Priorities

Have you ever noticed how we Americans have a different set of priorities when looking for a job, for example, than a lot of other cultures?

My mom and I were looking at the final round of assisted living centers for her parents today at lunch. They aren't really physically able to care for themselves any more, so we're probably going to move them down from KC, MO in the next week. Mom wanted another set of eyes to see everything and think how they would like it. She was telling me how a lot of immigrants are nurses in this industry. Not doctors. Nurses. I asked why, and it seems that is, hands down, the fasted way to get your green card. Interesting. So rather than going to medical school to become a doctor and make zillions of dollars saving people every day, they take the quicker route of becoming a nurse.

This accomplishes several things. 1.) They get a well-paying job relatively quickly. 2.) They are able to provide for their entire family (which may include parents, aunts, uncles, etc.) with said well-paying job. 3.) They are able to obtain permanent residence in these United States relatively quickly. What more could you ask for?

When I think back to this spring and summer when I was looking for a job. The first thoughts were Is it doing something I'll enjoy with people I'll enjoy? Is it something I know how to do? Will it pay well? Is it something I want to do? Does it provide benefits? And on and on it went. I was very self-centered. How does it benefit me? I'd wager that much of the rest of the world is very family-centered. How does this benefit my family? How does it enable me to provide for or spend time with my family? And so on and so forth.

What do you think? Am I right? Am I wrong?