Why do you think people choose to spend an entire professional career in the fie

Why do you think people choose to spend an entire professional career in the field of recreation, events, sports management, and parks, even though their salaries are less than in other professional fields and they have to make a lot of sacrifices (work long hours, work holidays/weekends, work outdoors in extreme weather, etc.)? 
What do you hope to gain from a career in recreation, events, sports management, and parks?  What is the purpose you’d like to achieve as part of a career?
Expand on these questions with your own thoughts, experiences and opinions.