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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:

TimeforanotherChange · 31/10/2019 19:56

Because I'm the sole breadwinner. DH has had to give up work through poor health - won't get a pension for another 7 years, isn't entitled to any kind of benefits.

I enjoy my job; it's a professional, graduate job that's reasonably well paid - but I would give up if I could afford to. I'm early 50s and I've worked for 30 years now. I've about had enough.

Mistigri · 31/10/2019 19:58

I work because I have two children and a disabled/seriously ill husband, and someone has to bring money in.

I don't mind my job, which is interesting and reasonably well paid, but the thought of doing it until I'm 67 without being able to take time out definitely makes it less enjoyable.

Willowkins · 31/10/2019 19:59

I took early retirement but wanted to keep my brain active. I found a part-time job which combines my love of spreadsheets with helping people. That they pay me is a bonus.

WrongKindOfFace · 31/10/2019 20:07

Beceause I need the money. But also I like working (most of the time). I like my colleagues. I like the challenge. It’s good for my mental and physical health. Even if I won the lottery I’d have to do something to get me out of the house and off the internet!

OdddSocks · 31/10/2019 20:09

In my old job I was just one in a crowd. Invisible. Unappreciated. Taken for granted.

Now I'm self employed and my work defines me, stretches me, and satisfies my creative drive.....and I just love it.

It also means that, like today (went to Whitby), if I want to take the day off without prior notice, I usually can.

joyfullittlehippo · 31/10/2019 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pointythings · 31/10/2019 20:18

I have bills to pay - as a single parent, it's up to me.
It adds value to my life - I've worked in the NHS the entire time, in mental health Trusts.
I have great colleagues and I enjoy the social interaction.
Working offers opportunities to learn new things all the time, which is good for my brain.

And I am paid decently for what I do.

nancyjuice7 · 31/10/2019 20:21

I work with people who have done wrong, and I love supporting them to make their lives right again.
It pays okay, I get flexi time and good maternity policy/ annual leave.

Once I have my own children, I will move on, but for me right now it's great.

stoplickingthetelly · 31/10/2019 20:51

I work because I need the money and I’d be bored at home all day, especially once my youngest starts school next year. Probably a bit lonely too because none of my friends are stay at home mums.

Joerev · 31/10/2019 20:53

Oh man. I loved my job. I worked in the music industry in a very male dominated job. I met no other women in 15 years of doing it. I travelled the world. I made very good money and met/worked with people who others only dream of having a glimpse of....

I made the choice to have children later in life so I could do this job. Which I knew I wanted to do since I was 10 years old. I made it happen. I worked my arse off being the only girl in my colleg courses. Where all the boys hated me at first. I worked in jobs where men hated me being a woman and being higher and paid more than them. It was worth it all though.

I’m a sahm now. I’m bored shitless. Retraining in computer coding. As I have an engineering background. I’ve tried for all sorts of jobs. Admin. Anything. I’m not even getting called in for interviews. So decided to just retrain....:my husband is the breadwinner so I don’t even have to work. Which I feel so blessed and grateful for. He spent years working hard. So we didn’t want for anything in life. Which is great. But becomes boring and the same day in day out.

I’m actually quite intelligent and I feel like my brain cells die each time I speak about peppa pig. Retraining has meant they’ve not died. But out of their coma now.

Mcbj86 · 31/10/2019 20:54

Because i love it. (Nursing). Plus Its a break from 3 DCs and housework

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 31/10/2019 21:00

To pay the bills, set a good example to DS, also it stops me going crazy being at home with nothing to do (I loathe housework and couldn't cope without distraction). I have thought about what would happen if I won the lottery, and I would still work, not necessarily in my current job though. I currently have 3 jobs. I only do the 2 part time ones for company and something to do, because the full time one pays enough really.

cushioncovers · 31/10/2019 21:16

I work to earn money, to have a reason to get out of bed on a morning and to have adult conversation.

Original poster

Thumperduck · 31/10/2019 21:25

Interesting, thank you! How did you choose your careers? Do you have a purpose in life and did you choose your job accordingly?

OP posts:

Mcbj86 · 31/10/2019 22:27

I chose nursing as i was at college, didnt know what i wanted to do, missed he deadline for most other uni courses, so went with nursing. Didnt really give it much thought and didnt consider that that spur of the moment choice would lead me to spend the next 15 years doing (and probably another 40 if the pension age keeps rising). I dont envy you, i could imagine having to make a career choice now Im an adult and think of the considerations and conequences. However, yes its important to have a purpose in life and to have job satisfaction. Life is too short not to.

reetgood · 31/10/2019 22:27

@thumperduck I knew where I wanted to be (in the arts). I studied that at uni, did an internship and realised that for various reasons I did not want to make or perform for a living. I do however get the creative process, can mix with a wide range of people, am organised minded and numbers don’t scare me. It’s a fairly niche role that I do, so it doesn’t come up on career routes.

Oth I wish that my education hadn’t fuelled the stem/ arts dichotomy. I am actually quite tech minded, and I kind of wish someone had pointed out to 18 year old me the various interesting routes a creatively minded, technically competent person can take. Ah well!

DramaAlpaca · 31/10/2019 22:31

I like the money, my colleagues, the job itself & it's good for my mental health to be working. My DC are grown up now & I'm not ready to be at home with nothing to do all day, I'd really struggle with that.

SpiderCharlotte · 31/10/2019 22:37

I wanted to contribute to our income.

PixieDustt · 31/10/2019 22:41

I like my job but I work because I have to live.
I'd love to stay at home for a bit with DS but honestly not in the position to which really sucks! 😩

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 01/11/2019 00:44

I fell into my career by accident, I fancied being a civil servant but didn't realise it was a bit of a trap that held you in its grip once in!

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