7 answers
Iqra
Student
Kansas City, Missouri
11
Questions
Asked
794 views
Are you satisfied with your job? Is there anything you would change about it?
I'm just curious to see if the hours/pay/lifestyle is what you anticipated and whether or not you like it.
#jobs #agriculture #doctor #orthodontics #general #career #business #dentist # #surgeon #teacher #engineer #lawyer #politician #JULY20
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7 answers
Dhairya Dalal
AI Research Scientist @ Posh Technologies
104
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Dhairya’s Answer
10/10 for me. I love what I do. I am an applied AI researcher working a startup in the financial technology space. I am fortunate to be able to have a job where I work on very interesting problems, have agency over the work I do and feel like I'm making an impact. Working at a startup is very different than larger companies. There is quite of a bit of uncertainty, a large learning curve in building a successful business, and a high degree that luck that you hop to have on your side. But you get to work with closely with a small team, work on hard problems that wouldn't have access to in a larger company, and have great upside compensation wise you get in early enough and the startup takes off.
In terms of my actual job, AI research is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and fun. I teach machines how to understand language, automate common tasks, and be otherwise intelligent in specific contexts. As with all jobs, there are tedious aspects around things like data cleaning, manual annotation/data collections, and random other things that can be boring. But I also get to be curious and creative in explore interesting problems, and building solutions that make a direct impact for our product and our customers.
It's worth noting though it took about eight years before I really found my career. I made many mistakes and had many different jobs along the way. In hindsight, I'm glad I made those mistakes as they really helped focus me towards the work and environment I found most compelling.
In terms of my actual job, AI research is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and fun. I teach machines how to understand language, automate common tasks, and be otherwise intelligent in specific contexts. As with all jobs, there are tedious aspects around things like data cleaning, manual annotation/data collections, and random other things that can be boring. But I also get to be curious and creative in explore interesting problems, and building solutions that make a direct impact for our product and our customers.
It's worth noting though it took about eight years before I really found my career. I made many mistakes and had many different jobs along the way. In hindsight, I'm glad I made those mistakes as they really helped focus me towards the work and environment I found most compelling.
Vikas Tirukonda
Engineer
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Vikas’s Answer
A group of engineers here. We would say that company culture is a really important factor in determining job satisfaction, so we would definitely suggest carefully vetting the culture of any company that you work with. We also have a rotational program that lets people try a few different roles before settling into their final role, which is a nice way to try things if you're unsure about what you want to do. The other benefit of engineering is that if you don't like what you're doing, you can shift gears and work on something completely different.
Thank you for your answer!
Iqra
Garrett Clark
Mechanical Engineer
9
Answers
Corvallis, Oregon
Updated
Garrett’s Answer
Wow, Lqra, you have a lot of different career hashtags on your post. It looks like you are looking for a wide variety of experiences and opinions. Good for you!
I am a person that is EXTREMELY satisfied with my job. I have found what I feel is just the right place for me, and this comes down to three things, all of which are very important:
1) I like and respect the people I work with. Working in a place where the people are kind and intelligent and supportive is possibly the most important thing to look for. The good news is that you can find great places to work can be found in every region and industry. Here are some lists compiled by Fortune magazine:
https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces
2) I find my work to be interesting. I work in technology, which can be challenging, but it is like solving a puzzle - it isn't any fun if it is too easy. You will want to pursue your interests to find something that keeps your attention. I have known some engineers that chose their career based on the potential for a good salary, but they did not actually like engineering. This tended to make them unhappy and they often switched careers. Of course, being paid is important, but it is possible to be rich and unhappy!
3) I live in a location that I like. In Oregon, we have mild weather and lots of outdoor recreation. In addition, I am within an easy drive of my family members.
As you think about your next steps in your education, think about #2 and pursue something that you find interesting, while keeping in mind practical considerations like the earnings potential and whether jobs in that field are growing or shrinking.
When you are considering applying for a job, seek out organizations that have a reputation for treating employees well. At the end of the interview, ask your interviewer some questions, like "What is your favorite thing about working here?" and see if they give positive examples of the people and culture.
Before you accept a job, consider the location. What kind of weather do you like? What will you do during the time you are not working? How will you stay in touch with the people you care about? One interesting thing is that some businesses have offices in many locations. If everything else is great, maybe you will start in a location that isn't your long-term home and then work within the company to move to a place that fits better with your desires.
Is there anything I would change about my job? Of course! Some days I want less stress. Sometimes I have responsibilities that I don't enjoy. Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere with more shopping or services. I realize that nothing is perfect, but many of these downsides are things that I can improve by myself. And that is the most important thing - to appreciate the good things you have while also having a positive attitude about how you can make things even better in the future!
