Why do you do the job that you do?

sherlock

sherlock

Well-known member
Following on from my post about approaching a big birthday, I have been reflecting more, particularly on my working life.

Got me thinking about why people do what they do. What made you do the job that you do? Have you always done the same thing? Do you wish you’d done something else?

For me, I have always been a social worker. I didn’t consciously choose this career until late teens but think I was always destined to follow this path due to my early life experiences. Most notably suffering some really difficult times in my early years and then being adopted at 5 years old.

Things improved massively for me then and I had a happy rest of my childhood, but I really believe it left me with an inherent need to try to help others if I could.

How about you?
 
My full time working life finished almost 20 years ago. When we moved to try out living in Spain.

I worked in the IT industry in the London area for over 20 years before coming out here. Mainly because when I was young I really liked working with computers. I started studying Computer Science in school in 1973. I loved it straight away.

Was a software developer and team leader for 7 years. After that I moved into IT project and programme management.

I learned some great transferable skills about running projects. They have helped me with various building projects on the apartments we have lived in here in Spain over the years. Even though I am crap at DIY.

I was really lucky. As my skills were in great demand in 1980. When I started full time employment. Right through to when I moved out here. Plus I enjoyed all of my jobs in the UK.
 
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I didn't have a clue really what I wanted to do. I applied for a few different things and ended up getting into financial services and have been in the industry for almost 21 years.

I'm 46 now so will have to grow up soon and decide what I really want to do when I'm a big boy.
 
Doom_On_Horseback said:
Do you mind me asking what the status is now. Hopefully better!
Click to expand...
I don't mind at all. Unfortunately, it was discovered too late to operate. It was found just over 6 months ago. I'm on chemo in tablet form as they try to get it under control so I can get on with life (I'm not well enough to work at the moment). It will see me off though.
 
I always wanted to be an Engineer. Teesside being the ideal place to do that until it was raped by Thatcher. By the time I was qualified it had been decimated.
I left Uni and was unable to get a job in the field I wanted and had to take one, away from home, in a different field of Engineering than I would have liked.
And here I am, 26 years later.
I appreciate my job but I do not like it.
 
Had my own security firm in London for 25 years, sold up in 2014, worked in a prison for 3 years and now got my own gardening business and porter part time in a local hospital .
I'm not short of a bob or 2 but just enjoy working 😉 keeps the anxiety at bay.
 
sherlock1969 said:
Following on from my post about approaching a big birthday, I have been reflecting more, particularly on my working life.

Got me thinking about why people do what they do. What made you do the job that you do? Have you always done the same thing? Do you wish you’d done something else?

For me, I have always been a social worker. I didn’t consciously choose this career until late teens but think I was always destined to follow this path due to my early life experiences. Most notably suffering some really difficult times in my early years and then being adopted at 5 years old.

Things improved massively for me then and I had a happy rest of my childhood, but I really believe it left me with an inherent need to try to help others if I could.

How about you?
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I work in a similar field. Came into the role nearly 20 years ago with an idealist attitude about how I could positively help people make changes to their life and be part of a bigger society. I still believe in giving people a second chance, challenging attitudes and giving people a hand up to achieve their goals. However, I am totally disillusioned with the service and structure where saving money and dumbing down the quality of staff seem to be the direction of travel. So with any luck I will escape soon and find something which doesn't demand so much emotionally and psychologically.
 
Pure chance really. I dropped out of sixth form after a term and all that was available were YOP schemes. I had a few O levels so asked for something that required them. Got sent for a 6 months placement as a trainee QS. Pretty much stayed in a similar line of work ever since. I do it because the money is OK and I get to see different parts of the world. Its pretty easy work too.
 
Cullenbohannon said:
I work in a similar field. Came into the role nearly 20 years ago with an idealist attitude about how I could positively help people make changes to their life and be part of a bigger society. I still believe in giving people a second chance, challenging attitudes and giving people a hand up to achieve their goals. However, I am totally disillusioned with the service and structure where saving money and dumbing down the quality of staff seem to be the direction of travel. So with any luck I will escape soon and find something which doesn't demand so much emotionally and psychologically.
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Oh I agree, it’s getting more and more difficult to make a significant difference.

I can’t see me changing now though, I’ll be retiring at 65 so ‘only’ just over 5 years to go. I’ll stick it out and do the best I can until then 👍
 
RAF for 18 years, always wanted to be a pilot but didn’t have the aptitude, ended up as a Supplier/movements officer, very lucky as I only did one supply job in my whole time.

Left in 07 and came over here, didn’t really know what to do and ended up part time in one of the large stores here in the garden department .

After a few years there and also as sales and marketing manager in a wholesale nursery I am now garden manager in a large mega store, mitre 10.

Fell into it really but loving it.
 
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