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I think we really need to have a conversation on what "right career" actually means. Case in point. I'm a scientist, working on drug delivery technology. I abs

by cup 10y ago

I think we really need to have a conversation on what "right career" actually means. Case in point. I'm a scientist, working on drug delivery technology. I absolutely love research as a career. What I hate though is the poor pay, non-existant job security, irregular work life balance and cult of self-sacrifice. In retrospect, could I go back 20 years and start again I would have pursued a career with greater job security and pay, less stress and more flexible working conditions. Such jobs include regional train driving, trades-crafts or administration to name a few (in my region). These days I value less my career and more my free time with which I can pursue my hobbies. Subnote: With the advances in automation I think we should also consider whether spending x0,000 hours to become great at a career is really important anymore. Is it ethical to tell someone to sacrifice huge swathes of their time/life for a career that might not exist when they're ready? 2nd Subnote: I want to expand my comment again after finishing the article. I think we need to bear in mind that theres a lot of unspoken assumptions in this guide. For instance, the assumption that theres time to explore possible careers or that one can even trial different careers. A lot of people I know from more difficult backgrounds never had the luxury to try things. They had to make money to support their family so they took what they could get. Alternatively, they never had exposure to other fields so didn't know what was out there anyway. "Finding the right career" is in retrospect an extremely telling phrase about ones socioeconomic and political position.

robertwiblin 10y ago
Hi Cup - yes you're right, what people are looking for in their career is complicated and varies by people. This is part four of our career guide; the first article is all about what actually creates job satisfaction: http://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction http://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction . I think we say everything you said on your comment, and a lot more. While people are varied, there are a few factors identified in the psychological literature that are highly predictive of overall job satisfaction and fulfillment for most of us. :)
- cup 10y ago
  Do you think It's fair to push idealism over realism on (presumably) young people, where wasting time looking for a 'dream' job might distract from living a happy life with an ordinary/respectable job? I like the intention and amount of work you've invested in this but I can't help but feel uneasy about something.
  - robertwiblin 10y ago
    Hi Cup - our career guide is explicitly focussed on "talented young graduates." We would shift the focus a bit for different audiences (more on financial security for example). Though that's already implicit in our discussion of the point at which money stops increasing happiness. But actually if you read on the career paths we recommend in the career guide involve developing highly practical and marketable skills. We just think that turning those valuable skills towards improving the world will provide people with fulfillment in the long term.
blazespin 10y ago
Yeah, the grass is always greener.. I do agree about the bit regarding AI, however.
BenjaminTodd 10y ago
Hey there - just adding to Rob's comment: I actually think automation makes it more important to gain strong skills rather than less, because it's increasing inequality. It's just you need to gain transferable skills that are resistant to automation. We go into much more detail here: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/career-capital/ https://80000hours.org/career-guide/career-capital/ I also think it's possible for everyone to take an empirical approach to their career to some degree, but it's certainly true that it's more important if you have more options.
randomsearch 10y ago
Speaking from personal experience, I would strongly recommend against seeing a job as income solely and pursuing your passion in your free time. You spend a huge amount of time in your work. We are mostly privileged enough to choose the job we take. Don't stay where you're unhappy. Don't settle for a job you don't find fulfilling.
tome 10y ago
> could I go back 20 years and start again I would have pursued a career with greater job security and pay, less stress and more flexible working conditions Why not do this now?

by cup 10y ago

robertwiblin 10y ago

Hi Cup - yes you're right, what people are looking for in their career is complicated and varies by people. This is part four of our career guide; the first article is all about what actually creates job satisfaction: http://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction http://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction . I think we say everything you said on your comment, and a lot more. While people are varied, there are a few factors identified in the psychological literature that are highly predictive of overall job satisfaction and fulfillment for most of us. :)

cup 10y ago
Do you think It's fair to push idealism over realism on (presumably) young people, where wasting time looking for a 'dream' job might distract from living a happy life with an ordinary/respectable job? I like the intention and amount of work you've invested in this but I can't help but feel uneasy about something.
- robertwiblin 10y ago
  Hi Cup - our career guide is explicitly focussed on "talented young graduates." We would shift the focus a bit for different audiences (more on financial security for example). Though that's already implicit in our discussion of the point at which money stops increasing happiness. But actually if you read on the career paths we recommend in the career guide involve developing highly practical and marketable skills. We just think that turning those valuable skills towards improving the world will provide people with fulfillment in the long term.

blazespin 10y ago

Yeah, the grass is always greener.. I do agree about the bit regarding AI, however.

BenjaminTodd 10y ago

Hey there - just adding to Rob's comment: I actually think automation makes it more important to gain strong skills rather than less, because it's increasing inequality. It's just you need to gain transferable skills that are resistant to automation. We go into much more detail here: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/career-capital/ https://80000hours.org/career-guide/career-capital/ I also think it's possible for everyone to take an empirical approach to their career to some degree, but it's certainly true that it's more important if you have more options.

randomsearch 10y ago

Speaking from personal experience, I would strongly recommend against seeing a job as income solely and pursuing your passion in your free time. You spend a huge amount of time in your work. We are mostly privileged enough to choose the job we take. Don't stay where you're unhappy. Don't settle for a job you don't find fulfilling.

tome 10y ago

> could I go back 20 years and start again I would have pursued a career with greater job security and pay, less stress and more flexible working conditions Why not do this now?