Should earnings and social status be the primary factors in choosing a career?

Question

What about personal passion? What about listening to your heart, and ignoring people who try to make you suppress it? Ultimately, isn't the point of life to be happy, to be useful, to enjoy, and to serve?

Answer 1

I've been a career counselor for almost 20 years and, in my experience, earnings and social status are not typically the primary factors in choosing satisfying careers (in the US, most people will hold 8-10 jobs in the course of their work lives, in 2-3 career fields). Compensation (salary and benefits) is one factor to consider, and social status may be a factor (for those who value it, not everyone does), but typically the choice is not satisfactory unless one considers interests (will the work be stimulating and motivating?), skills (that one actually enjoys using), and values (will the work be a reflection of one's personal values?). Also important to consider is what role one wants work to play in one's life (a primary role, to the exclusion of recreation and social/personal relationships, or a supporting role?) I have found most people I've worked with more satisfied with the latter.

So, you ask about the value of personal passion and listening to one's heart - I believe you're describing what some of us call hearing and carrying out one's vocation (an accessible career exploration book is What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles, published annually - it discusses this concept at length). He also has a web site: http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/

It could be an interesting exercise to examine, rather than ignore, people who disagree with the vision you're developing to see if there is anything of worth in the argument. Perhaps they see something in you that you have not yet perceived. Perhaps you have perceived something in yourself that they have not yet seen. It could be a chance to communicate with one another on higher level. Or, it might simply be a chance for you to gain a better understanding of yourself.

A point of each lifetime could very well be to experience happiness, but to me it would only be so that the happiness can be shared with others. In my experience, being useful and of service draws happiness to one's life. His Holiness the Dalai Lama also has an interesting book, The Art of Happiness at Work, written with Howard C. Cutler. http://theartofhappiness.com/

I have found that listening to one's heart works best when one cultivates the ability to hear what one's heart is saying, and listening to one's head works best when one learns how to infuse the mind with heart. Ask, ask clearly, listen carefully, accept.

May you hear and carrying out your true vocation. Peace.

Answer 2

That would depend on the person choosing the career. It seems in this world, earnings and social status is the way for some people, while others do what they enjoy doing. My philosophy is my career is my life, and a job just pays the way for me to enjoy my life. The web page listed as my source goes into some detail about it. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I agree with you 150%
100% for everything you have said
Extra 50% for the strong feeling I have against foolish money mongering and false status consciousness!

Answer 4

No, it should not be. If you really enjoy doing something it will make you job more enjoyable and you will be happier in the long run. The money will come around because if you really enjoy something it will show and results will follow.

Answer 5

no. i hate it when parents try to push their kids into a career field. take it from someone who has changed their major twice, pursue that which makes you happy.

Answer 6

u missed one thing "ETHICS"

high feel the priority ll be,

1.ethics.
2.social status.
3.money.

Answer 7

you seem to have answered your own question,any more would would be pointless.