My coworker said "just follow your passion" and another said "follow the money" - who is right?

I was in the break room at my job in Phoenix last Tuesday when two senior devs got into it. One guy said he left a high paying gig to do what he loves and is happier than ever. The other guy said he chased the paycheck for 15 years and now he can retire early at 52. They both seemed to have valid points but I can't figure out which path makes more sense for a normal person. I have a kid on the way and student loans so passion sounds risky but so does being miserable for a decade. Has anyone here actually tried the "follow the money" route and regret it or is that the smarter move for most people?

3 comments

3 Comments

quinn1613d ago

Man I read this article once saying passion pays off eventually but bills don't wait.

mason_reed473d ago

The part about "passion pays off eventually" got me. Eventually. Like maybe in 10 years when you're already living off ramen and praying your car doesn't die. I read that same article probably, and I bet it left out the part where you have to eat and have a roof over your head while waiting for that payoff. Most people I know with "passion jobs" are drowning in credit card debt.

dylan4633d ago

Married with two kids here. I picked a boring well paying job in IT and use my nights and weekends for the stuff I'm actually passionate about.