For those of you that are happy with your current job, did you ever consider if your first choice would have/could have been better?

[Twodogs0525]

[AI Opinion]

I’m in a role I genuinely enjoy now, but my “first choice” looked very different in my 20s.

Early on, I imagined a fast-track corporate career only. When I moved into education and career coaching, it felt like a compromise at first. Over time, I realized it fit my strengths and values far better—working with people, seeing growth, having autonomy.

Could the first choice have been “better”? Possibly in money or status, but likely worse in daily satisfaction. What matters most is how your work feels day to day, not how impressive the original plan sounded.

[Beckybooboo]

At times, I do wonder if I would be happier teaching. That was first choice. I'm still happy and extremely dedicated doing what I do but at times, I feel like I'd make a bigger difference teaching, only because I witnessed how much my mom's former students loved her.

On a side note, I can't believe you would question what you do! Every time I fly, I can't help but appreciate the skill and dedication of the pilots lol

[Twodogs0525]

Becky, I honestly can see you doing both, to perfection! You are one of the most wonderful people on here.

[NoDecision]

Actually I did try my first choice, and it was great for a while. But after a while it got boring, so I went back to the job I had before and now enjoy that job more than I did originally.

[Twodogs0525]

A lot of people miss quitting a job.. My mom started out as a social worker, then she quit, because she wanted to be a chef. When she turned 40ish, she met a woman that worked at a homeless shelter. After the talked over coffee, my mom went back to being a social worker lol There's always second chances! I'm happy for you!

[FunkyMonkee]

So far, except for 3 VERY short-lived part time gigs, I've NEVER had ANY of my first 5 or 6 choices!!

[Twodogs0525]

Let me guess? Either acting or music? Hey, I'm glad and happy that you tried, if I'm right lol Too many people regret not trying. At least you did! Happy for you.

[FunkyMonkee]

Mostly, working in a record store.
First time, I was friends with the manager and, he'd hire me for 2 days a year to help them do inventory.
Next, I found a "new" record store a few miles from my house and asked if they were hiring. They took me on to price albums for them as they were expanding beyond 45's and 78's. They fired me after the second day. I think it was because they were gonna pay me in records so, I'd built up a huge stack of albums that I wanted to be paid with! I can only guess they didn't like that.
Next, several years later, a friend of mine hired me to work in his record store helping to sort albums in the warehouse once a week. After a few weeks of that, he switched me to running the third floor in his store once every other Sunday. Again, after a few months of that, he let me go claiming that he wanted to make sure I got money in my pocket and that I wasn't spending it all on records!
A few months later I got a job at a telephone jukebox place but I only lasted one day because I was still not as used to their system as they'd like me to be. They closed up a few months later.
Lastly, a guy that owns two used bookstores decided to branch out into records and wanted me to clean and price them for him so, I did that for 4 out of 5 Sundays and then he said he couldn't afford to keep me on!
I DID ALMOST get an air shift at the local major radio station but, they gave the job to one of their regulars and she quit doing it two weeks later and they never did that show, anymore.