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The high salary versus job satisfaction dilemma has been around for many years. It is a classic question and extremely debatable over which is more important. While job satisfaction seems to be a better call for a more fulfilling job, salary is still essential, especially if you need to pay the bills. Is job satisfaction with less money is the answer for more happiness?
Pursing a career for job satisfaction is a call for a higher purpose. It is also what dictates success. Successful people are more likely to love and enjoy what they do and more likely to climb the corporate hierarchy. Therefore, working for financial gains only can be a soul-crushing job, especially if there is no attachment to the workplace, people, and the company goal, leading to career burnout.
It is not simple to measure job satisfaction. Every job will have its challenges and the areas of the job that will not make you feel good about yourself, but that does not mean that the job does not possess a high level of satisfaction. People often have to work under horrible bosses that can make work difficult and drive you crazy. Therefore, there are many factors to measure job satisfaction. In general, job satisfaction is where you can accomplish your best and be proud of what you do.
Choosing between a high salary job and work that satisfies you?
Making such a choice ties to the individual and their calling. However, the answer might seem simple: get the job you like and work hard to get a promotion that will offer a high salary, yet it is not that simple. Most often, the job you want might be hard to get, and you might be forced to accept a position where you have no attachment to and just to pay the bills.
Age is a significant factor when making such a choice. If you are young and do not have many commitments, you are more likely to accept a low paying salary and even work more hours to get where you want. On the other hand, the older you get and the more commitments you have, it is difficult to switch jobs or even tolerate crazy working hours.
Sometimes you might be faced with the situation of choosing between doing the things you enjoy and the things that pay more. Material possessions and happiness it is short-lived. Therefore, you are likely not to be happy with a job that pays you more but overall makes you miserable.
Is passion important to do STEM?
Having a career with many technical aspects might make it challenging to succeed, especially if you are in it for the money only. More than often, people who go into specialised areas such as STEM or engineering thrive more quickly if they possess the right attitude. Engineering can make you rich, but it will be realy hard to succeed if you do not have passion. You can learn more here: Should you do engineering because it offers a good salary with a stable job?
