Would you choose your career solely based on how much money you make? Can the money offered determine how happy you will be in the long run? I started out as a biology/pre-med major and never once thought oh this is for me because of the money, I actually chose biology because I really like learning new things about science and helping people. But once I wanted to change my major to elementary education everyone started saying that I should stick with it for the money. However, I am a firm believer of doing what you love will make you happy, because no matter how much money you make you will still be miserable. But most people believe the opposite, what about you?

I strongly believe in doing what you enjoy rather than doing what benefits you the most.

It is for this reason that I'm pursuing mechanical engineering. I'm very creative and thoroughly enjoy designing things. Of course, engineers make pretty good money but that's not why I got into it.

As a sidenote, this is somewhat surprising to most people when they find out that my whole life has been determined by my family's lack of money. Money has always been a huge factor in every aspect of my life and continues to be to this day (hence the pursuit of scholarships :) ), but regardless of this fact I still choose to do what I love.

In all honesty I could say that I would rather live life doing something I enjoy than doing something that means nothing to me for millions of dollars a year.

For some people money is an incentive to make them happy to be able to provide for their basic needs and then some. For me I believe in doing what I will find myself being happy with that provides adequate amounts of money to satisfy my basic needs according to Maslow's Hierarchy.

It absolutely be happiness for me. I know money can be used for so many thing but it can abosolutely chage you as a person in a negative way. As long as i have enough money to live on i am satifified but if i were given the oppppertunity to recieve more, than id prbably take it but not let it overtake me as a person. Id probably start investing.
:]
peace out.

Kingrajesh90,

I'm with you on Maslow's hierarchy! :)

There are basic needs people need to be able to meet.

Yes, I chose my career based on what I would find personally fulfilling, however, money is definitely something to think about. I couldn't bring myself to go into a profession and simply not be paid just for the sole fact that I love it. A girl has got to eat! :)

Money is something people can make, happiness is something that you have to create for yourself. i think being happy is the best thing in life..

I would chose happiness without a doubt!! of course we always here that whats the point of having money if your not happy with your life..and thats the truth!! I cant imagine having millions of dollars and still feel unhappy with my life...thats the worst way to live life to me.

Hmm, I think I could go either way on this one. On one hand, you might totally love your job. Maybe you went to school for six years and now you work for a non-profit organization. So now you’re happy from 8-5 but then you come home and you have the stress of paying $1200 a month in student loans. I have a friend in that exact situation. She’s currently looking for a second job to make ends meet.

At the opposite end of that spectrum, say you went to school earned your degree and are working in the field. Maybe you don’t particularly care for your job but you’re making a good living doing it. I think if that were the case I could tolerate the unhappiness from 8-5. I have done it in the past with a job that didn’t even pay me that well. As long as I know that my bills will be paid and I am prepared for any financial emergency that may arise, that gives me a good piece of mind and I can push through my shift. Of course, I think I would still search for a job that I could be happy at because I have always searched for a job that makes me happy. I believe I will be very happy working in my field once I get my degree. I will be helping people, traveling, and continuing my education and making good money while doing it. So I feel like I really lucked out with deciding what to do with my life. I really feel like it couldnt get any better.

I believe in doing what makes you happy. That's why I chose to major in athletic training and sports medicine. I enjoy watching sports and playing them. I also enjoy helping other physically, So why noy combine the two? But along the way in my career, being concerned with how much you make is harmless. I plan to open up my own clinic, therefore, if I don't make enough money, I have to depend on another source for the money. Here's where the independence part come in.

I would have to say choose a career that you will enjoy. You are the one who has to wake up every day and go to work. You should enjoy your job and not be unhappy every day. If you like both careers equally, then I might say go with the one that makes the most. If you can be happy doing either one than money is also important. You have to survive some how and money is the only way to do that.

This is a question I'm struggling with right now. Within the next couple years I have to decide what I'm going to major in. I'm deciding between Physics and Computer Science. I know that if I was a Computer Science major I'd make more money, but I find Physics more interesting. To complicate things, I'd pretty much have to get a PhD in Physics whereas I could get an extremely well paying job with just a Masters in Computer Science. I think I'd be happier in Physics, but I'm actually better at Computer Science and it makes more money.

I'd certainly make enough money as a Physicist, so it's a question of whether or not I want to make a lot of money or just a good amount of money. Right now I'm leaning towards Physics because I think happiness can be found in things other than money, and I'd rather not sit in a cubical programming all day.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts. There seems to be a consensus that happiness is more important.

