Dollife Dreams and Careers

Hi everyone. I'm a college student, attending for the second sememster. :3 I graduated high school in 2010. I took a year off to work and I did enjoy working. My job didn't help me get rich but it helped me out in this Hobby. But that program has ended. So now I'm in school. I had lots of ideas for majors and careers but now, I am really unsure what to do. I want to include DDs or my Otaku hood in anything I do but I have a fear of my business falling or I become broke.

 

I thought of entering the medical field but with the long hours, and irregular schedule of the hospital, I won't be abled to do what I love. I also love fashion design but my family will get very pissy if I do something artsy. I am considering being a teacher but....children....:/

 

So I ask, what career is you in if you don't mind sharing. How did you decide and is DD/Anime/Manga or what else hobby you adore infulence the choice?

A good question!

 

I've been into anime and manga since I was in high school but it never played a huge role in my career selection. I ended up getting my degree in Mechanical Engineering which means my job earns me enough money I can entertain my hobbies in my free time - of which I have a good amount of.

 

I'd say when it comes to picking what you want to do in post-secondary you have to weigh what you're good at with what you like and what's practical. If you really love something (say photography) but you study it and do it for a living, sometimes some of the magic is lost because it becomes a means to an end for you. Generally I think it's nice if you can find something you enjoy doing for a job that allows you to have the time and money to pursue your other hobbies outside of work.

 

But that's different for everyone. ^_^

My degree is in electrical engineering and I work for a semiconductor company designing the CPUs for products such as cel phones. My hobbies didn't really influence the choice at all. I went with something that I was good at and that I could make a decent living at.

I went to school for Graphic Arts and Commercial Design and have never been able to use it for a job. Where I am now has nothing to do with my hobbies at all. None of my jobs recently has. But years back my hobbies DID greatly influence my jobs.

 

As a young adult, I was heavy into car audio. I always thought it would be great to work at a stereo shop but never thought I'd be good enuff to do it. Then a good friend got a job at one and I would hang around there a lot. They finally got tired of it and just hired me. LOL

 

So I was in the car audio business for well over 10 years, doing what I loved and having lots of fun. But the economy back in 2006 and 2007 began to tank and the place I was at went under. So I had to rely on my skills with cars to find other jobs.

 

Now I work for a radio communications place where I am the head installer. I turn cars and trucks into police cars and emergency vehicles. Here is a truck I did recently for the local fire department. This truck will be used to fight brush fires.

 

 

So that's what I do on a day to day basis. Nothing to do with DD's at all and no one at work even knows I am into them. They're all ignorant gorillas who wouldn't understand anyways so I don't share any of my hobbies with them. They're the type that when I told them I liked anime, they all asked why I liked those stupid tentacle rape cartoons. Morons....

 

 

Billy

Well, just keep in mind that if you make something you enjoy into work, it can stop being a hobby and turn into work. I think it's actually rare for someone to end up being like Danny Choo and make their hobby a career -- and also, not sure if it's all what it's cracked up to be. I suggest following your career interests. If you don't like kids, I'd say teaching is out . What are you studying right now in school?

 

I'll send you a PM about something else you mentioned.

What PrettyCranium said is VERY true--making a hobby your job can suck the fun right out of it. I typically sculpt for fun, but recently have been working on a sculpting commission, and very little of it has been fun. In fact, it's been really frustrating, because everything I'm doing on this thing is subject to someone else's whim. (It's agonizing to be told "Just make it look like the picture" when said picture defies laws of physics, doesn't match any of the other images, is full of 2D cheats that don't translate to sculpture worth beans, and doesn't tell you squat about what the back looks like.) When I started a sculpture project for myself, it was actually a surprise to be having fun on that when the other's been so vexing.

 

One description I heard once (really wish I could remember where) that basically said, "A hobby is something you do that you wouldn't do if someone paid you." So think about all the things you've done, and consider which ones you'd be sanguine enough to not hate as soon as someone else told you how to do it. Yes, liking what you do is nice, but loving what you do often isn't. When you care too much about something, it's possible, maybe even likely, that you end up attaching enough importance to it that it becomes miserable.

 

This isn't to say that you have to pick something you despise. But no matter what Danny's pep talks say, there IS a matter of balance to consider. Just make sure that whatever you do, you like it, but don't love it too much, you know?

I'd like to throw out another possibility for your consideration: early retirement / financial independence. Base your major choice solely on return on investment, or in other words something you're good at that is easy to get a job in and makes decent money, because once you graduate you will not actually be working for very long. So it doesn't matter if you like it, it just has to be lucrative for your level of effort. Examples of this type of major are all types of engineering, physics, or computer science. Medicine is not included in the list because, as you said, that takes way too much schooling time and tuition expense for your purpose.

