Everyone should love what they do. When we are passionate about something, we want to do it well and make positive changes. As a college student, I am still putting together my puzzle to determine what I love most and want my career to be. I have gotten the opportunity to take the classes I want, at the times I want, with top-tier professors. I am passionate about career prep, talking about ethical leadership, and business. Classes in these areas make me excited to go to class, ask questions, and talk with peers. Being excited about what you do does not always come so naturally and/or easily.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
— Confucius
There are a few perspectives we can take when talking about job satisfaction. First, let us look at what people who love their jobs do. Many people who are passionate about something and then turn their passion(s) into a career are reportedly more satisfied. A 2022 study found that 45% of people ‘love’ their jobs and 42% ‘like’ their jobs. Additionally, most job satisfaction was attributed to work that was ‘personally fulfilling and meaningful.’ So, find what you love and make it your career. If you are not enjoying your current career, maybe it is time for some change. I challenge you to list your passions, analyze them, and find your purpose. What does fulfillment mean and look like to you?
Second, how can we cultivate environments in which people love working and where doing your job is not seen as a chore? Employers and employees determine workplace culture. We have all been involved in something—an organization or job—in which we loved what we did but did not care for the culture created by those around us. For me, an example of this was playing soccer for my high school. I loved the sport and representing my school, but I did not care for the culture. The organization, coaches, and players were responsible for the culture they created. In organizations and the workplace, there are common goals. So, we should make it our utmost priority to ensure the quality and intention of workplace culture, as this plays a role in people enjoying their jobs.
Every individual, team, and workplace should aspire for the most job satisfaction, as there are plenty of benefits. Some are listed below:
More productivity
Less absenteeism
Less sabotage, stealing, doing work badly on purpose, and spreading rumors
‘Good citizenship’ behavior
We should acknowledge the subjectivity of job satisfaction based on the individual and the role. Individuals should find what they love, and the collective should work to ensure the best environment for the group. These two elements contribute to increased satisfaction. We are the determinants of passion, satisfaction, and success. Every day, we should aim to wake up and enjoy going to work to do what we are passionate about.
Emma Bathurst
The University of Texas at Austin
McCombs School of Business | Moody College of Communication
emmabathurst@utexas.edu | emmabathurst8@gmail.com
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