What do you want? A Job or a Career?

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Gloria San Jose Daims
Los Angeles Valley College

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Learning Objectives

Review some of the many motivations students have for entering college.
Identify your personal motivation as a pathway to achieving goals.

Job vs. Career

Review some of the many motivations students have for entering college
Identify your personal motivation as pathways to achieving goals

What is the difference between a job and a career? Do you plan to use college to help you seek one or the other?

There is no right or wrong answer, because motivations for being in college are so varied and different for each student, but you can take maximum advantage of your time in college if you develop a clear plan for what you want to accomplish. The table below shows some differences between a job and a career.

	JOB	CAREER
Definitions	A job refers to the work a person performs for a living. It can also refer to a specific task done as part of the routine of one’s occupation. A person can begin a job by becoming an employee, or by volunteering, for example, by starting a business or becoming a parent.	A career is an occupation (or series of jobs) that you undertake for a significant period of time in your life—perhaps five or ten years, or more. A career typically provides you with opportunities to advance your skills and positions.
Requirements	A job you accept with an employer does not necessarily require special education or training. Sometimes you can get needed learning “on the job.”	A career usually requires special learning—perhaps certification or a specific degree.
Risk-Taking	A job may be considered a safe and stable means to get income, but jobs can also quickly change; security can come and go.	A career can also have risk. In today’s world, employees need to continually learn new skills and to adapt to changes in order to stay employed. Starting your own business can have risks. Many people thrive on risk-taking, though, and may achieve higher gains. It all depends on your definition of success.
Duration	The duration of a job may range from an hour (in the case of odd jobs, for example,) to a lifetime. Generally a “job” is shorter-term.	A career is typically a long-term pursuit.
Income	Jobs that are not career oriented may not pay as well as career-oriented positions. Jobs often pay an hourly wage.	Career-oriented jobs generally offer an annual salary versus a wage. Career-oriented jobs may also offer appealing benefits, like health insurance and retirement.
Satisfaction and contributing to society	Many jobs are important to society, but some may not bring high levels of personal satisfaction.	Careers allow you to invest time and energy in honing your crafts and experiencing personal satisfaction. Career pursuits may include making contributions to society.

In summary, a job lets you enjoy at least a minimal level of financial security, and it requires you to show up and do what is required of you. In exchange, you get paid.

A career, on the other hand, is more of a means of achieving personal fulfillment through the jobs you hold. In a career, your jobs tend to follow a sequence that leads to increasing mastery, professional development, and personal and financial satisfaction.

A career requires planning, knowledge, and skills, too. If it is to be a fulfilling career, it requires that you bring into play your full set of analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills. You will be called upon in a career to make informed decisions that will affect your life in both the short term and the long term. A career also lets you express your unique personality traits, skills, values, and interests.

The following video gives explicit, textbook-style distinctions between the terms job, work, and career. You may especially appreciate this video if English is a second language for you or if you are a first-generation college student.

Thumbnail for the embedded element "Difference between Job, Work, and Career"

A YouTube element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here: https://pb.libretexts.org/child/?p=26

Let’s Practice!

For your own reflection: Motivations for Attending College

Review the table below, which lists various motivations cited by other students
Identify your main motivations, and rank your top five.
Reflect on your selections in terms of how they connect with short-term and long-term plans for the future.

Understanding your motivations is essential to helping you not only prioritize your plans for the future but also gain inspiration about directions you may not have yet charted. Ultimately, your motivations for being in college align you with roadways to fulfilling your goals and ambitions.

MY TOP FIVE	MOTIVATIONS FOR ATTENDING COLLEGE
	Gain more qualifications in my field
	Increase my earning potential; make more money
	Challenge myself
	Show others that I can succeed
	Start an independent life
	Satisfy my curiosity
	Have fun
	Change my career
	Do what my parents were not able to do
	Find a better lifestyle
	Build my confidence
	Expand my social contacts; bond with new friends
	Improve my network of business associates
	Gain exposure to a wide array of topics
	Attend campus events
	Make my family happy
	Fulfill my dreams
	Take classes at home or work or anywhere
	Take advantage of campus resources like the library and gym
	Join a sports team
	Join campus organizations
	Spend my time during retirement
	Have continued support via alumni programs
	Learn to study and work on my own
	Gain access to professors
	Link up with people who already excel in the ways I aspire to
	Get sports spirit
	Gain more access to entertainment like theater and bands
	Be more productive in life
	Explore myself
	Become well versed in many subjects
	Dig deeper into learning than I did in high school
	Expand my knowledge of the world
	Others?

Licenses and Attributions:

CC licensed content, Original: College Success. Authored by: Linda Bruce. Provided by: Lumen Learning. Located at: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/collegesuccess-lumen/chapter/the-big-picture/ License: CC BY: Attributi on
Difference between Job, Work, and Career. Authored by: Espresso English. Located at: https://youtu.be/eNcl9d8x7yk. License: CC BY: Attribution.
College Success. Authored by: Linda Bruce. Located at: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/collegesuccess-lumen/chapter/career-paths-2/ License:

Adaptations: Relocated learning objectives.