Your Job is not Your Career

It’s 8:00 in the morning. You are preparing to start the day at work. You go from Monday to Friday. You have a job and receive a paycheck at the end of every month. It’s what you do to pay the bills, to keep the lights on, and to put food on the table. Have you ever stopped to wonder if your job is your career? It’s a question that often gets overlooked. You get so caught up in the tasks at hand that you forget to assess whether your current job aligns with your long-term goals and aspirations.

Difference between a Job and a Career

A job is the work you do to earn money. It could be a full-time, part-time, work-from-home or an onsite job. You may receive an hourly wage or a monthly salary. It can be something you enjoy or endure until something better comes along. On the other hand, a career is much more than just a job. It’s the path you choose to pursue over the long term, guided by your passions, interests, and values. A career is about growth, development, and fulfillment. It’s about finding purpose in what you do and striving to reach your full potential.

Your job may be a stepping stone on the path to your ideal career. I know people who started as teachers and are now medical practitioners. I know people who started as administrative assistants and are now software developers. Your job is not necessarily your career. It’s possible to start with something unrelated and figure it out along the way. My friend is building a career in marketing. She started as a marketing assistant, moved to a social media manager, and is now an SEO specialist.

Some people find it challenging to identify a clear career path. Today, you want to do this. Tomorrow, you want to do that. It is not too late to reflect and define your path.

How to Choose a Career

Assess yourself.

Start by taking inventory of your skills, interests, and values. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What matters most to you? Reflecting on these questions can help you identify potential career paths that align with who you are and what you value.

Do your research.

After self-assessment, research opportunities that match your interests and skills. Don’t limit yourself at this stage. Let’s say you are interested in public speaking. You can take advantage of opportunities in teaching, journalism, counselling, sales, and other areas that leverage public speaking. 

Learn about the different industries and roles available to you. Talk to people who are already working in fields that interest you. Seek mentors who can offer guidance and advice based on their experiences. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to make informed decisions about your career.

Set actionable objectives to help you get there. 

This might involve further education or training, gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work, or networking with professionals in your desired field. Will you need financial resources to achieve these objectives? Are there any free resources for you to meet your objectives? There are more resources to search for online and genuine experts to guide you. Take a bold step now.

You are set to develop yourself and align your job to your career.

Your career is about more than just making ends meet. It’s about finding fulfillment, purpose, and satisfaction in your work. Take proactive steps to chart a course towards a more meaningful and rewarding professional life. Remember, building a career is a journey, not a destination. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt and grow in the process.

Want to talk about finding a career? Send a message.