BIG PICTURE PLEASE !

I had a friend ask me a question about how to position himself with regards to the changing economy, his life-passion, and what country to live in!
If America's position in the world is changing, and employment prospects in some industries may be affected for a long time, should he consider emigrating to seek greener pastures elsewhere?

The fact is, many, many factors go into choosing a career and a place to live. Money is only one of them!
Culture, language, standard of living, family, prospects for educating children, political and social security and freedoms, and a long-term partner must all play a part in the decision! A country's economic place in the world is only one factor of many. One needs to consider ALL these issues, not just the world economy.

For example, even if you live in a country that is doing well on a world scale, it won't help you much if you are super homesick and miss your family!

The same goes for a job. When choosing a career, yes it is important to consider employments prospects, the job market and salary. But above all, the most important thing, is to make sure you are doing something you love. You spend at least 8 hours per day working (a third of your life!). Wouldn't it be terrible to waste this time doing something you don't love? You never get this time back!
Indeed, many people make financial sacrifies to have a job they love, over a job that pays better. Afterall, money is a tool that is supposed to be used to make you happy... wouldn't it be better if you could make yourself happy without spending any, in a job you love ?

Designing a perfect life - because that is the goal, isn't it? - is best approached as a holistic, big picture problem. Don't ask yourself only about how much money you want to make. Don't decide on a country to live in purely because of dollar signs (or lack thereof).

You need to paint a picture of the life you want to live IN FULL. It is important for you to be with your family? To speak the local language? To be able to walk on the beach? To not have long working hours? To earn a lot of money?
Once you've dreamt up an ideal scenario of the WHOLE life you want, it will become easier to make small-picture decisions (like your job, your major, etc.).