To feel a bit jealous and depressed

[frazzell]

My brother graduated from university in the summer and has got a job that pays more than mine even though I'm 31 and have been working for the last 14 years. I'm happy for him and glad that he has done well for himself but I feel a little depressed that my 22 yo brother earns more than me having just started working whilst I've been working for 14 years.

That may be true statistically but certainly isn't true in my case. But I do accept that I may be a statistical anomaly (I hope I am!!) even though I met many arts graduates on the 'temp. circuit' who were in the same position as me.

He's training to be an auditor in an accountancy firm Had an ex-bf who did that - he quit because it was sheer drudgery. He'll be doing all the slog on audits. You could not pay me enough to do that job! He deserves your sympathies.

YANBU you've been working for 14 years and yet little brother comes out of uni and walks straight into a better payed job then you

Presumably the brother is going into his new job complete with the millstone of student debt that most seem to leave with these days? The time and money invested in further education has to bring some kind or reward or what's the point? I think YABU to begrudge him his success just because you've made different education and career choices.

YANBU - perfectly understandable emotions.

Just don't let him know. It won't make either of you feel better

Hate to tell you but when training to be an accountant is done then his pay will nearly double

Perhaps your envy stems from dissatisfaction with your own career. Is it time to take stock and reassess what you might do next? You are only 31, and it's not too late to do almost anything.

I agree with Butterbur, i think that you are unhappy with your own career. There are people who leave highly paid jobs to do a job that they like, so it's not all about the money.
If you are unhappy about your career direction do something to change it, enrol in an OU course or an evening course. You are very young. Nobody knows what tommorrow will bring , you could be earning more than him ina a few years. Just be happy for him, your own time will come.

I sense your not very happy with your lot in life, you could always follow your brothers lead and get a degree through the OU or part time

If you have married in the past 14 years, bought a house, had children and kept working, etc- seems to me like you have worked even harder than you realise.

You are doing just fine but if you feel you can do more, join a course or do part time uni study,etc, than go for it.