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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you enjoy your job, what do you do?

164 replies

UsernameShmusername2024 · 20/05/2025 07:38

Have struggled for years to really understand what I actually want to do. I've mainly worked in public sector policy type roles and currently am in a reasonably senior role where I manage direct programme delivery and also lead strategic decisions about programme design and aligning with local and national govt policy, etc. This is challenging and it's constantly an uphill battle to get different politicians to agree, to find internal funding to invest in projects, etc.
In some ways it's a great job - we'll paid, flexible, great manager and team, and I believe in our mission. BUT it also has the usual way-too-massive workload, I constantly feel like I'm not good enough for it and lack confidence - this sort of strategy role always involves slowly chipping away at things and it can be very demoralising and just generally hard work!

I'm early 40s so have years of working ahead of me and just can't imagine doing this sort of role forever but have no idea really what I'd be happy doing. If you enjoy your job, what do you do? Would love to get some ideas!

OP posts:
Sunbeam18 · 20/05/2025 21:49

Publisher

CombatBarbie · 20/05/2025 21:49

Work with dogs.....prefer them to humans.

soembarassing1 · 20/05/2025 21:47

You’re all so lucky to have jobs you love. I’ve retrained twice and still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up!

MayaPinion · 20/05/2025 21:46

Academic. I get to work with very smart people and teach very smart kids. I work in a lovely building and have lots of flexibility. It’s a privilege and I thoroughly enjoy it.

wineandsunshine · 20/05/2025 21:40

Primary school teacher and HOY. I do love the role although it’s very demanding and I’m constantly tired.

Colleagues are great and it’s very rewarding!

iliketheradio · 20/05/2025 21:37

Occupational therapy in a community mental health team. I love it and wouldn't want to do anything else.

HappyHedgehog247 · 20/05/2025 21:34

Psychologist/psychotherapist and love it. Sense of purpose, challenge, always learning, endless variety and a massive privilege.

gavelgirl · 20/05/2025 21:28

The clue’s in my username, though I’ve never actually wielded the hammer! My job is really interesting but I do get annoyed by the ridiculous amount of money involved (“they could build a new hospital for the price of that”) so I’d say it’s rewarding for me because I look at nice things all day long, but it’s really not important in the grand scheme of things.

Itsallsostressful · 20/05/2025 21:28

I work in Learning and Development training social work staff and 3rd sector staff. I love my job although I'm such a stress head I still do get stressed out and worry about stuff. Before that I was a social worker for a long time 😊

Toddlernightmare · 20/05/2025 21:28

I’m an Executive Assistant. I’ve done it for 8 years now in a variety of sectors and I love it. I’m a control freak and it just fulfils me so much. Plus the people I work for are always lovely, paid an eye watering amount and boy do I get perks.

I’ve been allowed to use holiday homes, event tickets, one even let us rent his second huge house for a year for £200 a month whilst we were struggling to save for a mortgage. I find Executives to be really genuinely lovely and generous people - which makes it easy to work alongside them and support them.

I work mostly from home as they are usually travelling, I get paid well and I can switch off at the end of the day. I think I’ve hit the sweet spot before I tip over into ‘personal’ assistant and I think I could do it forever.

Headycloud · 20/05/2025 21:27

I work in a corporate environment which means I travel a lot for work all international. I have to wine and dine a lot of clients, deal with CEOs and millionaires….fascinating and the people I meet are very interesting and all have a story to tell.
I do a lot of solo business travel, lots of 121 business meetings, events etc
my job is very varied and I’ve seen the world thanks to my job. I get lots of perks which I’m extremely fortunate for.

more so I have a great team who I get on really well with and my boss is great. I’m never micromanaged and fully trusted.

Han86 · 20/05/2025 21:22

ZebraPrintt · 20/05/2025 21:18

Teaching assistant in a primary school. Everydays totally different but am enjoying it

Snap!
Currently enjoying being a primary TA. Hated secondary teaching (after many enjoyable years) so I am enjoying being in school in a different, less stressful (well maybe different stresses) role.

Tessiebear2023 · 20/05/2025 21:22

I've worked in various satisfying jobs, in private, charity and public sectors. I think the main advice I'd give for enjoying your job is not to stay anywhere for over 7 years, definitely not more than 10.

ZebraPrintt · 20/05/2025 21:18

Teaching assistant in a primary school. Everydays totally different but am enjoying it

FourBlackCats · 20/05/2025 21:18

Software engineer/data wrangler for a really great charity.

HollyIvie · 20/05/2025 21:17

Graphic designer three days a week. Work from home.

MartinBishopsbum · 20/05/2025 21:15

K8Davidson · 20/05/2025 20:03

This is actually my dream job! Did you walk into the role, or did you volunteer first?

My favourite role was when I interned in Parliament for ten weeks, I’m not sure if it counts, but I was so sorry to leave!

Edited

I started as a volunteer for a year and have had various paid roles since, currently Welfare Rights , volunteering was the best thing I have ever done. We are a great team and have the most amazing manager

Pinkandgreentrousers · 20/05/2025 21:14

Learning support lecturer working in a college with both FE and HE students. Mainly 1to1, I love it and feel like I make a difference.

SaintNoMountainHighEnough · 20/05/2025 21:13

Secondary school science teacher. Changing career to do this was the best decision (Short of marriage) I ever made.

coxesorangepippin · 20/05/2025 21:10

Work in group insurance

Pros:

80% WFH
Great benefits
Nice colleagues
Easy to reach targets

Cons:

Stressful sometimes
Not much recognition
Boring content

Sherrystrull · 20/05/2025 20:52

Primary school teacher. Incredibly rewarding and generally so much fun with a brilliant team of staff and great children.

PonyPatter44 · 20/05/2025 20:38

Prison manager. Very stressful, difficult sometimes, spend all day with 'interesting' people, but i absolutely love it.

Howmanyroses · 20/05/2025 20:37

I work at the intersection of data and tech for a large financial institution. I absolutely love it, it's full-on but get to learn so much on the job and upskill myself constantly. Currently there is a lot of emphasis on learning about AI and using AI to create process efficiencies, it's really fascinating

UsernameShmusername2024 · 20/05/2025 20:35

Thanks everyone, really interesting and lovely to hear people being positive and happy in their work!

OP posts:
Praying4Peace · 20/05/2025 20:29

I'm a nurse and have really enjoyed the teamwork and serving the needs of patients. FANTASTIC career choice

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