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The Ideal Job

08-10-2009

THE IDEAL JOB

Is there such a thing? The use of words such as “perfect” or “ideal” imply “that which is unattainable”. This really hints at its meaning for humans – “something to strive for”.

“Jobs” changed dramatically with the Industrial Revolution. When we first evolved we were hunters and collectors. Our main job was finding enough food to eat and shelter from the elements.

The Agrarian Revolution was when man began producing food in a systematic way. This reduced the need to wander the earth to find sustenance, and avoid harsh weather. When this happened we began living in settlements of various kinds. These settlements often provided the protection associated with living in a group of humans.

The introduction of factories in the late 19th century (the so-called Industrial Revolution) saw an increased demand for human labour in a small geographical area. The notion of “working hours” took hold as did the idea of large numbers of people serving a single organisation, and being paid wages. These people often lived in accommodation provided by the employer, near the factory. The world had changed.

In this 19th and early 20th century environment, formal education was the luxury of the better off sections of our society. Choices for the poorer folk were limited.

There was a dramatic expansion of the middle classes in western cultures following World War 2. These people valued education, and often came from humble beginnings. There was an expansion in educational opportunities at this time, with increased job choice based on merit rather than personal wealth. The baby boomers were the beneficiaries of the economic prosperity which followed World War 2 for at least two decades.

The notion of someone having a “career” involved a long commitment to what was variously described as one’s “life’s work”. A career lasted from one’s late teens or early 20’s until retirement at aged 65. There was a sense of permanence associated with this.

Fast forward to the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Within 50 years there had been further dramatic changes in the world, based mainly on the so-called “technological era”. This is often described as the third great era of change in the human trajectory (it is only about 150 years since the Industrial Revolution became prominent). The evolution of our culture towards the Industrial Revolution took many millennia.

In 1960 the average number of employees a person worked for by retirement age was 3. In 2008 the average number of employers by aged 30 was 8. Let’s look more closely at the whole process of job choice in the current environment.

Important decisions are made about one’s life trajectory at a young age eg HSC subject choices at aged 16 years; tertiary/job training choices by aged 18 years. Apprentices often make these choices at age 15 years. This is occurring during our adolescence, which is a time of significant emotional development, and relatively little life experience.

Most people then embark on a course of training in some area or start their first major job. People tend to be swept along by the tide of their choice, at the same time are struggling with their personal values and burgeoning adulthood.

It is often several years later (late 20’s to early 30’s) when some reappraisal of career choice and life direction occurs. Alternatives are often idealised. It is impossible to assess the “fit” of any job without actually doing it.

If there is a genuine unhappiness with life and work then things need some reappraisal. You should consider two main areas if, on reflection, something really needs to change.

1. Re-evaluate your current work situation. Include the up-side of the current situation (this is often taken for granted). If an alternative stands out, research it as carefully as you can. Look for the down-side, including the impact (personal and financial) of making a change in career at this stage. Speak to people who actually work in that field, to get a picture of it which is less idealised. If you are still impressed with the alternative (and only you will know), go for it!

2. Re-evaluate your non-work life. This includes important relationships; hobbies; healthy activities; sports; cultural delights; helping others and spiritual interests. It sounds like a bit of a shopping list, but these activities complement the stresses associated with life (which include work stress). Active engagement (ie. enthusiasm) in these areas provides pleasure, which is a healthy thing for us humans. Focusing on these areas can often lead to an increase in the level of enjoyment associated with work.

Even if the work area needs change, attention to these vital non-work areas is a never ending task in itself.

There is no such thing as the “ideal” job because any job will have its negatives and remember, any major CHANGE in inherently stressful for humans. Since we usually identify with our work, and spend a lot of time there, a change in this area is even more stressful.

It may well be that humans will have several “careers”; which match up with various developmental eras in our adult lives:

 In our 20’s; exploring life’s possibilities, getting started, getting qualified in an area, relatively low financial demands, freedom to travel.

 In our 30’s – 50’s; bringing up a family, educating kids, establishing somewhere to live, increased financial demands.

 In our 60’s; reduced financial demand, accent on work quality, part-time work options, a change in our personal priorities.

All this hints at greater choice for people regarding their work and non-work lives. This all sounds fine. However, there is a looming presence on the horizon.

If you were born after 1960, the chances of developing depression during your lifetime is twice that if you were born before 1960. Much has been written about the rapid RATE of change over the past 50 years. One wonders whether a more predictable, less changeable life was more healthy for us humans. Depression is the “big ticket” item in psychological illness.

It may well be that the increased number of choices available and the associated rapidity of change in our careers and the world generally are factors which contribute adversely to our psychological wellbeing.

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