High Career Aspirations Are Overrated, Here’s Why
The Bay's best newsletter for underground events & news
At this point in my life, I honestly thought I would be higher up on the career ladder but I’m not. I am higher than the positions I used to be in but I’m not high enough. And quite honestly, I’m okay with that. Let me back up for a second. In the last 13 years since I graduated from college, I’ve been an aide in the classroom, a recreation center assistant, and a part time community college instructor. None of these jobs were full time and most of them, I was working two jobs at 45-55 hours a week, trying to make a full time living wage.
I got tired of running from one job to another while being a mother. Education became harder to get into unless it was a classified position and then I would have to find a summer job to pay the bills for the months that I was off. I had to step back and think outside of the box for a permanent job. What could I do with the degrees that I had but wouldn’t have to worry about computers possibly taking my job in the future? I’ve always worked in service because human support is still needed and I love to be around people.
Photo from 10 BEST CAREER ASPIRATIONS EXAMPLES FOR INTERVIEWS & RESUME
After applying to different positions for over a year, I landed a job as an administrative assistant. Finally, I have one job that is 40 hours a week with benefits and pays more than when I worked two jobs combined. I used to hate being in an office but as I’ve gotten older, I knew that I needed to sit down all day to get more pay. I’m satisfied with what I do and I actually love what I do. The thing is, they asked me where do I see myself in 5 years. I said that I hope to move up to another position in 5 years. That was months ago at the interview and now that I’m inside, I have a different perspective.
High career aspirations don’t excite me as much because the higher that I climb, the more responsibilities that I have and there is no such thing as being off. When I come in on Monday mornings, I see that people answer emails and work on the weekends to finish by the deadlines. I thought that I left that in college and I’m not about that life right now. The higher pay may be nice but what’s your price for a peace of mind? It’s priceless for me and I wouldn’t trade anything for it. I think that I’ll be in my position for a while. I wouldn’t say that I’m settling but I’m not in a hurry and I’m being realistic for me. I love that when I go to work, I have 8 hours to get it done and then when I turn off the computer for the day, I’m done. My job keeps me busy, which makes the days go by faster, and I don’t have anyone watching over me. My role in the company is just as important as the supervisors and project managers because I keep the company running smoothly so they can accomplish their work. Some people are better behind the scenes than in the spotlight, and I realized that I’m better behind the scenes. I haven’t had a job like that in a long time and I feel free.
Also, I want to enjoy my life and spend my spare time doing whatever I want to do, including writing for this site. It’s fine to coast for a while and enjoy life while I’m young enough to do so. I have to do what’s best for me and for now, I’ve found my peace.
