Why are jobs so hard?

[lunavixen]

I don't mind my job (I work in pizza), I work with good people, I actually get to see the results of what I do (I cut and garnish, in addition to being a driver), and most of our customers are quite nice people, even with the occasional whiner we get. It's not my dream job by a long shot, but until I get there (or get into the training for it) it'll do.

 

[bigwon]

I don't think there's ever a job that's endlessly entertaining and fulfilling as much as there is someone who is entertained and fulfilled.

Factors I'd consider are:

1) Escapism - how much of a distraction it is from the grim aspects of life. Note that as much as you like to spend an afternoon or weekend playing video games. Someone else would consider it a job as it isn't so much as escapist material as much as it is just dreadful and "Shit I would much rather be doing something else!"

2) Fulfillment - This is self defined. Are you someone who believes they play a role in all relative life and seek to play a more responsible role for a sense of purpose? or are you more the spiritual type and want to foster an environment were you can better contemplate, develop your temperament and what have you?

3) The Payout - The money/rank and what general comfort comes with it. I would have thrown this in with 1) but....yeup...

It's all perspective though.

 

[Chemical Alia]

As someone with a degree in fine art, I still see it almost like winning the lottery that I actually managed to find a career that pays me to do what I'd be doing on my own anyway (making art for games). It took me long enough to get there, though after joining the army after high school to be a Chinese linguist, then spending way too long in college undecided on my major for the first few years because I was terrified that I'd end up studying fine art. Which I did.

Unfortunately, getting to do the job that I do required relocating far away from my family, who I'm very close to, to a place I don't particularly like living in (Dallas, TX). The best job I was ever able to get back in Pennsylvania where I'm from was working as a graphic designer at a biopharmaceutical company that makes oral HIV tests and wart removers, which was okay but really dull. I also almost didn't get into game development after grad school at all, because it was so hard to find a job at that time with my lack of experience and terrible economy. I took an offer to work at Halliburton on stupid UI stuff for insane amounts of money, but quit a month later because I was afraid I'd never get into games if I didn't keep trying.

 

[Julius Terrell]

TAKE IT FROM ME! I've done janitorial and manual labor jobs for the past 10+ years. I've loved some of my jobs and hated others. One of the best jobs I had was being a baggage handler. Sure I worked outside in the elements, but I enjoyed working hard and they gave me as much overtime as I could physically handle. I mean at one point I was pulling in $600/wk. Sure I was going on fumes most of the time, but I enjoyed that job. I felt like I was playing tetris as we loaded the baggage. I used to sing a few of the themes as I worked. It made my co-worker laugh. Good times!

I guess I learned that I was great at working hard. I do have a professional level singing voice, but the odds are quite against me in that respect. Nobody gives a shit about classical music so I don't know if I'll ever be able to make a living as a singer. I always thought if I ever do get myself lined up with a great recording studio, I'll never have to clean another toilet ever again.

All I can say is just to find something you can be content doing. I'm not giving up on my dreams, but I had to face reality at some point.

Also, loading the planes I've seen more money than anyone will ever see in their lifetime. I mean it was right in front of me(bags of money); along with those armed security guards!!! LOL!!! >_<

 

[CardinalPiggles]

If you don't finish the course at least do something else.

Stay active and productive (preferably to bolster your CV), otherwise you could end up with a CV that says you're 30 years old and haven't been doing anything since you left education. Would you want to hire a guy or girl like that?

Personally I'm working a job I hate ('chef' at a crappy food franchise) but I'm training in higher things at the moment when I'm at work. Not only does it keep the work from getting boring, but it gives me more options in the future when I decide to leave that god awful place.

I'd say finish what you started, otherwise you could end up doing something so mind numbing it drives you crazy. Or worse, end up not doing anything at all.

 

[00slash00]

As someone who has been unemployed since June 1st, I want to throw things at people whenever they complain about their job. Quit, and let me have your job

 

[Terramax]

There comes a point of almost pathological obsessiveness when it comes to cleanliness.

When you reach that point, you're happy when you're cleaning anything, situation or payment be damned.[footnote]Goddamn The Sub ad, on the middle of my fucking text box. I can see half of my post and I will NEVER watch your shitty show you obnoxious, stupid ad.

OK, if you really wanna argue the toss that someone's dream job could honestly be something like being a cleaner for a school or hotel, then go for it. But I'm not convinced, and I don't think many others around here would be either.

 

[banksy122]

I worked at Mcdonalds for 3 years and dreaded every day I worked and by the end I was having mental breakdowns and anxiety attacks simply because I was called in to work. Now I work at an Apple store (I don't like apple) and I am loving it. It isn't about finding something you love, it is about loving what you find. I get to help people with their computer problems, sell people computers and I am learning stuff every day and this job will help me get into better jobs in the IT world.

 

[JagermanXcell]

Well I just graduated from high school, I have my dream job set to be an Animator (pretty passionate about making cartoons just for damn fun,), hopefully for Pixar...fat chance I know, but sweet merciful God I will put in blood, sweat, and tears just to work form them.
THEY HAVE A GOD DAMN CERIAL BAR AND SHAVE THEIR HEADS FOR FUN. Oh yeah and animate entertaining content... CERIAL. BAR.

