Careers: Money or happiness?

I was offered 2 jobs, one that paid $6.50 an hour and one that paid $5.25 an hour, I went with the $5.25 one because I didn't want to pay taxes and I wanted my weekends to be free. The money is a grant from the institution I am involved with, so taking the $5.25 will not cause me to pay taxes.

That being said, I want to become a director and an author (perhaps even an actress, but it's very doubtful). However, I do come from a lower income area and money seems to be very vital. The competition in the job market, due to outsourcing and technology, is starting to become ever more challenging (even doctorates are having trouble finding decent jobs).

Therefore, once I begin my full career (whatever career that may be) I'm going to mostly chose money if I can not find a balance. Here's how I see: If I can make enough money, then I can do things I enjoy in my spare time and be financially secure. If do something I like for very little money, then bills will get to me and I would be unhappy anyway. Perhaps it's the curse of the Earth Sign, but with the way the economy is falling, I'm going to be thankful to even get a financially-secured job with a bachelors degree.

I do want a balance and will try hard to find one, but if I had to chose I would go with money.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by soapy

People make the mistake thinking that a higher education automatically increases your chances at a job. All it does is help you get a second glance on your resume and possibly put you on a list. When 2/3 of the people out there who are employed are employed because they got a hook up, your skills, your competence, and who you network with is what will get you the job you want. I grew up hating the idea that you need to rely on people to get you jobs, but I found my first job on my own, and proved to my boss what I can do, and since then, he's been looking out after me and he will be the best reference for any job I take in the future.

I agree. My major is probably one of the most connection-oriented majors around (besides business and politics). I do not want to go for a Masters b/c after 18 years of school (I went to kindergarden twice) I want to actually do something with my life that does not involve studyding. However, many of my professors now tell me that a bachelors degree is about the equivalent of a high school degree a decade ago. It's great to hear about how you think the idea of connections to get a job is wrong as well. I just hope I can be that lucky in the future.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by washyu64

As long as I am enjoying my work, I am willing to continue moving up the ladder. Once I hit that point of tedius > enjoyment, I will stop or move on to new experiences. Why work when you don't enjoy it? If your doing that, what reason is there to go to work?

So you can afford to do the things that you do enjoy. At least, that's why I choose to take a supervisor position that causes me to work an extra 5 hours per week. That's also why I chose to go to college even though it's not exactly the funnest place on Earth. I could quit and try to become a director or an author, but I can't afford the equipment I need for directing and even the more successful authors only receive 8-20% of what the books sell for.

I understand exactly about where you're going with working at a place you enjoy and moving up the ladder of success, but to have financial security along the way is very tempting as well.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by speculative

I have a Master's Degree. I cannot even get an interview in my field for a job in my field that only requires just a Bachelor's or even a High School diploma. (In my field, the main employer used to be the largest employer in the country, before Wal-Mart, so you would think it wouldn't be that hard to land an interview.) I chose a path that I thought would be low-paying yet rewarding. I worked my ass off for 19 years of school and have nothing to show for it. Now, I get all of the low pay and none of the rewards. Being able to choose between $ or happiness is a f'in luxury...

McJobdom is what I was afraid of. Due to lack of jobs a lot of people--even those with Doctorates--are having trouble finding jobs within their major. You are definitely not alone in being unable to find a job in larger fields.

Originally Posted by Max Biggs

However, is it entirely impossible to find your dream job, AND get paid handsomely on top of that? That's not a rhetorical question; maybe it can't happen with some people. That's what I thought I was going for when I decided to become a materials science engineer, but I soon realized that qualification doesn't equal happiness. Again, I'm trying this approach with becoming a doctor, but I might quit that after getting a reality check from a different university. I'll do what I can not to end up in a career I hate, but I might have to settle on something I don't love so that I can make the kind of money I want to.

It is possible, but it takes a lot of luck, skill, and connections to pull it off. If you can use nepotism or favors to your advantage, then it's more likely.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Trigunnerz

Why not both? I think it's quite possible to acquire both. Though reaching that goal may require some hard work.

What exactly are people's "dream jobs"? Is it getting paid for doing nothing? I think that's just being unrealistic and stupid. My dream job is to play video games all day and make lots of money! Though it is somewhat possible, gold farmers etc, it's quite unrealistic.

I think it's ultimately up to the person. The work force is HUGE. There's always going to be a job that you will enjoy and get paid well. However, it might require higher levels of education, in most cases.

With many jobs, hard work and connections (with a degree) is mainly what people need. However, there are quite a few people who say "All I know how to do is act, I have to be an actress," or "I want to be a drummer in the hottest rock band in the world." The work force is huge, but the thing is, it's huge in the kinds of jobs that people don't want (fast food, factories, etc.) and it is very limited in the jobs that many people do want.

Granted, if your dream job is an engineer or a gaming designer, there's a safe bet that you'll be able to find a job with good pay. However, most of the time you have to choose between working at a boring office job with good pay/benefits, or go for the wilder dreams and end up playing guitar in a mariachi band for a Spanish restaurant.

Even with the retiring baby-boomers, McJobdom is still in full-swing. For every J.K. Rowling and Brad Pitt, there are tens of thousands of people who end up penniless and undiscovered like Emily Dickenson and Van Gough (unlike Dickenson and Van Gough, these people are rarely ever discovered). I do agree that hard work is the main ingredient to achieving both, and that achieving both is possible, but chances are most people will have to make the choice...unless they can settle.

I was speaking idiomatically.