I think one issue can be where conditions have worsened. Doctors are a good example, they used to get free/cheap accommodation and indeed food out of hours and were paid better but worked longer hours. Now the hours are a bit (not always) shorter but they are paid less cos it didn't keep up with inflation and they no longer get the useful resources like hospital accommodation or free healthy food during night shifts. The winner for this was that doctors had more likelihood of guaranteed work and high pay at the higher ranks (which is less the case now). I think a lot of people don't realise what the sacrifice will be before they start or what that will mean in real terms.