$$$ versus meaningful work.. WWMMD?

[juliahenry]

So I want a new job. I've spent my entire professional life working for nonprofits and I love that I find value and meaning in my job, although I could probably earn more in the for-profit world.

Yesterday, I was offered a job working for a business start-up (healthcare/insurance/slight sales element). It pays 40% more than the nonprofit job I'm currently under consideration for.

But the nonprofit job is right in my area of interest and expertise, is fun and meaningful, and pays enough, just not well.

WWYD? Pursue the job that has value and meaning? Or "start tomorrow" at the job that is entirely about the $$?

(It would be possible for me to continue to go after the nonprofit job and then take the for-profit one if I don't get it, but I can't take the job and still look at the other. Why not? Because my (hugely important, no way i would get the job without her support since she's already on my submitted resume) reference for the nonprofit job is the same person who offered me the for-profit job.

Decisions, decisions. Money or meaningful work?

[Deleted]

I'd go where I'd be happier. That will be different places for different people. Personally, I'd probably stay at the nonprofit if I didn't *need* the extra money.

[pamela]

It depends, how bad is your situation at the "meaningful work" salary? If I was getting by just fine and felt comfortable in my goals, I'd take the meaningful, fun job. But if I was stressing about future goals because of it, I'd take the money, at least for a few years. Get some financial goals in order and set myself up to be able to do more of what I want.

[Deleted]

I think it depends on what your financial situation is like: what your spouse makes, how much debt do you have, what kind of lifestyle you'd like to have and whether you've reached that so far, etc. In general though I'd go for what makes you happiest. Money can only take you so far.

[Deleted]

ITA that it depends on various factors, but I'd stay in the meaningful job if it wouldn't compromise financial goals. It kind of bothers me that my earning potential is 1/3 that of my H's, but in the end I love my job and we do fine financially, so it works well.

[chessie]

I see it this way, will you be able to move up and ever get a raise (decent where you are? Are you wanting more? For me I want to make more, the work does not have to be meaningful, end of the day they pay me I do a job, end of story. So I would move up and head somewhere else for more money. I get it though DH was stuck on staying where he is since he feels he is helping people, but like everything there is a business behind everything and I try to think of it like that.

[noodleoo]

I think this depends on your goals. How are you doing financially right now? Would the 40% difference in salary mean you could travel more, buy a home, put more in retirement, save for kids college or having kids, etc. You know, things that will make a difference in your quality of life long term. That's a huge difference in salary and would be very tempting. But if you are living comfortably right now and you'd be happier at the non-profit, then you have to consider that too. Are the hours at both similar? What about commute? Benefits? These are all things to consider.

[vegas]

I'd stay with the meaningful work. Plus I'd be worried to start a new job at a start up business in this economy, especially if I had a more stable option that I knew I'd enjoy.

[Deleted]

I moved into a field where I would make more $$$ and left a meaningful job but because I would be able to work better hours and have more room for advancement, which is also important to me. Some of the extra $$ I make goes to the same non-profit I used to work for, so I feel happy in that regard.

[kellbell191]

Personally, I chose quality of life and meaningful work over $

[limey]

I see my answer is going to be a bit different than the PP, especially since you posted the other day regarding starting a new business.

I'd go with more money, save like crazy for a few years and position yourself to launch the business that you want. That's what I did and it paid off in the long run, though it was a bit exhausting and stressful in the short term.

[ECB]

Do you know that the $$ job won't be meaningful or enjoyable?

[phunluvin82]

Personally, I couldn't bring myself to take a job that I wouldn't like as much over something I really liked a lot unless I were really struggling financially.

I was recently offered a job with a higher salary, but I couldn't handle the thought of going to that job everyday. I would have been good at it, and I don't think I would have hated it...I just wouldn't have liked it as much as what I'm doing now...so it wasn't worth it to me personally.

[aliceinfairyland]

It depends on how you are sitting financially and if you would look at this job as a stepping stone to something better, or a place to work long-term.

[knitty]

I'd rather be an anal bleacher than work in sales.

