So, do I work to live or do I live to work? I would like to take the diplomatic stance of a little bit of column A and a little bit of column B. I have chosen a career involving academic pursuits because of the potential to make real positive change for the future. I have worked lucrative restaurant industry jobs for years, but the full wallet often left me feeling empty. After graduating with my undergraduate degrees I felt a strong sense of having no direction. My wife and I decided to make a major life change, so we saved the money we usually just turned and burned within the service industry culture, and applied it to an extended stay in Latin America. This allowed us to grow and not fit back into who we once were. We had shed the skin of our prior selves and it was time to keep moving forward.
My wife and I have structured and tailored our lifestyles around the combined income we generate. Removing ourselves from familiar areas and starting anew here in South Carolina definitely aided in not allowing us to stray from a more restrictive budget. My goals of course require money, but how I earn that money has changed and I can honestly say that I am proud to be a graduate student and all that it entails. My research will take me to places in regions across the globe and I intend to give back for what I receive. I may not earn the highest amount of dollars, but the amount I do earn will be enough to live comfortably with my wife. Payment isn't always in the form of financial assets. Funded research, travel, inspired students, and seeing positive change all raise a person's level of self-worth. So, when it comes to money, I only need as much as will happen to come to me, and I will find ways to use the surpluses (if there ever are any) and reinvest it into projects with a similar path to my life plan. I saw a great Internet meme and it said "Teachers don't do it for the income, they do it for the outcome."
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