Right Occupation for an Buddhist

One consideration of the Eight-fold Path is “Right Occupation.”
Please identify an occupation and explain whether or not you think it would be a “right occupation” for a Buddhist. Also how could this occupation be modified to better align with Buddhist principles?
Pls help; and thank you so much.

I've been a practicing Tibetan Buddhist (Gelug) for nearly 10 years.

It depends on the mind of the person doing the activity. According to what I have been taught, nearly any occupation can be considered right occupation or not depending on the motivation and conduct of the person. It's not so much about the *occupation itself* as it is the *motivation and conduct of the person*.

Obvious exceptions are butcher, fisherman, prostitute, bartender, drug dealer, assassin, burglar, hunter, livestock farmer, etc.... basically any occupation that would lead one to break their vows or commit any of the 10 non-virtues or 5 uninterrupted non-virtues, etc. Physician, nurse, teacher, counselor, vet, social worker, or anyone with a "helping" job could generally be considered ok...

But motivation is still the key determining factor. A physician who cares nothing for his patients who is only in it for the money and is motivated by greed and praise would not be considered someone who is practicing right livelihood. A doctor who actually gives a flip and receives the same $$ could be.

I'm a graphic designer/firm owner primarily. Nothing necessarily service oriented about that... but that's what I have a talent to do. I'm very picky about the clients we'll take; we an automatic no-no list. I do not allow our firm to promote/aid companies who profit from/manufacture/sell munitions, alcohol, etc. or anything that I personally consider to be out of bounds, regardless of the potential for profit. We have special pricing and an entire (small) department to serve non-profit organizations who are helpers in their communities. We give roughly 10-15ish% of our profits to charities every quarter. I hired a team of three (part-time) who only do pro bono work. I treat my employees and their families quite well. I insist on a harmonious work environment and do everything I can to ensure that. I make sure me employees get a paycheck that they didn't have to hurt someone else to get. That's the best I can do, and I try to make that right livelihood....