The Difference Between a Career and a Job
I have got a really nice and precise description that is crisp and to the point.I really liked it. It was posted by Ravi on :
http://thedesimag.com/2011/04/25/the-difference-between-a-career-and-a-job/
There are things that your boss and your human resource director will probably never tell you. One of them is the fundamental truth that a job is not a career. Your job is an integral part of your career but it differs in many ways from your career. Understanding the difference is perhaps one of the most important steps you can take in your career.
Most organizations are geared towards maximizing the productivity of its employees, and by definition, the focus is on people to do their jobs better. Traditional career paths entailed succeeding at a series of jobs and climbing the ladder towards success. That ladder has increasingly become curved and convoluted. Therefore, it is very important that we manage our careers as a business; we need to recognize that if we don’t, we are depending on others to do it for us, and we are increasingly relying on fortunate turns and twists of fate.
A career is everything about your professional life that is portable. By this, I mean that a career is what you would have if you suddenly did not have a job. This includes your knowledge, your special skills, your experience, your network, your goodwill, your credentials, your education, your reputation and your professionalism. A good and satisfying job should build your career, but it is up to you to monitor the health, direction and path of your career. You need to take on the assignments, which enhance your experience and strengthen your resume. If you believe you are stagnated, you need to perform a self-diagnostic on your career. Stay connected with your network and get by feedback from your industry associates and mentors. Decisions to obtain additional training and education must be weighed against opportunity costs.
There is only one person responsible for your career – YOU! Accept it, embrace it, cultivate it, nurture it and polish it. It’s you and your brand. Once you realize that you are driving your career actively, you will gain confidence and make sound decisions, which will make you a better professional. This, in turn, will make you a more valuable asset to your organization and to your clients.
http://thedesimag.com/2011/04/25/the-difference-between-a-career-and-a-job/
There are things that your boss and your human resource director will probably never tell you. One of them is the fundamental truth that a job is not a career. Your job is an integral part of your career but it differs in many ways from your career. Understanding the difference is perhaps one of the most important steps you can take in your career.
Most organizations are geared towards maximizing the productivity of its employees, and by definition, the focus is on people to do their jobs better. Traditional career paths entailed succeeding at a series of jobs and climbing the ladder towards success. That ladder has increasingly become curved and convoluted. Therefore, it is very important that we manage our careers as a business; we need to recognize that if we don’t, we are depending on others to do it for us, and we are increasingly relying on fortunate turns and twists of fate.
A career is everything about your professional life that is portable. By this, I mean that a career is what you would have if you suddenly did not have a job. This includes your knowledge, your special skills, your experience, your network, your goodwill, your credentials, your education, your reputation and your professionalism. A good and satisfying job should build your career, but it is up to you to monitor the health, direction and path of your career. You need to take on the assignments, which enhance your experience and strengthen your resume. If you believe you are stagnated, you need to perform a self-diagnostic on your career. Stay connected with your network and get by feedback from your industry associates and mentors. Decisions to obtain additional training and education must be weighed against opportunity costs.
There is only one person responsible for your career – YOU! Accept it, embrace it, cultivate it, nurture it and polish it. It’s you and your brand. Once you realize that you are driving your career actively, you will gain confidence and make sound decisions, which will make you a better professional. This, in turn, will make you a more valuable asset to your organization and to your clients.
Comments