JimOhio,
I know a pharmacist who went to chiro. school with me. Because the chiro. market is so rough right now, he had to go back into pharmacy (he just didn't have the small business mindset and risk tolerance).
I keep in contact with him every once in awhile and I often say,
"Well damn. . .what's so bad? You had a great career to fall back on. Okay, yes, you wasted those years but at least you aren't ruined."
But he's miserable (maybe just reflective of the person he is - he's divorced - this isn't necessarily a career thing).
He says, "I go into work as a pharmacist. Day in. Day out. Same thing. Same B.S. No thanks. No appreciation. Not even an 'attaboy'."
I just don't get it but you are right - happiness in career is so relative.
It's the same thing with my nurse patients. I can't think of any profession more in demand right now than nursing.
But all of them in my practice seem to be the most miserable people in their jobs you'd ever want to meet. . .and some of the highly specialized ones make more money than me, I'm sure of it.
I'm not sure if it's a female issue - being pulled away from kids (guilt for working).
What a balance it is to strike - you don't want to just blindly follow the advice of "Golly gee. . .do what you want to do. Be an artist or musician."
But at the same time, if you just let the market decide everything, it seems to lead to some level of misery.
It was so taboo to talk about differences in male and females in the 80's. Feminists assumed females were the same as males. But that seems to be changing.
This is why I asked the gender of the Original Poster. If she's female - I would recommend doing something that will be "family friendly" as someday, it is likely you'll be pregnant.
Okay, feminists strike me down for saying this now
