Do you have a job, or a career?

[Deleted]

Heading into month 5 of being unemployed (in a regular job, I'm currently working a temp job), I'm thinking a lot about job vs. career. I have assumed since my job ended in July that I would only apply for jobs in HR because that's my career field. So far, that's not amounted to much. But I am really hesitant to apply for jobs outside of HR. If I continue working in a business setting (in other words, if I don't go back to school and switch fields entirely), I do think HR is where I want to be long term. I am not sure that taking a program manager or office manager or whatever job is the right move if I want to have a CAREER vs. just a string of jobs.

But is that how people look at it? I see all these jobs posted that seem like JOBS rather than careers, and I start wondering if most people work jobs rather than making strategic career moves. I mean do most people apsire to be an office manager, or do they take a job because it's steady income for a good company with good hours and benefits? And is there anything wrong with that?

So I want to hear about career paths and whether you look at each job as a stepping stone in a specific career, or is it more about each individual job meeting your current needs without necessarily being a particular path?

[v]

Career, but one that really sucks and has tons of downfalls (high stress, psychotic bosses, long hours, no job stability or room for real growth, moving to a more desirable job is very difficult because there is so much competition even among the very well-credentials...). The grass isn't always greener...

I am looking desperately to make a move to a less sucky job, but it will still be part of the big picture of my career.

[eddy]

I am in a program manager type position and I have always seen it as a career. I have also always worked in higher ed so I know my perspective is skewed. There is certainly room for advancement. I actually found out yesterday that there will be a good chance that I am going to be promoted. /fingers crossed

But I am not like live or die passionate about it. I am good at it, it isn't painful to do, I am passionate about my department and purpose, but there is also a lot of grunt work I could do without lol. I have awesome work/life balance which makes the crappy stuff managable.

So I am like 60% career and 40% job I think.

[mbcdefg]

Job

I've never particularly cared whether or not the work is challenging or what title I have. I've only hated the jobs where I didn't make enough money, where I had to stay late every night, and where I was treated like garbage. And my concerns about the future with a particular company are solely based on whether or not I'll continue to have a job there ... I'm not really looking to become a manager or CEO someday.

As long as I can manage the workload and I'm not going home crying, I'm satisfied.

[orangeblossom]

See my rant on CEP. I had a career, not sure if I'll be able to get back on track and when.

[LoveTrains]

I have a career. I am working on what the next step is in that career.

[t]

The job I have could certainly be a career, but not mine. I was offered an opportunity that I couldn't refuse but I'm not crazy about it long-term. The experience is good, but quite frankly I have more responsibility than I want at this point in my life.

[Deleted]

I have a career that is stalled out my current job. There is no room for upward mobility, so I'm left with the choice of study and comfortable for ever and ever and ever amen, or move into a different position where moving up would be limited.

I'm looking at switching careers because of this.

[Susie]

I have a career. I invested a lot in getting the professional degree and licenses necessary to do it, and plan to stay in it. I have daydreamed on occasion about random jobs because my career has its low points like v mentioned, but my earning potential within my career means those are things I could maybe do part time in retirement or something.

[Deleted]

Lately I've been feeling more like I have a career, not just a job and it's nice. I'm taking nice steps forwards and sticking with the same general field.

Career vs. job is a personal choice that is based on priorities. There is nothing wrong with either, it's which ever one works for you.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2014 10:44:08 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

In regards to your second paragraph, no I don't think there is anything wrong just working a job. And yes, some people do aspire to be an administrative assistant or an office manager. Just because a career goal isn't prestigious or one that is going to make you wealthy doesn't make it any less of a goal.

Ah. I think I left out part of the thought I meant - do people aspire to be an office manager IN A PARTICULAR FIELD (i.e. they want to manage an insurance office becuase they like working insurance, or manage a program in education because they want to work in education) or do they just take these sorts of jobs wherever they are open because they fit the skillset they have?

Like I could probably qualify for a program coordinator/manager a lot of places, but is that the right move for me if there is a field I am particularly interested in? Can I reasonably expect to be happy and fulfilled for the next 35 working years if I take jobs in random areas/fields that fit my skillset, instead of staying in a particular area of interest? I know nobody can answer that personal question for ME - I'm just curious about others' mindsets, I guess.

[crashgizmo]

DH and I were just talking about this the other day. Some people work to live, and some people live to work.

We are both "live to work" people at our core. We both had careers, and we moved to CA 16 months ago for DH's career. Due to that move, I now have a "job" rather than a career. It has been a huge challenge and I find myself very unsettled. It's a good job- I WFH, make great money and have little responsibility. But it's not my life's work, my passion, as other jobs have been for me.

