More than a Job
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" This is the first of many questions most people remember from their childhood. As time goes on, aspirations begin to change with life experiences. In most cases, what starts out as a job becomes an occupation and eventually turns into a career. It's easy to think of jobs, occupations, and careers as the same thing. While they may be linked into the same cluster, each one yields a very different meaning.
Jobs can be defined as positions consisting of duties and tasks performed by a person in exchange for payment on either a full-time or part-time basis. These paid positions serve as a purpose for one to make and save money for something else, such as rent or mortgage or a new car. Some people work at a job mainly to make ends meet while others utilize all of their effort and energy to do their responsibilities as well as learn new skills. This can be a good quality and eventually impact one's career goals.
An occupation is a category of jobs with similar characteristics. This type of work is more focused due to certain training, skills, and knowledge needed to enhance one's work performance in a specific trade. If someone wanted to have a teaching occupation, for example, one would have to gain training and knowledge in school on how to be an effective teacher. Additionally, paid or volunteer experience as a teacher's assistant or aide, school counselor, or childcare worker, would help one put to practice the skills and theories learned and enhance a career as an educator.
A career is a sequence of jobs worked related to one's occupation. Unlike jobs that can be short-term, a career is more time consuming but very rewarding depending on your goals. For example, if one who wants to have a career in the medical field, he or she would probably worked jobs as a personal care aide, medical office assistant, pharmacy technician and nurse. Many factors can influence one's decision on what type of career to pursue, i.e., family, friends, schools, life experience, etc. However, it's important to remember that you must do what will make you happy. No one else can make that decision for you.
Do what you know (and love) and do your best. When choosing an occupation or career, people will want to know your plans and aspirations because they have your best interests at heart. They want you to be happy and successful in whatever you do. While this sentiment is very much appreciated, what works for one person may not work out the same for you. You can define your goals, create your path, and determine your success.
References and Resources:
Job vs. Career by Tom Denham, Times Union Blogger
The Difference between a Career and a Job by J.D. Roth of Get Rich Slowly
Occupational Outlook Handbook
~Unpublished piece~
Jobs can be defined as positions consisting of duties and tasks performed by a person in exchange for payment on either a full-time or part-time basis. These paid positions serve as a purpose for one to make and save money for something else, such as rent or mortgage or a new car. Some people work at a job mainly to make ends meet while others utilize all of their effort and energy to do their responsibilities as well as learn new skills. This can be a good quality and eventually impact one's career goals.
An occupation is a category of jobs with similar characteristics. This type of work is more focused due to certain training, skills, and knowledge needed to enhance one's work performance in a specific trade. If someone wanted to have a teaching occupation, for example, one would have to gain training and knowledge in school on how to be an effective teacher. Additionally, paid or volunteer experience as a teacher's assistant or aide, school counselor, or childcare worker, would help one put to practice the skills and theories learned and enhance a career as an educator.
A career is a sequence of jobs worked related to one's occupation. Unlike jobs that can be short-term, a career is more time consuming but very rewarding depending on your goals. For example, if one who wants to have a career in the medical field, he or she would probably worked jobs as a personal care aide, medical office assistant, pharmacy technician and nurse. Many factors can influence one's decision on what type of career to pursue, i.e., family, friends, schools, life experience, etc. However, it's important to remember that you must do what will make you happy. No one else can make that decision for you.
Do what you know (and love) and do your best. When choosing an occupation or career, people will want to know your plans and aspirations because they have your best interests at heart. They want you to be happy and successful in whatever you do. While this sentiment is very much appreciated, what works for one person may not work out the same for you. You can define your goals, create your path, and determine your success.
References and Resources:
Job vs. Career by Tom Denham, Times Union Blogger
The Difference between a Career and a Job by J.D. Roth of Get Rich Slowly
Occupational Outlook Handbook
~Unpublished piece~
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