Of jobs and careers
Recently happened to attend a seminar on Career "path-ing". It was interestingly worded for such an important topic, for i wasn't sure if "pathing" was a right term in first place. It was a sell out session nevertheless and many interesting points where shared. Primarily it was about, the concept of career - does anyone ever really perceive or understand the concept of it and even if they do, what efforts do they take towards achieving it or setting things right. There was a loaded question which triggered the whole session - what we perceive as a good career and who has them. There were some obvious answers and the more it got drilled down from there, eventually it ended in a stage where, even the ones who had answered as what they perceived to be pointers for having a great career, where either not sure how many of those pointers where applicable to them or whether they had any plans to address the gaps, which they themselves were aware. It threw open an interesting scenario with lot of answers and everything specific to the individual addressing that question, with no wrong answers possible!! I wanted to take a step back and understand the question in first place and how it applied to my own case.
The thought process that started was around "what is a career" and how is it different from a job? To me job is anything that earns you money. I am leaving out the philosophical and other empirical data points for the moment. But basically if i restrict the gist of doing a job as to earn money and keep doing different jobs that gets me lots of money, how does that define my career? If i had to dive a bit deep and put a tag, let's say i do IT support service as a job and if i manage to continue doing it, for reasons other than money, across wherever i got employed, that would mean i have made a career out of it. And the reason that i chose to pursue it as a job across so many other companies are the vital parameters that shape up my career - be it job satisfaction, good pay, continuous learning and improvement opportunity, opportunity in job market where the skill is relevant and above all the passion to follow. Despite ticking all these parameters, how can one evaluate whether it is a great career worth pursuing? There were interesting view points as to, how to determine a good career and what should be the steps one should take towards achieving it were all described in detail.
Overall the session was thought provoking. How many of us even think on these lines. Definitely at some point of time or other people crib about their job, but unless a calamity situation happens how many even think of a different career option? End of the day, job should be something that you should "want" to do for reasons other than money, with it being the most primal reason and not something one "had" to live up with. I am really happy to see some of my friends already taking actions in this regard. Some of them had quit their high paying current jobs and have taken up their passion as a career - be it theater, photography or stand up comedy. But the lingering question on my mind is, as much as one would be all aware of all the points discussed, how to get over the fear of missing payslip, Within an organization, how does one front up to their manager and be open about the activities that are assigned to him without fear of repercussions, how to choose the right mentor - all of which would be the vital part to complete this puzzle. A relevant topic that has to be discussed in every organization regularly so that it is no longer a taboo.
Comments
In the past, careers were a critical part of life. An employee spent klong years in a company, usually until retirement. He imbibed the ethos and values of the company. The relationship was not transactional - it was a long term bonding. The company met more than just the financial needs. The employee gave more than just labour. My generation was perhaps the last of this breed.
The employment "contract" has dramatically changed. Its now purely transactional. Other than financial needs, the company can meet nothing else despite all the spin and nonsense that HR might prattle.
My belief is therefore that people will have two or three careers. In the initial 20 years or so, an employee would work purely for money. Financial solidity is an absolute must in life. This is the period when the employee will marry, have kids, hopefully save for a financial future.
The second 20 years will be not for financial reward maximisation, but for a combination of money and some sense of purpose and fulfillment.
The final 20 years will be purely for personal satisfaction and will have nothing to do with money. The employee may even work pro bono. Probably in the NGO or volunteering sector.
It won;t be neatly compartmentalised like this, but some form of evolution in this manner will happen. That's my belief.