Hello, lovely people!
Today we are going to talk about the differences between careers and jobs; how to tell which one you’re in, and what to do if where you are is not where you want to be.
To start off with, lets break down the differences between what distinguishes between a “job” and a “career”.
Typically speaking; a job is commonly understood to be a “regular, remunerative position” or alternatively a “specific role, duty or function”. What you can take from that, is that if you’re doing the same dang thing, all day, every day, you can probably safely bet you’re in a JOB, rather than a career., and likely a dull one at that. The term “job” gives the implication of limited variation, and a somewhat dependable amount of repetitiveness.
A career, by contrast, refers to a “profession for which one trains and is undertaken as a permanent calling”, or “a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement, especially in public, professional or business life”. To me, that sounds a helluva lot more interesting, fulfilling, and (hopefully) financially rewarding.
If you’re anything like me, chances are you’ve had your fair share of what you consider “jobs”; the repetitive and predictive roles of employment that, after a while, become almost automated, and are largely un-fulfilling. Now, its important to recognise that what one person deems a job, another person may regard as a stepping stone in a larger career. For example; I consider kite-flying a definite pass-time. 100% recreational. However, for someone who has a burning passion for designing, building or testing kites, such a job may be considered a stepping stone to a strong career as a kite designer, or professional kite demonstrator. Etc. Perhaps that person is you. (If it is, please let me know, that sounds amazing?!)
Now I admit the above example may sound a little far-fetched, but do not underestimate the passion that people have for unexpectedly random topics. I once came across a young man who loved video games so much that he made a flipping career out of it; whereas someone like myself has only ever played video games as a way to relax and unwind. Same goes for the famous Youtubers, three examples that come to mind are Freelee, Rawvana and High Carb Hannah; all three of which started their YouTube Channel as an outlet for their passion regarding veganism, and has turned into a full-time career; with endorsements, ebooks, and public speaking (not to mention YouTube views) all contributing to their income, stemming from an activity that many of us would consider a hobby.
If you’re unsure whether you’re in a job or career, the things to ask yourself are these;
- Do you actually enjoy what you’re doing and can you see yourself doing it long-term?
- Do you find the work you do invigorating, satisfying and fulfilling?
- Is there room for growth and progression within your field, company, or industry?
If you answered yes to all of the above questions, congratulations! It sounds like you’ve got a pretty good position in terms of how you’re earning your $$$, and coincidentally, probably one of the lucky few people who have hit the Golden Trifecta of Employment Goals. By my own reckoning, it sounds like you’re in a career, or at least a very stable pathway, and can rest easy and happily continue on your way.
If you find yourself answering ‘no’ to any of the above questions; it may be time to reevaluate. If you don’t enjoy your role and can’t see yourself performing it long term, what are you doing to find something more suited to your skills and interests? Perhaps you enjoy the day-to-day activities and environment that your employment provides, and there is room for growth and progression, but you find the whole thing un-fulfilling. Why is that? Talk to your supervisor or boss about what means the most to you; if you love your company and can see yourself progressing, but find paper-pushing dreary; perhaps you can be re-directed to working on establishing a CSR project, or getting involved in a hands-on project. Perhaps you need more challenging tasks, or would enjoy learning about a different aspect of your business in order to better perform your original role.
Perhaps you answered ‘no’ to all three questions, and are merely holding onto your job for the income it provides. Is there something that you can do to switch industries into something that you find more interesting? Is there a way to make a living on the side doing what you DO love, before transitioning out of your stuck-in-the-mud employment? If you are not under immediately pressing financial constraints, it may be worth considering taking a pay-cut to work in an industry that is more fulfilling and offers more growth opportunities; the short-term cost of a few months at a lower salary is a small price to pay for years of personal satisfaction, and possibly even an ultimately higher salary once you progress in your new *CAREER*
The important thing to remember is that in reality, no one has all of this 100% locked down. Most of us are just figuring it out as we go along, and that’s okay. As much as we all pretend to have our shiz together, for the average person, that’s a far-distant goal. Sometimes just being able to admit to yourself that you’re still figuring it out is enough of a step. And even if you acknowledge that you are in *just* a ‘job’; if it gets you through the day and brings in enough dosh for you to fund some fun-times while you figure out your life, I still consider that a decent win.
For me, my dream is this blog, and my writing career. And so I will continue to pour my heart and soul into this little webpage to bring you snippets of interest, while I maintain a steady 8-5 job. That way, I can have the best of both worlds, even if this website only ever remains a hobby. And that’s okay, too.
xxx
