<p>"Similarly, if your goal is academic/professional success but you specifically preclude things that would garner money and prestige, you’re hinering yoursef because they are all caused by the same thing. "</p>
<p>phear me - sorry, but again IMO you are way off base here. </p>
<p>First, professional success is not simply tied to how much money one makes and the prestige of the University one graduated from. If you believe that, you have a very simplistic, distorted view of the world. </p>
<p>Second, as I have mentioned, I did not graduate from a “name” prestige college. And yet there I was making well over your oft quoted $500K a year as Vice President for a well known national firm. However, after deciding there was much more to life than simply making money, I took some time off and now work in the education field. While still maing a comfortable living, it does not come close to what I earned previously. But yet I am even more successful in my new role, I have more time to spend with my family and enjoying life. To believe as you do that I would be less successful in my new role vs my old one simply because the size of my paycheck has been reduced is very simplistic and incorrect thinking.</p>