Career Planet
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • About us
    • Advertisers
    • Contact us
    Facebook
    Career Planet
    • Home
    • I’m unemployed
    • Training
      • TVET Colleges
        • TVET training
        • TVET grad-zone
        • TVET news
      • Private Colleges
      • Universities
      • Universities of Technology
      • Training Providers
      • Training Options
      • The SA training landscape
      • Financing Your Studies
      • Bursaries
      • Online Books
    • My career
      • Career planning
        • Tools 4 school
      • Job Descriptions
      • Entrepreneurship
        • South Africa needs entrepreneurs
        • You are not alone: business coaching, advice & support
        • Business development support
        • Tips and tools for entrepreneurs
        • Career Planet entrepreneur showcase
        • Support for business growth sectors
      • Working world
        • Get workwise
        • Women @ Work
        • The future of work
        • Diversity @ Work
    • Personal Growth
      • 1 Minute Finishing School
      • The world is my classroom
      • Body, Mind & Spirit
      • Personal management
      • Personal branding
      • Parents & guardians
    • Opportunities
      • Free skills training
      • Apprenticeships
      • Internships
      • Learnerships
      • Bursaries
    • FAQ
    • Industry access focus series
      • 1. Welcome to the world of BPO careers
      • 2. All about BPO
      • 3. BPO Job descriptions
      • 4. BPO skills development
      • 5. Is BPO for you?
      • 6. BPO Job opportunities
    • Artisan careers
    Career Planet
    Get Work-Wise

    Do you want a Job … or a Career?

    Career PlanetBy Career PlanetUpdated:No Comments4 Mins Read

    A job and a career are not the same. A job could be a temporary or short-term way to earn money whereas a career is something that takes planning and working towards an end goal.

    When talking to young people about to go to university, I often ask them why they’re doing a particular course, diploma or degree – and what they want to do with it. Many end up looking a little confused, and say they have no clue what they want to do – but that any qualification is better than none.

    That’s partly true; however, even graduates are not guaranteed employment in today’s tough job market. Moreover, finding the right career is about more than just securing a job that pays the bills, or that even pays the most; it’s about working out what drives you.

    Imagine if you study or gain experience (through internships, learnerships or apprenticeships) in an area that blows your hair back. Think about what gets you excited about the working world (as hard as that may be) and where you want to be in 10 years time.

    To figure out if you’re simply looking for your next job or are embarking on a long-term career path, ask yourself these questions:

    What am I working for?

    • Is it purely for money and a means to an end, or do you want a sense of fulfilment at the end of each day, month and year?
    • What did you dream of doing when you were growing up? Is there still time to redeem that goal or dream and find a way to make an income from your passions and interests?
    • Working in a position that’s not too challenging
    • Working nine to five with a steady income
    • Learning new things each and every day on the job
    • Happy to work long hours or for myself doing something I love

    Where do I want to be in 10 years time?

    Understanding what and where you want to be in the future will help you better align your current choices to your future goals. Not everyone will want a challenging career or to manage an entire team of people – and that’s okay.

    But, if you want to build a career that’s more than just the job you do, it’s about plotting a long-term course for yourself – starting today. Begin by researching the career you’d like to pursue. This will help you eliminate careers that seem great on the surface but don’t actually align with your interests or talents. Career research will also allow you to identify various jobs that can help get your started or get ahead on your chosen career path – as careers are frequently made up of a collection of jobs and positions that help you gain more experience.

    See what successful people in that career have done to get ahead. You may have to do a little ‘gap analysis’: compare what they had or did to what you have or can do. Not everyone’s career paths would be identical, and at the end of the day, you will have to plot your course to your own circumstances.

    For example, if you cannot afford university fees, apply for loans, bursaries or research alternative places of learning that align with your career choice. If full-time studying is off the cards, try taking night classes or enrol in distance learning, whilst holding down a current or part-time job on the side.

    Most importantly, don’t be scared to start at the bottom. Too many people come out of university or college and expect to be near the top of the chain just because they have a qualification. It takes a lot more than theory to get to the top. Building a career is a process that takes time, commitment and constant action to find job satisfaction.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    About the author:

    Bev Morrison is a development coach based in Johannesburg. She opened her coaching practice in 2008 after an 18-year corporate career. For more information or to contact Bev Morrison visit www.developmentcoach.co.za or www.facebook.com/DevelopmentCoaching

    For more career development advice, visit the FAQ section at www.careerplanet.co.za

    ‘The biggest mistake that you can make is to believe that you are working for somebody else. Job security is gone. The driving force of a career must come from the individual. Remember: Jobs are owned by the company, you own your career!’ – Earl Nightingale 

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Career Planet

    Related Posts

    Engineers Should Master Soft Skills for a Successful Career

    Top tips for online job hunting!

    Why women make great employees

    LOG IN REGISTER
    BLOG
    Home page news

    What is Cloud Computing?

    By Team Career PlanetJun 5, 2022
    Home page news

    From Grade 9 to PhD through TVET College.

    By laeniadminMay 4, 2022
    Home page news

    Student hones his skills for greater employment prospects.

    By Team Career PlanetMay 4, 2022
    Home page news

    Registered Field Guide is living the dream!

    By Team Career PlanetMay 17, 2022
    Home page news

    Junior Achievement SA Skills Development opportunities

    By Team Career PlanetApr 28, 2022
    About Us
    About Us

    Career Planet is a Section 21 (not-for-profit) company and believes in connecting young people with opportunities for FREE through our website and on their cellphones!

    Career Planet is a registered PBO (No. 930025803) that has been helping young people with career advice and access to training and opportunities since 2008. Our operations are funded through a combination of donations and sponsorships that offer a return on investment.

    NPO number: 129-906
    PBO number: 930025803

    Quick Links
    Home
    Your career
    Working world
    Training
    Entrepreneurship
    Personal Growth
    Opportunities
    FAQ
    Contact us
    Newsletter Subscribe
    Receive news and updates, upcoming events and more

    Lists*

    Loading
    Copyright © 2021 Career Planet. All rights reserved. Website - evoDev.  Maintenance - Dezigner Lane.
    • About us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.