Where Less Means More!

These are days of specializations.
Students take up a particular branch of study with the hope of getting a job in that field. Experience tells us that not many are that lucky. They study one subject but have to work in a different subject otherwise remain without a job for a long and uncomforable period.
The IT pays well and thank God there are jobs in that field whatever the degree.

Starting to work late in life has its own disadvantages. Of facing one's classmates having more work experience. If the delay is due to going in for higher education then its worth the wait.
Getting a job, getting a good job, getting a very good job are all such relative terms.
Getting is one thing and proving oneself is quite another.
It is an art to stay put in one job throughout one's career span. That is possible in government jobs where the perks far outweigh the salary.
These days salaries in government departments are not too bad either.
The feeling of permanance, regular annual increments, housing, good schooling for kids, the numerous 'offs' one can enjoy are all part of these perks.

Private jobs means to feel the pinch of insecurity from time to time.

Many in government jobs have switched over to the private sector later for higher pay which come with its own responsibilities, demands on time, apprehensions and effort.
When one is sure of his/her subject and knowledge (s)he will not be afraid of taking risks at some point in time.
There are some who are born entrepreneurs and want to be their own bosses. Right from the humble farmer working in his fields to the owners of big buck enterprises all over the world.
It is what we want out of a job or an enterprise.
Planning should ideally be done before hand and persued at God speed.

Personally I have always felt that one should take up a job in his or her line. Put in a good number of years as experience in that job.
First jobs should always be treated as learn-while-you-earn.
There will be many hurdles and temptations to chuck off jobs when an angry boss is upset at non-performance, partiality, not getting promoted, not getting expected hikes in pay, etc.

After an initial period of about 3 or 4 years in one job, one should switch over to a better paying job in the same or a related line. Unless there are compelling reasons for not shifting one should look for better opportunities as the present employer may take the employee for granted and 'forget' all about us.
A portion of this 'better pay' should be ploughed into some fixed asset like a flat or a house somewhere.
After working for about 10 to 12 more years one can afford to take a call and retire to pursue what we always wanted to but could not.
But again there should not be any debt burdens or other responsibilities for which one has to keep working to repay. This is one of the many reasons why many work beyond their retirement age.
Hobbies, interests or just pottering around house can be pursued when one is nearing between 45-50 years. At times hobbies can be expensive. Interests like travelling, etc can be both financially and physically taxing.
If the needs are simple and the mind has no hang-ups about not having this or that then with whatever one has made or has had, life can be led in a simple and uncomplicated way.

Having less things to worry about could mean more peace of mind unless one is the compulsive worrying type.

Cheers!
Mahalakshmi