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The ideal is to find something that will provide both. Also, you need to figure out how much money you "need" to be satisfied. I changed careers at 35, after 13 years of working as an Occupational Therapist but it was more for job security than for money. I make a little more money as a LAN Systems Analyst for the same company, but I could make more at a different corporation. The difference is, I have 10 years seniority with this system now, which means 6 weeks off a year, and a decent retirement plan building up, and really good benefits. Besides that, this office is a M-F, 8-5 office so there is very little weekend or evening work and NO pager. If I had to carry a pager, I would HATE my job. Besides, as a single mom, I can't be on call at all hours of the night. The people I work with are great and most appreciate their computer support.
There are a million careers to pick from. I think anybody can find some mix of courses/majors to find something that will make them a decent living and still enjoy their career. You spend more hours at your job than anywhere, so you should enjoy it. (Everybody has bad days, but you have to overall enjoy it).
I had a hard time choosing a new career when I decided it was time to do so because there are so many that sound interesting to me. It boiled down to what I could easily learn while working full time and raising two small children. I really would have liked to become an optometrist or a teacher.
Dee
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