What's important? Job enjoyment vs pay

Bob_fish

I was foolish enough to choose my career path based on my interests rather than its salary range. As such I ended up in engineering, a pathetically paid career in UK especially in areas where living costs are high. Although I enjoy the job itself the frustration of never ending financial difficulties and being unable to live comfortably has made me bitter and resentful towards it. I've considered studying and getting qualified in other professions but none I'd truly enjoy. 

I wondered how others think about enjoyment vs pay. Would you do a boring job you dislike for a good income? Or would job enjoyment and satisfaction be more important? 

Dox

Bob_fish said:

I wondered how others think about enjoyment vs pay. Would you do a boring job you dislike for a good income? Or would job enjoyment and satisfaction be more important? 

I'd only do a job I enjoyed and which paid a decent income. Why settle for less if you are fortunate enough to have the choice to do so?

Lomast

Hmm I'm in engineering in the South East and I don't consider it poorly paid at all. What salary are you looking for?

Bob_fish

Dox said:

Bob_fish said:

I wondered how others think about enjoyment vs pay. Would you do a boring job you dislike for a good income? Or would job enjoyment and satisfaction be more important? 

I'd only do a job I enjoyed and which paid a decent income. Why settle for less if you are fortunate enough to have the choice to do so?

Because my degree is in engineering and engineering jobs are poorly paid. I'm not sure what other career I'd enjoy hence why taking another career would probably mean a choice between pay or enjoyment. 

Bob_fish

Lomast said:

Hmm I'm in engineering in the South East and I don't consider it poorly paid at all. What salary are you looking for?

I estimate I'd need About 40 to 50k to live reasonabe life nothing fancy just plain Jane but reasonable. I'd also hope for a salary that will keep up with inflation. I've been on same income for years and inflation has caught up and flown past me.

Lomast

I don't know what field of engineering you are in or your experience but that salary is certainly achievable.
I'm a maintenance engineer in a food production factory HND qualified with 15 years experience and with l overtime i am about snack on the middle of your range

Grumpy_chap

Bob_fish said:

I ended up in engineering, a pathetically paid career in UK especially in areas where living costs are high. 

Because my degree is in engineering and engineering jobs are poorly paid. 

Getting a degree in engineering is not something you accidentally end up in - it is hard work to get a degree in engineering.  

Engineering is, or can be, very well paid so it is possible to have both salary reward and enjoyable job at the same time.

The following link is a couple of years ago but nothing substantial has changed since.  Engineering graduates in the 5th highest earnings category.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-41693230

theoretica

I would definitely go for an interesting job (and have done so).  Money has a way of just getting spent and needing more and more if you let it.

Grumpy_chap

Bob_fish said:

I estimate I'd need About 40 to 50k to live reasonabe life

That target is very achievable for a degree-qualified Engineer.

Mrsn

For me I spent too long doing jobs I hated and to be honest they didn’t even pay that well.

I eventually followed my heart and went back to college and juggled doing my teaching assistant stuff around my kids. Did a bit of volunteering for some experience and worked as a childminders assistant too before plucking up the courage to apply for a job in a school. I absolutely love my job and can’t believe I wasted so many years being unhappy.

My current pay is the lowest it’s ever been but my day flies by, the team I work with are awesome and the job satisfaction makes it worth it.

Marvel1

Enjoyment.

I tried the manager position when my manager was on long term sick 3 years ago, made me realise it's not for me, didnt enjoy it and never bothered with the promotion board, even though my manager and their manager tried to encourage me to apply.  Happy where am I with lower pay.