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2008-01-26 10:44 PM

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Master
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Subject: Why do you work?

Does your job define you? 

Or, do you work only to be able to do the things you love to do? 

I think about this a lot.  I think that Americans in general tend to be defined by they (we) do, and not see jobs as a means to something else. 

 Case in point, my user name....



2008-01-26 11:47 PM
in reply to: #1177974

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Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I work to make money to buy things and travel.  Soon as I can get out, I am out.  In no way do I define myself by what I do (and I am a "professional" )

Edited by ChrisM 2008-01-26 11:47 PM
2008-01-26 11:54 PM
in reply to: #1177974

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Elite
2706
2000500100100
Hurst, Texas
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I'm with Chris; the MINUTE I am financially able to get out of what I am doing, I will.  And ironically, I think we do the same thing. 
2008-01-27 12:10 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Veteran
263
1001002525
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Because college sure as heck wont pay for itself!

Oh well... at least I should get a pretty good paying job coming out of it.
2008-01-27 12:16 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Elite
2553
20005002525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Both. I'm an engineer, and engineers think a certain way. Even if I did another job, I would take an engineering approach to it. But I definitely need to work to do what I love to do hobby-wise. It'll be awhile before I get to retire.
2008-01-27 1:18 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Master
2278
2000100100252525
State of Confusion
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I do what I do to pay therapy bills for my kids (speech therapy, occupational therapy) and so I can still be home with them after school, and basically have the same schedule as they do. (I'm a "paraeducator" in a program for autistic kids.) I would love to go back to school for my master's degree, but that's not happening any time soon, unfortunately. If I was financially able to quit, I wouldn't. I love what I do and I love being and working with the kids.


2008-01-27 8:13 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Champion
7821
50002000500100100100
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I like what I do, but I don't think it defines me. I like being around creative, talented people, and being a mentor/coach to people, helping them to achieve their professional goals, and my job affords me the opportunity to do that.

If I won the lottery tomorrow, would I continue to work, though? I'd like to say yes, but who knows.

I've noticed, though it's hardly universal, that being defined by one's job is more of an East Coast way of thinking than West Coast. People on the west coast are more likely to define themselves by what they do for fun, i.e., "I'm a surfer", "I'm a triathlete".
2008-01-27 8:26 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Champion
5495
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Whizzzzzlandia
Silver member
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

I used to like my job, but it has been dumbed down and un-professionalized to the point where I feel like I'm working in a factory run by Jr. Highschool teachers.

But alas, the money is good. I have very little responsibility, and I'm not required to work more than 7:45/day and I don't have to travel.

I started out with my Company 15 years ago thinking it was going to be a career. It has devolved into a "job". I do it to get money so I can leave and do other stuff. I have 4 weeks vacation plus 3 personal days, too...(!!!)

I am so disconnected from what I do that I RARELY if ever discuss my work with people. I never volunteer what I do and I rarely ask what other people do.

2008-01-27 8:47 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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COURT JESTER
12230
50005000200010010025
ROCKFORD, IL
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

I work a j.o.b. (Just Over Broke) as en engineer so I can help keep a roof overhead and food on the table.

I am also working at moving to the right side of the Cash Flow Quadrant (see the Robert Kiosaki book of the same title) to be a business owner and eventually into the Investor quadrant where investments pay my expenses whether I work or not.

And on that comment that 'engineer think a certain way,' I am slowly training my brain to not think like that....and it is so liberating.

2008-01-27 9:02 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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The Irish Scrapper
147
10025
Palm Harbor, FL
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

This is a very interesting conversation.  Considering I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up (I'm 32 now), I can't say that I define myself by my job(s).  There has been a common theme in the jobs I have taken over the years, mostly some form of mental healthcare.  Now I am a middle school/special ed teacher.  My philosophy has always been, "I will work like a dog between the hours of 9-5, but as soon as that quiting bell rings...I am outta here and I won't be thinking of you until its time to come back!"  When I was in my first job out of college I heard a quote that said something like, "When I am on my deathbed I will never say I wish I had spent more time at the office."  That impacted me greatly as a young person and I followed it.  I have always been able to see the big picture, I enjoy watching sunsets, exercising, taking naps, reading a book, talking with a friend over coffee, and just being alive.  It is a good thing I live my life this way because I am now battling stage IV cancer, and I am sooooooo glad I never spent more time at the office than I absolutely had to.

