Interesting post. I'm not in the career path I thought I'd choose--it's low paying and frustrating at times. I have a master's degree and I have yet to break $40k. But a nonprofit job has a lot of perks. I work within walking distance from my home. I work flex hours, so I have three-day weekends every week. My boss is extremely supportive. My workplace has casual dress, is gay-friendly (important to me), and the benefits are excellent. The company is expanding right now, not laying people off like so many corporate jobs. And I don't spend my day trying to sell a product or prove how great I am/my company is.
These are all things you simply can't put a dollar sign in front of. Sure, I could have graduated from my fancy college and gone into investment banking, like many of my friends did. But I wouldn't have fit in, couldn't have kept up with that pace, and would have been incredibly unhappy. I'm thankful for the job I have, even when I have bad days.
Writer's Coin
· 1 year ago
I think a lot of young people struggle with this, but in the end I always feel as follows: it's much easier to say "I should've taken the other way" when the way you took brought in some serious money. Does that make sense? I mean, when you're not making money, even if you're doing what you love, you constantly feel like you should've just gotten a job that pays well, then do what you love on the side or after you've accumulated some cash.
I guess in the end it's all about things looking greener on the other side.
Chad @ Sentient Money
· 1 year ago
I really enjoyed this post, as I have experienced much the same situation...including the degree change to an accounting focus. Damn that profession is soul sucking boring. Luckily I'm not doing it anymore, though I'm not quite at my dream profession yet.
I couldn't disagree with Writer's Coin more. No one who actually hated their job thinks this way. I know everyone says they hate their jobs, but the majority of people don't. They hate aspects of their job or hate what happened that day on the job, but most are ok with the whole package. Of course, I think these people are lemmings, as they rarely have any great dream to follow. They might be ok with an epitaph stating, "here lies a good accountant", but I'm not. How horrible would that be?
retiredsyd
· 1 year ago
How do I identify with this post, let me count the ways! I feel like I was reading my own thoughts (minus all that exotic travel stuff.)
As a fellow finance person, I have to agree with Chad-- the soul sucking boring comment.
But I do agree with Writer's Coin. I have a couple friends in very low paying jobs that LOVE their jobs but are constantly feeling like they should have done something that earns more money. I think it's much easier to come to the realization that the high-powered job (and being able to acquire all the "stuff" that comes along with it) didn't really make you happy when you've actually lived that life. And, for me, it is much easier to give that all up now that I've already had it and know for certain it didn't create my happiness.
I don't think I would have really believed it if I hadn't had it first.
mjukr
· 1 year ago
Great post!
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Steve
· 1 year ago
@mjukr: One of my favorite quotes - although I could say that about almost any quote from Emerson!
Craig
· 1 year ago
I decided I didn't want the corporate lifestyle earlier than you. Before I graduated college. To my credit I have taken risks in my early career, one didn't work out, one is still knew. I credit myself for taking the risks, although would love the financial and career success that you have established for yourself.
Sounds like you want to be your own boss. Ever think about starting you own accounting firm? Having people work under you, and you running the whole operations?
Hunter Nuttall
· 1 year ago
Your net enjoyment went negative your first week? Wow. I might have made it a year or so before it happened. For a while, I really thought I wanted to keep that job forever. I guess the sooner you know you want something different, the sooner you can start doing something about it.
Steve
· 1 year ago
@Hunter: I certainly wouldn't say it STAYED negative after the first week. I had my good times and bad times. I just knew the first week that it wasn't something that was going to keep me going. I had moments - I loved being sent to Russia for work, I loved being sent to Indonesia, I enjoyed meeting a lot of the people I worked with - but the WORK was never interesting to me.
plonkee
· 1 year ago
This post spoke to me because I am still passionate about my day job, but I often think that I should have gone in to finance (one of my teen heros was Nicola Horlick). My job has comfortable pay, but I'll probably never earn 6 figures (in 2008 $). Maybe more money would make me happy.
I don't feel like a lemming just because I'd rather not work for myself though, just aware of my own limitations and security levels. Besides I couldn't do my job without working in a larger organisation.
