December 17, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR MAYLING WONG IN IL
This is a great question that people of all ages ask themselves. For me,
I add another issue to the question - do I enjoy the work? Right now, I
work in a national laboratory where research in physics takes place. As
an engineer, there are not a whole lot of opportunities to advance
compared to a career in industry. Also, the pay is average compared to
industry. The reason I stay is primarily because I enjoy the work. The
work is technically challenging and stretches my skills. The lower stress
and longer vacation are bonuses. But if the work were trite, where I do
the same thing day in and day out, then I would not stay.

When I look at people who stay in the jobs that are high paying, require
much responsibility, do not allow for much time off, and have great
potential for advancement, they usually enjoy the work thoroughly. For
them, their job is exciting and they would not want to be anywhere else.
So they stay on such a path for years. Others work in these types of jobs
for a few years, but priorities in their life outside of work changes and
they want to cut back on work for a time.

I hope wherever you end up, you enjoy exciting work. Best of luck as you
consider the possibilities ahead of you!
*******************

December 13, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR ANNE LUCIETTO IN IL
That is definitely an interesting question! Both my husband and and I started off in the first... the high paying job, lots of responsibility, advancement and little vacation. We actually took time off without pay to go on our honeymoon! Over time it wore on us. Our health started to suffer, we realized that we had few friends and things just weren't the way we wanted them to be. So we adjusted our situations. I wouldn't say we are in low paying jobs, I'm ok, he's made some sacrifices to avoid jobs with travel or to have to move. The stress is much lower, we both NOW feel like we will live longer, happier and healthier. We have lots of friends, are able to do the things we enjoy... sometimes too much! We go on vacations and do things and are very happy.

The one thing that we realized is that you are born and you die. If you can make a mark in life and are remembered for the good things that you did and the people you have an impact on then you have lived a successful life. Due to the profession that we have chosen we are able to do good things for others, have good friends and hopefully have a positive impact on others lives. We make a good living, live in a beautiful home and are able to do the things that we want to do. Are we in control of our lives? ABSOLUTELY. The thing I've learned is that if you are in the right organization you can advance, you can make more and you can control your stress. I love my job and so do my co-workers! We were just commenting the other day that it feels like we've just started. Not many people can say that and get paid for it too!

If I had to do it over again, knowing what I know now... as they say hindsight is 20/20... I would go to where I'm working now and start there and stay.
********************
A: FROM MENTOR MINI VARUGHESE IN MD
Low paying job with low stress and plenty of vacation time. But that would only be now when I am in my mid-thirties and starting a family. Family is stress enough and you need the time off to take care of them. Early on, you can handle the stress. That is when you should save your money (something America doesn't seem to get) so that later you can take a low stress job and enjoy your family.