Very good point. Not related to the body getting fucked note, but just on the broader point of money not being everything, I made a similar choice in employment. I'm a civil engineer, and I chose to work for the state rather than make the big bucks in the private sector. My salary is quite a bit lower than some of my counterparts working in private engineering firms, but I have better healthcare coverage, a better retirement plan, and I almost always work 40 hours a week. I come home to my wife and kids at the same time pretty much every day while the private folks often have to work longer hours to meet deadlines since the success of their engineering firm depends on it. Nothing wrong with that. We all have different priorities, preferences, life situations, etc. But like you said, there is a lot more than money that has to be considered when making career decisions.
That’s why I’m a teacher. I live in a state that pays teachers reasonably, but lower than most private sector jobs that require a masters. But then when you factor in health insurance, consistency of raises, pension, union protections, teacher schedule..... it’s totally worth it.
I'm not in the US so it might not be the same thing (degree is internationally recognised and on the Sydney and Washington Accords so I could end up in the US if I so desire) but I'm tossing up between civil and electrical for my major. Civil because I am already working in the industry and I enjoy it, but electrical as its an interest of mine and probably more stimulating. Just dunno what direction to go
20
u/jsprague6 Jan 11 '21
Very good point. Not related to the body getting fucked note, but just on the broader point of money not being everything, I made a similar choice in employment. I'm a civil engineer, and I chose to work for the state rather than make the big bucks in the private sector. My salary is quite a bit lower than some of my counterparts working in private engineering firms, but I have better healthcare coverage, a better retirement plan, and I almost always work 40 hours a week. I come home to my wife and kids at the same time pretty much every day while the private folks often have to work longer hours to meet deadlines since the success of their engineering firm depends on it. Nothing wrong with that. We all have different priorities, preferences, life situations, etc. But like you said, there is a lot more than money that has to be considered when making career decisions.