Engineers want to produce something, said Wallach. I didn't go to school for six years just to get a paycheck. I thought that if this is what engineering's all about, the hell with it. He went to night school, to get a master's in business administration. I was always looking for the buck. I'd get the M.B.A., go back to New York, and make some money, he figured. But he didn't really want to do that. He wanted to build computers.
by Tracy Kidder
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Wallach expresses a common sentiment among engineers—they are driven by the desire to create rather than merely earn a paycheck. He reflects on his educational journey, where he initially pursued engineering with passion, only to feel disillusioned by the idea of working solely for financial gain. This led him to consider furthering his education with an MBA as a way to secure a lucrative job in New York, but deep down, he yearned for the fulfillment that comes from building computers.

This internal conflict highlights the struggle between pursuing a career for monetary benefits and following one’s true interests and passions. Wallach's experience serves as a reminder that many professionals find themselves at a crossroads, where ambition may push them towards paths that don't align with their innate desires for creativity and innovation. In the end, his longing to create computers reaffirmed his commitment to engineering over a life focused solely on financial success.

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