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Original poster

Why do you work?

70 replies

Thumperduck · 31/10/2019 15:15

Just that really. Why do you do the job you do? Have you always wanted to? Realised later on? What drives you to get out of bed to do your job?

I'm at a stage in my career where I'm questioning what I want - I know I want to work and the general area, but have the opportunity to move industries. The upshot is that I'd learn about other industries, apply my skills in different ways, but they have different drivers and I'm trying to work out what's most important to me.

How did you make the decisions to do what you do now?

OP posts:
isabellerossignol · 31/10/2019 19:17

I work in a not very well paid job. It's not about the money, I spent several years as a sahm so we could manage. I work because I bloody love this job.

Examssuck · 31/10/2019 19:18

Money

OllyBJolly · 31/10/2019 19:28

Because I love it. I love the people I work with. I have some great friends through work. There are bits I don't enjoy but overall the joy of the good times balances out.

I pray that my good health continues so that I can keep working. (Many of my contemporaries are currently retiring).

meow1989 · 31/10/2019 19:28

In short because I have to money wise. I went to uni at 17 and qualified in my profession by 20, though I've done a further years university study too. It's all I've known and I'm reasonably senior now so moving out of my industry would mean a pretty significant pay cut - I can currently afford to do 3 days a week fairly comfortably. I would probably move out of my profession or go back and do something different if I could.

I do mostly enjoy what I currently do and it's interesting and I learn things though.

Mollpop · 31/10/2019 19:32

I need to pay the bills. I don't dislike my job or my colleagues, but if I didn't need the money, I'd quit.

Musmerian · 31/10/2019 19:36

We have 3DC - two at Uni in London and one at private school and we need two salaries. I’m a teacher and love my job, the kids. My department and the school. Directly using my degree every day, lots of variety, lots of stimulation.

reetgood · 31/10/2019 19:38

I am contemplating a career/ sector change as having a child has rearranged my priorities a bit.

I do what I do currently because no-one else was offering it locally when I set it up; because I believe in the value to individuals and society of what I do; because I value(d) autonomy and being able to see the impact of my effort. 50 per cent of the time I think I’m good at it.

I am looking to change role/sector because I need to earn more money. I could apply my generic skills in an alternative role and almost double my money. I’m tired of being responsible for basically writing bids to pay myself, and eating the loss if they don’t come off. I’m tired of being a big fish in a small pond and want to learn more and be able to invest in professional development.

reetgood · 31/10/2019 19:39

oh and I suspect working in my sector is backing a losing horse!

DonnaDarko · 31/10/2019 19:40

My first job was in retail. Despite having a break in career to go to uni, I just naturally feel into customer service and now I can't quite get out of it lol.

On the upside, I have a lot of experience so I've never struggled to find work and I have a management position.

The other reason I work is money. if I had an independent income, I would probably never work again but volunteer, travel, study, spend more time with my son, all the things I can't do because I have debts up to my eyeballs.

Going to go cheer myself up with some cake lol

ThisThat · 31/10/2019 19:40

I work in IT and the job is really varied. I love that people come to me with a difficult problem and I work it out. I enjoy training them on how to use the software, if they're interested and engaged (if not it can be a bit tough). I like completing different projects and being part of a really nice team. It can be stressful at times but honestly I'd be quite bored if I didn't 'have' to work.

Jaffacakebeast · 31/10/2019 19:42

For the money

LisaSimpsonsbff · 31/10/2019 19:43

We need the money but I also like working. I've recently changed careers after having a baby - I loved my old job but I couldn't make it (and particularly the lack of long term stability, as I was working on fixed-term contracts) work in a way I was happy with alongside parenting. I'm less passionate about my new career but I leave at 5 and it takes up a lot less of my headspace, while still being demanding and challenging enough to be interesting.

EleanorReally · 31/10/2019 19:45

it is good for my mental health, my bank balance too,
good for my dc to know that people go out to work, to support themselves

Iamthewombat · 31/10/2019 19:45

Intellectual challenge: important to keep the neural pathways firing.

Colleagues. I love having colleagues and doing stuff with them in and out of work.

Financial independence, including building up a good pension.

Opportunity to wear nice clothes (I’m in a smart profession). That is quite shallow. Hahaha. I don’t care.

Feeling in touch with what’s going on in the world of business.

I could do without the commute though.

yourbeautiful · 31/10/2019 19:47

To pay the bills..

itsboiledeggsagain · 31/10/2019 19:48

I choose to work because I turn into a crazy person if I am not well occupied. Either a total sloth or itchy and antsy.
I am very good at my job and am quite senior and people think I am good - I like being valued.
I am very committed to the public sector
I don't actually get paid much as I am part time but it does contribute to a standard of life.

Samsamsuperman · 31/10/2019 19:48

I like being financially comfortable, I get depressed if I don't work and I want to set a good example to my children.

Egghead68 · 31/10/2019 19:49

Money and because I worry that I’d get depressed without the structure it gives me and time it fills.

Egghead68 · 31/10/2019 19:50

I’d prefer to be part-time though but that isn’t really an option in my role.

TheresWaldo · 31/10/2019 19:51

Utimately for the cold hard cash, but I do mostly enjoy what I do. I couldn't be idle even if a multi-millionaire, I might do different things though.

Egghead68 · 31/10/2019 19:52

Plus some of my work is quite interesting and I like chatting to my colleagues and having lunch with them.

JessicaRarebit · 31/10/2019 19:54

Well income principally as I could quite happily not work if I were rich and volunteer. I also love my job. It makes life so much easier when you look forward to in going to work. The work is interesting and varied and I love my team.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 31/10/2019 19:55

I've randomly ended up earning double what I should. But I work damn hard. Wouldnt work if I won lottery

AnnaNimmity · 31/10/2019 19:55

Several reasons: I need the income. I don't want to be reliant on exH. I want to be a good role model for my children. My job helps lots of other people.

I love my job though, so that's a bonus. For me, I couldn't work in a sector that I didn't feel aligned to my own values - I feel so fortunate to work where I do. It definitely motivates and drives me.

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 31/10/2019 19:55

I was in the bizzare position of having a job working from home being paid a full salary (apx 40k) with a few days travel each month and very little actual work to do - maybe 2 hours per day.

Sounds like heaven but in fact after a while it really got me feeling down, lonely and bored.

I'm now in a busier but more fulfilling job and realised that why I work (after the money I need to live) is purpose. I enjoy feeling useful and for my work to have meaning - helping my clients to solve problems in my case. I like to have things for my little brain to mull over. I like the social side too. So there's lots to like aside from money.