I'm rich, but I'm sad.. is it worth it?

Again I am taking the opportunity to address an argument I hear every day. People's eyes light up when you tell them a career has a good wage attached to it and even maybe attractive bonuses, sometimes even without knowing what the job entails! Is this the job they really want? Or is the promise of money clouding their judgement? 

Of course, you might be one of the lucky few who goes into a career that they love and are also minted doing it. The rest of us wish you only success (not really but this isn't a bitterness blog is it?) 

But what do you do if you find yourself chasing the money rather than the dream? If you land the job everyone's been vying for but find you hate it? 

Firstly, like most situations, take a step back and remember this is not the end of the world. You've only just started and it is much easier to switch careers now than later on in life. Many people have said to me before to consider the industry I would like to work in as I will probably stay in that industry forever. Well, how do we know which industry we want to work in? We've not worked in them yet! 

My advice here would be, really consider the jobs you are applying for when you graduate. Is this the kind of career you see yourself in? Is it a stepping stone? Do you have an end goal? Don't just go for a job because it pays well - this is the rest of your life we're talking about here, you need to be happy! 

Don't give in to the peer pressure of people around you saying how much they earn, trying to compete, feeling like if you go into a low paid job that it isn't ok. Make your own career path, for what you want, not to please other people. 

You might think, it's all very well you saying this, but of course it's important to be rich. 

I would agree with you, it is important to have money. But everyone has a different definition of what is rich, and everyone has a different definition of what they want from a job or how hard they are willing to work. 

So what should you take away from this? 

1) Plan what you want from your career. Undoubtedly it will take you places you never expected but you can at least try and steer yourself in the direction you want rather than just taking a job in an industry you have no interest in because it pays well. 

2) Give it a chance. I'm not saying if you don't like your new job leave after the first week, but if you really feel it's taking you down a path you don't want, change paths. 

3) Prepare. Gaining work experience in different industries will help you to decide what kind of route you want to take, and knowing that before you apply can save years of stress and worry. 

4) It's ok to change your mind. People always change their minds. It is much easier to change your mind earlier, but at any age people change careers and lifestyles, it isn't impossible. Don't feel like you're letting anyone down, you're just doing the right thing for you. 

5) If it doesn't happen straight away, that doesn't mean it will never happen. Hang in there, take opportunities. 

Most importantly of all, it is human nature to compare yourself to other people. But you must remember, what makes someone else happy might not work for you. Therefore, do what is right for you, money or no money. Some people might be happier the more money they have and that's fine. But as far as I'm concerned money may as well be worthless if you aren't getting what you want from your life.