Dear counsellor,

After my university studies i was offered two job opportunities; one related to what i studied, and another in a different field. The issue is that the one which is not in line with my passion has more benefits than the one i like. I’m wondering whether i should follow passion or money? Please advise me.

Yours, Jovith

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Switching jobs can be beneficial in some ways and detrimental in others. In today’s competitive job market, getting employment has become one intricate hurdle that often takes ages for a person to obtain a job. Therefore, before making any major career decisions to leave a job for a higher paying one, there is need to think cautiously and avoid cases of stagnation and dilemma when disappointments set in. Jumping from job to job can give the impression that you’re not reliable or dependable and this can curtail your access to promotion, affect your seniority and stability at one job. However, regardless of these benefits, it is nearly impossible to find something superior without trying a bunch of options. Exploration is vital to keeping you learning and moving forward

Today, we’re living in an age of job promiscuity, where regularly changing jobs is encouraged. Companies are always altering their business strategies and staffing designs due to competing global forces and the ever improving technology. A skill necessary today may not be required tomorrow. Staying at one job for extended periods, you may get surprised to find that your skills have become obsolete and no longer needed any where simply because you didn’t open doors to learn and advance in a career. Gone are the days when a one job was considered a long life commitment to that particular company. Demographics are shifting and there is a financial crisis due to increasing costs and decreasing individual abilities to foot daily expenses and monthly bills. Your current static salary may not match with this trend plus your network is limited to one company.

The current employment climate requires job seekers to be more agile. Staying in one job for extended periods of time won’t necessarily guarantee your promotion to high positions in the company. Chances are a company may hire a more experienced outsider because they have worked in different companies and have good experience of the whole industry. The best financial security today is to have great job hunting skills that never stop. Go to the best job, do it until you find another best job. This is the kind of person who will always be able to get money when they need it and will always have a high bargaining power. Step out of the comfort zone and explore your social, career and economic heights.