I'm just wondering how you all look at your jobs - is it just a job, or do you have career aspirations? I know that I want to continue in my field, in a different capacity that I am now, and I'm taking steps towards getting there - I keep a network of contacts, keep up on industry trends, am working on getting some additional certifications. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there feels like they have a career or is it just a job to pay the bills? I mean, I don't even know sometimes if I want to be a stay-at-home mom (I waffle on this, and no, I don't have kids yet but will in the next year or two, hopefully). It seems like most other working women I talk to hate working and just want to stay home - they don't worry about raises or promotions. Not that I think its wrong, I just sometimes wonder if I'm the only one out there that cares about my career (and I'm not a single high powered attorney or anything).

Mine is a career (I'm a critical care RN), but I'm now looking to change career paths- I'm going to school to get my degree in ASL interpreting. I'm hoping to combine my medical background with my interpreting degree to make a very lucrative and enjoyable career.

Now, all that being said--- my job pays the bills , and I'm thankful for that as well.

I do enjoy my job. I am a praraprofessional in a special ed. classroom. I love the rewards from seeing the children accomplish something new. I would love to finish my teaching degree one day to be the lead teacher, but for now I am happy with what I do because I know it makes a difference.

I have been at my job for 19 years - guess that makes it a career. I am an Administrative Assistant to 2 architects and 1 engineer.

Mine is a career...teaching 8th grade Social Studies. However, I am looking to move into the administration aspect of education as soon as possible. I'd love to be a curriculum director or a vice-principal. I'm certified to do either...just waiting for a good match.

I wanted to add that I now have a part time "job" as a librarian but my "career" is still my family!:D

I used to think of my career as being an RN. After having three children, my career changed to a full time mom. Recently, after 10 years at home raising kids, I've re-entered the work force as an RN again, only very part time, so I look at it as a job vs. career thing at the moment. I don't feel the need to climb any corporate ladders, but want to enjoy both parts of my world. It's a pretty good feeling. :)

I am a professional, in the same field for 15 years, same agency for 12 so I guess it is a career. I enjoy what I do and the balance of home and career. I will probably leave my career by age 47, not because I dislike it but because I should be able to financially. My job, and entire life, are high stress, but that is what I am best at. I don't do relax very well.----Kellie

There is a time and a season for each thing. When our daughter was at little, it was my season to be at home. She is now grown and it is my season to work outside our home. I am a pharmacist at a large teaching hospital. I love my job and feel that I am a valued member of the medical team. For the past several years I worked in the cardiovascular OR right in the operating rooms. It was a very fast paced, exciting place to be and I enjoyed it very much. Recently, I have moved to a much less stressful area but one which I feel is critically important to the care of our patients.

My family is my main focus right now. I do not think I will ever have high reaching career aspirations. I have held a position as retail store manager, and the 60 hour weeks and the stress that the job produced were just not worth the salary to me. I would rather wear clothes from the thrift store and never eat in a restaurant again than subject myself to that kind of stress. I do work a part-time job in a museum gift shop. I home school our daughter also.

I do have a "career" as an Animator and Graphic Designer for an educational software compay that I have been with for ten years...but there are so many other things that I do as well. I'm also a trainer for some of the art programs we use at work, I'm a technical writer for these programs as well. At home I'm a quilt designer and have been commissioned for my first "paid" gig. I also do freelance on the side. I'm working on a website, but that will take a little while longer. I will be resigning from my current job when we move cross country...I keep thinking, is that the end of my "career"? I know it isn't, but I think then maybe my career will be something else or a continuation of what I already do on the side. My career will be changing and it's a little nerve racking, but exciting at the same time!

I'm a critical care nurse who works part time, in a 36 bed intensive care unit. I've worked in this field for over 25 years, but I think of it as a job. That said, I do have to admit that I wouldn't like to quit. I really enjoy my job, but I try to keep my main focus on my family and home.

right now i veiw my job as just that a job. i have no desire to move up the ladder, not even a little bit. i work in retail and have worked my way up from a sales clerk to store manager before and to me it's just not worth the stress nor time away from my kids and dh. right now it's just a way to help pay bills. as things get paid off or if dh gets a better paying job, i'd like to switch to part time or quit all together.

Its a job. I used to consider it a career, but circumstances (not of my making) downsized my workload tremendously. Now I hold down a chair. On the positive side, the folks I work for are very flexible about time I need for my family and my family is my priority.

I've considered trying to find another job that is more challenging and rewarding, but have decided the flexibility to take care of my family if necessary outweighs the boredom.

When I first started this job 9 years ago it got depressing very quickly. I hated it after a while and it became just a job to pay the bills.

Now, I have higher aspirations. I'm hoping to get some managing experience in so I'll be able to apply for a permanent manager job when our new store opens.

I'd actually like more responsiblity now. Wow, imagine that! lol

I love my job. I couldn't be a SAHM...I just didn't enjoy it. And I definately have career aspirations. But with that said, I love my family and spending time with my kids. I just need my job for the variety, KWIM?

I love my career! I have a nice balance of work and time at home with my kids(twins 5yrs and 2yr old). I have been on both sides of the fence from working full time to staying home with my kids full time and I have found that my happy balance is right in the middle! I need a career for my heart and mind and I need time with my children for my heart and mind. The money I make is "extra" and pays for vacations, us opting to put our kids in private school...I definately have a career because I love to work.:smball: