Is it natural to wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a different path? Is it common? We asked many artists and creatives from all over the country if they’ve ever wondered about whether they should have pursued a more standard career path to see what we could learn from their stories.
Jeremy Starn
I’ve almost always had a 9-5 while making fine art in my free time, curating exhibitions with other artists, selling work to interior design agents and submitting to magazines and shows but it was only because the large scale work I made never really sold enough to live on. Now that I a little bit older (33) and in graduate school for my Masters of Fine Arts I really can’t imagine going back to working a job that isn’t about art. I’ve always had creative-is h jobs or jobs in the creative line of work but I’ve realized that I’m most happy when I’m working on my own projects. I’m looking into teaching as a way to supplement my art making career. Read more>>
La’dawn Young
As a creative there are times when you wonder if you will ever see a return on your investment. You wonder time and time again, “Am I doing enough?” I still ask myself this question everyday. I can honestly say I am further in my career than I was 4 years ago, or even when I first launched in 2017. I am happy as a freelance makeup artist but I struggle to find balance with my other businesses. I am currently in school for Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Being an adult student who is an entrepreneur is complicated. There are plenty of moments when I wonder if it would be better to just work a regular job. The answer is no it would not be better for me. When I was working my Fashion Show, I had to get another job to help support the funding of the show. Read more>>
Jennifer Gonzalez -blitz
I’m happiest when I’m creating art. I’m also on disability, so that provides something to help me get by on. Truthfully the idea that I would be more comfortable with a regular job hasn’t borne out for me because when I did work it was always a struggle to make ends meet and keep my mental health issues from affecting my employment. I think sooner or later they always sensed I wasn’t “normal”. Read more>>
Acoya Dioquino
Before I committed to being a full-time musician, I was finishing my undergraduate degree at UC Davis. In 2022, I graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with an engineering GPA of over 3.7. I was really good at engineering but it was during Covid that I really dove deep into my love for making music. Read more>>
Jiajun Ouyang
Yes, definitely. I truly believe people are meant to do what they’re naturally drawn to and good at. Everyone has a purpose. If everyone just went into tech, medicine, or law, who would be here to discover and create the music that moves people?
It’s tempting to think the grass is greener on the other side. Let’s be real—tech jobs pay way more, require fewer hours, and offer incredible work-life balance. Meanwhile, music is brutally competitive, the pay is unpredictable, and the work never really stops—it’s just like The Devil Wears Prada. I won’t lie, the thought of having stability and a clear career trajectory crosses my mind a lot. Read more>>
Jaclyn Dardarian
I really can not see myself having a nine to five job. Nothing against having a nine. to five! The positive is that it’s a reliable job. I’ve always been a dreamer and a creative. Even the little regular jobs I have had in the past I didn’t keep for very long. Either because I just didn’t like the job itself or was board. Read more>>
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Growing up in LA I have been very fortunate to be in a city where creativity is allowed to flourish. I have been drawing all my life. I have attended a visual arts magnet and majored in fine arts when I was in university. One thing that I had always had inner conflict with was being afraid to take a leap of faith in myself. Whenever I had an opportunity open I was very apprehensive that it was not going to lead me to anything great. Where did I want to end up? I did not know. All I can say is that I wanted to make a living being creative. Read more>>
Bonnie Shanas
I have been enjoying my creative career for some 20 years now, 15 of which as a professional artist participating and selling my work through juried art shows and galleries. Prior to embarking on my artistic journey, I actually spent quite a few years in the corporate work force in different positions that have no connection to arts whatsoever (the last of which I was an Import Manager in a Pharmaceutical company!). While I did enjoy my “regular” jobs, at some point I realized I was too consumed by work, and I decided to close the office door behind me and focus my time on raising my young sons. In my free time however, I allowed myself to explore my passion for the arts, as a matter of a fact, on my very first day home, I signed up for a sculpting class. Read more>>
Val Rain
I’m really comfortable dedicating myself to music, found a unique way to express what I want to tell and part of my feelings, although sometimes I think about a common job, would have dedicated myself to being a photographer or a bartender.
The conclusion my mind always reaches is that you only live once and I want to live doing what I love. Read more>>
Steven Fage
For most of my life, I lived in the tension between technical success and creative suppression.
Growing up, I was trained in jazz, tap, and ballet, but I quit around fifth grade after being teased at school. From that point forward, creative expression felt like something that wasn’t “safe” or “acceptable.” So, I turned toward what made sense—what the world valued. I became an engineer. Read more>>
Sean Cully
I think every artist has questioned himself/herself from time to time whether to stop or keep going with his/her passion. It’s tough, and there are many obstacles, but being an artist makes me feel complete, thrilled, and satisfied. It feels great to dive into different characters.
The last time that I thought to quit and get a regular job was 4 years ago, but I’m glad that I didn’t do it. Read more>>
Kely De Jesus
Being a Chef is probably the best way I’ve ever earned a living. I worked in retail in my youth, then in the social services field. I’ve had corporate jobs where I clocked in 9-5 and had a 401k, but nothing beats the grind of running my own business and earning from my passion. Read more>>
Beth Lakamp
This is an interesting question since I actually always had a regular job with my creative work on the side. I decided twenty years ago to switch to part-time work in order to find more time for creating. Six years ago I simply made my home based art studio my permanent “job” . It worked out well and many artists I know also work in jobs too but their real work is always the art. I am much happier in the home based studio. Read more>>
Leona Sigmund
One moment that really brought this into focus was late last year when I was juggling multiple projects—scoring a short film, preparing materials for a competition, and working on my website, all while handling my grad school deadlines. One night, I was in my apartment, staring at my DAW, exhausted. My coffee had gone cold hours ago, and I hadn’t eaten a real meal all day. My inbox was full of unanswered emails, and I knew I still had revisions to make on a piece that was supposed to be recorded soon. I remember sitting there and thinking: What if I just had a job where I could clock out at 6 p.m. and be done? Read more>>
Viktoriya Danylyuk
yes, I love being creative. I cannot picture myself doing anything else. I love the freedom of my job and the reward of making my clients happy. Read more>>
Anita Kucharczyk
The definition of happiness as a creative is deeply personal and varies for each individual. Speaking from my own experience, I often question what constitutes this happiness. Is it the satisfaction with completed work? The joy of the creative process itself? Or perhaps it’s that fleeting warmth we feel in moments of creation? Read more>>
Jinqi Zhang
My interest in filmmaking began unexpectedly during high school. Before that, I had always imagined becoming a programmer or working in an engineering-related field. Despite growing up in China’s exam-focused education system, my parents were always supportive of my artistic pursuits, such as learning musical instruments and photography. Read more>>