Job vs. Career

Food For Thought....

Most of us have jobs. Some of you are still in college earning your degree to hopefully achieve a good job. Some of us left our jobs to pursue higher studies (Masters/Ph.D.) to attain a higher level of personal and career growth.

But what kind of situation are in now? Do you consider your current work a job or a career? I mean think about it. In this day in age, when the cost of living is increasing (especially in Kuwait), do we have the luxury to have our dream job or career? Or is it that we take any kind job, regardless of your area of study, just to make ends meet and pay the bills. Are you obliged to settle for a decent job (even though its not what you have in mind for a career), for the sake of living a some-what comfortable life, or just getting by, or able to save up to settle down and get married, etc....the reason's are endless.

How many of you have graduated from college with a solid intended major of choice, and is now working in job in a total irrelevant feild? Why is that? Not enough jobs in your feild? or not enough pay? And would you settle for less of a pay, just to be in a job of what you really wanted to do?

For example, I for one graduated with Advertising and Marketing from college in 2002. SO logically, being on my own, I thought the only place to work is an Advertising Agency. Was I right? NO! Low and behold, I got a job here in Kuwait in a local advertising agency. Good job...but bad career move in my part. Out of experience (and its not the same for all people), working in an Ad Agency was not for me. You become some-what a "slave" for the clients that want creative items. Driving all around Kuwait to client meetings, obeying their requests, and doing to the impossible just to please them 'cause money is at stake. I told myself...I dont like this kinda life for a career. College textbooks made it out to be a peachy and rosy career. But reality bit me in the ass and showed me otherwise. However, this is MY experience, but I know many people in the same field working in Ad Agencies, and loving every moment of it (for them, that job is a career, while for me it was just a job).

So what happened next? I left that company which later closed down due to bankruptcy. Jazz was in need of a job. Seach here, search there. Apply here and there. Then came a job opportunity that was irrelevant to my feild....Human Resources in a newly established institution. An offer was given. Should I take it? I didn't know anything about HR, but it was a chance of lifetime. SO I took it, and it was the best choice I ever did. Granted it was a job instead of a career, but I learned a lot of new things, I gained new insight of the real job world, which can be harsh sometimes, and I met AMAZING people in that place, who I now consider...my life! Kleio is one of them. So Kleio, how did I do? ;) The good thing about this place was the chance to grow within the institution. After a year in HR, I was then transferred to the PR and Marketing Department, and have been there to this date. Now I consider my current job a career since I've been here since 2003. I get to do all the advertising and marketing stuff I always wanted to do, but with a twist, plus job security :) I realized, I dont have to work in a Advertising Agency, just because its my major.

The moral of the story: When finding a job, don't restrcit yourself, be flexible, make some sacrifices...and you will eventually find your dream career. It worked for me, and it can work for you :)

So what's your story?