Did you choose money or purpose in your career? 12 FJ readers weigh in

“The thought of prioritising a high salary at the expense of missing out on a career I genuinely love scares me more than having no money.”

What means more to you: money or passion? For many, this feels like an impossible ultimatum, a real Sliding Doors life decision. If you choose a career that makes you feel fulfilled, it could be difficult to get your foot in the door, or you risk it being low-paying. But if you choose money, then you’re ‘settling’ or you’re ‘selling out’.

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If you’re reading this feeling smug about having both, congrats. It’s a rare and beautiful thing when someone’s passion aligns perfectly with the job market. Obviously, it’s not always that black and white but often the tension remains: Do you hold out, hoping that you’ll start reeling in some serious cash? Or, is passion something you should chase outside of work? Below, 12 Fashion Journal readers reveal whether they pursued money or purpose.

Marisa*, 29, she/her

I’m a freelance record label assistant. For years I chose purpose but every time I did I’d be met with difficult coworkers, trouble negotiating contracts and a sense of instability. Now I’m beginning to think money is good but it’s not the be-all and end-all. As long as I can pay my bills I’m happy but the thought of changing jobs every 12 months to do that exhausts me.

I thought I regretted leaving my secure government job for the music industry because the money was great but my coworkers were all quite egotistical and treated other people they worked with like they were beneath them. I regret changing careers less nowadays because working with people like that isn’t something I want to do.

Cass*, 31, she/her

I was a teacher, then became a program coordinator in the public sector before working in fashion. Becoming a teacher was driven by purpose, but I got burnt out. While working as a program coordinator was good money, it gave me brain rot. Now, working in fashion, I’ve taken a big pay cut but at least it’s rewarding.

Sebastian*, 26, he/him

I’m a fashion designer. I chose purpose for many reasons. To me, clothing means so much more than a five-second sketch. I want the wearer to feel every inch of thought in the piece. It’s easy as a design graduate to end up in a fast fashion role with decent money, but I need to feel like people care about the clothes enough for me to make it for them.

Rosheen*, 26, she/her

I’m a project officer. I work for a charity that supports disadvantaged community members to explore entrepreneurship and help start their own businesses. In terms of money or purpose, I’m somewhere in between. My job doesn’t pay bad (around 80K) but I work part-time (0.8 FTE), so it’s less than it seems. I’m not super passionate about the work, but at the same time I’m not doing any damage (maybe even a little bit of good), so it seems like a net positive.

Mia*, 25, she/her

I’m a customer success manager at Humans of Purpose, an impact business with a main mission of providing women with a holistic approach to finding financial independence after domestic violence. I searched for something financially rewarding while giving me a sense of purpose.

After prioritising purpose, I realised that money is the only way to have the ability to make the changes I want in the world. I don’t have any regrets – I put the time and work in to be able to find this balance.

Annelise*, 21, she/her

I’m a founder and I’d say that I chose purpose. I started my own business at 20 that focuses on supporting local brands and community. I can be the first to say this will never make me money, although sometimes I wish I did have more money compared to my peers (only so I could do ‘normal’ things like buying more clothes and eating out more). However, I would never change my choice to go after something that gave me purpose. Yes, it’s hard but that is what makes my job worthwhile.

Lily*, 30, she/her

I’m a features editor at a magazine. I’ve ended up in a job I’ve always wanted, which is very fulfilling. I’ve dipped my toes into advertising and sales roles in the past and as much as I respect people doing a job centred around making money, which I’m sure is also rewarding, I don’t have the drive and would quickly become depressed.

I’d like to earn more money though and I’d like to learn how to ask for it. But I’m also aware that I don’t need much money to be happy, as long as I can travel on occasion. Really rich people tend to have complicated lives that seem stressful to me.

Nikita*, 25, she/her

I’m an engagement coordinator at an arts organisation and disability support worker. I chose both money and purpose. My art career has taken a lot of time and relationship-building, but it’s incredibly rewarding and motivating. I look forward to every day I get to go to work, but the sacrifice I make is that I do overnight and weekend shifts of disability support work to double my weekly income. My hourly rate at the arts organisation is less than half of my hourly disability rate.

I find myself constantly burnt out and overworked, but I find it extremely difficult to turn down a support work shift because it pays the bills so quickly and easily. I know if I pulled back from the disability support work for a while then I’d have more time and energy for my arts career but it’s also so uncertain and you don’t know if it’ll pay off.

I think I’m close to reaching a breaking point where I’ll have to accept a loss in my income because the thought of prioritising a high salary at the expense of missing out on a career I genuinely love scares me more than having no money. I’m just working up the courage to take the leap.

Montana*, 25, she/her

I’m a high school teacher. Working as a teacher has given me so much purpose and I absolutely adore my work. I kind of fell into teaching but once I started I realised it’s all I wanted to do. Working with young people inspires me constantly and I find my work creatively very fulfilling.

I’m currently working overseas and the pay is horrendous, almost unliveable, which means I probably won’t be able to live out my dream of living overseas for a long time. This is quite sad, but I think it stems from people not seeing teaching as a skill or something you need to be trained for but rather something anyone can do. This makes me upset because teaching is hard! And there are so many things to learn that make you a skilled teacher and that’s not reflected in the pay.

If anything it just makes me angry that important work isn’t rewarded and recognised. However, it makes me appreciate the pay Aussie teachers get and helps me consider my options.

Grace*, 33, she/her

I’m a food stylist and model. I chose both – mostly for purpose but also a little bit for money. I love being a food stylist but it’s not always super busy, so I decided to go into modelling because I have fun with it and it’s an easy, low-impact way for me to make money. I’d say the only downside to choosing to model is that I can’t freely change my hairstyle or get more tattoos because it makes it harder to get booked.

Saffron, 29, she/her

I’m a production manager working at a womenswear brand in London. I manage new season sourcing, oversee product development and produce the bulk production for delivery into our warehouse for DTC and international stockists.

I first studied accounting and had a quarter-life crisis thinking I was too creative to waste my life doing people’s taxes. I was fortunate enough to have supportive parents who encouraged me to chase my dreams. I wanted to be a designer, so I chose to go after my passions and went back to uni to study fashion design. After I  graduated I caught the first flight out of Melbourne to go and live in London, but after five months of unemployment and applying for jobs, this was the only role I was offered.

Entry-level wages in London are unliveable. Despite all my efforts and sacrifices, multiple degrees, unpaid internships and relevant industry experience, I still hate my day-to-day job. I’m not doing anything creative and sometimes wonder if maybe I should’ve sold my soul earlier to work in finance and at least get paid well and have the freedom to create for myself in my own time.

I often think, how long do I hold out? It’s now affecting my life choices as I approach 30 and have no savings and no financial security to start a family. Job prospects are dismal with no possibility to magically double my salary in the next five years, so what’s the point?

Kylie, 29, she/her

I’m a year six teacher. I actually had a very well-paying marketing job that I worked really hard to get. After working in the new position for about a year and a half I realised I didn’t feel fulfilled or passionate about my work. I decided to return to university and complete my master’s in teaching. I’ve been working in schools ever since and adore my job.

For more on finding purpose in your work, try this.