 

Once you graduate, you save money like a mad person. Save at least 50% of your take-home pay. Doing so may be very hard on a starting salary, but get as close as you can and it will get easier as you get raises over your first couple years. Use this savings to buy dividend-providing stocks, real estate, or any other investment that you have a personal interest in and that provides you with a passive income stream (rent, dividends, interest, etc). Because you're starting early, that passive income will grow to where it can cover your monthly expenses.

 

In this fashion you can retire in your late 20s or early 30s. At this point you are free to pursue a part-time job, a hobby for money (like making dollfie clothes!), or just spend all your time with your daughters. You'll be in control of your life and have the time to spend it how you please, not how a job pleases you to. By working a few hours a week part time you can earn enough fun money to keep going in your doll hobby, for instance.

 

So my advice would be to have no long-term career at all. (I'm not there yet, but I'm working towards it via a compsci job. If you start right out of school, you will be way ahead of me.)

 

Anime/manga/DD influenced me in this choice by wanting more time to do those things, instead of spending 40+ hours a week at work .

I agree with others' advice that you should pick something for a career that you enjoy--but not necessarily something you do as a hobby. Lolita fashion is very important to me, but I don't want to be a model, fashion designer, or operate a clothing brand. It would be more of a headache and less of a good time~ Instead, my degrees are in accounting, which I like doing but don't necessarily do for fun. n_~

 

Now, if you really want to incorporate your hobbies into your career, then you've got to decide for yourself and go for it! Our advice is what we have to offer, but the way you'll shape your life is totally up to you.

I'm an artist for video games, doing concepts and graphics. I wanted to do it when I was pretty young, but I thought all games were made in Japan ^_^;

In college I studied digital media, and did a lot of 3D animation which I did not enjoy. My lack of enthusiasm for 3D was a setback, but eventually I was able to find 2D games to work on and I've been doing that ever since.

Being an artist requires a lot of dedication. I think you could compare it to rice farming- the more you work, the greater the return. It's nice because even when times are tough, I can always be self-employed and sustain myself. But, there's a limit to your ability to gain income and rank if you are not self employed- you have to become a manager or art direct instead of create art. And if you are self-employed, you have to worry about managing your taxes and the unsteady income. It takes a long time to build up a business and stable of reliable clients as well.

 

Are you familiar with Mint on Card, Inc? They are a BJD shop based in the US. The owner visits China often and since she knows the language has used that to develop unique business relationships with Chinese BJD companies. Not saying that you need to learn Japanese, but you may already have some skills which could be the basis for a new service, DD-related or otherwise

So many different viewpoints on this topic My thoughts, don't do something you hate just because it pays well. The stress isn't worth it. If you can do something you love, and just happen to make money off of it, that's ideal, but don't take something you enjoy and try to force money out of it or you'll kill it. Also, whatever you end up doing, if you work at a business of any kind, find out about the place and the people who work there, first. Even the most boring, painful job can be awesome with the right mix of co-workers, and even a fabulous job can suck if you work with/for jerks or even just boring people.

Once you graduate, you save money like a mad person. Save at least 50% of your take-home pay. Doing so may be very hard on a starting salary, but get as close as you can and it will get easier as you get raises over your first couple years. Use this savings to buy dividend-providing stocks, real estate, or any other investment that you have a personal interest in and that provides you with a passive income stream (rent, dividends, interest, etc). Because you're starting early, that passive income will grow to where it can cover your monthly expenses.

You read my mind, lol.

 

I don't want to be taxed to death, especially when my annual income is over $250,000, thus investing my money into growth stocks, dividend stocks, commodities, TIPS, and real estate is a must for me. As for a career, I'm looking into day trading with a cap of 40% of my assets. For a hobby, I'm thinking about opening a Dollfie Dream®/sewing-related store specializing in Dollfie Dream® outfits, accessories, wigs, miniatures, and other goodies. Trading is where I thrive in, and Dollfie Dream® is the name of the game.

Well I am a mechanical engineer as well!

I usually spend a lot of time at work >.< but then it gives me the funds to get my hobbie going. The point is, and I know some people have touched on it, do something you love. Above and beyond trying to get into something that involves dollfies, just do what you want to do.

 

I have 3 siblings and all of them are doing different things. My sister is going to be a teacher, and the thing is the days are pretty much set in stone, yes you have to do your class plans after work, but then you are guaranteed a GREAT summer off Plus you get all the holidays. Also the retirement plans are pretty good and the pay gets much better as you get older.

 

But then you can do whatever you want to do. Like I work lots, but then I go home and make scarves! So I set aside time to fully enjoy the hobbie I love. I think as long as you can do that .. it doesn't matter what you do

 

Just my two cents!

