The saying “money can’t buy you happiness” is often used to describe the idea that money is not everything in life. But when it comes to deciding your career, how much does money really matter?
There are many different factors that go into deciding your career. Maybe you’d like to prioritize settling down, doing something you’re passionate about or—maybe the biggest factor of all—having financial stability. However, do you have to sacrifice your love and passion for your career at the expense of your financial stability?
The reality is that in today’s day and age, financial stability looks different for every job and family. Different financial situations like built-up debt could call for money from your paycheck leaving your account before you even have a chance to spend it. For some, taking on extra hours of work or multiple jobs is necessary to provide for themselves. But from what I’ve noticed, this could lead to the hyper-active worker forgetting to care about themselves and their mental health, raising the question if work without love and passion is worth it.
According to the Murphy Institute of Tulane University, two-thirds of Americans would rather work a job they love with a lower-paying salary than work a job they hate with a higher-paying salary, but according to the Pew Research Center, only about half of workers in America are satisfied with their jobs. People prefer the dream of working a job they’re passionate about, but in reality don’t, or can’t, pursue that.
However, the level of stability in work could also be attributed to how emotionally stable you are. Your career and what you are working towards for the rest of your life have a direct correlation to your mental health and your day-to-day well-being. Choosing a career not in alignment with your values and what you find most important could lead to burnout sooner than expected in your profession. Personally, I think that those who choose money over a job that fulfills them for their personal life soon come to realize that money does not buy happiness. Mental health, above all, should always be prioritized.
For some people, financial stability just means making enough money to live comfortably and satisfy themselves, but for others, it can entail a more lavish or extravagant lifestyle. I find that knowing you’re able to shift your focus from living paycheck to paycheck to other aspects of your life, such as the possibility of supporting a family or traveling the world, can make your everyday life less stressful.
Personally, I define passion as an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. To have a passion towards something, you would likely have to put extensive time and effort into it. With this, even if you may not initially be passionate about your job, overtime, it’s possible to develop that interest. Jobs often also have fluctuating goals and opportunities, so there’s always the chance that you’ll eventually encounter something you’re passionate about.
However, I believe that choosing your career based on your initial passion comes with better benefits. Oftentimes, those who choose their passion over what makes them more money find themselves happier in everyday life. Their job or their career feels more like something they are privileged to do, rather than a chore they have to get through daily. Some even say that it is more sustainable throughout the course of your life.
In many career paths, your passion is what fuels the creation of innovative ideas you have. This kind of productivity is typically seen to be achieved when someone loves what they do. Often in the job industry, employers look for that characteristic. In some situations, being passionate can also come with raises and promotions, which only increase your finances for the better.
Passion and finances can go hand in hand, but each career has its own set of benefits that others may be lacking. For example, those working in politics receive much more recognition than those in the medical field, with the level of recognition being able to directly correlate to the amount of money made.
Additionally, your career choice can oftentimes be related to your upbringing. Those growing up in lower class households might desire a lifestyle better than their family’s financial situation so they can provide for themselves in a more permanent capacity, doing so by prioritizing high income over high satisfaction. Alternatively, those growing up in middle or upper class families could desire the same type of lifestyle for themselves or the family they are trying to build in the future.
Personally, I feel that passion should be prioritized over the need for financial stability, due to it being more sustainable over a long period of time. With sustainability comes lessened stress from the weight of your career and stronger mental health. Your career should be something you enjoy, considering that it is a part of your daily routine. Whether you choose to follow your passion or ensure your wealth and stability in the future, it is important to choose a career that makes the most sense for what you see for your future self.
