Young mind and money

“It’s so cool these days that young people in their twenties live independently and get highly paid at MNCs. They enjoy holidays with their friends, parties, shopping, and more,” my teenage daughter told me one day.

I replied, “Yes, that’s happening a lot now. But if you were given a choice—1 lakh rupees per month for a job not related to your interests or talents—would you take it?”

She quickly said, “Sure, who wouldn’t?”

I then asked, “But what about all the hard work you’ve invested in a particular subject for many years?”

She said, “At the end of the day, the target is money, right?”

“What about job satisfaction?” I said.

“That… I don’t know,” she admitted.

I decided to share the story of my friend Anu. She was the topper of our class. In 11th grade, she chose commerce. I asked her, “Why commerce and not science?”

She replied, “Because my dad told me to. There’s a lot of scope in commerce.”

She excelled in it, of course, as she always did. After finishing school, she easily got into B.Com (Hons) at one of the best colleges in Delhi. Later, she joined a computer course and topped that as well. Her future seemed secure and it looked like she was on track for success.

She wanted to pursue a master’s in computer science, but then, something unexpected happened. An opportunity arose – an MNC offered her a job that promised great pay and stability. The only catch? The job was unrelated to her passion and talent in computer science. Her parents suggested, “Take the job. The salary is good, and you will gain experience. You can always pursue post-graduation part-time”.

Anu took the job. She worked hard, and five years later, she completed her master’s in computer programming with excellent scores. By then, her salary at the MNC had increased significantly. 

The dilemma came when Anu had to choose between her dream job in computer science and her current position. If she follows her heart, she have to leave the secure job and start fresh at a much lower salary. Her parents advised her to be practical, to stay where she was, climbing higher in the corporate ladder. “After all, ”they said, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. 

She confided in me about her struggle. I encouraged her to pursue her dream job, reassuring her that money would eventually follow. “The fulfilment and satisfaction you will find in doing something you are passionate about is worth more than any paycheck, I told her.

But Anu couldn’t leave her high-paying position.

Over the past 25 years, she has stayed in the same job at the same company, earning 1.5 lakh per month. She saves most of her money for the future and occasionally buys expensive bags, clothes, and shoes.

Money is part of life, and it is important. But life has a way of taking care of our financial needs when we follow our passions and remain persistent.  It may take time, and the journey may not always be easy, but it will be meaningful. And when we look back , we will have a proud story to share – a story of courage and self-belief. 

I looked at my daughter. “Don’t chase money, sweetie. Chase your interests, your passions. The rest will follow. You will find that money becomes a byproduct, not the goal”.

I don’t know whether Vrinda fully understood my point or not, but I know she is an individual soul. She will make her own mistakes and eventually learn from them. As a parent, I have no choice but to be patient and wait for the right time.