I am a person that is EXTREMELY satisfied with my job. I have found what I feel is just the right place for me, and this comes down to three things, all of which are very important:
1) I like and respect the people I work with. Working in a place where the people are kind and intelligent and supportive is possibly the most important thing to look for. The good news is that you can find great places to work can be found in every region and industry. Here are some lists compiled by Fortune magazine:
https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces
2) I find my work to be interesting. I work in technology, which can be challenging, but it is like solving a puzzle - it isn't any fun if it is too easy. You will want to pursue your interests to find something that keeps your attention. I have known some engineers that chose their career based on the potential for a good salary, but they did not actually like engineering. This tended to make them unhappy and they often switched careers. Of course, being paid is important, but it is possible to be rich and unhappy!
3) I live in a location that I like. In Oregon, we have mild weather and lots of outdoor recreation. In addition, I am within an easy drive of my family members.
As you think about your next steps in your education, think about #2 and pursue something that you find interesting, while keeping in mind practical considerations like the earnings potential and whether jobs in that field are growing or shrinking.
When you are considering applying for a job, seek out organizations that have a reputation for treating employees well. At the end of the interview, ask your interviewer some questions, like "What is your favorite thing about working here?" and see if they give positive examples of the people and culture.
Before you accept a job, consider the location. What kind of weather do you like? What will you do during the time you are not working? How will you stay in touch with the people you care about? One interesting thing is that some businesses have offices in many locations. If everything else is great, maybe you will start in a location that isn't your long-term home and then work within the company to move to a place that fits better with your desires.
Is there anything I would change about my job? Of course! Some days I want less stress. Sometimes I have responsibilities that I don't enjoy. Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere with more shopping or services. I realize that nothing is perfect, but many of these downsides are things that I can improve by myself. And that is the most important thing - to appreciate the good things you have while also having a positive attitude about how you can make things even better in the future!
Thank you so much for your answer! I've been trying to adopt a more positive attitude too!
Iqra
You're very welcome, Lqra, thank you for asking an important question!
Garrett Clark
Yaseen Abashar
4
Answers
Sana'a, Capital Municipality, Yemen
Updated
Yaseen’s Answer
Most employees go to their jobs just to get paid. A few are satisfied to their job, particularly employees who have just joined work. Life essential needs enforce people to look for a job, and once stuffs available, employee wishes to stay home and have a fun with family. You know when a person loves, hugs and satisfies his/ her job? When he/ she is the owner or a partner of project.
Yeahh, it sucks that there are people who just don't like their jobs. Thanks for the answer!
Iqra
Drew Peake, MSME, M.Eng., MBA, PE, FNAFE, DEE, CIH, CSP
Forensic Engineer: Health, Safety, Environment
46
Answers
Marietta, Georgia
Updated
Drew’s Answer
I have enjoyed every job I have had, and have done a lot of things in my 72 years. I feel enjoying work is more a personality trait than the circumstances of a job. Then again, I never stayed once the job was no longer fun. I joined the Navy to beat the Draft in 1967 and enjoyed 42 years active and reserve service as enlisted through Chief Petty Officer, then as an Engineering Duty Officer in shipyards and industrial activity. That was always exciting whether I was mess cooking on a Destroyer in the North Atlantic or dressing down a VP of General Dynamics for not performing to contract specifications. I went to engineering school when I was 27 and earned the BS and Master of Engineering. As an Environmental Engineer I got a job with the US Environmental Protection Agency where I was a Project Engineer in Air Planning and Water Enforcement Officer for 12 years. While there I earned my MBA and in 1988, went into private practice as Peake Engineering. I still do environmental engineering and have expanded into industrial hygiene, safety engineering and forensic engineering. As an expert consulting and testifying engineer I had several mechanical engineering cases where I drew on my shipyard experience. I am two courses away from my third masters' degree, the MS Mechanical Engineering. This has been fun.
I recommend you pick one of the fields you listed - any of them. Then continuously improve you skills and broaden you horizons. Don't go after a job for money or prestige. Do it for fun and you will never work a day in your life
Review each of the professions you've listed in the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Write down a comparative list of income, potential growth, qualification requirements and any other parameter that is important to you
I recommend engineering school to begin. If that is not good for you, it will help you get into medical, dental or law school with a strong competive edge over other applicants.
I recommend you pick one of the fields you listed - any of them. Then continuously improve you skills and broaden you horizons. Don't go after a job for money or prestige. Do it for fun and you will never work a day in your life
Drew recommends the following next steps:
Wow, this was really interesting to read! Thank you for sharing and thanks for the advice!
