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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask you a question about your job?

34 replies

hickorydickorynurseryrhyme · 02/08/2017 15:44

Do you have an 'average' job? A job rather than a career so to speak. If so, what do you do and are you happy doing it? Are there any people out there who did well at school but prefer to have a job rather than a profession?

OP posts:

dinosaursandtea · 02/08/2017 15:59

How are you differentiating job and profession, though?

DonaldStott · 02/08/2017 16:11

Yes. I am a secretary, more than like always will be. I have never yearned for a career. Did well at school, but didn't go uni.

My wages are very good though. With very good increments And I adore my job. No hassles. Easy. Couldn't be doing with a stressful job.

Cleanermaidcook · 02/08/2017 16:11

I consider my work a job rather than a profession but I know some other people with the same job that consider it their profession iyswim so I think its more about personal expectations.
I am a childcare practitioner, I do this job as it fits in with my children and needs - term time, school hours. I have professional qualifications in this area though so some would consider it a profession.

I have a degree in another area but prefare to do my job as I enjoy it and it fits my needs atm.

SD60659 · 02/08/2017 16:22

My "proper" job is as a contractor for a major utility company (and I do mean major) but I didn't get the job through qualifications.
I also work as a logger & tree surgeon, electrician and general handy-man. I have a wide range of interests so I enjoy the variation in my work.

I don't think I'd class any of it as a career. I effing hated school and bailed out as quickly as possible. Most of the people I went to school with who went on to do degrees etc are literally on the checkouts in Aldi or delivering for the local kebab shop. And no I'm not exaggerating. And again, no there isn't anything wrong with either of those things but it must sting a bit for them after sitting in a classroom for the last thousand years and ending up driving a knackered Vauxhall combo with a payload of doner meat.

MrsStinkey · 02/08/2017 16:25

I have a job as a waitress. I love it and I do it because of that and it fits around my childcare needs. I did very well at school but didn't go to uni because my chosen job didn't call for a degree and I didn't fancy wracking up a student debt obtaining one just because I could.

SpartacusSaiman · 02/08/2017 16:29

I think what makes it a job or career, really depends on the person. Not the job.

I got a job in a call centre. It paid well. Same shifts every week and i could work around dd. I just wanted it to be a job. Didnt really expect to enjoy it or want to go further. But after a while, i did. And now its my career. I dont work in the call centre anymore. In 10 years, i have had 6 promotions and moved to a different area in the same company. I do love it.

TheHobbitMum · 02/08/2017 16:31

I work in a budget supermarket, love it! The people are great and the job pays well while I can work when I want so can always be around for the kids still if I need too (school plays etc) After being a SAHM for a long time I'm very happy to be back working again, although I appreciate the people make it fun so may not be the case elsewhere

starzig · 02/08/2017 16:32

I have a professional job, which can be classified as a career job if you like. However i am happy at the level I am and have no desire to be promoted to a desk job. Therefore to me, it is a job but a job i love

Ylvamoon · 02/08/2017 16:33

I work in a completely different field from what I have studied.
You can call it a job... but I had a few good prospects and moved up within my company to a senior role. I just had training on the job and a few skills (just who I am, really) that where desirable at the time. Not sure how I would find working for a different company in the same role.

I like what I do, as I have no formal training, I'd say it's a job rather than a career.

newdaddie · 02/08/2017 16:41

I think a career is where you are future thinking and plan or have ambitions to progress within that career. Either more money, more responsibility, more experience or for more security/ towards retirement.

A job is where you give your time and/or energy for money. Nothing more. And your focus is definitely elsewhere.

Milliemoo37 · 02/08/2017 16:44

I have a job in retail. I despise it but it's a job that pays the bills and keeps me busy.
I'm starting maternity leave soon and I plan on hopefully finding myself and starting a career.

MyheartbelongstoG · 02/08/2017 16:45

I'm an Accountant and I would consider myself to have a job rather than a career.

As long as it pays the bills I don't care what its called.

skyzumarubble · 02/08/2017 16:48

I was a high flier at school but didn't finish uni. I fell into a profession but I look at it as a means to an end. I don't have an inbuilt ambition.

BabyHamster · 02/08/2017 16:50

Not me OP but I'd like to know this. I have a "career" at the moment but think I'd be much happier with a "job". Scared to make the move though...

Pinky333777 · 02/08/2017 16:56

I'm a nanny. I see it as a job rather than profession as I've nothing to progress to! This is it!
My partner certainly doesn't have your average job. He's a stand up comedian. Not sure if that's a job or career? 😀

Tralalalalz · 02/08/2017 16:59

I have a career. I tried a job when the children were younger and realised that it was never going to be for me. I'm too ambitious and always looking for the next thing. I work for myself now, I started off just wanting to freelance but I'm moving towards growing a proper business and I know I'll never be satisfied with just plodding along.

HipsterHunter · 02/08/2017 17:13

@Pinky333777 that is a vocation!

StealthPolarBear · 02/08/2017 17:14

I have a career and am very ambitious

noodlebum · 02/08/2017 17:17

I'm an office administrator, which I see as a job rather than profession. I love who I work with and the company I work for.

isseywithcats · 02/08/2017 17:30

mine is definitely a job, im a cleaner in a well known american diner chain, three days a week i deep clean the kitchen line, two day a week i clean front of house, its not a bad job work with some ace people but at the end of the week its a wage that buys things, i have a degree but took it as a mature (40 yr old ) student and did the degree to prove i could do it rather than for career choices

GandolfBold · 02/08/2017 17:31

I'm a support worker and see it as a job rather than a career, but its bloody lovely.

wrenika · 02/08/2017 18:36

I have a career. I'm an engineer. But I do miss working a 'job', cause you would walk out at the end of the day and forget about it all until the next shift started...now I go home and invariably end up puzzling over something in my head related to the work I'm doing at the time. I don't miss the customers though. I did part-time work in catering and retail for 13 years and it made me realise how terrible the majority of people are!

Friendzone · 02/08/2017 18:40

I used to have a career, in fact I had a profession. I loved it and I was good at it, but I wasn't ambitious. When the recession hit, I escaped redundancy twice, but was hit the third time.
I now have a job as a secretary for a surveyor (it's been 3 years now). It's a job. I supplement my income with an evening job in a supermarket. I'm pretty conflicted about how I feel about it all. My confidence is low. I used to feel so good about having a career, my self worth was all tied up with it. However, in all honesty, I enjoy not having to think and worry now. I sleep better. I'm pretty content. Once my kids are older I want to try and find something else, that would be more of a career, a middle ground...

Undercoverbanana · 02/08/2017 18:43

Admin. I'm not paid to get uptight, stressed or prove myself. I do the job, live a happy, full, active life. My buzz phrase - "it's all above my pay grade, I know nothing." (That way no one bothers me.)

Genghi · 02/08/2017 18:45

Ok so I'm in a profession but it's my colleague's professional route that will astound most people - she's made a career out of executive support (think PA for big company CEOs) and is now a company secretary on £450k per year.

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