wanted to do. I had a chance to become permanent during the contract but decided against it. I worked with some great people in a good organization, but the pace of work was too slow for me, and it wasn’t events, which is ultimately what I wanted.

Once that contract was over, I moved on to another maternity contract. Again, it wasn’t an events position, but was advertised as having some event work and it paid well. I mean really WELL. I was making $60K a year at 23 years old, #thedream. I thought of all the vacations I would be able to go on, the nice shoes I could buy, how happy I would be with a paycheque like that…then I started working.

I found myself in a toxic environment where I didn’t like what I was doing. Day after day, I would count down the minutes until 4 o’clock. The size of my paycheques didn’t matter; I was miserable. My bad mood started to affect other aspects of my life, mostly at home, where I took my anger and frustration out on my partner. Sunday evenings would be filled with anxiety attacks over starting a new week, and I hated getting out of bed in the morning. The paycheque didn’t matter; I was unfulfilled, ostracized by my colleagues, bored and unhappy.

In November 2018, I ran into someone I knew from the events industry. He was hiring for a new role at his organization and thought I would be a good fit. I applied and was over the moon when I was offered the position! It was exactly what I had always wanted to do: 100% events at an organization that had a great reputation. It was fulltime and permanent (THE DREAM) and would allow me the opportunity to learn and grow. But there was a catch: it paid 20 grand less than what I was making. I hesitated when I received the offer. Did I really want to make $800 less every month? Would I be able to support my lifestyle? Should I try to find something closer to what I was already making? I had gotten use to the extra money over the last seven months. My boyfriend stared at me blankly. “You have to take it”, he said, “you hate where you are, and you need a job that will make you happy”. He was right (thanks bae). For two years all I had talked about was trying to find something that I would love doing and be proud of. Something that would fulfill me! I accepted the offer and started a few weeks later.

I’ve been in my current role for 10 months now and I can wholeheartedly say I love my job and am so happy with the decision I made. I never looked back or regretted my choice. Sure, I’ve had to cut back on a few things; I can’t afford to go to Starbucks every morning or shop as much as I used to. And I can’t always get the cheese from the deli part of the store. But now I am fulfilled at work every day, happy, growing in my career, and working alongside amazing people and supportive managers.

They say everything happens for a reason (cliché I know), but if I hadn’t gone through those two contracts. I wouldn’t appreciate my job as much as I do. Both those roles taught me what I like and what I don’t, what type of work environment I want to be in, and how much the people you work with can affect your day to day. Another cliché, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and the size of your paycheque does not determine your level of happiness. That’s some “causation does not equal correlation” stuff right there, thank you Psych 101.

So, if I can be so bold as to offer my unsolicited advice, here is what I have learned in my short time in the “real world”:

1. Money isn’t everything. When you’re searching for a job, think of the other perks besides salary (benefits, vacation time, being able to work remotely, professional development, staff lunches, etc.).
2. Ask questions in an interview. Sure, they are interviewing you for the position, but YOU are also interviewing THEM. Why should you work for them? What type of environment do they create? Ask about team dynamics. The people you work with, and your boss, can make or break a job.
3. You don’t need to take a position even if they make you an offer. If it isn’t the right fit, then there is no point wasting their time or yours. Listen to your gut and look for red flags. One-third of your life is spent at work, so make sure it is a place you will enjoy going to every day.

   

4. Love your job. Love your job. Love your job. Have I mentioned love your job? Whoever said it isn’t important to have a job you love was incredibly wrong—see paragraph 4 above. Like seriously dude, you should really try it sometime; it will change your life. Where you spend most of your time will inevitably affect other aspects of your life (I’m speaking from firsthand experience here). Studies show that working for a job you love reduces stress, and since being an event manager is rated as one of the most stressful jobs in the world (in the top five alongside firefighting), its SUPER important.
5. Don’t just apply to any job that has the word “event” in it (or whatever other keyword relates to your field). Really take the time to read through the posting and see if it is right for you. Research the company, see if you know anyone who works there or has worked there (LinkedIn is your friend) and reach out for their insight. They’ll be able to tell you what isn’t being advertised.

Build a life you don’t need to escape from; don’t just live for the weekends. Spring out of bed on a Monday morning excited for the week ahead. Tell everyone how happy you are doing what you’re doing, let it radiate from you, yell from the hilltops to whomever will listen how much you love what you’re doing! Find something that makes you happy; take pride in what you do. Love what you do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

Article written by Gabrielle Whittaker, Brookstreet Hotel

Article edited by Melanie Hudson, National Association of Federal Retirees