Do you have a JOB or CAREER? Inspired by "Occupation" thread

[sweet angel]

I have a "job" -- never wanted a "career". I define the difference as:

job = working set hours, not bringing work home, work stays at work

career = working set hours and other hours, bringing work home, working on vacation, etc.

I do my job to the best of my ability, but my time is my time. Perhaps it's just my interpretation of the two words.

Discuss. (Poll coming)

 

[punkin]

I used to have a career. Now I have a job (part time at that). My kids are getting to the age where I can think about having a career again, but no one wants to hire me.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I believe there are some similarities between the two with a career being the extension of a "job." A career involves progressing in a chosen field, advancing through the ranks while increasing job skills and contributions. I have both.

 

[sweet angel]

I believe there are some similarities between the two with a career being the extension of a "job." A career involves progressing in a chosen field, advancing through the ranks while increasing job skills and contributions. I have both.

I'm a legal secretary/office manager....not really anywhere to advance to.

 

[jenks0718]

I believe there are some similarities between the two with a career being the extension of a "job." A career involves progressing in a chosen field, advancing through the ranks while increasing job skills and contributions. I have both.

I agree with this. I have a career IMO, but I dont take work home with me or work during vacations or anything like that. I have advanced skills in the credit industry and that allows me to be promotable and demand higher salary.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I'm a legal secretary/office manager....not really anywhere to advance to.

You can't study to become a paralegal or even a lawyer?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I agree with this. I have a career IMO, but I dont take work home with me or work during vacations or anything like that. I have advanced skills in the credit industry and that allows me to be promotable and demand higher salary.

I occasionally take work home to do while commuting or maybe after dinner. However, weekends are work-free time as is vacation. I don't check e-mail or voice mail while on vacation.

It's ok if all someone wants is a job and that's what satisfies them. There are people at my company that just want to work 9 to 5 and that's it. If they're happy and fulfilled, who am I to push them to change?

For me, a job alone was unfulfilling. I need a career to have a constant source of challenge and growth.

 

[KelNottAt]

I voted job, but to some people it probably looks like I have a career. I've got a degree, I'm middle management at a multi-billion dollar corporation, travel sometimes, etc., etc.

Truth is, I just go to work and do my job to the best of my abilities. I've never sought a promotion, they just "happened." I'm here because I can't find happiness living dependent on my husband.

At this stage in my life, I really don't care about climbing any ladder. If I could make this kind of money flipping burgers, I would.

 

[caitycaity]

i voted career and then read your post. i don't agree with your definitions. for the most part i keep work at work, but i definitely have a career.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

According to HR I'm career. That means I have 15 years invested (took 7 off to be a SAHM or else I'd have 22), I am working my way up, looking at the long term, meaning retirement.

 

[sweet angel]

You can't study to become a paralegal or even a lawyer?

Having been in this position for almost 20 years, I am essentially a paralegal. I simply don't have the credentials. I have no interest in becoming a lawyer and having to be at the beck and call of clients 24/7.

That said, the new associate who is taking over our small firm has LESS legal knowledge than I do. Doesn't bode well for us.

 

[sweet angel]

i voted career and then read your post. i don't agree with your definitions. for the most part i keep work at work, but i definitely have a career.

That's great -- you have the best of both worlds.

They're not actually my "definitions", but more how I interpret the difference-- obviously others are free to have their own interpretations.

 

[GoofyDad869]

I have a career, but now I'm in a position where I don't *have* to take stuff home, work on vacation, etc. if I don't want to. We have set this company up so that family time really is important, which is pretty different than what you would find in my industry (architecture). It's a constant balancing act on all levels, but nobody ever said it would be easy, right?

I really do love what I do - every day is different and it's never same-old, same-old. The flip-side of that is some days (like during deadlines we have no hope of meeting, or rolling out a new server installation) I wish it could be a 'gotta-shuffle-the-papers-around-my-desk' type of job.

 

[sweet angel]

I have a career, but now I'm in a position where I don't *have* to take stuff home, work on vacation, etc. if I don't want to. We have set this company up so that family time really is important, which is pretty different than what you would find in my industry (architecture). It's a constant balancing act on all levels, but nobody ever said it would be easy, right?

I really do love what I do - every day is different and it's never same-old, same-old. The flip-side of that is some days (like during deadlines we have no hope of meeting, or rolling out a new server installation) I wish it could be a 'gotta-shuffle-the-papers-around-my-desk' type of job.

I wish my job could be that too.

 

[SC Minnie]

I voted job, but to some people it probably looks like I have a career. I've got a degree, I'm middle management at a multi-billion dollar corporation, travel sometimes, etc., etc.

Truth is, I just go to work and do my job to the best of my abilities. I've never sought a promotion, they just "happened." I'm here because I can't find happiness living dependent on my husband.

At this stage in my life, I really don't care about climbing any ladder. If I could make this kind of money flipping burgers, I would.

I am kind of in the same situation your but I kind of view mine as a career. If I were to leave this company I would look for a job in this same field. I have advanced as high as I think I really want to right now. My bosses level would be the next step. I don't think I am ready for that yet at least not in the division I am currently in. In another 5 years maybe. I did interview for that position for another smaller division and came close to getting it (our VP was impressed with my interview my coworker scored 10th of a point higher though). I could have done that job blindfolded but I am glad I didn't get it because they announced 3 mo later they are selling that div and he will be out of a job . Moving to any other div would require moving and I don't want to do that.

With each promotion I have gained a stronger skill more defined skill set. I have been doing this same thing in some form or another for 15 years and can't see myself getting the same pay doing anything else.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I have what I consider a career.

I always looked at a job as being something that you go to each day and then leave it behind. I see a career as something that you're continually working on.

I'm a real estate agent and yes, I take work with me on vacations, and I'm available for work seven-days a week, but it's not like I work throughout all of my vacations, or every single day. I'm there to represent clients and have a duty to do so, so I can't abandon them - ever. If I have files I'm working, I have to bring them with me, just in case.

I love what I do and I feel sorry for people who get up every day and drag themselves to jobs (and yes, careers too) that they hate. To me, that's a living hell.

 

[sweet angel]

Poll is currently at 50/50. Interesting.

 

[puffkin]

I voted job, but to some people it probably looks like I have a career. I've got a degree, I'm middle management at a multi-billion dollar corporation, travel sometimes, etc., etc.

Truth is, I just go to work and do my job to the best of my abilities. I've never sought a promotion, they just "happened." I'm here because I can't find happiness living dependent on my husband.

At this stage in my life, I really don't care about climbing any ladder. If I could make this kind of money flipping burgers, I would.

This basically sounds like me. I want to get promoted one step higher or so in my company and that is it. I am not interested in going higher because I don't want to be married to my job. I never want to be married to my job.

Perhaps if I found something that I truly love, I would feel differently. However to me, it is just job and not a career.

 

[FroggyinArk]

ok i may be the odd ball.. i havea job.. that is the natural extension of my craft. i am not a career p[erson,, nor a working stiff,, i am a craftsman, and prtoud to be such.. yes i bring "work" home but hten i work from my home and ussually what ever i am doing here is for us.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I voted career, but I never bring my work home. Heck I am currenlty not doing any paid work. The reason I voted career is I consider being a therapist and social worker part of who I am, even if I am not currenlty working (SAHM). It is something I worked for a very long time to acomplish and I am proud of it.

I used to say I loved my job on weekends, holidays and vacations. I never took work home, (if I could help it) and on vacation was always on vacation (same with DH.) I also always took all my vacation days.

The thing is now that I am not working I have more time or "research" my frield, read, go to workshops the like. When I was busy working I didn't have as much time for that.