Comments on: Money Vs. Career Satisfaction: Which do you Choose?

By: miaK

miaK — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:55:05 +0000

Being in my mid-30’s, I wouldn’t let an opportunity pass to get more money and get job satisfaction at the same time. I am currently an enthusiastic, and a great performer in my line of work.

There has been opportunities that have recently become available so I am gunning to get a raise, and do the usual best and a bit more and enjoy life.

So if you ask me, I’d reply – my response would be; I like both money and job satisfaction.

In that way, I am not demonising money but being blunt and honest to say, I’ll continue to enjoy doing what I’ve been doing and to take on extra responsibilities because, I know my myself and my potential – thanks to the positive and outlook and the eternal optimist I am.

One can never realize his full potential until he is happy to try new things and enjoy the money that comes with it in the corporate world.

By: Georgie

Georgie — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:40:49 +0000

@Mneiae, I actually don’t think he’d mind if he was being paid industry standard, but he’s not. He’s job hunting starting in January, and we’re looking at other cities where he’ll make way more, partly because he’ll have to support me (at least temporarily) if we move to follow his career.

If that all goes down, then my actual plan is to “optimize” the freelance & entrepreneurial opportunities that I’m currently involved in and become totally self-sufficient that way!

By: Mneiae

Mneiae — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:07:41 +0000

I think that reading through these comments is very interesting. I’m an 18 year old college freshman, and I imagine that I’ll be going through this dilemma at one point. Currently, I’m on track to be a corporate lawyer. I have no idea if that’s what I’m going to want to do with my life though. There definitely needs to be a balance between enjoyment and money, but I will go for the money first. I have no objection to working 60-80 hours per week. I’ve done it already, and while it’s not incredibly fun, the mercenary part of me enjoys the cash immensely. I obtain a great deal of satisfaction from looking at my Mint account.

@Georgie: It sounds like the boyfriend is being asked to optimize his billing (or pad if you want to use a more negative word). It’s regrettable that the time that he is already putting in isn’t being appreciated, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. He could always send out his resume if he’s really unhappy and stressed. It’s always easiest to get a job when you have one.

By: freeannualcreditreport

freeannualcreditreport — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:03:52 +0000

I must choose on the first factor that effect to me and my family. If I have plenty of money, sure I will work on my interesting area and no need to care about it. Just doing on what I love.

By: Mena

Mena — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:54:47 +0000

I struggle with this on a regular basis.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:17:53 +0000

@ Broke MBA ~

I think you’d enjoy Ode Magazine (www.odemagazine(dot)com). They feature businesses and people from around the world, that use for-profit business ventures to spur innovation, spread wealth, enhance well being, etc.

I believe it was founded by the same folks that founded Utne.

It offers a wealth of ideas for people looking to be inspired, create a list of contacts and doors to knock on, etc. The web site is a good representation of the span of the magazine, but the print version goes into much more (engaging) depth.

Best of luck on this next leg of your adventure!

By: Phinance

Phinance — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:50:18 +0000

Broke MBA,

Good luck to you! It’s great that you’re doing something you believe in. Believe in it more. Is there a way to combine what you want to do with what you’re doing? That might be difficult, but maybe you can pull it off and have the best of both worlds.

By: Broke MBA

Broke MBA — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:44:05 +0000

This is an interesting post at this point in my life. I am working for an organization that I fully believe in. I am on board with their mission and am proud to work there. On one hand, I’m satisfied. On the other, I’m looking for more.

As a soon to be MBA graduate, I’m eager to go out on my own and make my mark. I’m not just interested in the possible financial rewards, but the independence and freedom that comes from being the one in charge.

So right now, I guess I’m too scared to commit to either. But I do look forward to the day when I make the leap…

Thanks for the timely post.

By: Phinance

Phinance — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:35:19 +0000

Definitely money would be more important to me. The jobs that people enjoy that would earn a lot of money are very few and far in between. I would opt for the sake of my family to be miserable but be able to provide for them.

By: Andrea (Recession Proof Living)

Andrea (Recession Proof Living) — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:15:33 +0000

It all depends on your values, your family situation, and your goals in life. Some people prefer to work hard at a well-paying but unrewarding job for a while so they can afford to do something less stressful later. Other say, “Why wait? I want to be happy now!”

The important thing is to know why you’re making a certain choice and what the consequences may be. Don’t just stay in a rut because you don’t see any other possibilities.