Is it a mistake to choose a career that pays well but doesn’t interest you all that much?

Welcome to the Stay Relevant advice column, where we answer readers’ burning questions about their careers and how thrive in a fast-changing workplace. Candace Moody, a career coach and writer with more than 30 years of experience, offers insight into what’s bothering you and what might be keeping you stuck. 

Send your questions to candace@candacemoody.com.

Dear Stay Relevant:

I’m writing on behalf of my nephew, who just graduated from high school, and who is headed off to study engineering this fall. There’s no question he’s smart enough to become a brilliant engineer, but when I ask him how he feels about it, I get “meh. It’s a living.” I’m worried that he’ll be investing years and lots of tuition money in a job he’ll dislike. Does it make more sense for him to take a year or so to figure out what he really wants? Can he be truly exceptional when he has no passion for the work?

What Happened to Do What You Love?

Dear Do:

I understand your concern, and somewhere, there’s a loving family member coming at the same issue from the opposite side. My creative daughter has found her passion, but she’ll never be able to make any money at it. It sounds like your nephew has made a practical decision that will ensure he’s employed and well compensated for years. That’s not a bad thing.

Here’s how I view careers: Most people should have three jobs, rather than just the one.

First, you need a job to pay the bills. It could be almost anything, and it doesn’t have to define you. In your nephew’s case, he’s chosen a career that also comes with prestige and great pay. He can decide that it’s also his identity – I’m an engineer – or he could add on his passion, once he connects with it. I’m an engineer and a sculptor who works with scrap metal.

Your second job should be one that builds your skills. One of the ways to stay relevant throughout your career is to keep adding value to your employer. An engineer with sales skills or presentation skills will definitely be in high demand, as will one with a specialty that’s hard to find. Online courses or consulting gigs might provide the learning and experience he needs.

Finally, your third job is one that gives you chills. One that feeds your creative side, connects you with people you love being with or work that changes the world. If you can find something that pays – good for you.  You’ll be way ahead of 99 percent of the workforce. But don’t worry about pay for this work – volunteer if you have to. This is for you, to remind you what it feels like to connect what you do with who you are.

The great news is that technically, only one of these jobs has to pay well enough to keep you financially secure and independent. Your nephew may find that he loves solving complex problems and that engineering becomes his passion. Or he may change fields in a few years – the world is changing so quickly that his next job might not even exist right now.

But he has plenty of time to figure things out. I hope this helps.

Best Wishes – Candace