31. Financial gain is certainly one factor to consider when selecting a career. But
many people do not, and should not, focus on this factor as the main one. The role that
money plays in career choice should depend on the priorities, goals and values of the
particular person making the choice.
The main problem with selecting a career primarily on the basis of money is that
for many people to do so would be to ignore ones personal values, needs, and larger
life goals. Indeed, many people appreciate this notion when they choose their career. For
example, some people join one of the helping professions, such as nursing, teaching or
social work, well aware that their career will not be financially lucrative, Their choice
properly stems from an overriding altruistic desire, not from an interest in financial gain.
Others choose to pursue intellectual or creative fulfillment―as writers, artists, or
musicians―knowing that they are trading off dollars for non-tangible rewards. Still
others forego economic gain to work as full-time parents; for these people, family and
children are of paramount importance in life. Finally, many people subordinate
economic prospects to their desire to live in a particular location; these people may
place a high value on recreation, their physical health, or being near a circle of friends.
Another problem with focusing primarily on money when selecting a career is that
it ignores the notion that making money is not an end in end of itself, but rather a means
of obtaining material goods and services and of attaining important goals―such as
providing security for oneself and ones family, lifelong learning, or freedom to travel
or to pursue hobbies. Acknowledging the distinction, one may nevertheless select a
career on the basis of money―since more money can buy more goods and services as
well as the security, freedom, and time to enjoy them. Even so, one must strike a
balance, for if these things that money is supposed to provide are sacrificed in the
pursuit of money itself, the point of having money―and of ones career selection―has
been lost.
In conclusion, economic gain should not be the overriding factor in selecting a
career. While for a few people the single-minded pursuit of wealth may be fulfillment
enough, most people should, and indeed do, temper the pursuit of wealth against other
values, goals, and priorities. Moreover, they recognize that money is merrily a means to
more important objectives, and that the pursuit itself may undermine the achievement of
these objectives.