[flygirl22]

Depends on if I would hate the $$ job. If I wouldn't, and would feel fulfilled in other ways with that job, as in, doing interesting challenging work with potential for advancement. I would go with that job. If I would hate it, I wouldn't.

I don't need to feel like I'm helping others at work to feel fulfilled at work. I can always do that after work. But I understand if others may not feel that way.

[Deleted]

It depends on what type of meaning you need in your work--personally I would be happy selling widgets as long as it not immoral. I enjoy working, good colleagues, etc.

So I might take the money.

[Deleted]

Funny you post this today - I just talked with a coworker (who is also a friend) that I used to work with today, he told me there is a position opening up as a product manager for the product I used to work with him on, and thought I'd be good for the job. It is probably more money although I have no idea if we're talking a couple thousand dollars or a larger bump.

I need to think about it more, but I'm leaning toward "hell no". Like you, I like the area I work in, have fun with the content and my coworkers/department, and I'm pretty sure I'd be going back to doing a different version of my old job. If I went for this job, it would really be all about the money and the career progression but I'm not sure that's the direction I want my career to go in (well, I am pretty sure it is NOT).

So I can understand your position, and I think that for me, as long as I'm making enough money to get by just fine (which I am), I don't want to take a job I won't like just for the money. I also don't want to head down a career path that I don't want to be on. I'm not sure where you are at in your career but assuming you have many years of work ahead of you, it may be worth considering if this job opportunity will take you in the direction you want to go.

[yourmom]

I really enjoy my job and make good money. It's not what you would call "meaningful" (I work for a bank - lol) - but I like coming to work, I like my coworkers and I like what I do. Plus, with my salary I can donate as much money as I probably would earn working at a non profit.

I don't think it's as black and white as making money doesn't mean it's meaning full to you. The "meaningful" aspect you get from work, I get from other parts of my life - the fullfilment can still be there.

[regina22]

You can enjoy your job, without it having to be "meaningful". Why don't you go make 40% more money and then donate 20% of that to charity? Meaning and money!

[Deleted]

I like money.

Money makes me happy.

I am not you.

[Deleted]

Need more info. Are the work conditions otherwise identical? Assuming yes then $ all the way. Is one an hour commute and one ten minutes? How are you doing financially? Is there room for advancement at the $ job?

[thegooser]

FWIW, I have worked jobs that should have been meaningful on paper but ended up not being fulfilling for me due to other work conditions: the job wasn't challenging enough, the office was a dump, I was right next to an annoying coworker who was sexually inappropriate. Try to really consider all the factors and don't get swept away by the idea of the more meaningful job.

[applesandoranges]

As someone who left a lucrative career in search of a more meaningful one, I can assure you that the higher paying field was worth it. The headaches are never scaled the same as the pay, meaning that you still deal with crap whether you get paid $200K or $40K.

But, I am unhappy with my "meaningful" career since it's certainly nowhere near as fulfilling as I thought it would be. So please take this with a grain of salt.

[thegooser]

Nov 28, 2012 21:02:40 GMT -5 applesandoranges said:

As someone who left a lucrative career in search of a more meaningful one, I can assure you that the higher paying field was worth it. The headaches are never scaled the same as the pay, meaning that you still deal with crap whether you get paid $200K or $40K.

But, I am unhappy with my "meaningful" career since it's certainly nowhere near as fulfilling as I thought it would be. So please take this with a grain of salt.

Me taking my current job was more motivated by money than fulfillment, although it's lots more money to be somewhat less fulfilling. No regrets. Totally worth it.

[wanderlustmom]

I can only speak from personal experience. But I have a degree in journalism and felt in undergrad a few times that I was in the wrong career. Anyway, stayed in it and went into corporate PR. It was not the right fit for me. I am a mental health therapist now and I had to deal with a lot of family naysayers because I took student loans to get a masters in a career that pays half of what I could make in PR. I am so over the moon with my profession. It's worth the difference in pay for me at least to have meaningful work where I help people.