My current job is working at an assembly line at my Dad's factory (it. is. horrible. I've had 3 instances where I thought I might collapse from physical issues uggggggggh!). But its just what I and many others have to deal with. In my case I predict I have to deal with these jobs for roughly 6 years. 6 YEARS! (community college, transfer to CalArts ect. ect.)

Its no mystery that life is tough. You need to work hard if you want a job you can enjoy and I hope enough of my hard work can land me THAT job.
Then again I live in America.... where hard work doesn't mean crap.... like at all... much like college degrees... also dat economy... sad truth.

But that doesn't mean I won't keep trying. I'm not gonna let society keep me from getting that job I can have a blast at and bring food to the table.

 

[Gunner 51]

I've noticed that you're a fellow Briton, Loop Stricken and there's many parts to the problem you describe.

Firstly having been on benefits for three years because of unemployment has given me this revelation: Despite having some meaty qualifications and even volunteer work experience - you don't get a job - a job has to be given to you.

It's a real employer's market out there and it has always been thus here in Blighty.

If you have a job - any job - that's lucky. Even if you hate it, it's still honest pay and it doesn't come with the stigma of being labelled as a Dole Scrounger. So avoiding public scorn is always nice, and with the Tories in charge - it sounds like you got out of the benefits trap just in time too.

No-one really likes work, otherwise it'd be called play - but think of the money and getting to spend time with work-friends. Take pride in what you do and for the love of cake, get a work ethic - this will help you gain another job further down the line. Hopefully one you'd like.

But another thing that's not really talked about is fatigue levels - if you've spent time on benefits, you don't really do much physically and mentally and work sure as the Pope's a Catholic changes that. You now find yourself tired, pessimistic and generally rueing the situation you are in - but keep at it.

If the work is something you truly cannot stomache, like your boss is a real sadistic arsehole / cow who threatens you with violence etc like one of mine did - then by all means quit. While I spent another two years desperately seeking a new job after that - it's not a decision that I come to regret. (She did make me vomit with nerves every day I had to go to work there, so I think I made the right decision.)

Keep your chin up, fella. You're just merely tired from going between a world of benefits and a world of work.
Should you wish to PM me, I'd be happy to lend you an ear.

 

[MetalMagpie]

I feel very lucky indeed that something I love doing (programming) is also something that I can actually get paid to do. I can think of no real reason why this would necessarily be the case.

It's very difficult to get paid to do things like acting, singing and playing tennis, because those are all things that lots of people really enjoy doing. That doesn't mean that you can't get paid to do those things (they do make money, after all). You just need to be good enough to beat all the other people who want to do those things. Fewer people seem to enjoy programming, so I have less competition for programming jobs.

So the best way to achieve job satisfaction is to be one of those freakish individuals who's really passionate about something everyone else thinks is abysmally difficult/boring/disgusting. Like accountancy, North Sea fishing or unblocking sewers.

 

[Guffe]

I'm just in school still but we have a long practical studies period at the moment (which means working under "supervision") and I find it highly enjoyable.
I have been wanting to do this since I was a child, so it has sort of been a dream come true...

 

[Lightknight]

I enjoy computers and I get to spend time resolving complex computer problems all day for very large companies around the world. What I have there is something that engages me intellectually that I enjoy doing. Some day, I'll be a Network Administrator or something like that in a very large firm and I'll become very bored (a good Admin sets the damn thing up right and isn't always running around to put out fires). But until that day when I'm paid enough to be bored, this is fun. Knowing that my company charges $300 per hour of my time on the more complex cases is nice as well even if I don't see the majority of it.

You've got to find a line of work you at least find mildly interesting and start moving yourself upwards from there. Even if your line of work is boring, if you can try to find parts of it interesting then that will go a long way in the meantime.

I got two degrees in entirely unrelated fields. One of them was thankfully Business Administration from a reputable College of Business. I actually entered my current company under a completely unrelated position and then found out I had an extreme aptitude for computers and was recruited by that department to transfer. Since then, I've found computers fascinating and solving problems that top level admins can't crack is great. But even my majors weren't easy. I decided on Business because it was broad enough to put me anywhere. But I even went through premed before I realized the medical field just wasn't for me.

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Jobs as a whole have been drying up. It's not just a single place either, it's globally.

A good example is here in Australia, unless you have 10 years mining-related experience or you're just turning 18 with friends/family in the workforce, you can't get a job. I'm almost 23 and since finishing school in 2008, I probably worked for a total sum of ~15 months out of 57 months so far.

The problem is most employers are too narrow minded. If you look young, you're a risk. if you look old, you're a risk. if you look too shifty, you're a risk. They basically want people who don't exist, that have skills that aren't required to fill in a entry-level job.

Hell, I'd work at McDonalds if I could, but because I'm 23, unless I was trained in as a manager, it wont happen at any fast food store. I mean, if you can't even get a job in fast food, what hope do you have. :\

 

[Foolery]

The problem is that in our current society we're expected to know what we want to do by the age of 17. And if you don't know what you want to do with your life, well then by god you're going to have a bad time.