Iqra
Shalee Fecht
Sales
8
Answers
Lincoln, Nebraska
Updated
Shalee’s Answer
As a Relationship Manager I enjoy my job. It took me a few different positions to find where I'm at now, but each position was a nice stepping stone to where I wound up.
I will say I think its important to note that very few people can say that they love their job 100% of the time. There will be aspects that you find frustrating or discouraging and there will always be challenges. What makes me truly satisfied with my job is more than just what I do.
The company I work for makes a huge difference for me. Finding a company you enjoy working at and that shares the same values can make a world of a difference when it comes to the job you are doing.
I will say I think its important to note that very few people can say that they love their job 100% of the time. There will be aspects that you find frustrating or discouraging and there will always be challenges. What makes me truly satisfied with my job is more than just what I do.
The company I work for makes a huge difference for me. Finding a company you enjoy working at and that shares the same values can make a world of a difference when it comes to the job you are doing.
Thank you!
Iqra
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Iqra,
I am one of the luckiest people in the world because I love what I do for a living. I am an Instructional Designer. I create training that is either taught by someone or taken through a web-training platform. I get to create videos. I also work with graphic designers and animators. For a creative person like me, it is wonderful to be surrounded by so many creative people all the time. And our goal is to help people be the best possible versions of themselves at their jobs. I used to be a trainer (or instructor) which was also very rewarding. I have been a writer since I could write as a child, so writing every day just feels right.
The lifestyle is good. The money is good, especially creating training in corporate America. Some of the non-monetary benefits that I have enjoyed have included traveling around the world with my work. I have visited 16 countries for work, so I got paid to travel. And being able to work with people in other cultures is a gift beyond measure. I also like my job because I can do it from anywhere in the world (if my company would let me). And I do not have to do my job for a company. I can be an independent contractor and take the jobs that I want. I don't do that as I like my company just fine. My job has been great for this period of time since COVID has all of us working from home in my department. In addition, in my job, I do not have to be a specialist. When I think about teachers in schools, I think about how some, like in high school, have to know a specific subject. I do not in my role. I am a specialist at what I do, creating training, but I can create training on anything as long as I have a subject matter expert to help me. It means that I have written training across five different industries. It has been a lot of learning for me too.
However you were asking about some of the challenges of my job. I would say that the hardest thing is actually sitting all day to my job. That is most of the time, especially since there can be a lot of meetings with the job that I do. That can be hard on the body and my health. There are some ways to make your desk raise and such, but the working out and stuff is on you. You have to be diligent in your self care in a role like mine. I also had to get a few diplomas to get here. You can have a bachelor's degree, but I felt that to be secure in my role in training and development that I needed a masters degree.
Hopefully that is enough insight into the small role that I play in business. I would say that whatever you do, be passionate about it. The passion is what is going to get you through the hard times, like earning diplomas or sitting all day.
Gloria
I am one of the luckiest people in the world because I love what I do for a living. I am an Instructional Designer. I create training that is either taught by someone or taken through a web-training platform. I get to create videos. I also work with graphic designers and animators. For a creative person like me, it is wonderful to be surrounded by so many creative people all the time. And our goal is to help people be the best possible versions of themselves at their jobs. I used to be a trainer (or instructor) which was also very rewarding. I have been a writer since I could write as a child, so writing every day just feels right.
The lifestyle is good. The money is good, especially creating training in corporate America. Some of the non-monetary benefits that I have enjoyed have included traveling around the world with my work. I have visited 16 countries for work, so I got paid to travel. And being able to work with people in other cultures is a gift beyond measure. I also like my job because I can do it from anywhere in the world (if my company would let me). And I do not have to do my job for a company. I can be an independent contractor and take the jobs that I want. I don't do that as I like my company just fine. My job has been great for this period of time since COVID has all of us working from home in my department. In addition, in my job, I do not have to be a specialist. When I think about teachers in schools, I think about how some, like in high school, have to know a specific subject. I do not in my role. I am a specialist at what I do, creating training, but I can create training on anything as long as I have a subject matter expert to help me. It means that I have written training across five different industries. It has been a lot of learning for me too.
However you were asking about some of the challenges of my job. I would say that the hardest thing is actually sitting all day to my job. That is most of the time, especially since there can be a lot of meetings with the job that I do. That can be hard on the body and my health. There are some ways to make your desk raise and such, but the working out and stuff is on you. You have to be diligent in your self care in a role like mine. I also had to get a few diplomas to get here. You can have a bachelor's degree, but I felt that to be secure in my role in training and development that I needed a masters degree.
Hopefully that is enough insight into the small role that I play in business. I would say that whatever you do, be passionate about it. The passion is what is going to get you through the hard times, like earning diplomas or sitting all day.
Gloria