<p>I need as much criticism as I can get before the October SAT.</p>
<p>Here is the prompt:</p>
<p>Most human beings spend their lives doing work they hate and work that the world does not need. It is of prime importance that you learn early what you want to do and whether or not the world needs this service. The return from your work must be the satisfaction that the work brings you and the world's need of that work. Income is not money, it is satisfaction; it is creation; it is beauty.</p>
<p>Adapted from W.E.B. Du Bois, The Autobiography of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Soliloquy on Viewing My Life from the Last Decade of Its First Country</p>
<p>Assignment: Is it more important to do work that one finds fulfilling or work that pays well? Plan and write an aessay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>
<p>Essay:</p>
<p>Life can best be characterized as unknown. We are unaware of its purpose - however, we do know that we desire pleasure. I believe that doing fulfilling work is far more important and beneficial than doing work that is considered "necessary".</p>
<p>This past summer, I had a paid internship at a science museum. Coerced by both parents and guidance counselors, I believed at the time that it was a lucrative opportunity to make money. With this mentality in mind, I went to work four days a week, working 7 - 8 hour workshifts. After the first week, I had concluded that the environment simply was not right for me. My co-workers were haughty and competitive; I was at the beck and call of parents and their incessant whining; and worst of all, I was constantly longing for the freedom of the verdant park across the street.</p>
<p>As the weeks passed, I became gloomier every time I walked through the doors of the museum. At that time, I definitely fit Du Bois' mold of the person who "spent their lives doing work they hated." Nonetheless, my gloom affected my ability to work there. It seemed that everything I did was intentionally sub-par, mainly because I found nothing "fulfilling" out of it. Of course, one would think my paycheck would be decent enough compensation, right?</p>
<p>As I held my first paycheck in my hand, oddly enough, I felt little gratification. One mere check couldn't possibly compensate for the hours of misery I endured. Besides, my work was far from outstanding - I saw no reason for putting in an effort in something I loathed. Just as Du Bois stated that "Income is not money, it is satisfaction.", I, too, felt a similar feeling. If I was going to do something beneficial to the world, to gauge the most out of me, it would have to be something that arouses a good feeling in me.</p>
<p>Today, I write for my school newspaper occasionally submit my writings to contests. And although this hobby may not be as lucrative as my old job, the fact that I'm actually happy with what I do far outweights and amount of money. When I write, I feel as if what I'm doing has a purpose. It just goes to show that people have a tendency to excel what they truly like.</p>