CAREERS

The Oxford dictionary defines a career as ‘an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. This definition suggests that it is possible to pursue a career within employment with an organization or as a “profession” or preferred occupation. But perhaps the significant offer of this definition is the choice made by a person to commit themselves to a given job or role for a significant period of time. In other words, it is the employee’s commitment to a job and their will to progress themselves in that occupation that makes a career for themselves.

The ethical question of careers involves “life commitment”. Are you willing to commit part of your life to a cause outlined in a job or is it simply because the pay is good? A life commitment amounts to your contribution to humanity for your time on earth. Thus, it is worth careful evaluation and reflection on one’s circumstances before, during and after you make commitments to a job (life) pursuit.

There are many who begin one line of employment and end up in another. There are those who feel they did not make the right career choice while others believe they had no opportunity to make a choice. Careers are important to employees because they are part of the sum of life. It would be unfortunate to work a job for several decades and not to experience any personal fulfillment. 

Allan Bukusi