CAREER

What makes you stay in your career?

Is it the money? Is the job fulfilling? Is it because you don’t have any other choice? Is it the people you are working with and friends at work?

We all have started our careers because we need the money. We need to work. Out of college, or high school, whatever you’ve finished, we automatically looked for a job. For some, they aimed for what they wanted to do. For the majority of us, whatever the opening, we applied and grew our careers from the bottom of the corporate ladder.

Out of college, I inherited a small canteen business from my mom. That didn’t work out as the business had so many receivables it can’t barely keep up with the monthly expenses. I then applied to a BPO company and started as a technical support agent. I moved to another company for a reason and became a sales agent and then a customer representative. From there, I became a Workforce Management Professional and for 15 years, as of this writing, I had grown my career around it.

Do I like the job? Yes. Do I find it fulfilling? Some days yes and some days no. Is the money good? Definitely. Do I have other choices? As of this time I wrote this, no. And let me tell you…I’m stuck right now in the profession.

The money is very good I can’t let it go. I like what I’m doing but there are times that I don’t really see the value it brings. And maybe it is not too late to change careers. But that fear of trying something new and the risk of losing money are what stop me.

To you fresh graduates, please have the time to read The Education of Millionaires by Michael Ellsberg. In this book, he talks about how those who did not finish college succeeded in their lives. And while this may not be applicable to you looking to grow your career, there is one thing that for me is a key takeaway in the book – what problem are you solving for?

Think about that and assess your current career. What value does your work bring to people? What impact does it have? I would say it is not about making a big difference and impact to the world but rather, how does your work help someone?

I’ll leave that up to you because I believe that thinking about it would help all of us be more responsible, accountable and dedicated to what we do.

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What anchors you to your career? Is it the financial stability it provides, the sense of fulfillment you derive from it, the lack of alternatives, or the camaraderie and friendships you’ve formed in the workplace?

For most of us, our career journey begins with a fundamental need—the need for financial security. Fresh out of educational institutions, be it college or high school, we embark on a quest for employment. Some are fortunate enough to pursue their passions right away, while many of us take whatever job opportunities come our way, often starting at the very bottom and working our way up through the ranks of the corporate hierarchy.

My own career trajectory took an unexpected turn right after college. I inherited a small canteen business from my mother, but due to an overwhelming amount of unpaid bills, the business struggled to stay afloat. Consequently, I found myself stepping into the world of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), starting as a technical support agent. Over time, I transitioned through various roles—a sales agent, a customer service representative—and eventually carved out a niche for myself as a Workforce Management Professional. Fifteen years have passed since then, and my career has been shaped by this specialization.

Do I enjoy my job? Generally speaking, yes. There are days when I find it immensely fulfilling and others when its purpose seems less clear. The compensation is undoubtedly attractive. But do I have other options? At this moment in time, as I pen these words, my answer is no. And here lies my current predicament—I feel trapped in my profession.

The lucrative nature of my job makes it difficult to walk away from. While I appreciate my work, there are moments when its significance eludes me. The thought has crossed my mind: perhaps it’s not too late to switch careers. Yet, the fear of venturing into the unknown and the potential financial risks involved hold me back.

To those of you who are recent graduates or just starting out in your careers, I implore you to read “The Education of Millionaires” by Michael Ellsberg. In his book, Ellsberg discusses how individuals who didn’t complete their college education managed to achieve success in life. Although this narrative may not seem directly relevant to those seeking career advancement, there’s a profound message within its pages that resonated with me—the importance of understanding what problem you’re solving.

Take a moment to reflect on your current career path. What value does your work add to society? What impact does it have on others? It’s not about making monumental changes or leaving an indelible mark on the world; rather, it’s about how your work aids someone in their daily life.

Consider this: every job exists because there is a problem that needs solving—a gap that needs filling. Whether you’re an engineer designing safer buildings, a teacher shaping young minds, or a customer service representative ensuring client satisfaction, your work has intrinsic value because it addresses a need.

As you ponder these questions and evaluate your career choices, remember that finding meaning in your work isn’t solely about personal gratification or societal recognition. It’s about recognizing that even the smallest contributions can make someone’s life easier or better in some way.

So ask yourself: What problems am I passionate about solving? How can my skills and talents be utilized to address these issues? By aligning your career with these answers, you’ll likely find greater satisfaction and purpose in what you do.

Ultimately, our careers should be more than just a means to an end—they should reflect our values and aspirations. They should challenge us to grow and inspire us to contribute positively to those around us.

As you navigate through your professional life, strive to find that sweet spot where passion meets purpose—where what you do not only pays the bills but also aligns with what you believe in and care about deeply.

In conclusion, whether you’re just beginning your career journey or contemplating a change in direction, remember that it’s never too late to reassess your path and make adjustments that bring you closer to fulfilling work that matters—to you and to others.