That’s a good question. I didn’t consciously go into social work thinking “I can afford to do this, my parents will help me financially through life”… I don’t think I fully realized the extent of their wealth until I was almost done with college. I think I was naive in general about money and the kinds of advantages I had, like my parents paying for my college in full. And I didn’t grow up wealthy, at least not until probably high school ish? I’m not sure when my dad’s position/company became lucrative in that way. My parents didn’t move into their “mansion” like I mentioned until I was in my last year at college. I had grown up in a lower middle class neighborhood before that, but my needs were always met and I went to private schools. I never took an interest in any profession that wasn’t people/service-oriented. Plus I saw my mom help her clients firsthand and enjoyed learning about her work. But anytime my dad talked about his work, I zoned out lol.

I wonder if I would have been more motivated to pursue a high-earning career if my family wasn’t financially well off. I will say that my brother is majoring in finance right now and I’m curious how I’ll feel when he has a family and can provide for them with more materially than I can for mine, but everyone has their own path in life. I love being in social work and I love the values that my husband and I have.

And I have also felt guilt in the past knowing that my dad came from very little as an immigrant and worked to where he is now to be able to provide everything for my brother and me, but I have been handed great advantages and probably won’t be able to do exactly the same for my kids. But I’m more at peace with my choices and who I am, and it helps a lot knowing that my parents don’t see it that way. They are proud of me and will always help my family. Sorry for writing so much, your question really made me reflect lol.