HOW TO NOT LET MONEY DECIDE YOUR CAREER CHOICE

It was a crisp, winter day in Central Park. The once beautiful lake was then turned into a pristine layer of ice, transforming the landscape into a serene, winter wonderland. There I was, 27, my face flushed from the cold, a smile spreading across my lips as I took in the beauty that surrounded me. I just landed what many would consider a dream job: a high-paying position at a tech unicorn in Soho, New York. The office was sleek, the perks were endless, and my paycheck made my parents proud. On paper, I had it all. But every night, as I walked back to my overpriced Manhattan apartment, I couldn’t shake a gnawing feeling: “Was this really what I wanted?”

Image: Myself standing in front of the frozen lake in Central Park, New York (Jan 2014).

Fast forward to a few years later, I was working in Vietnam, leading digital marketing teams for some of the best tech unicorns in the country. By that time, I wasn’t just being offered jobs; I was being asked by several companies what position I wanted, with recruiters practically throwing compensation packages at me. It was a heady feeling, knowing that my skills were in demand. Yet again, I found myself questioning: “Is this it? Is this enough?”

The truth is, money is important. It gives us freedom, opportunities, and a safety net. But I’ve learned that when money becomes the only factor in deciding your career, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. So today, I’m sharing my personal story of how I chose to let my values—not my paycheck—guide my career decisions and how you can do the same.

Leaving New York: Choosing Family Over Fortune

Let me take you back to that moment in Soho. I was working late one evening, staring at my computer screen as the city buzzed outside. I was living the life so many people dreamed of, but inside, I felt a hollow ache. I missed my family back in Vietnam. I missed the warmth of shared meals, the songs my dad sang to wake us up in the morning, and the grounding feeling of belonging to a community that truly knew me.

Family has always been one of my core values. It’s the glue that holds me together. And as much as I loved the hustle and excitement of New York, I realized that no amount of money or prestige could fill the void of being so far away from my loved ones.

So, I made the decision to leave. I left behind the high-paying job, the fancy office, and the New York dream. I packed my bags, said goodbye to my colleagues, and flew back to Vietnam.

At first, people thought I was crazy. “You’re giving this up? For what? To go back home?” they’d ask, with disbelief in their voices. But I knew deep down that I was doing the right thing. I wasn’t running away from New York—I was running toward something that mattered more to me: my people, my culture, and my values.

Turning Down Vietnam’s Top Tech Unicorns: Choosing Impact Over Income

When I returned to Vietnam, I quickly found myself in high demand. The tech boom in the country was at its peak, and companies were eager to bring in talent with international experience. I was offered executive roles with staggering compensation packages and stock options that made my head spin.

But something didn’t sit right. These roles were lucrative, but they felt transactional. I didn’t want to just hit KPIs or grow someone else’s bottom line. I wanted to make a real impact.

That’s when RMIT, an international university in Vietnam, came into the picture. It wasn’t the highest-paying job I was offered, but it was the one that spoke to my heart. At RMIT, I had the opportunity to coach, mentor, and inspire young people—to help them uncover their potential and become the best versions of themselves.

Taking that job meant saying no to bigger paychecks, but it also meant saying yes to something far more fulfilling. It was an opportunity to serve others, to work closer to people, and to align my work with my purpose.

And let me tell you, that alignment? It’s priceless.

Image: Teaching RMIT students on the topic of managing overwhelm and anxiety (December 2025)

Redefining Success: Becoming a Coaching Entrepreneur

Today, I’m a coaching entrepreneur. I help others find the clarity and courage to design careers and lives that align with their values, their passions, and their dreams. I guide them to succeed on their own terms—not society’s, not their parents’, and certainly not their paycheck’s.

But that doesn’t mean I tell people to ignore money. Money matters. It gives us stability and enables us to invest in our dreams. What I do tell people is this: “Don’t let money be the only thing that defines your success.”

When I left my high-paying job in New York, I wasn’t abandoning success—I was redefining it. When I turned down Vietnam’s top tech unicorns, I wasn’t rejecting financial security—I was choosing a different kind of wealth: the kind that fills your soul, not just your bank account.

That photograph has become a treasured memento, a tangible reminder of a time when the surrounding world seemed perfect but the inside world of me seemed the opposite of that. It reminded me: “The richest life is the one that aligns with your soul.”

Image: In the middle of a face-to-face coaching session - me (on the right, as a coach), and an entrepreneur(on the left, as a coachee). (May 2026)

How to Not Let Money Decide Your Career 

If you’re struggling to make a career decision, here are a few questions to help you gain clarity: 

1. What are your core values?
   Ask yourself: What really matters to me? Is it family, freedom, creativity, impact, or something else? Your career should align with these values. 

2. What does success look like to you?
   Forget society’s definition of success. What does a fulfilling life look like for you? 

3. Does this career choice align with who I am? 
   Your job should feel like an extension of your authentic self. If it doesn’t, it’s time to realign. 

4. Am I chasing money, or am I chasing meaning?
   Money is a tool, not a destination. If your work doesn’t bring you joy or purpose, no paycheck will ever be enough. 

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The Power of Alignment 

When your career aligns with your values, something magical happens. You wake up excited to work, because what you’re doing feels meaningful. You stop chasing external validation, because you’ve found inner fulfillment. 

And here’s the best part: A fulfilling career doesn’t have to mean financial sacrifice. When you’re aligned with your purpose, you’re more likely to excel, attract opportunities, and create abundance—both financially and personally. 

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My Final Thoughts 

Looking back, I don’t regret leaving those high-paying jobs for a second. Every decision I made—leaving New York, turning down tech unicorns, joining RMIT, and becoming a coach—has brought me closer to the life I was meant to live. 

It’s a life where I get to serve others, stay true to my values, and feel genuinely fulfilled. And yes, I still make money—but it’s no longer the thing that defines my choices. 

So, if you’re standing at a crossroads, wondering whether to follow the money or follow your heart, I hope my story inspires you to choose the path that feels right for you. Because at the end of the day, the richest life is the one that aligns with your soul. 

What about you?
What’s one career decision you’ve made that brought you closer to your values?

Book a session with me today to start exploring your strengths, your values, your purpose and what truly matters to you to make the career decisions that feel like yours, truly.

Link to schedule a 60-minute session with me HERE

With love and purpose,
Khanh Linh