This topic at least once, all of us must have thought or will think of it in our lifetime. Most of us would also have received lots and lots of advice in relation to this; I would love to share with you my insight of the matter under consideration.

Well, undeniably the truth is all of us want a source of income, indeed a stable one to run our lives. But somewhere between choosing the right course to study and finding the right job, we overlook what we like to put as ‘inner calling’. We are so focused about the stability and monetary aspects of life but we ignore our passion. Most people settle for a job and never even try to build a career in the first place.

Difference between Job and Career

A job is just going to work to earn a pay cheque. Whereas a career in the broad sense is about setting long-term goals to achieve greater good in life A career is where you plan your every step towards achieving the goals you have set for yourself, which is not the case in a job. The majority of us can get a job with very little education, but right education is the building block of a career. Education needs to be the proficiency you have in your chosen field.

FACTORS OF JOB AND CAREER

Money vs. Experience:

The basic element changing the two (Job and Career) is money. Having a job tells that you are mindlessly working to earn money only. Your motivation for working every day is the pay cheque you receive. The Career, on the other hand, comprises of a number of jobs that are complementing your experience in a certain field. It follows a hierarchy where every job you take, contributes to a larger purpose you have set according to your goals.

Risk vs. Security:

Having a job in a call centre or Government Department, along with providing smooth cash flow in your pocket, gives you security. On the contrary, following a particular career line can, sometimes, prove to be unstable. You might gain non-monetary relevant experience in your field and not get to achieve monetary benefits. Following your passion expects from you to take crazy risks in your life

Specialized vs. Generalized:

Building a certain career illustrates that you should have a specialized education or expertise in a particular field. In case of a random job, you don’t need to have special skills because the target is money and not experience or a particular goal.

Long Term vs. Short Term:

Working a job does not allow a person to think past his daily grind. He does not have to think about how today’s work is going to affect his tomorrow. While having a career requires a lifelong struggle. People who construct their careers and follow their passion have a greater outlook on life. They live focused and goal-oriented lives.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR CAREER

• Identify the needs in the market
• Assess your strength
• Have a plan
• Follow your plan
• Get an Income
• Be mentally and physically healthy

{Match up these and build up your career}

I feel, our ultimatum must be about feeling content and happy, on every single day of our life with whatever we choose to do. Some people have jobs paying lucratively, but stress is all they carry back home along with their six or seven digit paycheque. And there are others, who have a passion for their job, comes back home with a smile and an eagerness to pick their work the next from where they left it. This eagerness only comes with the sense of satisfaction and happiness in your work is giving you. Choosing a job or a career is your choice, where you are happy and proud of yourself.