how much $$$ I made vs. how happy I was

@hi.itsgillian

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Why it worked

The post taps into a common career dilemma: balancing financial gain with personal fulfillment. By presenting a clear, visual comparison of salary versus happiness across various jobs, it offers relatable insights and encourages viewers to reflect on their own career paths.

Summary

The creator shares a visual breakdown of their past jobs, comparing the salary earned with their happiness level in each role. They reflect on how prioritizing happiness and time well-spent became more important than just income.

Structure

1Introduction: Salary vs. Happiness
2Job 1: Golf Cart Girl ($16/hr, 4 stars)
3Job 2: Cancer Research Assistant ($18/hr, 2 stars)
4Job 3: Sales Intern ($0/hr, 3 stars)
5Job 4: Product Manager Co-op ($18/hr, 4 stars)
6Job 5: Management Consultant ($35/hr, 3 stars)
7Job 6: Strategy & Ops Manager ($63-70/hr, 2 stars)

Original caption

I used to think that as long as the number kept going up everything else would follow but looking back, that really wasn’t the case some of my lowest paying jobs were actually the happiest I’ve been and some of the higher paying ones were the most exhausting I think what changed for me was realizing it’s not just about what you make it’s how you’re spending your time while you’re making it follow for more reflection and growth ! #businessowner #entrepreneur #businesswoman #ambitiouswoman #career

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On-screen text

how much $$$ I made vs. how happy I was in every job I've had. golf cart girl $16/hour | This job was so boring but I got to serve drinks outside on a golf course. I learned German on Duolingo and read a lot of books while I waited for customers, so not a bad way to spend a summer! cancer research assistant $18/hour | I did not like lab work - it was tedious and monotonous. The only good thing was that it felt very impactful and purpose-driven, and I got to learn a lot of cool science. sales intern $0/hour | My first "business" job - I was an unpaid intern at a tech start up in Toronto. I learned a lot about B2B sales and analytics reporting. Honestly, a fun summer despite not being paid. product manager co-op $18/hour | Such a fun summer co-op, I got to build a product with a developer and designer and pitch it to C-suite of a major bank. This job was creative, challenging, and we got to build something from the ground up. management consultant $35/hour | This job started off really cool, got to do challenging work for big clients. Over time thought it got frustrating and a bit boring because it was making a lot of slide decks, day in day out. strategy & ops manager $63-70/hour | Worked for a hyper-growth US start up - was really long hours and hard work, but I got to take on a lot of responsibility at a young age, which pushed me to grow a ton. Very pivotal role in my career. Kiyoko $10M/year business business owner $00/hour | Building something myself has been the most rewarding experience ever and has been such a fun ride. I love the freedom and flexibility I get to make my own decisions and design my own life.