law enforcement was the one that i truly loved. no matter how "bad" a day was, there was always something redeeming about it -- yes, i saw a lot of the worst humanity had to offer, but i also saw a lot of good and also got the chance to help others out daily, and usually many times daily (or nightly). i will always, always miss it. the financial reward, even at the rank of captain, wasn't great. but it was hands-on work that had many non-financial rewards.
writing, as i'm trying to do now, is another love. i hated being a journalist, but the stories, poetry, etc. that i've published, while again not paying well, have been deeply satisfying.
my last position was as the administration executive for an international IT-related consulting firm.
corporate work paid the most financially, and i truly loved this last position and would still be doing it today if the health factor didn't play into it.
although i worked about 16 hours daily and also worked sunday nights, i worked from my home office. no commute, no traffic jams or rush hour -- i called myself "the t-shirt executive" as i could put in a full day's work in a t-shirt and boxer shorts. *chuckle*
however, corporate work in downtown boston was a different story. it was a soul-sucking nightmare and though the money was reallyreallyreally good, i dreaded every day there -- i felt like i was being paid an extraordinary amount of money for doing nothing but helping others make money. it was a consulting firm, too, but it was very cut-throat and outright cruel at times. i didn't like working with a bunch of sharks, no matter how high the pay.
