To ask do you have a "job" or a "career"?

[bennibooboo]

Had this conversation with my cousin. I was complaining about work and how stressed I was this week and she said that "it's only a job" to which I said well it's my career, I love it and I want to move forward etc etc. She said that to her work is just a job...not a career. She works for money each month and that is it.

So it got me thinking? Do you have a "job" or a "career" or is it both to you?

I'm not sure anymore! I'm a teacher and at one point I certainly was working towards a career- going for promotions and planning an upward trajectory. Then life happened, I decided to step back from my responsibility and I just teach although at my age and with my experience i could be doing more. So at the moment a job, maybe a career again one day.

I had a career then I had my kids and now I have just a job.
I don’t miss the stress the long hours, eating at my desk, the working late for career advancement, the pay was nice though!

Now I go to work, do my job, leave in time, see my kids and that’s it.

I have a career, because it's the type where you move up every few years, get training, and move to different companies to get ahead. If you just stay where you are you will probably be sacked - more is required than turning up and doing the job.

A job is, like your cousin said, one where you clock in and out for a salary and that's it.

Well, it started as a career as I moved up the ranks and studied for a qualification to do what I do now, and I always planned to move up further but I’ve now been in the same role at the same company for 17 years so I think I’m in job territory now.

I had a career, it drained me and took over my life.I now have a job I love, that I can totally switch off from when not working. I chose time over money, best decision ever.

I’m not really sure if I have a job or career ?
I enjoy it, get to make a difference in the world , have had to do extra training / qualifications but...
there is no progression - Have done it for a couple of decades .
I was able to take 4 years off to stay home after maternity leave with no impact -returned to a similar role in a different company . ( I mention as often read that people with Careers can’t take such a long time off)

Just a job for me.

Both for me. I did my masters part time while working in the field, masters was self funded. First few jobs it was definitely a career.

This job, many will see it as a career. We’ll probably somewhere between a career and a vocation. People continually train but aren’t in it for moving up the ladder. Sometimes it’s a career for me, something I’ve got 10 years niche experience in. Something I’m passionate about. Proud to put on my LinkedIn. Sometimes it’s just about turning up and getting through the day. Part of that is probably to do with previous issues with my employer (which have settled down somewhat since lockdown, surprisingly). I will move on at some point and I think my job may become my career again.

A bit of both.

My career took years of study, both undergraduate and postgraduate, then 'on the job' training with studying for two years before qualifying. It requires continuing professional development while I have a practice certificate too.
Right now though, I leave work on time to collect my kids from nursery, have quality time, have dinner with them and put them to bed. That's not to say I won't turn my laptop on for a major issue once they're asleep, but not until then.
Fortunately my team, manager, and our diary system means that this is very rarely necessary. Only once since my first child was born actually, but that was additional work on the instruction of a third party which was non negotiable.
My kids are so young right now, that I'm happy to stay at the level I am now rather than actively pursuing further progression. When the kids are older, that may well change.

A career definitely

I am dedicated to advancement and want to climb higher into more senior roles and probably put far too much time and effort in but whilst I have the drive and energy then Ill keep going!

To me a job is when you turn up do what needs done(well) and go home and dont want to push or develop further and dont give your job any headspace outside working hours

@Mygardenisnotperfect

I’m a GP. Other people probably think of me as having a career and in my younger days I would have agreed but I now consider it a job. Possibly because that’s the only way to survive it. Possibly also because I don’t want further hours or responsibility and am satisfied at the moment staying in my current role. I might feel differently when my child is all grown up and I have less stress in my life generally.

Was going to say something very similar. Im an accountant working in finance and was forced into a promotion last year. A lot of people would see it as a career.

But it is hugely stressful with long hours. I try to finish on time one evening a week to spend time with the kids and when I do, I'm anxious about what emails and calls Im missing. To me, its just a job that Im trying to survive in until we have built our house, then I can look at my options.

I think mine is a job. I do it because I need the money. I have no sense of loyalty to it or wanting to progress further to higher roles.

A career I'd say..
It's maths heavy, well paid, requires a degree.
It wouldn't pay as well as a normal (less skilled/experience required) job if I took one.

So I'd say I am in this job and not others, because I'm qualified and experienced to do this job. Think that makes it a career..?

I had a career but have given it up to retrain for another career. Neither are jobs.

@indianelephant

I have a job. F**ked about at school. Left without GCSE's. Had my 3 children throughout my 20's. Now I just work the tills at my local shop. I hate it and so wish I'd taken a different path 😞 I was always in the top sets while at school too. And I read a lot. I think I'm quite intelligent and am so envious of people with careers. I'm always telling my children to just try their hardest at everything they put their hands too so they can find happiness in the jobs they find in the future.

I started a degree (online) in my mid-30s. Paid by taking out government loan. I was also working full time. Can you study online?

A job. A means to an end. Promotion is very, very slow. My employer pays premium wages so I cannot leave and go to a similar organisation in a similar role because my wages would drop by a third (I'm public sector, the rest of the industry is private sector). So I turn up each day, do what I have to and go home.

I’m at the Criminal Bar. When I look back I definitely see it as a career - lots of study, competition at every stage, steps to get there, learning curves, challenges, nightmare cases, etc.
Interestingly when I think of the present and future I see it very much as a job.
Not interested in taking silk - becoming a QC despite senior clerk wanting me to for a long time - or becoming a judge. Basically it really has become a job and a pretty tough unfulfilling job at that ! One I suspect I’d give up tomorrow if I could afford to/had the courage to just walk away from it/had alternative.

I’ve got a job but will soon start a career

breakfast good luck - exciting times.
Support all others whether jobs or careers - for sure these are complex times.

Vocational career for me, which is the best and worst of both worlds at times. Im very invested what I do and love my work but it is not lucrative, does not come with high status and I have gone through periods where I have had regrets about it. It isnt stressful though and is perfect for family life :)

Career. 20 years of hard work plus qualifications. I'm pretty near the top of the ladder. I think I have one more big promotion in me.

I dont think its to be judgemental one way or another. It's just personal preference / circumstances .

A job. I have never had a career and never wanted one. I like my job and I work hard while I'm at work, but it's a means to pay the bills and nothing more. I do my set hours and forget about work as soon as I leave for the day.

I will never be wealthy and I'm fine with that. I own a small 2 bed semi, have no car, chose to have only one child and buy most of my clothes second hand. My job is the least interesting thing in my life.

I've only ever had jobs because I've never found a career I wanted to do. They always seem to involve incredible amounts of stress/pressure, a constant having to meet goal after goal and often extremely long hours.

Fortunately OH was very driven when he was younger so we are in an ok position financially (although he now plans to reduce his hours in a few years and has no wish to progress any further).

I'd like a to do a lot more voluntary work in the future which is something I enjoy much more, I had done a few hours a week for several years pre covid.

Thanks for posting this OP BTW. In real life and on here, I know so many women who have stellar careers. I sometimes regret that I didn't strive to become a high flyer in my early twenties but my current profession aside I've never had ambitions to climb the ladder or have a corporate role. It's a relief to hear that others are similar.