October 2, 2010
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The 4 Types of Jobs
When talking to people regarding work, especially young people, I tell them that jobs can be classified into 4 categories.
The job you like, but doesn’t pay well. I would generally put teachers (generally early education, and upper education without tenure) in this category. These are usually people who are doing their job to “make a difference,” or because they “enjoy the work.” They will never be rich from doing the job, but they don’t usually have a problem getting out of bed to go to work. Candy-taster may also be in here. People with these jobs usually satisfy the upper levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs easily (self-actualization and esteem), but may regularly have problems with the bottom two levels (psychological and safety; e,g. food, sex, sleep, etc.). If you stick with this job, it may evolve due to pay increases (more on that later).
The job that pays well, but you hate. This is the job where you sold your soul. It’s the 9-5 grind, and you may be on salary, so the overtime you will HAVE to work doesn’t give you any more money. Maybe you guzzle Pepto-Bismol because of stress. People with these jobs usually have a high satisfaction of the bottom levels of the hierarchy from their job, but not the upper two. They may hate getting up in the morning. That’s where the high-paying part comes in to play. As long as the job is able to provide the funding and time for you do do things that you like, you will generally be okay with it. Can you take a trip to Japan without really caring about the cost? Sky-dive every weekend? Buy something you want without delaying gratification? You may be here. Staying with this job may get you more money, but you will most likely require a job or position change in order for you to get to something that you like.
The job that you hate and doesn’t pay well. Normally, people fall into this job category for one of two reasons: needs or circumstances. It may have been your first job as a teenager. You needed money. People with this job category are usually barely satisfying the bottom levels of the hierarchy. Unemployment and/or financial hardship may also lead to this category. Suddenly, you take a job because you have to. Hopefully, you are able to make it out of this level, but some don’t. Staying at this level will usually require an adjustment how you satisfy the lower hierarchy levels (moving back in with family, downgrade of housing, multiple jobs, etc.), and a psychological adjustment to what you perceive as fulfillment of the higher hierarchy levels (twisting morality, aggression rather than confidence, etc). Staying with this job may eventually evolve it into the job that pays well, but you hate. It is rare that it will become something that you like. You may also spend much of your time looking for another job.
The job that pays well and you like. This job is the rare find. All your levels are satisfied. People in this job category will normally come from the category of “job you like, but doesn’t pay well.” Essentially, to get here, you have to “make it.” Maybe you obtain tenure, get a big movie gig, or score a writing job on the Daily Show, make Detective, etc. Now all you have to do is not fuck it up.
