If you enjoy your job, what do you do?

[UsernameShmusername2024]

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!

Foreign/Defence Policy in the CS. Did a v. brief stint as a diplomat (one posting) before I jacked it in and decided that home-work suited me and my passion was elsewhere (aka I wanted to own lots of dogs).

DH is still a diplomat. He loves it.

You haven't mentioned if your trapped by salary requirements, OP.
Could you afford to change jobs to these other options?
Stressful responsible need-soft-skill jobs often come with high salaries that people become dependent on.

It’s definitely a world away from ours. Good on you all!

I always have to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements for anyone famous - or who thinks they are! To be honest, the real pleasure comes from 'ordinary' stories. I've worked with some amazing people and they're the projects I love most.

I've had quite a few jobs, but the one just before ghosting was journalism. It used to be the case that a lot of journalists ghosted at the same time as being on full contracts at newspapers. That happens less now with the decline in print media but it has flooded the market to some extent as many of them have moved over to ghostwriting as their main job.

Academic qualifications are quite low (currently five GSCEs at Level 4 and over, two of which must be in Maths and English, although many controllers have degrees). Aptitude is what matters, e.g., high levels of concentration, problem solving skills, ability to cope with pressure.

Once accepted for training (which is not a walk in the park) it takes three years to qualify.

I'm a Librarian. I work in a gorgeous library in a very good (state) Secondary school and I absolutely love it. Of course there are days that are tough and parts of the job that i don't enjoy but the young people I work with give me such energy and a great deal of satisfaction.

I worked in investment banks for years and at 58 started a job as medical admin in a private secondary school. I love it - the kids are such fun and engaging and the staff are generally lovely. It's in the countryside and is a beautiful location very happy here. Money is shit though!

Love this-I'm more or less the same except I own a small business in the beauty sector and now I'm near retirement I make sure that it operates round my hobby of dog training, first and foremost by employing a couple of part time staff. I do 12 hrs fixed work a week - rest is mine to juggle. In another life I'd have been an animal behaviourist.

I'm a librarian!

I'm a nurse therapist, working in a pilot to establish better trauma services for children in the care system. I love my job, though it has it's stressful moments.

Retired now, I worked for a building society manager, took a few years off when children were pre school. DH worked in sales for a tissue paper manufacterer. In our early 30s, we sold our house, moved and opened a high street picture framer and gallery which we ran together for 30 years. It had its moments, especially during times of rent increases, but we never had a day where we dreaded going in to work, and we often worked 7 days a week. Go self employed is my advice.

Suspicious in what way?
I know a lot of teachers find it very difficult these days but in the right setting with the right leadership it can be the best career in the world.
sadly those “right” settings are like gold dust these days.

I agree. I love working with young people. I’m in a great school, with nice colleagues, which helps!