“Don’t judge a career by its cover.”

Back when I was in college, I’d had thoughts of becoming a lawyer. But I didn’t. I heard that lawyers had to get up in court and argue. I don’t think fast on my feet and I couldn’t imagine doing this.

What I didn’t know was that some lawyers never go to court. Some don’t think fast at all. Some lawyers have the luxury of reflecting and thinking. I knew nothing about the fields of trusts and estates and certainly nothing of appellate law.

Would I have been happy as a lawyer? I think I’d have enjoyed being a law professor. But I do know my decision process was seriously flawed.

Career mistakes happen at all ages and stages.

Recently I heard a talk from a life coach. Her topic was prosperity. She said, “I used to be a college professor. I was trying to live on $40,000 in New York City. I spent thousands of dollars getting my degree…”

So it’s easy to conclude:

> College professors don’t make a lot of money.
> You have a huge investment in a doctoral program.
> Stay away from academia if you want to live comfortably.

In fact, college professors aren’t poor these days. Some, especially those in business and law schools, earn very comfortable salaries.