Christopher, Julian put his list of 4 things up there, then said, "These are a perfect set of criteria." The problem is that one doesn't know how these criteria actually pan out in a real job in an industry with which one is not familiar until one is IN the job. Then, if one is already too married to the idea of "perfection," it is likely that the real-life dynamics of a job will create disappointment. Kind of like when people make single-and-looking posts that describe what they are looking for in a relationship -- the more they are wed to any set of criteria, especially made in the form of defined entries on a list, the more they will remember the items that they thought about and then internalize the idea that it is that list or bust. And the more likely they will never feel satisfied, demonstrated by leaving one job for another, which leaves them looking for perfection indefinitely.

-- BarbPitman - 14 Apr 2008

In other words, Eben basically says that we can't go to a big firm (interpreted often as the making of big money) and at the same time be happy. That may be true, but find out for yourself first. You can always tell Eben "you told me so." And I think most people would rather be in that position than be in the position where they muse, "But only if . . ." I find most people regret the things they didn't do, not the things they did do. And as you know, life after the big firm interlude (should you choose that route) can yield much in the form of additional perspective as well.

-- BarbPitman - 14 Apr 2008