Poll for the employed (or the unemployed who want to add pov)

[rbnyc]

Do you have a job or a career?

My husband is currently unemployed. He had a job. It was something he did just to make money while he wished he was doing something else. It was something he did just to make money which made him too tired and angry to try to do something else. Now he’s trying to do something else.

I have a career. Although I am pretty seriously underpaid, I am in this position on purpose and it’s part of a long-term plan. I have a progressive resume in a specialized field. I think that makes me pretty damn lucky.

How about you?

Do you have a job? Why do you say it’s a job?

Do you have a career? Why do you say it’s a career?

I am sensitive to the massive unemployment out there, so I don’t mean to be exclusive with this poll. If you’d like, vote “other” and add anything you’d like about your situation, aspirations, etc.

Thanks.

[Chan790]

1. I have a job that many people would consider and want as a career.

I'm a banker. I spend most of my work hours plotting the untimely demise of certain clients. I spend the remainder of my work hours fantasizing about having sex with certain (mostly-different) clients. I'm not really certain what it is I'm supposed to be doing but I'm not doing it and It's not fulfilling me very much.

The paycheck is nice though.

[rbnyc]

8. Love it.

I wonder which kind of cloent I would be. :evilgrin:

[Nikia]

2. Career

I am a manager in the food processing industry. I am in charge of quality and research and development at my company. Since I work at a relatively small company, I could advance in this field at more of a major company and possibly make some serious money someday. I think that I should more fully committ to this career by joining professional organizations and getting useful certifications.
Sometimes though, I want to quit this career path. In a way, I feel that it is pointless and a waste of my time. I don't have the money and time to go to grad school though and it is so hard to find a job that is not low wage, outside of my career path.

[rbnyc]

9. If you're going to stick with it...

...joining a professional organization is a good idea.

I wish you all the best.

[some guy]

3. I don't know.

I think I have a job; but I've been in this field for over thirty years, so it looks a lot like a career at this point.

I like it well enough, but I sort of stumbled into it from the beginning; then it turned into the best thing in terms of skills-knowledge to put on a resume, so here I am.

[rbnyc]

10. My career was accidental as well.

Most people in my field kind of fell into it, but turned out to really love it. I love what I do, but the people I do it for right now are crazy.

:crazy:

[AmyDeLune]

4. Job

I'm a cashier at the "original one stop shopping place." I'm soooo not going to be doing this when I'm 50...(the Lifers are craaaazy...:scared: :silly: ). I used to work at a bookstore before the crappy economy ate my job there...

[rbnyc]

11. My parents were both laid off from Borders.

They can't even pay their vendors now to restock their shelves and no one will buy them because they have so much debt.

[peacefreak]

15. We could be sisters!

My story is the same, except I am close to 60. Book-selling was my passion, my love, my career. Gone. baby, gone.

[AmyDeLune]

5. Dupe--(darn dropped dial-up)

[evlbstrd]

6. I wanted to vote both Job and Other

Damn software won't let me.

I used to have a career as a graphic artist. My last position was a great one with a great ad agency. Ad spending collapsed and half the people I ever worked with over my career lost their jobs. It still hasn't begun to recover.

Now I work a retail job at my local home brewing and wine making supply shop. Since I'm a home brewer, it's at least cool that I can combine a serious hobby with work, as low as it pays. But it's taking a long time to adapt.

I'm also refocusing on my painting and have reconnected with a special person. You never know what adverse circumstances will bring.

[rbnyc]

12. Cool.

:toast:

[yankeepants]

7. I used to have a career

in PR/Marketing but having my last three positions "downsized" due to budget cuts has made me rethink everything. Last year I started working part-time for a very good and successful dog trainer doing everything from kennels to his PR stuff and am now also training dogs. It's a very cool new career/job.

[rbnyc]

13. Wow.

That sounds fun.

[TZ]

14. Career

In fact, I have Master's level experience in my field of biotechnology now and can pretty much decide where I want to go--research, management, regulatory affairs...I'm staying in research at the moment. Frustrating in some ways, I enjoy being on the cutting edge of research/technology. I'm pretty happy with where I am job wise at the moment. I am a VERY lucky person, I know...:)

[rbnyc]

16. That's really great.

I wish I were that smart. ;-)

[Deep13]

17. Right now it's just a job.

I'm leaving the legal profession when this job ends in July.

[tigereye]

18. Been in the MH field for many, many years

It has always been interesting, although there are times that I wish for a career that involves a different kind of problem-solving and more money. But I love talking to and teaching people and families. Have done a lot of consulting, but it has been really slow lately, also related to the economy, I suspect. There is either too much work, or not enough. Luckily my husband is a software guy and they continue to have good employment prospects, so I have some flexibility. I may be at the point in my career where I would like to learn to do something else, just not sure what yet. :hi:

[rbnyc]

19. I could probably use your services.

If you have any need for a fundraising consultant, maybe we can make a trade.

;-)

[tigereye]

21. I belong to a number of volunteer organizations which

could certainly use some FR advice, that's for sure. My expertise is mostly with kids and families. Might be interesting to pm a bit and see. :D

[JTG of the PRB]

20. I have a job. It pays the bills. I don't love it. I'd rather be writing.

I'd rather make my money by writing, as opposed to working in retail. For now, retail pays the bills.