Careers, Survival jobs, and life

First I thought that my current job was a career. But now I'm exhausted and I consider it as just a survival job. I've realized that there're many things in this world more meaningful and more precious than money and success.

Well I felt I had a career for 32 years most of that as an Administrative Assistant. Now moving from NY to NM I can't seem to find a good job at all. So I'm now helping my daughter and son-in-law by taking care of my granddaughter while they work. In the beginning I felt it was a survival job but changed jobs and then went into loving the job. I just wish now that I could find a job working from home because after 32 years in an office I can't imagine going back into another one. Have a great day

I've never had a career. Always was a stay at home mom while our kids were little. Once they were school age, I worked part time doing a bunch of nothing. I work part time now with the same company for over 7 years. Am also taking care of our little 6 month old grandbaby several times a week. Am happy with what I am doing although I don't make much money. My husband has a great career so we are comfortable.

I worked in a bank for many years and although some may call banking a career to me it was just a survival job because I hated it, always have, and because that was all the experience I had, I found it really difficult to obtain any other kind of job until I fell pregnant and took maternity leave; when that finished I decided not to back to the bank. I returned to study instead and obtained a small diploma in freelance journalism and that is what I have been doing for the past three years working from home. I am finally following my passion but unfortunately not getting paid as much!

Hi, I don't have a job right now, the last one I had which ended last April lasted for 6 months and it's not a survival job because the job is in line with my profession. But it's still short-lived. Then the last one before that lasted for 1 year and jobs I had for the past years were short time jobs in line with my profession. I don't know if I have a career really but I think I had a career of changing jobs LOL. Anyways, I really liked my jobs long term or short term becasuse they were mostly project-based so I get to move on after the next one and not stucck with same people for very long. And it's helping me survive this life.

I have been a mom my entire adult life and never gave much thought to the idea of a career. I always had a survival job, which with limited education made it tougher to survive! lol! I lost my last survival job and now I am self-employed doing freelance writing and I hope to make this my career. I am older and going to school now would be hard because of money. You need to get an education so you have a career that will make life a little easier on yourself. can you see yourself doing this for the rest of your working years?

I like my work, and it is turning to a career, but I started at the peon level. My job description, even now that I am in management, still fits a lot of the description you just gave. I just get paid better.

Hello, my friend. So glad to see you're ok, as after your last discussion and your untimely absence, I was a bit worried about you. I used to work as a PA and Office Manager, so I guess I had a career. Then, when I worked at Amex, I developed RSI and have not been allowed to return to similar work, so I did a bit of childminding and a bit of barwork, both of which I enjoy. I guess if needs must though, one would take a survival job, especially in today's economic climate. Brightest Blessings, in the hope you're better these days. xx

Hi Tiff, I like the way you describe jobs as opposed to careers. I don't work anymore due to disability but I always worked survival jobs. That was a deliberate personal choice on my part. My first husband didn't think just being a housewife and then A Mother was enough. He decided I should work. Well that's the difference between your age and my age. You are young and have all the time and opportunity, hopefully to be whatever you choose to be. Just whatever you do, enjoy your survival jobs because they are part of the process for getting you to where you want to be. BTW I heard you weren't feeling well and wondering how things are going for you now. I truly am concerned. Darkwing has really been looking for you. She actually started a search forf you. Please let me know how you are doing!! Your new friend. leenie

I'm a stay at home mom that tries to earn what I can online when I can. If my real job (being a mom) paid, I'd say it was a career.

I only have a part time job as a general assistant doing office type duties. I took the job because I was made redundant and was desperate for work. I don't really enjoy it and would love to do something else but there seems to be a lack of jobs at the moment due to the recession. I onyl do this job because I have to, but in the mean-time I do look for other jobs as well.