“You realize you’ll make, like, no money doing that, right?”
“Can you even make a living with that job?”
“Why would you spend so much time in school and not want to be rich?”
These are questions I have been asked and have heard others be asked time and time again when revealing their dream jobs. I have scrambled to defend myself, and I have watched others scramble to defend themselves. Some fend it off with an easy, “I plan to marry rich.” Some say, “I don’t have expensive taste” or “I don’t really plan to live somewhere with a high cost of living.” What they should say is, “I care more about discovering who I am and contributing to society than I do about the number of zeroes on my paycheck.”
That’s probably one of the most college things I’ve ever written in my life. However, it is true for me, and it is also true for a lot of people. The truth is, some of the most important and fulfilling careers out there just don’t pay well. Let’s talk about teachers. If you are in college, there is a very high chance some teacher somewhere along the way in your schooling had a positive impact on you. They are ridiculously underpaid. Police officers and firefighters protect our communities and save lives for very little pay. Sadly, sometimes when choosing a career, you have to decide whether you’d rather feel fulfilled or make a lot of money.
I recognize the practical purpose of having a job is money. I also recognize a great number of people in this world probably would not have a job at all if not for the motivating factor of money. That is absolutely reasonable and understandable. However, not everyone feels this way and those who don’t should not be looked down upon or chastised.
If you are lucky enough to feel a call toward a profession that will make you a six-figure salary, I am happy for you. I really am. I think that is great, and I would never insinuate that all careers that are important and worth pursuing are low-paying. However, many of them are. Making more money does not make you a high achiever or mean you are contributing more to society. Making more money does not put you above those who make less. Making more money does not make you a better person. Next time you ask a person what they do or want to do for a living, don’t talk down to them when they respond with a career that doesn’t make a lot of money.
Look, I’m a double major in journalism and psychology. Do you think I’ve never been told there’s no money in either of those? Do you think I sat down, opened the course catalog and thought to myself, “Hmm … I’m interested in making a huge salary. Reporting it is!” No. That sequence of events did not occur. I thought about what I love doing and what I am interested in, and I decided on those two. I have been told many times by many different people that these fields are not where the money is. I know, and I don’t think I am a better person or more “woke” because I have picked these. My passions and talents led me to them, and a lot of others can say the same.
So, to answer the questions posed at the beginning of this whole thing: Yes. Yes. And because I love what I want to do, and money isn’t everything. Passion, love, dedication and determination are everything. And you just can’t put a number on those.
Taylor Cavaliere is a UF journalism and psychology junior. Her column appears on Mondays.
