Picking a career that’ll pay for a life you’ll love

Choosing a career is no walk in the park. With others’ experiences and expectations clouding your thoughts, it can be hard to get a clear vision of what you want to do.

You may have heard the saying ‘Choose a job you love and never work a day in your life’, but this isn’t always the best advice. Instead, pick something that you like (enough!) and pays enough for the life you love.

Eliza from Grey Lynn, Auckland had a stint in the private art sector before moving to the public sector – a career move that helped her achieve her goals while still living a life she enjoys.

“While it is absolutely important to do a job which you are happy in, if your current priorities are things like saving as efficiently as possible or working hours which allow you to pursue other passions outside of work, there is no shame in basing decisions around this.”

To get started, ask yourself these key questions… 

How much money do I need – now and in the future?

Rather than focusing only on what job you want, think – what lifestyle do I want? What are my financial goals, and how can I make sure I get there?

The top financial aspirations for young New Zealanders are buying a home, travel and milestones, and reaching financial independence. For you, this might mean earning enough to go surfing in Hawaii each year or working part time so you can start a side hustle. Either way, your job could be the way to get there...

Your career will be a main source of income throughout your life, so it can hugely impact your financial wellbeing. Imagine where you could be in 10, 20 or 30 years – this can be hard, but your future self will thank you for it!

A 2025 Seek report found that 54% of New Zealand workers wish they had chosen a different career, with financial concerns being the top reason for this regret. 

When you’re just starting out, it's normal to feel nervous when making financial decisions. If you’re feeling unsure, have a chat with a parent, trusted whānau member or financial adviser.

You can also head over to the Sorted goal planner to map out your financial goals and develop a plan to achieve them.

What are my career must-haves?

Think about your must-haves in a job – Tahatū Career Navigator is a helpful guide.

What do I need to be happy, what’s not so important and what are the nice-to-haves?

• Do I want to work in a specific location?
• Is flexibility important to me?
• Do I want to play it safe or take risks?
• Would I rather work with people or alone?

For Eliza, this meant balancing her short and long-term goals.

“The reliability of working 40 hours per week has made a huge difference in my ability to achieve the things that are currently important in my life - paying rent, looking after myself and enjoying life - while also knowing I am working towards longer term goals of building my KiwiSaver and paying off my student loan.

“There are so many more jobs available in this new sector, so I have more confidence in my career progression. It’s also lower risk than the previous sector I worked in – starting a gallery or being a practising artist requires a huge amount of dedication and investing time in something without knowing whether it will pay off.”

Do I need to study – and will it be worth it?

Studying is a big commitment, so before taking on a large student loan, you’ll want to be sure it’s a smart move.

Education can be a great investment and student loans are interest-free (if you stay in New Zealand), so it may be well worth it. It’s just a matter of making sure you get a good return for taking on that risk.

For example, studying to be a primary school teacher will cost around $20,000, before earning around $60,000 a year when you graduate (Ministry of Education). This loan would typically take close to five years to pay off. Use the IRD's student loan calculator to model your specific situation. Remember: loans remain interest-free only while you live and work in New Zealand.

You’ll likely have years of earning (with pay rises) to come, which will make this a great investment. However, if you’re only planning to do the job for three or four years, it might not be worth it.

Will I be able to get a job?

Another key consideration is whether your chosen career is in demand.

Think about the current climate. The unemployment rate in New Zealand for June 2025 was 5.2%, the highest it's been since 2020. In this environment, picking an in-demand career is especially important. Here's a list of roles that are currently in high demand. 

Imagine what the future could look like for the industry you choose. Is it growing and presenting new opportunities, or is it declining?

Some of this can’t be predicted, but at least if you’ve taken the time to consider it, you’ll know you’ve done all you can.

Do what’s right for you

At the end of the day, the best job is the one that feels right for you. While money is important, it’s also important that you’re happy in a job. The key here is finding the right balance.

Taking these steps early can save you a lot of time and stress in the long run, setting you up not just for a long and fulfilling career, but also a long and fulfilling life.