To want a job rather than a career?

[Louise931]

Do you have a job rather than a career? Feel like I should want a career but I don’t?

Yes. It’s been a recent transition - back to the workplace after 10 years kids/self-employment.

I’m 50% pissed off the salary is so pathetic - and 50% fucking delighted it doesn’t creep into my personal time.

It’s for the LA and although it utilises my skill set (partially), it doesn’t require me to be thinking about it evenings/weekends etc.

I think the difference is partly ambition/mindset. I'm a teacher and I reckon I'm decent at it, but I have no desire whatsoever to get promoted to head of dept or some other leadership role. It's a job, it's fairly easy and it pays well, the end. "Career" implies some kind of journey involving promotions, in my view - definitely not what I want!

I have kind of half and half I guess. It could be a proper 'career' if I wanted it to be, and can require out of hours work, but I mostly see it as a means to an end. It pays bills, and doesn't have the managerial responsibility I loathe. So I'm happy with it, although they do keep mentioning my progression etc. No thanks.

Do you have a career but want to transition?

I have a professional job in I.T./Finance, in this field people usually try to climb the career ladder, but I prefer to stay at the bottom, not sure if I am normal.

@AllOfUsAreDead very similar situation to you! I just don’t want it right now?

Maybe I’m not abnormal after all haha!!

I have a very well paid career and am very senior in it, but there is the expectation to keep pushing for that one final promotion (nowhere really to go after that).

I would really rather just stay the level I am and coast now. I am too tired to keep struggling for the final hurdle. But the mentality is that you either keep trying or you are out. They only want to keep people with ambition.

I have a full on career at the moment - I've loved it but can't wait for another x amount of years when my contract ends. At that point - I will retire from a full time career to a job - one with no added pressure where I won't be expected to work over and above my contractual hours.

Can I ask what it is you do @Blert

This is me. I’m a qualified teacher with nearly 20 years experience, but I’m working for minimum wage (in a school based role) as I just want some money and be able to pick my kids up.

Mine is both, I guess.

I run my own business a

I had a career and then spectacularly burnt out, stepping down to a much junior role.....at the time I felt a complete failure, fast forward a few years and I witnessed many other managers also stepping down, now ive switched jobs completely and love that im learning something new...but no more line management and i leave all thoughts of work at work. I definately work to live and not live to work

Oops, posted too soon.

I run my own business so I suppose that makes it a career but I only work 25-30 hours a week and I certainly don't let it take over my life like some careers do.

[quote Louise931]@AllOfUsAreDead very similar situation to you! I just don’t want it right now?[/quote]
I don't want managerial ever. The current team isn't bad, but a few are lazy and I couldn't cope being their manager. And then there's always the worry of getting others in that are worse. I like not having that stress, I like just doing my job, suggesting improvements and letting management handle the hard crap. I like having that buffer between me and the head of department.

I have always been very ambitious. I have had a very good career and earn well.
However, I am planning to get a lower paid job and start to actually live a little.

How do you define the difference, OP? What makes something a 'job' and something else 'a career'?

If by job you mean something where you can literally switch your mind off work and work responsibilities etc the moment you are finished then YANBU

I've never wanted a career. I'm a cleaner in a care home now and I like it- I do my bit and go home and that's it. Minimum wage but that doesn't bother me.

I’m not too sure if I’m honest, what is the actual difference? I work to earn money to provide for my family, I don’t think about it when I’m finished but there are progression routes that I choose to avoid?

@Louise931

Can I ask what it is you do *@Blert*

Senior management in Big 4.

I'm happy with a job and not a career. I'm only working for the NICs that I need to make up before I hit state pension age. I enjoy my job and like the people I work with, but could leave without a backward glance tomorrow. I leave the job at the door, and don't give it headspace when I'm home.

I'm similar to @mummy1608 but substitute teaching for nursing. I'm a Band6 so could go a lot higher but have no desire. The higher you go, the more stress you get for not much more pay. As well as that it means you have little patient contact. I went into the job for patient contact, not to sit in an office ticking boxes all day. Plus there's always a demand for experienced professionals at grassroots level, imo.

So yes, while it can be a career, it's a job to me.

I had a 20+ year professional career, which I’ve just walked away from for family reasons. If I do go back to work, it will be for a job.

As long as you can support yourself, and not have to depend on a man / or be trapped in a marriage because you can’t afford to leave. All fine.

Don’t overestimate what ‘a career’ is though. It’s just a job with some progression prospects.

@Vampirethriller, I think that is great that you are happy in your job. I had a lunchtime role in a school I loved but I wanted to learn and become a TA and moved on. I gained loads of new skills and experience but I'm not as happy and wish I'd stayed at the school I was at.