One important thing to know as you plan towards your profession is to learn the difference between a career and a job. Many people mistake both concepts for each other and often use them interchangeably, but in reality, they are not the same.
While both may require you to work to earn some money, that’s not all there is to it. In this article, we will look at the 5 key differences that distinguish jobs from careers.
What is a job?
A job is any task that you carry out regularly as duties of an employment so that you can earn money. On the job, you are an employee, and your boss is your employer. Jobs usually require mental and physical work, and your rights, duties, and responsibilities are often fixed.
Many people work towards getting a job because it’s one of the fastest ways to earn a living, live responsibly, and help you settle down. However, many people only hold jobs for as long as it serves them. Once a better job opportunity comes along, they make a switch.
What is a career?
A career is a life-long professional journey. It is an occupation that you devote your time to for a good period of your life. Your career is made up of the different related jobs that you have functioned in as you progress in life.
A career is not just any job, but something you like to do that supports your lifestyle and helps you achieve professional goals. When you start out in your career journey, you start from an entry-level position. As you progress in your career, it is not expected that you remain at that level.
Based on your years of expertise, education level, professional qualifications, and self-development, you are expected to advance and build a career path.
Your career is not only about making money in your present, but something you are passionate about and would like to see yourself doing in the future.
5 ways jobs differ from careers
Now that we know what a job is and what a career is, here are 5 major ways a job differs from a career.
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Duration
The duration of a job and a career are quite different. Many times, people may change jobs from one to the next, based on different factors. A person may have to change their job due to relocation, poor work environment, low salary, and many other reasons. It is simply a task or duty you do to get paid and most jobs are usually short-term. A career, on the other hand, is more permanent and at times life-long. The different related jobs you engage in throughout your life make up your career.
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Investment
Every activity you engage in requires some form of investment to be able to get some type of reward. For your job, you invest your time and skills to be able to get paid your wages. A job is usually done to earn a living. A career, on the other hand, requires your time and passion as it may be a lifelong journey of following your dreams. People find it easy to change jobs because you can earn money in any organization. Changing careers is more difficult because it is usually a person’s passion or long-term aspiration.
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Education
When you work a job, you may not need detailed educational qualifications as you may in a career. For some careers, you need an advanced educational degree or skilled specialization in the field. To meet some career goals, you may be required to increase your level of specialization or education.
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Salary
In a job, you get a steady paycheck that caters to your needs for the short term. Usually, jobs pay based on the hours you work, you clock in and clock out and it is more time-oriented. In a career, however, you set yourself up for long-term financial security. You have a steady set of work hours, a more defined schedule, and your salary is usually a fixed sum. You may also earn higher and enjoy more perks and related benefits.
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Satisfaction
Because jobs are usually done to satisfy present needs, many people hardly have time to enjoy what they do. They work jobs so that they can earn something after a certain period. A career offers you more satisfaction because it is usually an area you have a passion for. Every accomplishment comes with a sense of pride, and the desire to climb further up the career ladder. It challenges you to do better and gives you goals to cross off your list.
While a job may be temporary, you can work towards turning it into a career. Find time to continue learning and developing yourself, work with a mentor to expand your horizon, network with people in your desired career path, and continue to build your experience. Doing this will rapidly boost your career growth and future path in the workforce.