I prefer to be defined by who I am rather than by what I do, although I certainly agree that what I do is a reflection of who I am in some form.  Does that make sense?  My paycheck goes to pay bills, but it also goes to sign up for races and to buy all the accessories, and simply to enjoy being alive.  I work because I enjoy it, but I also have bills to pay and I need the health insurance.  As a teacher I will have a nice retirement/pension if I make it 30 years.  Would I work if I didn't have to?  Probably not, although I would keep my hand in something in some way.

 I have watched my friends bust their butts at their jobs, going in early and staying late, and I just don't see the payoff (and yes, they are east coast, NJ to be exact, which has a "keeping up with the Jones' attitude).  Maybe they make a fancy salary but they're struggling to pay their bills as much as I am, its all relative.  My payoff is getting out of work at 3:00, having two weeks off for C'mas and the entire summer off.  I'll take a lower salary in exchange for that!  Can any of them say they have completed a half marathon or a triathlon?  No!  Have any of them experienced the rush and triumph of crossing a finish line after months of training? No!  Have any of them jumped in a car to have an adventure for a weekend with their friends?  No!  Have any of them watched the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico while a pod of dolphins goes swimming by? No!  None of this means that I am better than anyone else, but it sure does make me a happier person and it makes me feel more alive.  I believe that I will never have any regrets.

Wow, I guess I had a lot to say  

2008-01-27 9:14 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I work because it pays the bills.... period. It doesn't even come close to defining me. I don't know if that is a good thing, or not.  I enjoy my job, but it doesn't define me.


Edited by newleaf 2008-01-27 9:14 AM


2008-01-27 9:15 AM
in reply to: #1178134

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Champion
5183
5000100252525
Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

newleaf - 2008-01-27 9:14 AM I work because it pays the bills.... period. It doesn't even come close to defining me. I don't know if that is a good thing, or not. I enjoy my job, but it doesn't define me.

 

ditto. If I won the lottery I'd quit in a nanosecond. 

2008-01-27 9:28 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Master
1662
10005001002525
Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I love my job (college prof.) and it's mostly about what I'd rather be doing anyway. It's the B/S that comes with administration and peoples' personal issues that wears me down. But on most days I feel I make a difference and that has always mattered the most.
2008-01-27 9:38 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Extreme Veteran
549
50025
Marietta, GA
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Does my job define me? In ten years of being a dentist I never really thought about it.

When I'm busy in somebody's mouth, yes, it does define me. As an intelligent, focused, caring, detail oriented professional. If it didn't then that patient should be worried.

When I'm out of the office, no it doesn't define me. I don't talk about it. You'd never know what I do.

That being said, at 36 years old I'm not hurting for any comfort in life, and my family is not far off from "no future worries". So I'll rid myself of the stress of running my own practice the second I can, but that will only open the door of providing poorer patients with quality dentistry on a voluntary basis.

So I hope my job never stops defining me to some degree.


2008-01-27 10:16 AM
in reply to: #1177974

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

Brutally honest, I'm employed by the State and get to tinker with a hobby as a profession.  Easy work for me, but I don't think it truly defines me.  Easy money, and the perks are fantastic - over 4 weeks vac. plus 3 personal days, accumulated sick days (have over 1200 days banked since I started working for the State), Sabbatical time accumulated if I don't use up my vacation (but limited of what I can carry over), and have one of the best Health Care benefit packages.  All that balances the lower pay scale that we have versus the private sector.

2008-01-27 10:27 AM
in reply to: #1177974

Subject: RE: Why do you work?

Well my job....oh wait, I don't have one anymore!

I'd love to just start over and do something that I love to do but what I had been doing sure was good money and paid lots of bills and created a vicious cycle of a lifestyle my family has gotten used to living.