I think you should do whatever makes you happy. It one thing if you are earning good money but why do something that you dont enjoy. I would rather do something that I love to do. Something where I can wake up in the morning with a smile on my face excited for another day at the career I love to do. Life is more fun, if you do something you love instead of doing it for the money!!

For some people money=happiness. For others happiness= more than money ever could. I guess this all depends on each individual. I would much rather be the poorest person on the earth and enjoy what I do versus the richest and most unhappy person. You know the saying "money can't buy you love", well I believe that it true here as well. Money can give illusions of happiness but strip the money away and if you're still not happy with your health, life, progress, contributions and self as a whole then maybe you need to re-evaluate yourself?
Just a thought.
To answer the question I'd take happiness over money, after all it's just paper!

I would rather choose a career based on what I enjoy doing, also. My future career is to ba an attorney. Luckily attorneys make a high salary and it's something I think I will enjoyr doing.

Shouldn't this question be obvious? Wouldn't everyone choose what makes them happy first? The reason this forum topic is being discussed is because money can be confused with happiness. When you're in the midst of deep loans and a meager lifestyle, a large paycheck in your future would seem to be what would make you the happiest. Whenever someone chooses the money over their passion it's because they truly believe it will make them happy. This is where our poor ability to predict the future gets in the way of doing what we know we love and ultimately finding happiness. If a small paycheck seems like a risk then ask yourself if anything worth doing in life has no risk at all. Stay positive and the worst situations will always work themselves out.

Money is sometimes happiness for many people. Not just the money though but knowing you can provide for your someday family and household. In this case people do what they can to make it to the point where they are doing whatever it takes to make a lot of money. Then we they reach that point they not only are happy to be providing for their family but also relieved and relaxed. Sometimes happiness is seeing others happy, which getting a good paying job can do.

In my belief, I feel that my happiness is from doing what I love doing. That I believe I can do well with as well as having fun. I've had this idea in my head since before I even got to high school. It has just been a dream of mine as well as an adventure that I wish to attain in the near future. I am half way done with my schooling for my profession and I am getting eager. I am excited and can't wait to be at my college graduation. It is that eagerness, excitement, and the years you put in toward that certain job that when you finally attain it, makes your happiness that much greater.

I have chosen my two careers based on happiness and money.

This is definitely two of the most important questions when deciding what your major and minors will be in college, and I am a realist.

Realistically, speaking, to some people money is the only thing that matters like being more financially stable than your parents/guardians thus exceeding your wishes as well as that of your family`s.

I think everyone has the aforementioned lifetime goals coming out of college but we musn`t disregard the importance of a satisfying career; a job that we would be happy to do for the next 3 decades or more.

However, I think happiness can be overrated because people all around the world attend jobs that they hate or dislike to provide for themselves and their family. Sometimes, it has absolutely nothing to do with their feelings towards their occupation but everything to do with their obligation towards their family.

So, eventhough happiness is important don`t be fooled because money will always make the world go `round.

Money will never bring the happiness or joy that comes from doing something you love. Look at the people who have a lot of money in this world--are they really happy? I think they might be, on the outside, but on the inside they are still looking for something to fill the void that money cannot. Unless they have a loving family and do things they are passionate about, that is.

I agree with both Kingrajesh90 and Love2Learn...most people should just focus on meeting their basic needs first and then worry about the extra stuff later.

I plan on getting a Master's in Economics and becoming an economist or something like that bc economics is my passion. And it's a good thing they do make a lot, but I wouldn't care if I have a job with a low salary--as long as I'm happy and able to meet my basic needs, I'll be set for awhile.
But back to richer people...most of them aren't just unhappy, they live very worry-filled lives. I mean would you be able to sleep soundly at night if you were the CEO of some company and had millions in your bank/savings account??? They spend most of their time worrying about getting embezzled than they do spending their money (or maybe it's about the same)! Just something to think about. :)

Oh, and daveski--well said! I agree that the answer should be obvious. Welcome to collegenet, btw. :)

I quit a job in January making 75K a year, plus overtime and bonuses, to go back to college and earn a degree for a job that is only going to pay 35-40K a year. I worked in that job for 12 years and hated it the last 5 years that I worked there. Sometimes money is not worth dealing with a job that you hate. It affects your body and your mind. Hopefully, the new career I am going into will be a lot better. I enjoy doing this type of work.

I ask myself this everyday, money or happiness? I believe happiness is more important but decent money too, there should be a balance. Unfortunately most of us always go for money, but happiness should be first.