I don't know if it's so much as a dilemma, or just me being uncertain about my future or the direction that I want my future to go into.
Right now, I'm working for my dad's company. We export different types of agricultural commodities from the states over to Asia (mostly Japan as of right now). I guess you could call me the export manager, I'm in charge of all the logistics, making sure everything goes out in time and hope that there are no issues. It gives me the opportunity to travel to different countries and I do get to learn a lot in the business field as well as get to experience different cultures and how people live in different parts of the world. It's something that I would have never been able to go and see through my own eyes if I didn't start to help out my dad. This job has a lot of potential in it, potential to expand our markets, potential to make a boat load of cash, too. But I don't know if this is where my passion is. People always say that you have to find a job that you love doing. One that you wake up in the morning and don't dread going into. It's not that I don't enjoy my job, it's just I never envisioned myself being the 9-5 type of guy. I have the opportunity to continue with the business and make it however successful I want it to be. Dad already said that, although he does want to retire soon, he will still help out however possible whenever I need it. That helps out quite a bit, I know the buying/marketing side of it, but still have to learn about the selling/negotiating part. I mean, I do have one client that I deal with specifically and sell product to, but I still get quite a bit of help when doing so. I was told that if I wanted to take over the company, I have to be prepared for long hours, and a lot of stress. It's the type of career that you have to plan your own future with, you're using your own money, your own collateral and saving up for retirement on your own. When I was younger, Dad was working long hours. He would have to be downtown at work by 6am and it wouldn't be uncommon for him to be there till 9-10pm. I didn't see my dad much growing up. It was basically just the weekends that I was able to see him. He also traveled a lot, would travel for 2-3 weeks and be home for 1 before having to go out again. My mom had quite a burden, dealing with myself and my sister on her own basically. She did a damn good job. I turned out alright (despite being dropped on my head as a baby)
Ok, so I got a little off topic there, my bad.
Right now, my heart is telling me that I need to pursue the fire department still. I'm the type of individual who helps people. I care about those around me and will do anything I can to brighten up someones day. I'm currently in the process of getting all the requirements needed to start volunteering. I figure that will give me the best inclination as to whether it is something I do enjoy and whether it is something I can handle. I know that it is a tough job, not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally. I feel like I am able to handle it, but perhaps I don't know how bad it can be. Helping out the community is always a plus as well. As I think about it now... Just the thought/idea of being in the middle of something and then having to drop what I'm doing to jump onto a truck and go help someone.. it makes me smile. I think a lot of people who want to get into the fire department is just because of the title it holds. Firefighters are often called Heroes. I don't want to be a hero. I want to be me. I don't want to go into the fire department to be glorified, think myself better of others. I want to do it because of the feeling I get inside when I help people.
So yeah, that's the predicament I'm in. Do I follow my dads footsteps and continue/expand the business? I'll be financially secure for myself and a family. But I may not have the drive/passion as I would in the fire department. The FD is a more self fulfilling career, but obviously there is a pay decrease and it is much more dangerous. I wish there was a clear answer and I knew what the right answer is. But I guess a lot of people wish that for a lot of different things.
It will come to me, maybe I'll be able to adjust it so I can do both. Fire Department is 3 days on and 3 days off. So that's always a possibility!
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