Not Career Advice is a monthly podcast and a̶d̶v̶i̶c̶e̶ coaching column that asks and answers questions about "making it" in your career—and what that even means.
You can submit your own question here.
The career questions
I work in social services which is known for low pay. I am currently in management and feel stuck and totally uninspired to continue. I stay at my current position because they pay more than the other agencies in my area and have a very generous leave policy. How do I let go of the pay and leave security and go to another job that I would be more personally happy. And how do I know that is still in social services.
- kimb
I’m starting a new career in an entirely different field and I’m knowingly not going to be making as much money than I was in my previous career. How do I become OK with this and realize that this new career will align more with my values and that is a measure of success in a world that’s driven by how much you make as a marker of success?
- Lindsay
The not career advice
kimb and Lindsay,
If nothing else, I hope the parallels in your letters show you that you’re not alone. Money evokes an emotional response for many of us. You used the words pay and money, but that’s not what we’re really talking about, is it?
Here’s my question for you both: What is pay a proxy for?
kimb, it sounds like pay equals security in your mind. Your current setup feels like it’s as good as it gets. Is that the truth? Here are some questions to help you find your answer:
- What skills and experience do you bring to the table as an employee? Put a star next to the ones that could transfer across industries. Put an exclamation point next to the ones that light you up.
- If getting hired was a guarantee, what types of jobs would you apply to? Remember, in this scenario you’re a shoo-in. Think about roles, but also think about the type of organization, size, industry, location, etc.
- How much money do you need to feel secure? You can answer that as abstractly or concretely as you like. If spreadsheets give you the good kind of butterflies, you might run the numbers. If you’re feeling stuck, think about what’s negotiable. Maybe you’re willing to eat out less if it means going to a job where you don’t have to drag yourself out of bed every morning, but an annual vacation is an absolute must.
Lindsay, you’d probably gain something from exploring those questions, too. Based on what you shared, it sounds like pay is a proxy for worth and success. I’ve got a few thought starters for you:
- Who are the most successful people you know? Why do you consider them to be successful? A framework like the career anchors can help you answer this question.
- Who is making you feel bad about making less money? An imaginary conversation with your middle school nemesis? Your parents? Or maybe it’s you? If it’s a real person whose relationship you value, there may be a conversation in order.
- What do you gain by making less money? When I’m making non-traditional choices, I feel more grounded when I have a “why” I can return to. What’s yours?
Before I sign off, I want to highlight one more similarity in your letters. You both want to optimize for personal happiness and values alignment in your lives. Speaking from my experience, your life looks weirder from the outside when you orient towards what’s right for you, but, damn, it feels splendid on the inside.
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