[gyardley]

Whether a degree was the right choice or not, it was the choice you made and you can't unmake it, so there's not much point in dwelling on that. Dwelling on things you can't change will just drive you crazy.

HN is full of threads on how to make more money, whether it's by learning new skills, starting a product-based business, negotiating salary and raises effectively, or freelancing. If you want to earn more money, there's plenty of advice out there. But don't undervalue being happy and enjoying what you do - this is the most important thing, and you've already got that.

[boot]

Seconded. It sounds like you could probably get a higher salary if that's what you're after. But it almost always comes at a cost. Free time. Dating. Kids. Time. Geography. Less interesting work.

Switching positions to more powerful/money takes time, but if you make that the center goal of your life, you will be able to achieve it in time. But you have to seriously stop and think if that is what you want out of life. (And maybe you do - that's okay).

Personally, I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that I may be smart-ish, but I fiercely guard against making work sacrifices for: free time, S/O, kids, time, geography.

Therefore, my peers will probably excel beyond me.