Do You Need A Job or Want A Career?

If you are a young person considering your career options, wondering what to do with the rest of your life in terms of finding employment, you need to consider if you are looking for a job or a career. There is a difference. Jobs are generally viewed as short term things, something that you decide to do to make money, perhaps tide you over until something else comes along.

The problem is, sometimes jobs can become careers. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be. Many people find themselves in a job turned career only because they become complacent and don't try hard to find another job, or finding a career doing something they really enjoy. But what can happen in these jobs-turned-careers situations, is that you find yourself in a "career" that you don't like, but often when it is more difficult to get out of it. Life goes on, and it doesn't take much to find yourself with financial commitments like a car loan, rent, etc, or personal commitments like a spouse and even children. That's when you realize that getting out of the career you have fallen into, is going to be much more difficult than you anticipated. You may not be financially able to quit working and go back to school or not willing to take a risk and leave a sure thing for something new.

So it's important, particularly when you are starting out, to explore all your career options, look carefully at what you might like to do, what skills you need to develop, education requirements etc. Move around some when you are younger, try working for different companies or in different industries if possible. Consider where you see yourself in 5-10-20 years, is it doable? Is it even feasible?

You can stay in a company 40 years trying to become a "whatever," and never get there if "whatevers" need some kind of professional designation you don't have...for example, you might get a job as a helper for a construction company, but you will never become a plumber for that company unless you get the training and the trade designation. It's a little harder to go for that when you are 45 years old with commitments.

Consider carefully, are you looking for a job? Or are you looking for a career? What are the opportunities for advancement? Do you want advancement, or would you be happier to work in a good paying job with less responsibility. Do you have a talent that you need to exploit to get the job satisfaction you need to work for the next 30or 40 years?

Remember, jobs are and should be considered shorter term opportunities, careers are for the longer term. Make sure you pick one you like.....