As for a career, I'm looking into day trading with a cap of 40% of my assets. For a hobby, I'm thinking about opening a Dollfie Dream®/sewing-related store specializing in Dollfie Dream® outfits, accessories, wigs, miniatures, and other goodies.

Now that sounds like an awesome plan! I like the way you think. Stockpile enough assets to get some decent leverage to do well with day trading, and then use your crafting skills to make doll goods for others as a hobby. A challenging, but also exciting path.

I'm currently going to school for Visual Communication Design, but I'm not sure if I'm really good at it ^^'. I'm only a freshmen so I have a long road ahead of decisions.

 

Right now I feel that as long as I find a job after college that brings in enough money to live and enough money to put aside for hobbies (dolls, cosplay, lolita, cons) then I'll be content. I don't know if I should switch my major, but I think I might keep it as is and minor in advertising/marketing.

 

I will never ever sew as career as I just can't stand the idea of having to sew for someone else other than myself. I love sewing when I feel like sewing . Someone I go to school with told their roommate that I could hem this dress for them. I was pretty angry, plus the girl who's shirt I hemmed didn't compensate me at all.

 

I've taken multiple interest inventory tests with somewhat accurate results pointing towards botany and science. Bah >< why can't I just know what I'll end up doing!

 

As for Dollfie Dreams and Careers, I'd like to keep them strictly a hobby I don't know how I'd make a living with them.

I must echo what has been said so many times this thread: that doing your hobby at work can kill your love for it at home.

 

I had this happen: my PhD was in one area of science, and my hobbies were also all about that area of science. But by the end of my PhD I couldn't bear to continue those hobbies any more, or even watch dobleepentaries in my PhD field! I am now a researcher in a different field (and really, really loving it: I think changing my field was the best thing I did for my development as a scientist) and slowly I am rediscovering my love for those lost hobbies. If your hobbies and work are too closely intertwined, then a stressful period at work can cause you to avoid those hobbies, and as you may associate them with the bad feelings you had at the time, the avoidance can last even after work gets better.

 

I've been offered extra work recently as a seamstress. In the end I didn't take the work, as I offered to do some major dress alterations for a friend, and got really stressed about the quality of my work because it was for some else. I realised that if I took the seamstress work on, it would destroy my enjoyment of sewing as hobby. Well, at this point in time anyway: I am hoping that my confidence will grow and that in a few years I can use my sewing abilities to bring some extra money in as and when my family needs it.

That's a really interesting subject! I took ''Haute couture'' sewing class for 6 years in the purpose of doing cosplay. I did and i'm still doing a lot of cosplay (It is my main hobby). With the portfolio I built I end up working in a classic ballet dancing school, I'm making the costumes for the different show with other seamstress. I love that job to death but it don't pay enough to live from it (it's really just a student salary, I need to live at my parents house). I don't like school it's really not made for me and I love sewing, that's my life but it's really hard finding something it that domain that can make you live from it

 

I keep working and i'm trying to built a contact list in hope to one day be able to work for movies or something like this. I've been considering since a long time to start a Dollfie Dream clothing shop on the internet, it look like a wonderful idea but I really don't know where to start to do a project like this ^^''

 

The Dollfie Dream clothing shop is a dream I keep shut inside me (people tend to laugh about it and say it'll never work) but maybe one day it'll happen

That's a really interesting subject! I took ''Haute couture'' sewing class for 6 years in the purpose of doing cosplay. I did and i'm still doing a lot of cosplay (It is my main hobby). With the portfolio I built I end up working in a classic ballet dancing school, I'm making the costumes for the different show with other seamstress. I love that job to death but it don't pay enough to live from it (it's really just a student salary, I need to live at my parents house). I don't like school it's really not made for me and I love sewing, that's my life but it's really hard finding something it that domain that can make you live from it

 

I keep working and i'm trying to built a contact list in hope to one day be able to work for movies or something like this. I've been considering since a long time to start a Dollfie Dream clothing shop on the internet, it look like a wonderful idea but I really don't know where to start to do a project like this ^^''

 

The Dollfie Dream clothing shop is a dream I keep shut inside me (people tend to laugh about it and say it'll never work) but maybe one day it'll happen

 

Working as a costume designer for movies or the like would be so awesome

 

I checked out your DA and you are such a great cosplayer!