Right now I'm just trying to get something and then hopefully find something I'd really like to do. 



2008-01-27 10:29 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Expert
1277
1000100100252525
St. Paul, MN
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I see teaching as an extension of who I am. Granted, I haven't gotten my first full-time position yet, but here's hoping for this fall. I am a tree-hugging, dirt-worshiping, idealist that wants to change the world. I'll certainly temper my ideology with my students. I'm not here to indoctrinate students, but I see it as part of my job to open my students' eyes to the world and people around them. Helping students gain an understanding of the environment, social systems, and people who think/believe different than them can only lead to good things.

That being said, I need a job to pay off my far-too-large student loans. I also wanted to teach so I can have my summers off to play, garden, race, paddle, read, get dirty, etc.

So no, my job doesn't define me, but it fits well with my identity.
2008-01-27 10:56 AM
in reply to: #1177974

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Work to me is just a means to an end....It allows me to put a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and enjoy some of the things I like. I can certainly can't afford to do all of the things I like.
2008-01-27 10:58 AM
in reply to: #1178138

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
possum - 2008-01-27 10:15 AM

newleaf - 2008-01-27 9:14 AM I work because it pays the bills.... period. It doesn't even come close to defining me. I don't know if that is a good thing, or not. I enjoy my job, but it doesn't define me.

 

ditto. If I won the lottery I'd quit in a nanosecond. 

x3

I've actually recently started playing the lottery for the mere fact that I have found something I really want to do with my life, but would have to quit my job to pursue it, and at that, I would have a difficult time surviving...

2008-01-27 11:07 AM
in reply to: #1177974

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Veteran
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San mateo
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

I too see my job as an extention of myself. I am glad to have found something that I love to do and pays the bills.  For about 3 years I did something I did not enjoy and it made getting out of bed in the morning a very ifficult thing to do. Granted I groan and complain about it on occasions, but overall I love it. It's very satisfying to know that what I do affects others so much in a positive way.  I'd stick with it even if I won the lottery.

2008-01-27 12:19 PM
in reply to: #1177974

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Champion
34263
500050005000500050005000200020001001002525
Chicago
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
I love what I do. If I were to win the lotto I'd likely quit my job but I'd freelance for triathlon and running and health magazines.

Writing is one of the only things I'm good at in life.

Or maybe I'd start a new Tri magazine -- one that's more for the common man. I'd called it `Beginner Triathlete Magazine' ...


2008-01-27 12:22 PM
in reply to: #1177974

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by AcesFull 2008-01-27 12:24 PM
2008-01-27 1:07 PM
in reply to: #1177974

Champion
7542
5000200050025
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

#1.  Paycheck
#2.  Paycheck
#3.  Paycheck
#4.  Health Insurance
.
.
#7.  Cool projects and continuous learning
.
.
#10  It's occasionally entertaining

Does work define me?  Not really, but I'm easily identified as an engineer.  I'd be mistaken for an engineer if I did something else. 

2008-01-27 1:12 PM
in reply to: #1178371

Master
2115
2000100
Dothan, Al
Subject: RE: Why do you work?
Because every little boy, and some little girls wanna ba a fireman when they grow up. Then they grow out of it. I never grew out of it. Laughing
2008-01-27 1:23 PM
in reply to: #1178147

Expert
713
500100100
WV
Subject: RE: Why do you work?

SauseEnte - 2008-01-27 8:28 AM I love my job (college prof.) and it's mostly about what I'd rather be doing anyway. It's the B/S that comes with administration and peoples' personal issues that wears me down. But on most days I feel I make a difference and that has always mattered the most.

x2 here.  I really love my job and most of the classes I agree to teach.  Does it define me.  I hope not.  I know I am more than the job.  Others may not see or know that.  But, I really feel I make a difference in the future of my choosen profession (which is why I went through all the pain to get to this position).   I also hope that the research I am doing will impact the lives of others in a positive way. But, I also get tired of the BS with admin, fellow faculty, parents, some students (the millineal student as we term them), and the fall-out from No Child Left Behind. 

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