The difference between a career and a job and why it’s important 


The main difference between a career and a job is that a job is just something you do for money, whereas a career is a long-term endeavour, something you build towards and work upon every day. A job is just a role, but a career is made up of the combination of roles, experiences, education and pathways you take to achieve your goals.  


Of course, it’s fine if you need to take a job to pay the bills – you may not always have the luxury to be selective. However, we recommend that you also have a career goal that you want to eventually achieve and work towards.  




  • A job may give you a steady paycheque short-term, but a career gives you long-term financial security, as it encourages you to build on your skills and continue learning in order to move up the career ladder.  


  • As technology changes, industries evolve, or things like recessions cause some jobs to become unstable, a career acts like a safety net. The more skills, qualifications and experience you have in your career-area, the more prepared you will be for any situation. 


  • A career increases the likelihood that you’ll earn higher pay and better benefits. You’ll be of greater value to employers as you progress in your career, and you’ll be rewarded accordingly. 


  • If you’re enjoying a career in an area you’re passionate about, you’ll get more job satisfaction and a sense of pride in what you do, which in turn leads to increased overall happiness. A career will challenge you on a daily basis, give you goals to work towards and motivate you, and therefore help make your job more meaningful 


  • And the best part is, even if you are in a low-paying role that you don’t really enjoy, it may be helping you get closer to your career goals  and therefore all of the benefits above still apply. 


If you want to find out more about changing your career, read our article here 

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