The main difference between a career and a job is that a job is just something you do for money, whereas a career is a long-term endeavour, something you build towards and work upon every day. A job is just a role, but a career is made up of the combination of roles, experiences, education and pathways you take to achieve your goals.

 

Of course, it’s fine if you need to take a job to pay the bills – you may not always have the luxury to be selective. However, we recommend that you also have a career goal that you want to eventually achieve and work towards.

 

Why?

 

• A job may give you a steady paycheque short-term, but a career gives you long-term financial security, as it encourages you to build on your skills and continue learning in order to move up the career ladder.

 

• As technology changes, industries evolve, or things like recessions cause some jobs to become unstable, a career acts like a safety net. The more skills, qualifications and experience you have in your career-area, the more prepared you will be for any situation.

 

• A career increases the likelihood that you’ll earn higher pay and better benefits. You’ll be of greater value to employers as you progress in your career, and you’ll be rewarded accordingly.

 

• If you’re enjoying a career in an area you’re passionate about, you’ll get more job satisfaction and a sense of pride in what you do, which in turn leads to increased overall happiness. A career will challenge you on a daily basis, give you goals to work towards and motivate you, and therefore help make your job more meaningful.

 

• And the best part is, even if you are in a low-paying role that you don’t really enjoy, it may be helping you get closer to your career goals – and therefore all of the benefits above still apply.

 

If you want to find out more about changing your career, read our article here