Why get a job?

I kind of had this interesting exchange with a friend lately because she was still looking for a job after having graduated for a couple of months. She told me she needed a job soon but then I thought, is it that 1) you really need a job or 2) you really need the pay that comes with a job ?

I would think that for most, having a job is more like a means to an end. Why? Because it pays the bills and feeds the kids. True. But that doesn't help you like what you do any more, does it? And chances are, the further one trudges along this path, the more entrenched your need for the job (actually the pay) becomes and even if one is less than satisfied with it, there is little one can do but slog on.

Let me set another scenario which I see quite a bit too -- students flocking to high paying jobs (Most recently what I've seen is a near universal yearning to be Investment Bankers.)

Ok, the true of the matter is that yes, Bankers do make quite a nice bit but that's only because of plain ol' economics. They need to have 1) the ability to take stress and 2) willingness to work extrememly long hours. So my questions to folks looking to be Investment Bankers (or actually any other high-paying but demanding field for that matter) -- Are you into this for the money or for the thrills?

If you tell me "its for the money" then I would think that there are other ways to go about doing that which may be more fulfilling for you in the long run. If you tell me "its for the thrills" then let me ask you "so, you would still want to do it if you just got paid enough to survive?"

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I do strongly believe in having passion in what you do and the belief that what you do is making a difference. Some tell me passion is over-rated, others say it does not feed you.

Well, if slogging through life in a less than satisfying job that pays well is the other option, then I guess I'll take my chances.