Thank you so much That's very nice of you

 

I really hope to be able to live my life out of sewing but it's an hard path, I hope working for movies will work one day. I guess that when you choose to not go to school, it's always an hard path but the most important thing is to do something you love in life and not do something for money

I thought of entering the medical field but with the long hours, and irregular schedule of the hospital, I won't be abled to do what I love. I also love fashion design but my family will get very pissy if I do something artsy. I am considering being a teacher but....children....:/

 

Its kinda surprising many engineers are into the hobby...'s okay, I'm married to one (he's into gunpla though). LOL. Reason why I quoted you above is that I'm in the medical field (I'm a nurse) and though the hours are long - 12 hr shifts - my schedule is such that I have very long days off that I can devote to everything else. So I can sew,take pics, play video games, read manga and stuff, make cakes (another sorta hobby) or just spend the day lounging around with my DD girls and my RL girl. I guess I'm just saying that going into the medical field shouldn't stop you from enjoying your hobby (unless you're a doctor in which case your hours at work might seriously put a dent in your hobby time ) - in my case, my hobbies are what keeps me sane LOL after working my shifts. Don't get me wrong, I love my work (it helps fund my dollieh habit after all ) but its great to have time off and do something so totally different and non-medical related on my days off. Anyway, just wanted to put in my two cents for what its worth. Best of luck in your future career, whatever field you choose to go into.

 

PS.

And oh yeah, i think what everyone says about work, income, savings, investments and such are very sound advice that I think would benefit anyone regardless of what field they are into. Thanks everyone.

So many different viewpoints on this topic My thoughts, don't do something you hate just because it pays well. The stress isn't worth it. If you can do something you love, and just happen to make money off of it, that's ideal, but don't take something you enjoy and try to force money out of it or you'll kill it. Also, whatever you end up doing, if you work at a business of any kind, find out about the place and the people who work there, first. Even the most boring, painful job can be awesome with the right mix of co-workers, and even a fabulous job can suck if you work with/for jerks or even just boring people.

 

hear, hear! I agree 100%

Some very sound advice all round. This is one of those questions without a correct answer.

Ultimately you must decide your lifestyle.

On the one hand you could do something you love but not make a lot of money, thus choosing lack of stress over quick profit.

On the other, go for the big pay and save and invest wisely so you can then retire or even semi-retire. You trade some level of stress for the better future.

Up to you but,whichever way you go, don't make the mistake of getting trapped between.

So many have tried to take the happier but lower paying way but still ended up with all the stress.

 

Just my thoughts

Some very sound advice all round. This is one of those questions without a correct answer.

Ultimately you must decide your lifestyle.

On the one hand you could do something you love but not make a lot of money, thus choosing lack of stress over quick profit.

On the other, go for the big pay and save and invest wisely so you can then retire or even semi-retire. You trade some level of stress for the better future.

Up to you but,whichever way you go, don't make the mistake of getting trapped between.

So many have tried to take the happier but lower paying way but still ended up with all the stress.

 

Just my thoughts

 

So very true. I used to know a former medical doctor, who worked in a nice hospital in Seattle, made quite a bit of money, but after 4-5 years just completely burned out. Now he drives a taxi in a small city/large town, makes a LOT less, but is happier than he's ever been in his life. Much less stress, meets a lot of interesting people and has a lot more time on his hands.

 

It just depends on what matters to you, what you enjoy (some people really like high stress jobs), and what your overall goals in life are.

People always suggest to do what you love. I agree with that, assuming you can find a way to make what you love into a career that will actually make you enough money to live off of. Some things some people love doing makes little to no money.

 

For me, I've never been able to decide what to do. I have a job that makes decent money. I don't love it (don't necessarily hate it either) and pretty much mainly stay because it does pay decently and has pretty good benefits. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to find a job that I love, partly because I'm afraid if I do something related to one of my hobbies that I'll stop loving that thing as a hobby. That thing will just become work to me. Work to me is just a necessary evil to get money. I don't want to do it, but I have to. I reluctantly accept that fact as much as I can.

Great advice by all. I wish i had some to give you but sadly i never had the opportunity to go to college. I was accepted but after i was told what my entire tuition would be. I knew i didn't want to be 21 with 80k+ debt over my head. Since then i just did odd jobs till i signed up for an apprenticeship as a carpenter. I loved that job, but when the housing market went belly up, I lost my job instantly. Now i drive a Commercial truck for a living. While to job pays great, i spend alot of time away from home and family and don't have a lot of time to partake in hobbies, ending in me giving up on a lot of them. And talking to you guys on these forums is pretty much the only social life i have.

 

Best advice i can give you is t follow your heart.

 

Wayne

This thread is really interesting! I think ultimately one tends to work in a field they like but it doesn't matter if it's your dream job or not. Sometimes you have to settle for something more convenient or sometimes you just want to earn more money.

That being said, I'm an english teacher in primary school and kindergaten so it's not very well paid! I'm not doing it for the money obviously, although I would love to earn more (it's a tough job, kids nowadays are wild ). As you might guess, I started my job before entering the doll hobby since there is little money in teaching. I would ultimately want to make more money because this hobby is very expensive. Still, I don't know if I could be doing something else. Love teaching even if it's exhausting when it comes to little kids (my younger students are 3 yers old!)