By Colleen Duncan
Money can’t buy you love… but can it?
Every collegiette faces an important decision in her lifetime: choose a job that guarantees money, or choose a job that will guarantee happiness.
It’s a hard choice. On one hand: a job that you love will get you excited to go to work, give you satisfaction every day, and make you proud to be a part of it. On the other hand: a job that guarantees money will keep you comfortable in life, give you assurance in paying bills, and provide enough for your family’s needs as well as leftover for luxury expenses.
Choosing my own career path, I am faced with the same dizzying dilemma. Go after my dream job, where success is hard to come by, or accept a position that only somewhat interests me but would secure my finances.
With my creative interests should I become an event planner, wedding coordinator, interior designer, photographer or artist? Knowing that the salary is low, if I can even find steady business? Or with my background in communications and marketing, should I work for a financial company where money is a sure thing, but knowing I will never be interested in my company?
It’s especially hard to make the right decision straight after college when deferred loans become all too visible. It can be all too tempting to take any job offer that comes your way, without stopping to think about the long-term effects.
I think the secret is finding a balance. No matter how much money you earn in a position, if you dread leaving your house every morning, it will take a serious toll on your wellbeing. On the other end of the spectrum, however, no matter how passionate you are about a career, if you are constantly stressed about making rent, you won’t be able to enjoy it.
Search for a job that you are happy enough in that it’s worth it to give up a few luxury expenses. Or search for a job that may not be the most exciting, but provides enough to fund a side hobby or interest.
When you find a common ground, you won’t have to drag your feet into the office to be able to afford an occasional luxury. Be sure that your bills and living expenses will be covered under your salary, but also make sure that the job will give you some sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment.
Because, money really can’t buy that.