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Catherine Gacad

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Job Economics

Does anyone have the perfect job? I thought I did, but lately, I’ve been feeling unappreciated.

My first job was shit. I think that’s normal when you graduate from college with no experience (unless you count waitressing or babysitting or tutoring) and you’re groveling for anything that will help you pay off your student debt. But even though I was underpaid, there was no other job in my career that taught me how to think analytically and manipulate databases. That’s where I learned to really think. I hated going to work, all us new hires bitched during lunch, and morale was pitiful, but I wouldn’t go back and trade that experience.

How about when you like what you do, but your company is a ticking time bomb in the form of a startup lacking a true business model!

What about when you feel appreciated, your team looks up to you, you feel good, but you’re not compensated appropriately? And it’s quite obvious because you find out your coworkers make much more than you! How about that?

What if you love your job as a teacher, but have to marry well because there’s no way you can buy a home on your own?

What if you’re on a high velocity career trajectory, you make millions of dollars, but you can’t spend your weekends with your family?

Has anyone found the right balance? I’d love to hear.

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01.09.11

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Welcome to my site, derived from an advice column I wrote while getting my MBA. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I give helpful, opinionated advice based on my own experience and from the expertise of my extensive network. For more, click here.

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  • Blogging
  • Burning Man
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