Today marks 1 year at the company I work for. In the process I have been given a maximum raise, more hours, a better shift AND I have been asked to hold classes for other counselors on how to recognize and treat Compulsive Gambling. Not just at the building I work at but throughout the entire company. (Which means I get paid "consulting fees" that they would pay outside teachers..... BIG BUCKS..... I wish, actually I accepted the offer just for the recognition, didn't care if I made a penny doing it or not and the ability to teach others how to help others..... but afterward I did find out I will be reimbursed quite nicely for it.... )
Life is like that for me...... one month I am totally down, sick and the next I am achieving accolades and recognition for my work beyond anything I could hope for.
Hard work, drive and love for what I do, those are factors moving me ahead, not believing that I need to know finances and kissing asses, or being politically correct. Supervisors see my love for my job, my drive, my passion and how well clients react to me and they reward me.
That's my advice to you younger people out there, find what you love, let your passion drive you and don't worry about the money. Doors open faster, burnout is less, and the rewards far more if you truly love your job and your passion is to do your best and not the money.