Least stressful jobs?
This afternoon after a particularly stressful day at work, I received this email from my sister
Matthew, Interesting site. Do you agree with this article?
The author of Need a Less Stressful Career? Here are Eight Secrets to Work Zen went on to outline 8 jobs that we might switch to if we want a little less stress in our life. Sadly I scrolled down to number 7 and saw none other than “Graphic Designer” listed. I quickly sifted through the fluff and emailed my sister back.
Absolutely not! I think being a graphic designer is one of the MOST stressful jobs. Insane deadlines, demanding clients, people tearing apart every ounce of work you do…the list goes on. The author of this article clearly has no clue what they are talking about.
No doubt Chloe Dowley, the article’s author, is severely misinformed and has never experienced the real world of being a graphic designer (or probably any of the other careers on the list). It did however make me consider for a moment: “Why do I continue in such a stressful career? “While the stress can be tremendous, and at times even nourishing, I do believe that being a graphic designer is a very rewarding career.
Ever since I was a child I can remember paying special attention to things most people take for granted like magazine advertisments, cereal boxes, CD Jackets and anything else I tended to get my hands on that was touched by a graphic designer. Someone had to make all of this stuff —and that was the birth of my career as a designer. Over the years, I have generally enjoyed being a graphic designer. True the days can be filled with lots of stress but in the end, even if 9 out of 10 designs are rejected, the amazing feeling I get when I finally nail that one project is so worth all the stress and anxiety that preceded.
So I say to Ms. Dowley, you may be off the mark with your stressful career list, but thanks for making me evaluate the reasons I go through this crazy stress everyday. At the end of the day it really is a great career and finding that daily enjoyment is in a way its own kind of zen.
April 5, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Hey Matt,
You know darn well a graphic designer does not really have to deal with THAT much stress. Really, raising you was a far more stressful job than any design you’ve ever done, I’m certain. But then again, it was so worth it when I get to see the effort I made pay off with your creative endeavors and enthusiasm for life. Nice job on the blog. The best part is that I even managed to view the whole thing and submit a comment. But of course all your computer tutorials with me (and immense patience) made this possible.
April 8, 2008 at 3:26 am
Wait, Matt, you find graphic design stressful? I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re talking about.
Sarcasm aside, the field of graphic design can be a real pisser. We should co-author a self-help book for disgruntled graphic designers. I’m pretty sure we’d make a killing.
Nice blog.
Craig
May 23, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I see many articles by Chloe Dowley… job search related. And she is missing a very import job that is becoming more and more on demand that pays well and doesn’t need 4 year degree. Digital Artist. and by this I mean… 3D Modelers, Animators, Game Graphic Designers, Web Designers and so on… with just a 2 year degree a person in this field can earn anywhere from 35K to 80K a year. And double that with a 4 year degree… I have no idea how to contact Chloe… but if YOU do… Please give her a message to do better research before making more articles…
I am a Lead Artist at a game design studio. and the job is stressful, but very rewarding.. I enjoy what I do and would not trade it for anything else…
October 4, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Try teaching!
August 10, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I am an 18 yr old student at the AI institute of New York City working towards an AA (associate of arts im guessing it means) and i went in thinking i (with tremendous help from my parents) was paying 50k for a degree that will guarantee a job for me by the time i complete the 2 year experience.
Lately i’ve been reading some articles like this one on the internet and im thinking this was a mistake. I love computers and love art, but if my work becomes a constant stressful experience and i start turning one of my greatest pleasures into annoying work (for money that won’t really support me or a potential family) than i don’t think this career path is for me.
Don’t get me wrong, i expect to definitely work hard for my money but from what i’m hearing, a graphic designer doesn’t really have a stable job anyway and i can’t really afford to move if i ever get settled. I just doesn’t seem worth it. So far i’ve put all my effort into school and it’s been going great till i actually sat down and thought about how i’m supposed to pay these loans when i’m done..
I need a lot of guidance here, hopefully a random stranger like you can help me out!