Money Over Experience?
Can money be enough to keep you where you are?
It is fascinating to identify the new woes and worries that come at a significant chapter of your life. Almost like a checkpoint, the border officer stamps our passport and wishes us good luck.
As kids, making friends and fitting in were at the centre of our universe. Those teen years are filled with awkward hairstyles and clothing as that period simultaneously becomes ‘not cool’ anymore for letting your parents choose your outfits.
What’s the insecurity I face now that I am on my career path, two years after graduation? The question I always seem to go back to is whether it is money I want, or experience.
Those critical post-grad years
Post-university life has undoubtedly been advertised and conditioned in our society as the period we enter our dream sector, and finally experience the real world. Some of us may even begin earning more than our parents, the golden example of how a university degree can change your future.
Many of your friends have also been spat out of the university factory, an exciting time for you all as you chase those prestigious jobs.
After spending one to two years working, you’re most likely ready for an internal promotion, or at least a job transfer with another organisation. I feel these years after graduation are so important because they can really shape the next five years of your life. But it is that same importance which makes me contemplate deeply on what I want next.
Stability at work
For most families, especially if your parents had come to the country as immigrants, stability is key. And rightly so. The uncertainly of when your next pay check is coming in, and how much, is not really something anyone would objectively seek.
As with your job, it is clear what the path is. Although more common with our parents’ generation (if you are a millennial), most post-graduate positions have some sort of hierarchy for you to progress to. As long as you don’t f*** up, every couple of years can earn you a higher position with greater pay.
At my first workplace, it was apparent that my former managers were beginning to settle down, perhaps even starting a new family of their own. In such scenarios, the above is ideal — a steady flow of income so that you can manage the increased spending that comes with a growing family.
When Stability Isn’t Attractive
Everything sounds pretty good so far. Rationally, I do ask:
Why the heck are you complaining if this is what most people want?
I have had the privilege of gaining a master’s degree, and whilst the academic challenge was something I greatly cherish in of itself, it was the interaction with my classmates that really enriched my experience. Specifically, it was the engagement with people from all walks of life and nationality.
This global exposure made me realise just how little of the world I have experienced. These students were studying abroad, absorbing the unique characteristics of the British culture. They took on our way of thinking, countered it with their pre-existing understanding, and moulded their individual way through a blend of both. This only broadened their original perspectives.
As I continue to rigorously debate former classmates on the world’s pressing issues, a point continually gets brought up. If you have not lived in a particular way, or at least thoroughly engaged with the region or culture in some manner, it is difficult to see their way of life. More importantly, you cannot apply your way of thinking to their situation.
These were directly mostly at me. It made me assess my situation and discover that this is true to a great degree. Especially in non-Western cultures where community and group identity are promoted above individual right, a Western perspective is incompatible to understanding much of the affairs in East Asia.
Trading It All For What?
Intensified from the travel restrictions of COVID-19, I have a newfound desire to see more of the world. I want to put myself in an uncomfortable environment where it forces me to be more open and interact with people I may never otherwise talk to.
This brings my back to the central theme of this article… is money greater than experience? Do I seek those promotions lined up across my career timeline, and the salary boosts that come with, or take an early detour?
And what would that alternative be? The most likely switch would be a teaching position ina country I have in recent years deeply enjoyed learning about: South Korea.
If a close friend of yours held a well-paid position that offered great professional opportunities also wanted to drop it all for a teaching job in another part of the world for a year or so, how would you advise them? Is it worth it?
Would swapping this stability for a teaching job in another country give me the experience that an annual 2-week holiday cannot? I guess as I write this, I understand the answer depends on what it is that I’m seeking.
If the purpose was to see a different way of life, but overall I am more concerned with a career development, perhaps a holiday would be sufficient. But if the goal was to assimilate into that society, to truly understand their ways of life, a longer stay, contributing to their society, would be more appropriate.
But also, what would a one to two-year hiatus from my career really do in the grand scheme of things when an average career spans 30+ years? Much of this link back to my discussion around risk or regret.
I have been listening to a lot of podcasts in recent months, especially those on productivity. To make the most of my year abroad, I would also pursue multiple avenues of self-development, such as photography and language skills. In this moment, I believe a year out only brings me a net benefit, and the loss is insignificant.
If you have read this far, thank you. I would be interested to hear how you see things and what advice you may have. If you are interested in the topics of young adulthood, touching on themes such as career aspirations, relationships and family, please follow my page for upcoming content!
