@MidnightMusing5 Can I ask your education? Did you move up on what you knew or who you knew?
Degree and masters in relevant subjects, plus 30 years experience and various professional quals.
Moved up based on being very good at what I do and a huge chunk of luck. But part of being good at what I do, at the senior level, is genuinely showing an interest in other people in other areas of the business to make it easier to connect people together. (If you mean “family connections then no. Working class background.)
@ForeverDelayedEpiphany really sorry to have made you feel bad.
@savvy7 I don’t think they are really sacrifices. Yes long hours and weekend working. A 60 hour week is not unusual - for example the reason I didn’t come back to the thread last night was because something cropped up at work. But I don’t think they are sacrifices. They don’t negatively affect my family or health. It’s about balance. I could move to another firm and double my pay (to £500k) but I don’t want the hassle.
@auberginepeel Yes, DH is a SAHD and we have two older teens. It was very important to us for one of us to be there for the kids. It has paid off with a very close relationship with them for both of us. It’s different in the industry now, but 20 years ago the job involved being away Monday to Friday. I always made sure DH and the kids knew they were my priority- if they needed me then work came second.
Having DH not work does mean the net family income (while still high, and I am aware of our privilege) isn’t as high as you would think. Monthly net is about £9k (after tax but before pension), which is the same as two people each earning £75k. If I look at people now in my industry earning £75k, they have much less responsibility and much shorter hours than me which I think might be quite nice. It was different though, 20 years ago. These days someone doing the same job would have far more flexibility, better access to childcare, less travel and the SAHP more likely to be able to get a flexible job WFH.
@User37482 that’s lovely. Yes I fully agree it’s important for people to have all the information to be able to make informed career choices. That might not be to follow the money, but still best to know what choices are available. Even if someone feels they have a vocation they still should know the options - for example big 4 also hire clinical advisors, education advisors, policy advisors … so a route to higher salaries for nurses, doctors, teachers, civil servants.