[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by cschin4

I guess I'm just an old fogie at 43 but I'm disturbed by how many people would switch jobs just for money. Maybe things are different in the tech field, but I think there is a lot more to a job than a paycheck.


The reason you or anyone else goes to work is to earn money. Companies will kick you out the door faster than you can say resume so there is no reason employees should not seek the maximum income and benefits. You only have so many years to work and "make hay" so you need to maximize your time.

See, that's what I disagree with. I don't think the goal of working is to make the most money you possibly can. I'd much rather have a job that I enjoy, even if it means making less money.

And I'm not just saying that as an idealistic hypothetical. I have done just that in my own career. In 2000, I left a job I had been at for nearly 7 years. The hours were long. I got little respect from my employer and don't feel I was being treated fairly, even though I was well compensated. I took a few months off and then accepted my current position at a sharply lower salary. In fact, I was part-time initially, making about half of what I made at the old job. As the workload picked up, I increased my hours up to full-time. My pay has been flat for a few years now - no cost of living increases, no other raises. But I make an adequate amount, work decent hours, have a good amount of control and flexibility to my schedule and like the job overall. I'm much happier in my life than I was at the old job even though I'm making less now than I made 7 years ago when I left that job.

Would I like to be earning more? Sure. Who wouldn't? But if it means giving up satisfaction and happiness, it just isn't worth it. Life's too short.