Definition:
The career refers to your profession or the line of work you choose, which can include a single job or multiple positions. It also refers to the education, training, and experience needed to grow in your current role or transition to another job.
How does a career work?
A career refers to the profession or vocation that an individual chooses. Your career can include one job or many jobs over the course of your life and the actions, decisions, and paths you take to develop in your profession. A career usually utilizes your skills and talents while providing personal satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
Alternative names: profession, vocation
A career does not require a college degree. According to June 2022 research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 60% of new jobs between 2020 and 2030 will be in occupations that do not typically require an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. These occupations include fields such as construction, installation, maintenance, repair, and transportation. However, these jobs may require training on the job in the medium to long term.
Note: If you feel stressed in your job, a career counselor serves as a resource to identify your skills and interests and apply that information to achieve your career goals. Career counselors can administer tests, assist with resume writing, and provide help in job searching.
Example of a career
For example, let’s assume you start as a journalist at a newspaper or an online publication before moving to an associate editor role. Later, you may become an editor, then a senior editor, and eventually get promoted to editor-in-chief. This can happen at the same company, or you may move to several different companies over the years.
Career versus job
Career: your profession or chosen line of work. A job is the work you do for a company for which you receive compensation.
A job is short-term work you do to meet basic needs and provide for yourself. A career requires a long-term plan based on your passions and goals. Most people engage in ongoing personal and professional development to continue advancing in their field.
Note: Individuals hold an average of 12.4 jobs from ages 18 to 54, with half of those jobs held before age 25, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best definition of a career?
A career is the ongoing growth and development you invest in advancing your profession, which can involve personal investments of time and energy. Career planning is a continuous process throughout an individual’s working years.
What is the difference between a career and a job?
A career is the line of work you choose and typically involves training and ongoing development. In contrast, a job is the work you do for which you receive compensation. Most people engage in a job to pay bills and meet their basic needs, but there may not be a clear long-term path.
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Sources:
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we verify facts and maintain the accuracy, reliability, and quality of our content.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Fastest Growing Professions That Pay Well and Don’t Require a College Degree.” Utah State University. “Exploring Professions.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Job Numbers, Market Experience, Marital Status, and Health: Findings from a National Longitudinal Survey.”
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-a-career-525497
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