A job is a paid position of regular employment that can either be full-time or part time. Jobs consist of specific and defined tasks and responsibilities that can also be measured or quantified. People will often identify themselves with their job title and find motivation from its usefulness. Nevertheless, an individual job is primarily worked to procure wages, not necessarily knowledge or expertise.
Jobs are often compared and contrasted with careers. The latter describes a series of related actions and employment opportunities that allow for promotion and development of one's knowledge and expertise in a given field. Careers usually begin with higher education and contain several goals that one works towards throughout his or her lifetime. Both jobs and careers can provide networking opportunities, with the potential to gain future jobs and/or further career advancement. Jobs can turn into careers, but successful careers usually require advanced skills and motivation. (Photo: Shutterstock)