Number 2 is the way to go in my opinion. There is a large focus on how you make your money in the US. Most people judge and are judged by the amount of money t

Number 2 is the way to go in my opinion. There is a large focus on how you make your money in the US. Most people judge and are judged by the amount of money they make, how they make it, and what they spend it on. Instead of calling it how it is, people work under the assumption that doing 'meaningful work' makes up for that obsession. If you happen to find work the is personally fulfilling, then you are lucky. I would suggest that instead of chasing the work for fulfillment, find out what actually makes you fulfilled and then find a way to achieve that. For me, I am most fulfilled by 1) creating stuff, and 2) being outdoors. While coding/programming falls under 1, I prefer making studio art (painting). So I do whatever work I need to do to afford to make art and spend as much free time outside as possible. Camping, hiking, etc. If you are fulfilled by helping people, you can donate your time to a local shelter/habitat for humanity/kids group/etc. If its parenting, then focus on building a killer family life. Ultimately, and this is the cynicism in me, life is meaningless - therefore we are free to create meaning how we see fit. Trying to shoe-horn the 40 hour+ work week into personal fulfillment is a hallmark fantasy. How do you keep people coming back and creating profits for a company, 40+ hours a week? Try to sell them on the idea that they are 'making a difference' and 'changing the world' and will be 'fulfilled'. It's all smoke and mirrors.