Should pay or passion define your career path?
They say that if you work a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life. But is it really that simple?
It’s a dilemma as weathered as the walls of Australia’s oldest universities. Should you choose to study a field based on your passions, or the likelihood of secure, lucrative employment opportunities?
You may have been considering the question yourself - feeling torn between what looks good on paper, and what makes your heart sing.
If you have your parents or partner in one ear, and the burning flames of desire in the other, this article is for you.
So, should I study what I love, or should I study what’s lucrative?
Unfortunately, there’s no “right” answer. And, depending on who you ask, you’ll get a very different response. There are countless accountants and teachers who are endlessly proud to have joined professions in which their work has always delivered a steady paycheck.
Similarly, there are artists, musicians, theatre performers and gaming developers who are proud to have gone off the beaten track to pursue a more creative life.
The fist port of call when considering this conundrum is to see whether any current areas of strong employment growth align with your passions. Could you, in fact, join a field that makes it rain and makes you happy?
Current employment trends in Australia
A recent study by SEEK reveals the 20 most in-demand professions in Australia. Find one that fits your passions and you’ll be able to follow your interests while appeasing that voice inside your head that says “but... will I get a job in the field?”.
Among the career paths that are likely to lead to strong employment opportunities?
Be sure to check out the full list.
The good news is, each of these fields are available to study online with leading Australian universities, through Open Universities Australia (OUA). This means you can combine passion with purpose from the comfort of your home.
What are the highest paid jobs in Australia?
For some, significant remuneration is a high priority. It can be an integral part of job satisfaction and a perceived measure of value or worth.
If you’re someone who is driven by wealth, then don’t dismiss following a field of interest based on income. After all, only you know what will make you truly happy.
According to research conducted by Michael Page, the highest paid professions in 2020 included Senior Construction Site Manager, Investment Strategist, Chief Technology Officer, and General Counsel. If your interests lie in engineering, wealth management, technology and law, you're in luck. See the full list.
Through OUA, you can study a field tipped for a healthy income and strong future growth. In fact, we have courses in all of these fields – from construction to finance, technology and law – available to study online between work and family commitments.
So, pay or passion?
Our take? It’s important to stop and think about the job at hand, as well as the potential dollars in your bank account when deciding on a field to pursue. Where there’s job satisfaction, there’s bound to be happiness to go with it.
To express your interest in any of the courses on offer through OUA, fill out the form on this page and an expert student advisor will get in contact. Otherwise, start browsing thousands of courses from leading Australian universities right now.