Matt_SF
· 1 year ago
I dealt with the same thing for nearly 4 years. The meetings in airport conference rooms and jet-set life on three continents was fun for a guy in his mid 20s. Then the drudgery of constant travel began to take it's toll and like you, I departed.
The money was awesome, but not enough to continue that lifestyle.
Early Retirement Extreme
· 1 year ago
"THERE WILL NEVER BE A BETTER TIME TO MAKE BIG CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE/CAREER/HEALTH/WEALTH/ETC. THAN RIGHT NOW."
It can, however, take years to verify and validate that fact. Sometimes waiting for "right now" to actually become "right now" takes a lot of time.
Curmudgeon
· 1 year ago
Boston is colder than Siberia! You made my weekend, Steve!
Seriously, your best post. And there have been some really good ones.
Steve
· 1 year ago
@Curmudgeon - wow, that's a kind thing to say - thanks so much :)
Saionce162
· 1 year ago
Interesting post! ... I am in a Ph.D. program in math (part time) while I work in finance. I shifted back and forth between the prospects for an MBA because it was esteemed more than my Ph.D. progress in the eyes of management. Just recently, I have come to the conclusion that I need to stick the Ph.D. due to not wanting to turn out like my colleagues (or management for that matter). Thanks for the reinforcement! ... The corporate world is not for me and I am not far away from getting out !!!!! BTW: Here is an interesting idea for those of us that didn't find "happiness" at work from the get go ... We work through college to get into a job, only to work through life to get out of one. !!! Have a Brilliant Season Everyone!!!
deepali
· 1 year ago
I love this post. I think there are a lot of what-ifs and regrets in our lives. But ultimately, we have to ask ourselves, are we happy now? It might have been the best journey, but it got us somewhere nice (I hope).
You have so inspired a post. :)
Patrick
· 1 year ago
Excellent insight, Steve. I am also at the point where I am tired of the corporate life. I have a good job and I do well at it, but I have reached the point that I would rather be off on my own. Though I know that now is the best time to make the "jump" I can't do it just yet. The good news is that I am actively working toward (not just saying I am working toward it). But based on my calculations, I am still a few months off. It's a good goal though. :)
All Comments
These are all things you simply can't put a dollar sign in front of. Sure, I could have graduated from my fancy college and gone into investment banking, like many of my friends did. But I wouldn't have fit in, couldn't have kept up with that pace, and would have been incredibly unhappy. I'm thankful for the job I have, even when I have bad days.
I guess in the end it's all about things looking greener on the other side.
I couldn't disagree with Writer's Coin more. No one who actually hated their job thinks this way. I know everyone says they hate their jobs, but the majority of people don't. They hate aspects of their job or hate what happened that day on the job, but most are ok with the whole package. Of course, I think these people are lemmings, as they rarely have any great dream to follow. They might be ok with an epitaph stating, "here lies a good accountant", but I'm not. How horrible would that be?
As a fellow finance person, I have to agree with Chad-- the soul sucking boring comment.
But I do agree with Writer's Coin. I have a couple friends in very low paying jobs that LOVE their jobs but are constantly feeling like they should have done something that earns more money. I think it's much easier to come to the realization that the high-powered job (and being able to acquire all the "stuff" that comes along with it) didn't really make you happy when you've actually lived that life. And, for me, it is much easier to give that all up now that I've already had it and know for certain it didn't create my happiness.
I don't think I would have really believed it if I hadn't had it first.
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sounds like you want to be your own boss. Ever think about starting you own accounting firm? Having people work under you, and you running the whole operations?
I don't feel like a lemming just because I'd rather not work for myself though, just aware of my own limitations and security levels. Besides I couldn't do my job without working in a larger organisation.
The money was awesome, but not enough to continue that lifestyle.
It can, however, take years to verify and validate that fact. Sometimes waiting for "right now" to actually become "right now" takes a lot of time.
Seriously, your best post. And there have been some really good ones.
You have so inspired a post. :)
Thanks for sharing this.