For many, it may be hard to envision such a job, where one feels inspired to go to work each day, and in earlier years, I have had my share of monotonous, uninspiring jobs, too. We have all likely had such jobs that were necessary to pay the bills. Those experiences hold important lessons too, but I did not realize until I was in college that there was another kind of job — or that education could truly expand my opportunities.
As a child, the adults I knew were clock punchers, and my parents lived for 5:00, for the weekend, for paid vacation days. At the end of the work day, they came home exhausted from the monotony and self-sacrifice, collapsing into recliners or bed. In those days, it seemed to me that work was something one “had to do” just to pay bills, and I was thankful that my parents had steady employment.
My parents came from small, rural communities and had limited educational opportunities. What schooling they did have revolved around planting and harvesting seasons. They missed countless days of school because they had to barn tobacco.
Compared to the drudgery and heat of that work, my parents must have felt fortunate to have secure jobs that included insurance and vacation. We had no idea that someone like Steve, someone who loved his work, even existed.
I did not know that career satisfaction was possible until after I graduated from college. As a teacher, for the first time, I felt a sense of excitement, fulfillment, wonder and even joy. Teaching allowed me to help other people, and it was interesting, engaging, stimulating; it sparked my imagination and energized me. I learned that when you’re doing something you enjoy, you feel invigorated and creative.
Dr. Love is the dean of Lander University’s College of Arts and Humanities; contact her at crlove@lander.edu.