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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you enjoy your job, what do you do?

164 replies

UsernameShmusername2024 · 20/05/2025 07:38

Have struggled for years to really understand what I actually want to do. I've mainly worked in public sector policy type roles and currently am in a reasonably senior role where I manage direct programme delivery and also lead strategic decisions about programme design and aligning with local and national govt policy, etc. This is challenging and it's constantly an uphill battle to get different politicians to agree, to find internal funding to invest in projects, etc.
In some ways it's a great job - we'll paid, flexible, great manager and team, and I believe in our mission. BUT it also has the usual way-too-massive workload, I constantly feel like I'm not good enough for it and lack confidence - this sort of strategy role always involves slowly chipping away at things and it can be very demoralising and just generally hard work!

I'm early 40s so have years of working ahead of me and just can't imagine doing this sort of role forever but have no idea really what I'd be happy doing. If you enjoy your job, what do you do? Would love to get some ideas!

OP posts:
CameronCook · 20/05/2025 19:57

Unqualified teacher in a SEN school. Always fun, often dramatic, totally fulfilling, crap pay.

cakewitch · 20/05/2025 19:59

I make cake

Iamuhtredsonofuhtred · 20/05/2025 20:00

Midwife specialising in women with complex social issues. So interesting and you can really make a difference just by caring and going the extra mile. Can be stressful though, but most things worth doing are.

Rainbowcat99 · 20/05/2025 20:00

I’m an advisory teacher for the local authority, I absolutely love it, rewarding but with less of the frustrations of school teaching. I feel very lucky.

monktasmic · 20/05/2025 20:01

Public affairs.

Zanatdy · 20/05/2025 20:01

Civil service but senior ops lead. No day is the same, but it is very full on but I enjoy it

K8Davidson · 20/05/2025 20:03

MartinBishopsbum · 20/05/2025 16:53

Love my job, I work for Citizens Advice

This is actually my dream job! Did you walk into the role, or did you volunteer first?

My favourite role was when I interned in Parliament for ten weeks, I’m not sure if it counts, but I was so sorry to leave!

MyUmberSeal · 20/05/2025 20:04

Funeral operative. Same as many others have said, no day is the same. Love it.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 20/05/2025 20:06

I’m a psychotherapist/psychologist on a psychiatric inpatient ward.
I really do enjoy it.

AusBoundDD · 20/05/2025 20:07

I’m the lead physio within our ICU department. Absolutely adore my job and always have! 30 years post graduate and it’s still interesting, varied and very rewarding. Love working within a big team and getting to know the patients

BananaramaNananana · 20/05/2025 20:10

IT Manager but now only enjoy the training others part (small company)

Woahtherehoney · 20/05/2025 20:15

I work in marketing but in quite a niche area of communications and I love it. I get to work on some really cool and interesting projects and on things that genuinely make a difference to people in an industry that usually isn’t always seen as helpful!

Snickersnack1 · 20/05/2025 20:15

Psychologist. Worked hard to get here, it’s not easy constantly having to deal with people thinking I will be able to change their brains or behaviour as if by magic through my infinite wisdom and insight, so feelings of inadequacy can creep in when I can’t deliver on these expectations.

But, it is a privilege to be doing this work, I do enjoy it, feel it is worthwhile and I’m well paid. So it’s a pretty good deal!

Skade · 20/05/2025 20:18

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Praying4Peace · 20/05/2025 20:29

I'm a nurse and have really enjoyed the teamwork and serving the needs of patients. FANTASTIC career choice

UsernameShmusername2024 · 20/05/2025 20:35

Thanks everyone, really interesting and lovely to hear people being positive and happy in their work!

OP posts:
Howmanyroses · 20/05/2025 20:37

I work at the intersection of data and tech for a large financial institution. I absolutely love it, it's full-on but get to learn so much on the job and upskill myself constantly. Currently there is a lot of emphasis on learning about AI and using AI to create process efficiencies, it's really fascinating

PonyPatter44 · 20/05/2025 20:38

Prison manager. Very stressful, difficult sometimes, spend all day with 'interesting' people, but i absolutely love it.

Sherrystrull · 20/05/2025 20:52

Primary school teacher. Incredibly rewarding and generally so much fun with a brilliant team of staff and great children.

coxesorangepippin · 20/05/2025 21:10

Work in group insurance

Pros:

80% WFH
Great benefits
Nice colleagues
Easy to reach targets

Cons:

Stressful sometimes
Not much recognition
Boring content

SaintNoMountainHighEnough · 20/05/2025 21:13

Secondary school science teacher. Changing career to do this was the best decision (Short of marriage) I ever made.

Pinkandgreentrousers · 20/05/2025 21:14

Learning support lecturer working in a college with both FE and HE students. Mainly 1to1, I love it and feel like I make a difference.

MartinBishopsbum · 20/05/2025 21:15

K8Davidson · 20/05/2025 20:03

This is actually my dream job! Did you walk into the role, or did you volunteer first?

My favourite role was when I interned in Parliament for ten weeks, I’m not sure if it counts, but I was so sorry to leave!

Edited

I started as a volunteer for a year and have had various paid roles since, currently Welfare Rights , volunteering was the best thing I have ever done. We are a great team and have the most amazing manager

HollyIvie · 20/05/2025 21:17

Graphic designer three days a week. Work from home.

FourBlackCats · 20/05/2025 21:18

Software engineer/data wrangler for a really great charity.