I went to the article, and I agree that it’s just as suitable in our local context.
Maybe if you like, you can just drop a link to that newspaper, and hope they’ll reproduce it with permission from NYT.

I also thought that our government has all its scholarships in place to attract talent, though judging by recent confession, there are problems enough recruiting & retaining their best.

We also seem to be following the American trend: our youthful graduates here going the lucrative financial career path, in favour of all other ‘worthies’.

Myself, I’m truly satisfied with the ‘liberal art’ of writing, although I wish I earned enough money, to stop worrying about all those daily expenses, and unavoidable big-dollar emergencies & needs (home, medical, family overseas).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/education/23careers.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Not too sure if The ST has already printed it.

1) I believe I understand how it really feels for you.
If I were to encourage myself, I would say that I’ve also experienced this vast disparity for years already.
But I’ve come to realize, that other areas of non-financial wealth in my life, have made it much fuller, than just the non-existent pay alone.
But that’s just my experience.

2) I also have a doomsday I dread, and it’s surely coming.
Funny thing is, it’s quite sunny here, rather than the expected growing gloom.
I guess I discovered so many interesting experiences, in the scenery along the way, to that approaching dreadful day.
I’m beginning to wonder whether there’s far more to life, than I even suspect.

3) Just sharing my personal reactions.

I think you mean, that finding a job one loves AND pays well, is tough.
I definitely agree, although I really hope to prove it is possible, within my lifetime.

Now, finding a job one loves, may actually be very easy.
I think it’s a combination of something you really like, are good at, and are prepared to go all the way for it.

As the days passes, the disparity between what I get and what my peers get will widen. It’s going to be difficult to keep the mind full and the stomach empty in time to come…

I dread the day where I am stuck at the bottom with no way to climb up to even come close to what everyone else is getting…

In response to your question at the end, I wish to say this:

1. I would love to have your sustained income level.

2. It’s natural and human to want more of ‘out there’ than what we’re already getting.
I think the important thing is to keep working towards getting there.

3. So your passion really is there, I believe you’re rated well, and the future can be brighter and better!

I love technology for the sake of technology. I am usually paid in the range of 70-80K per annum doing my job. I love the nature of my job.

Now comes the hard part. I don’t get paid as much as most of my peers and times and again, I feel inadequate, inferior and I wonder if I could have done better out there in the “real” world.

Does “Passion is over-rated” apply to a person like me?