Don't Live For A Job, But Do Chase A Career
Everyone should do what they love in life. No, that's not entirely possible for every single human living right now, but dammit - why can't it be? No one should have to be stuck in a job they loathe on a day to day basis if that's not what they're passionate about. At a certain age you have to realize that jobs are aplenty, but careers are not. That's why you should start to focus on a legit career sooner rather than later.
A job is something you do to pay the bills. It's replaceable. Seasonal jobs at the mall, crappy temp gigs you find on Craigslist, dog sitting for your neighbors every weekend because they have a vacation home. A career is the complete opposite. It's not only a passion you turn into a lucrative way of life, but it's not something you'd be too quick to toss away. Now realize that jobs and careers are different for everyone. There is a guy I went to school with who is the manager at a Panda Express and he loves it as much as he loves his daughter. So for him, that's his career. For my brother who works below him - Panda is just a place he clocks in and out.
The big thing to point out though is the age difference of these two men. One is almost 30, while the other hasn't even hit 25. Your 20's are about exploring options. While some know they want to be lawyers and doctors when they're in high school, others may need some time and that's okay but when you start edging in on 30...40, you better have some sort of career path in place because no one wants to mess with a 35-year-old who is clueless in that department. So if you're in a dead end job and creeping up towards your late twenties, start thinking about what you're passionate about and go for it. Who cares if you struggle for a bit. At least at the end you'll be in a career you love, instead of a job that makes waking up hard to do.
There are plenty of ways to turn your passion into a career, you just have to know when and where to start. The when is easy, it's ASAP. The where - well, that all depends on what you're looking to do. If you need to take a class, community colleges are cheap and can be found all over. If it's something else, perhaps find someone already in the field and seek out some advice. People who are great at what they do LOVE to tell people about it and I'm sure would love to talk to you. The only thing ever stopping someone from having a career instead of a job is themselves.
Working your whole life with nothing to show because you continued to work at a dead end job is not the life you want. In the end you want to have had a career that made you feel like you achieved something with the years you spent on earth. Never be the sort of person who only works to live. At a certain age you have to say goodbye to the easy day jobs and hello to a real career, and the time is now.