It's not necessarily that it's hard to find a job that you would like to do. There is tons of interesting work out there. The problem is finding a job that you want to do, and which you are qualified for, and which you can actually earn a living on.

See, if you don't have what you want to do figured out, then you'll never get the qualifications necessary to get the job you want, because you won't know that you want it far enough in advance. Hell, even if you have all the correct qualifications, it still takes tons of luck and hard work to get the job that you really want. Getting a job ends up becoming a full time job on its own.

You're probably tired of being quoted on this, but yeah spot on. Society punishes people who don't know what they want by that age. It's pure madness. On top of the fact, that basic highschool education isn't appropriately synced up to logistics and practices of the real world.

Ideally I'd like to start my own business, keeping bees and selling honey. Or get into horticulture or landscaping. Right now, those are just a hobby. My main source of income is working front desk at a hotel. Which pays surprisingly decent, almost 20 dollars an hour. And I really only got the job because a friend is the manager. Oh and hard work means very little. Sure it's a positive work trait to have. But ultimately it's who you know, what connections you have, that secures a job position.

 

[hooblabla6262]

My mother and father used to tell me that one day I would have a job that I hated, but needed to do to survive.
My parents, like most other people in the world, settled for mediocre.

As much as I try to love everyone, these people are foolish.
They have no sense of adventure. No desire to risk their comfy jobs for something they would enjoy much more.
Most tell themselves that someday they will get out there and figure out what they love, but never do.
Some figure that all the good jobs are taken so they give up before ever trying.
It's all so pathetic.

Anyhoo, just get out there and start trying different things. Develop some new skills.
There are so many amazing jobs out there, and if you can't find one you like just make one.

 

[PatrickXD]

It isn't too hard. Seriously, look around, do some work experience. Anyone can can get work experience, not just 16 year olds. Look at what qualifications you have, and what kind of training is available locally - most all of it will also be available as a longer, part time course for people who are currently working.
Personally, I fell in love with Prosthetics and Orthotics, did work experience for several months and am about to start my 3 year course in Manchester. I'm not saying that everyone can and will find a job that they love and want to do. I am saying that if you look hard enough, you probably can find something that you'll find satisfying. And job satisfaction, within reason, is more important than salary.

TL;DR Consider your options, get back into training.

 

[rasputin0009]

It usually starts with "What do you enjoy doing?". Keyword "doing". You have to do stuff and things to find out if you like it or not.

See, I like solving problems and fixing things. So I decided on becoming an engineer. And that's what I do now. I've got an endless supply of problems to solve now. And I'm happy to do that.

I also thought of becoming an electrician or a carpenter, but now those things are just hobbies. I probably would've enjoyed those occupations, too. Engineering just seemed like it had bigger problems to fix.

Captcha just Rick rolled me...
" never gonns give you up"

 

[Tono Makt]

Most jobs that are hard are hard because we're doing what someone else wants us to do, not what we want to do. And most of those jobs are jobs that no one really wants to do, but they have to be done anyway. How many people WANT to spend all day cleaning bathrooms in a football stadium. How many people WANT to spend all day talking computer illiterates through power cycling their modems and rebooting their computers over the phone? How many people WANT to spend all day inspecting diseased genitalia and trying to figure out how to cure the disease? But these jobs are vital - SOMEONE has to do it. That's a big part of why jobs are so hard. They have to be done but we don't want to do them.

Another part is that we don't always see the end product of our labours, which is something most of us actually care about. There are remarkably few people in this world who actually like taking money for free day after day. Almost all of us like having a free day where we do nothing and get paid for it. Most of us will be okay with doing a frenzy of work one day only to find out the next day that the work was pointless and won't be used. But there are remarkably few people who will stick at a job that tells us (metaphorically, of course) to dig a hole in the morning then fill that hole in during the afternoon, and the next day dig that same hole again and fill it tomorrow afternoon. We don't like to perform POINTLESS (or seemingly pointless) labour, regardless of the wage we're given. And too many of today's jobs involve what appears to be pointless labour.

Those are two reasons why jobs are so hard. 1) We aren't doing what we want to do. 2) We don't seem to be doing much that has an actual value.

 

[IndomitableSam]

Everyone always thinks a dream job exists... it doesn't. Simple as that. No one ever gets up every morning excited to go to work every day.

The best anyone can ever hope for is a job they don't hate. A job that you can get up and go to on a Monday morning without hating the world. That kind of job is hard enough to find, but it's enough.

I just got paperwork last week that said my earliest retirement date is 2038 (I'll be 55 then)... and fuck, that is such a punch to the stomach and made me dislike my job even more. But I'm going to stick with it because it's got great benefits and gives me lots of vacation time. So there's my plus to my work. I get 3 weeks paid vacation and up to 4 unpaid. Yay government. But I hate it.

Still... I get up every morning and do it, because it pays the bills and I'm this thing people call a "grown-up", so I have to.

Just find a part of the work you enjoy and hold onto that. And start counting down the days until you can retire and hope you're still mobile enough for full-VR games since they'll hopefully exist by then. It's what keeps me going. ... I'm not kidding.