Need a bit of direction

helloilhelo

I’m 24, bought an apartment just a few months ago but I’m fairly fed up with life.
I’m not happy and haven’t been for some time in my work, my boss and I don’t see eye to eye and there is little scope for promotion at my current work place.
I work in a highly specialised area, have a degree and earn in the low 30’s.
My problem is there is not a whole lot of scope to work elsewhere, IE jobs don’t come up too often and the salary scale in my job rises by about 1.5% a year.
So what I earn ain’t gonna go up a whole lot.
The other side of that is I’m very good at what I do, it was always my dream job and those closest to me are saying stick it out.
The other side of that is my industry doesn’t pay especially well, it’s in the private sector, not a lot of stability and poor pension provision.
While I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, the penny has dropped recently, especially after buying apartment, that there are better paid jobs.
Compared to my friends who I grew up with I earn a modest amount and thinking about the future I want a good life, and I don’t see much scope for much of a salary increase.
I’m thinking that in this climate - economic uncertainty and pensions becoming an issue - I would be better off working in the public sector.
Would I be mad to consider teaching or the guards?
Everyone I know who works as the above is well payed, stability, pension and overtime in the case of the Guards.
Anyways, I suppose I’ve had a bit of a rant but I could do with some advice.
The job I’m working in is what I’ve always wanted to do but I’m finding that opportunity for advancement and better pay is limited.
So I’m wondering, and asking the older posters, what is more important…to follow your heart, work at what your talented at, with average pay or go for the security, pay etc?
Anyone been in my shoes? If so advise me because I’m unsure as to what direction I should take.
Cheers

Tom Dunne

My philosophy is always do what makes you happy. If you are not happy, do something about it.

I went through a period of sheer and utter desperation for a while and it took a heavy toll on both my career and personal life. I got a plan together to get out of the rut and it worked, well sort of. I took a gamble with my career and while it didn't fully pay off (long story), I am a now much happier person.

If you work in such a specialised area, have you considered travelling abroad where there might be better job prospects? Have you fully thought about the Gardai or teaching - a lot of stress and crap in those jobs.

The one piece of advice I would give you is don't jump into anything without having fully thought it through. There are plenty of Boardsters here who will be more than willing to give you a variety of opinions and help you make your mind up.

TempestSabre

Take is slow you've all the time in the world to decide. Do some serious financial planning on all your options, and even apply for some jobs and see how you get on in terms of job offers. Even do some course in another industry to get a feel for it. Just don't make any hasty decisions, plan it out. Sometimes you have to just make a choice and go with it.

I moved from design, it because I didn't like the conditions or the pay. But I'm not unhappy with IT because computers were always a hobby. What has made more of difference to me is finding the right people to work with, and the right working conditions to work under. If the right opportunity came up to try something else, I'd have no problem switching. I've switched a few times in the past. Kinda like the change.