Do you feel the need to move up in your career, or are you happy in your current position? I’ve heard from a few different people that you must always try to advance your career. For me, there’s more than a bigger pay check and fancier title to consider.
My husband tested for a promotion several years ago. While I was extremely proud of him, I wasn’t overly happy when he aced the test and received his promotion. That’s because I was sure that would be the last he’d see of a day shift schedule. I was right, and it’s still the case. He’s a high ranking supervisor, but he’s on nights for as long as he holds that position.
At his celebratory dinner, my mother-in-law bragged about how she bugged him and bugged him to take the test. She was quite upset with me for not being on board. I explained why I wasn’t happy, namely because his kids and I would be home at night without him. She responded with, “He must advance in his career. Sacrifices are necessary.”
I’m all for ambition. I have dreams of my own. However, I believe if you find a position you like, are good at it, and both you and your employer are happy, then you shouldn’t feel pressured to move up in the company or find a better job elsewhere. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with staying in the same job for twenty years.
I understand that many employers take a dim view of those who stay long enough to climb high on the pay scale. I have a friend who was laid off nineteen years into his career with a local manufacturer because his salary was too high. The company could pay someone else several thousand dollars less per year to do the same thing.
I believe this is backward thinking. Good help is hard to find. It makes sense to keep your loyal employees and make sure they are well compensated. Those are the people who keep operations running smoothly. If there’s a problem, those are the people who know how to fix it. Would you rather deal with a new person who is just learning the job or someone who can take care of your needs in an efficient manner?
I’ve worked at the same place for just shy of eleven years. The majority of people in my department have been there for ten years or more. That means I’ve spent a decade with most of my team.
We’ve built trust, understanding, and respect over the years. We’ve learned to work efficiently as a cohesive unit by knowing our jobs and each other so well. We like each other and aren’t afraid to dive in and assist one of our own who’s struggling with something or overwhelmed. Breaking up our team for the sake of change would be sad.
When I was in high school, the teachers and counselors talked to us about good local companies. They explained that we could retire well if we were hired by one of the those companies, worked hard, and stayed loyal to them. It saddens me that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
I believe we should all like what we do for a living. If that means moving to a new employer every five years, so be it. If that means staying in one spot until retirement, I say that’s what you should do, and I pray your upper management lets you.
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