I have a best friend who both her and her H are work to live people. They want a good job that pays well so they can provide for their families. They care nothing about titles, passion, or career upward mobility. In her words, her satisfaction comes from other parts of her life. So I think it's a personal choice.

[arch01]

My job became my career. It didn't start that way. DH and I made the decision for me to work on moving up since where I started was certainly just a job for me. Where I'm at now is more of a career.

DH has a job. He puts in his time, comes home and forgets about work. He doesn't have a ton of mobility, is in a pretty specialized area, and if he wanted to leave would have to start over from scratch. He may or may not stay there for the rest of his working years. There's nothing wrong with having "just a job". His original career aspirations didn't work out, and he goes through times where he questions whether or not he wants to stay in his position/department for the rest of his life, but he doesn't know what else he'd do.

[hamster]

I have a career field, but I am not a career oriented person by any means. I prefer being a worker bee. I have no desire to climb a corporate ladder, get into management, etc.

[noodleoo]

I have never really planned out my career. I've realized that I'm honestly not that ambitious. All I really want is a job that I'm good at and I enjoy, that pays well, is flexible and has good benefits. Honestly, bonus if it is pretty easy. I feel like this sounds lame, but it is honestly what I want.

I was in one job for a long time that met all these needs. I stayed there too long though and it changed and ended up sucking. I've since changed industries since I didn't want to do that job anymore. Well, really the job I had was pretty unique and doesn't really exist anywhere else.

Now i'm in a very career focused corporate environment. I could have a careeer here, but I don't care that much about it and don't want it. I see the people who have moved up the ladder and they work crazy hours, are tied to their cell phones, are expected to reply to emails at all hours of day, night, weekend, etc. I don't want that. I plan to stay here for the time being but not sure what my plans are after that. And honestly, that's okay with me. I"ll figure it out.

I wish my H was a bit more career focused. I know that's mean, but he is ambitious, he just doesn't plan. I'm getting sick of hearing him complain about it but not take any actual steps to figure out how to move up the ladder.

[pinkdutchtulips]

I've got a career, while it may look like I've job hopped like crazy (I've been in my current position for 5 1/2 years - reformed job hopper lol) I've always made upward moves between firms for more responsibility or a new practice area keeping the same position. paralegals don't get promoted unless its w/in a BigLaw firm .. most make upward moves from firm to firm.

a job to me is something you do, a career is something you invest in and actually care about.

[gibbinator]

I've worked nothing but jobs since University up until last year. So about 7 years of just going to work for a paycheck without really any love for what I did and no intention to do them long term.
I'm now working in the field I studied for, and, assuming it works out long term (self employed) I'll call it a career.

[ssmjlm]

I'm in a career. I plan to stay here and continue to move upward. It's been mentioned I'm being groomed for further management and I'm looking forward to it.

[Deleted]

I aspired to a career (in criminal justice) and I had many chances but the timing was always off due to pregnancy or moving. Then I got a Career position and the hours were so horrible I never saw my family and had to quit that position. Now I have a JOB (admin) that is low stress, great hours, and good co-workers. It's the right job for me at this time in my life.

BUT...I still want a career. I plan on getting my Masters (for free, I work at a university) and then focusing on myself and my career goals. I just turned 40, my kids are more independent and I still feel like I have more to give professionally.

I have a group of 6 close friends from college, half of us have careers and the other half have jobs. It's just how life has worked out, but there's no judgement.

[lmdbww]

Nov 21, 2014 11:44:31 GMT -5 crashgizmo said:

DH and I were just talking about this the other day. Some people work to live, and some people live to work.

We are both "live to work" people at our core. We both had careers, and we moved to CA 16 months ago for DH's career. Due to that move, I now have a "job" rather than a career. It has been a huge challenge and I find myself very unsettled. It's a good job- I WFH, make great money and have little responsibility. But it's not my life's work, my passion, as other jobs have been for me.

I have a best friend who both her and her H are work to live people. They want a good job that pays well so they can provide for their families. They care nothing about titles, passion, or career upward mobility. In her words, her satisfaction comes from other parts of her life. So I think it's a personal choice.

This fascinates me, but it's so true! (I have heard this same theory used with other things, such as people live to eat or eat to live...)

Clearly DH and I are "work to live" people.  We both have interesting work situations which offer a lot of flexibility and other perks, but neither one is a "career", per se.  He does have room for advancement (whether he's interested in it or not lol) I, however, have none (I work in the family business, and, I'm pretty much "in it to win it" until my dad retires and at that point i'll prob be at a crossroads about what to do next).  Even still we are at a great point in our lives where we feel secure and happy, have everything that we need at home, etc. And it's totally fine.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2014 11:44:01 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Nov 21, 2014 10:44:08 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

In regards to your second paragraph, no I don't think there is anything wrong just working a job. And yes, some people do aspire to be an administrative assistant or an office manager. Just because a career goal isn't prestigious or one that is going to make you wealthy doesn't make it any less of a goal.

