What makes a good career a “good" career?

What is a good career?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot.

Everyone has an opinion. What matters to you may or may not matter to me. My career might look nothing like yours. Does that mean mine is bad? Yours is bad? Both are good?

Defining and measuring signs of a “good career” just doesn’t make sense anymore.

What are the things that truly matter in a career no matter what you do or who you are? And, who has the power to make that determination? Is it your boss? Your parents?

I think the answer falls to you. Only you can decide if your career is “good” or not, and why that’s your decision.

Depending on who you talk to, there’s no right way to measure a good career, but I do think there are dimensions and variables that are commonly discussed and weighed in terms of importance. Everyone must decide which elements are most relevant to our lives and prioritize how these dimensions fit within our personal career schema.

my definition of a modern career

A career is the constellation of meaningful events and experiences over your lifetime that you consider to be part of your work, which form related groups or patterns (like an oeuvre). Note: The patterns specifically promote career embodiment and showcase career belonging

There is no one size fits all career anymore, nor do traditional metrics match the range of individual beliefs that exist. If you survey a group of people (like I have) and ask them what their definition of a career is, you’ll receive as many different answers as the number of people you talk to.

9 Dimensions of a “good” career

These nine create a holistic picture of what factors into a career, but each dimension will have more or less importance to you. The dimensions are also interconnected and interdependent.

The questions beneath each dimension are written in a yes/no frame on purpose. It’s intended to be a quick gut check to see how you’re doing in each dimension. Then you can decide what you need to change, if anything at all.

  1. Personal Growth Dimension: 

  • Do you find it challenging?

  • Do you find it rewarding?

  • Are you able to learn new things?

  • Are you growing?

  • Does it meet your values?

  • Are you proud of it?

  • Do you want to do it?

2. Work/Life Balance Dimension

  • Does it take the right amount of your time? Or too much time?

  • Is it sustainable or will it burn you out?

  • Does it invigorate you and give you energy?

  • Does it provide enough flexibility to meet your needs?

3. Skill Dimension

  • Are you competent at it?

  • How much time will it take to become competent at it?

  • Can you continue to grow or evolve in it?

  • Will it challenge you over time?

4. Purpose/ Satisfaction Dimension

  • How happy are you in your work?

  • Are you fulfilling your purpose?

  • Is it your calling?

  • Are you fulfilling your potential?

5. Education Dimension

  • How much, if any, education do you need?

  • How long will it take to gain the required training?

6. Impact Dimension

  • Are you doing good/ making positive change in the world? 

  • Are you making a difference or leaving a legacy?

  • Are you solving an important problem?

7. Social/ Cultural Dimension

  • Do your friends and family support it?

  • Is it culturally or socially important or acceptable?

  • Is it respected?

  • How much will depend on your individual ability versus social connections?

  • Is it hard to break into or become an expert in?

  • Are there many barriers, biases, or prejudices to navigate?

  • Is it growing, dying or emerging?

8. Financial Stability Dimension

  • Does it pay enough to meet or exceed your lifestyle needs?

  • Does it provide quality benefits?

9. Market Dimension

  • Does it feel secure/ stable?

  • Does the job market value it?

  • Does the world need it?

  • Is there demand?

  • Is it competitive, or hard to get into?

  • Will it be relevant in the next five, ten, twenty years from now?

Dr. Sarabeth Berk Bickerton