Many adults in their 40s and 50s decide to change jobs completely. Many of them had high-paying, respectable jobs in the business field. But they get burnt out and decide to instead look into a teaching career or something that satisfies them.
This was written about in a Newsweek article. The article made it seem like anyone is able to switch jobs if they really want to. Realistically, that just doesn't work. My mom has been a bookkeeper/office manager for years and years. She would love to switch career paths and go write a book, or be an editor, or do some job having to do with her writing skills. This just isn't a viable option for her, though. She can't just quit her job and start all over again because she can't afford to go without pay.
All of the people in this article were rich as a result of their first job. So yes, it's possible for them to switch jobs, but this is not true for the average, middle class American citizen.
Although teaching is not a high-paying career, that is what I will be majoring in this fall. I would prefer to start out doing the job I love than work at some high-paying stressful place that I hate. For me, the pleasure of a job is more important than the salary. As long as I have enough money to pay the bills, get food on the table, etc, then I'm happy. I don't need the fancy house, sports car, etc. Happiness outweighs monetary success every time.
