I've been having this debate in my head over and over. I don't know what to do. I currently have a day job as a computer programmer. It's a great job in that it pays well (54,000/yr), I have insurance benefits (medical, dental, disability), legitimate income, free gym membership, 401(k) and it's a respectable job to put on my resume. Unfortunately, I am so uninspired every day. I wake up hating going to work and I'm bored out of my mind. It's just not that challenging and I'm basically an overpaid assistant for my boss. I just do all his grunt work that any 16 year old could do. I suppose even if it were more mentally challenging, I'm just not moved by the fact that I get paid the same whether I work hard or slack off.
I've been working that job and dancing on weekend nights for a little over a year now. I originally started to get out of consumer debt and now I'm out except for some student loans, and they are going to be easy to deal with.
Dancing has been much more lucrative than I originally had imagined. I make SO much more dancing than programming (per hour) and I enjoy it to boot!
I have been debating quitting my day job and dancing full time. Right now I only dance about 15 hours a week. If I went to full time, I'd probably take on twice as many shifts.
I really can't decide. I could buy the benefits that I get from my day job. I do have the computer science degree and a stong alumnae network to fall back on, if need be. I just don't know. I think about all the things I could do if I only danced. I could have my days free to do the things I want. I would make more money and in less time. I would elike my job and be motivated to work hard. I could go to grad school.
I don't know...what do you ladies think?



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so I am ready to move back to the city and am debating the career change too- I'm thinking about switching to sales from the guaranteed $37K salary. Couldn't do it before, but now I think if I do BOTH I could swing it. Still, it's nerve-wracking...especially since dancing has been SLOW lately! I had the worst week ever - a $60 night and a $40 night- compared to $200-300 a night before.

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