Ah. I think I left out part of the thought I meant - do people aspire to be an office manager IN A PARTICULAR FIELD (i.e. they want to manage an insurance office becuase they like working insurance, or manage a program in education because they want to work in education) or do they just take these sorts of jobs wherever they are open because they fit the skillset they have?

Like I could probably qualify for a program coordinator/manager a lot of places, but is that the right move for me if there is a field I am particularly interested in? Can I reasonably expect to be happy and fulfilled for the next 35 working years if I take jobs in random areas/fields that fit my skillset, instead of staying in a particular area of interest? I know nobody can answer that personal question for ME - I'm just curious about others' mindsets, I guess.

Personally I ended up in pharmaceutical research by complete accident. It has definitely become a career.

I could turn about a million things into a career because I'm interested in almost everything and am super competetive.

[wanderlustmom]

I call it a vocation not to sound like a douche but because I love it and I would do it for free if money were no object.

DH has a job. He would quit tomorrow and never look back if we didn't need the money. He is never excited to talk about it at dinner parties.

[FishChicks]

I have a career. The specific jobs I've held were designed to build up my skill set and give me the ability to grow that career. I've known the field I wanted to be in since high school. I believe my PhD is in the same field as yours @buckybells - but it's been a good fit for me.

I've had to take some jobs that weren't what I wanted, but were close enough for me to gain transferable skills. When I was facing layoffs last year, my DH encouraged me to look for any HR job, but that wasn't right for me. In the end, I didn't get laid off, and I found a new job that helps me move to the next career step I was seeking. I've had to give up some responsibilities to take that job, but I've also gained new experience that, when combined with my previous job, will let me keep moving on my desired career path.

I should also add that I'm very open to taking on a broad range of work. As long as I"m learning something even vaguely relevant to what I want to do, then I'm happy. If I stop learning, that's when I know it's time to move on to a new job to keep my career going.

[ddi741]

I have a job. I don't know that I consider it a career but I never saw myself as a 'career minded' person. I just want a job I can go to that I enjoy, that pays me enough to live and that doesn't interfere with my life.

I've worked at 3 companies since I was 17 years old. I've done various jobs, started as a file clerk in accounting and evolved from there. I have finally found something I truly enjoy and the next time I look for a new job, I'll stay in the same field but I still don't know if it's a career.

[nomad100]

This may sound weird but I had a career/career path and now have a job, and I am doing the same thing in the same industry.

I moved from a large market for my industry and career path to a very small one (only 3 firms in the city have people who do something similar to what I do) and the org charts are very flat. Where there used to be a lot of upward mobility now I have almost none. So I basically have a job since my career path has dried up.

Sigh.

I know I could translate my skill set to another area but I know it would be step back and at this point in my working life, not sure if that would be a good idea if I didn't have to do it.

[sicilygirl]

I have a career. I have a BBA/MS in Accounting and am a CPA. I started out as a tax intern in public accounting, then moved on to staff accountant, and am now a tax manager. I've moved around firm-wise, but have always been on the tax side of public accounting. The end-goal for me is to open my own tax practice within the next couple of years.

It's nice to have such a defined career path, but at the same time it's very limiting. If I decide I don't want this career anymore, then what the hell else am I going to do? I work a lot of hours, and it gets a little more exhausting every year (as I get older, lol). My plan to work for myself should allow me more flexibility in the future as I would obviously make my own hours, but of course being your own boss is never easy.

[mlvmd]

I have a career. I am challenged, there is a ton of room for growth, and it is interesting. I would still walk away and never look back if I won the lottery.

[cjeanette]

I have a career but it came out of taking a temp job almost 10 years ago.

[genet313]

Here's how I literally just realized I have a career and no longer a job:   I went on vacation and it was worse for me before and after the vacation trying to get stuff done/play catch up than I've ever experienced.

It's not just work that I'm catching up on, it's actually managing client expectations, trying to make clients feel like "I'm back" and available for them, etc.   And that to me makes it feel like a career - even though as a lawyer all I really do is push paper, it's actually important paper to my clients and to me.   Which should make it really interesting when I go out on maternity leave...

That said, I'm honestly longing a bit for the days when I just had a job.

[Deleted]

I'm creating my career. Taking my 12 years of job experience and turning it into the career I want for myself.

I don't think there's anything wrong with holding down a good job, with benefits, etc.

That's just not for me. When I'm not passionate about something it shows in my work, and my work suffers.

I'm very ambitious and came from nothing so it's very important to me to create something for myself. Change the rules.

Good luck!!