Dissatisfaction at work is something many of us face multiple times in our lives.
But for the lucky ones, their career is something they adore – a job that brings them purpose, isn't too stressful, provides flexibility or is just downright fun.
For some, what they love about their job is the big salary. For others, it's about choosing the job that pays enough but makes them happy and keeps them emotionally sane. And for a fortunate few, they manage to secure a perfect combination – good money and good work culture.
We decided to ask our Mamamia audience if they actually love their job and what it is about the role that makes them happy. They were also keen to share the behind-the-scenes of their workday, how long their work hours are and what exactly they earn.
Here's what 15 people had to say.
But first, watch: MM Confessions: Our job interview horror stories. Post continues below.
1. An Equine Assisted Therapist in her 40s, working in the mental health sector.
What do you love about your job?
"Being with people, being in nature and supporting those who are experiencing mental health concerns."
How much do you earn annually?
$65,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"My day consists of one-hour or two-hour client sessions in the paddock with horses, or art therapy sittings on the veranda overlooking the horses in the paddock. I also love that I have flexible days – working only three full days or three half days around school hours."
2. Customer Service Officer in her 50s, working in the IT Industry.
What do you love about your job?
"Working from home is the best part of my job. I don't have to tackle public transport or traffic, which means fewer expenses regarding petrol and I can spend time at home with my dog whilst working. I love it!"
How much do you earn annually?
$65,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"I rise at 8.30am, roll out of bed, have breakfast and then I'm ready to start work at 9am. I work remotely scheduling IT technicians to attend our customer sites. I have a 15 minute break in the morning and afternoon, with a 30-minute lunch break as well. I finish work at 5pm – no commute needed, and immediately go for a nice afternoon walk with my dog."
3. Director Speech Pathologist in her 40s, working in allied health.
What do you love about your job?
"The flexibility of my work hours, the fact that I help people, have control over the team I lead and the type of work that I do. As I've aged into my 40s, I've honed my core purpose in life and this has helped enormously. I've come to realise that nurturing others is how I can nurture myself."
How much do you earn annually?
$150,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"Every day varies. Some days I have a clinical load of families I support, other days I mentor and lead members of my team. I try to allocate time each week for 'blue sky' thinking and strategy to work on the things that inspire me for the future. I consider myself lucky that I can pick up my kids from school most days and take them to activities but this often means I'll work after dinner to complete any tasks that weren't completed."
4. Registered Nurse in her 50s, working in occupational health.
What do you love about your job?
"Assisting people when they need it the most. Having to think on your feet when things are busy and stressful. Teaching younger nurses. Creating positivity and hope for people who may not have any. Multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration. Making a difference in the world.
"Nursing is not for everyone. It's not very well paid and very hard work. Missing out on breaks and working overtime is common. But changing someone's life for the better and being there when they need you the most is the reward."
How much do you earn annually?
$80,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"10-hour shifts are my usual. Completing medical assessments on clients in a clinic room without any break for up to five to six hours. No gap between clients. Wiping equipment down and tidying up the room between clients. Liaising with doctors and admin staff to ensure clients receive all the assessments and care they need. Documenting everything you did and the outcomes. Planning for the next day. Cleaning the room and organising new stock before I go home. Sometimes we go on-site to factories and workplaces to complete the medicals there too."
5. Real Estate Buyers Agent, who is in her 50s.
What do you love about your job?
"I really enjoy looking at houses and finding suitable ones for clients."
How much do you earn annually?
$70,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"The hours can vary. Often a typical day however is plenty of travel, looking at various houses, talking to agents and lawyers and plenty of negotiating."
6. Primary School Teacher, who is in her 60s.
What do you love about your job?
"I love that I'm making a difference. Yes, it's hard and not every day do I love the kids I teach but watching their progress really gives me the warm and fuzzies when I need it. We as a working cohort need more support but I still want people to know that it's a valuable and worthwhile job. We make a major difference to little lives!"
How much do you earn annually?
$80,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"I get into school at 8:30am, I start with some admin that needs addressing ASAP, then at 9am the school bell rings and the kids come in. I am currently working with kids who have learning difficulties, so I start working with them from 9:30am onwards. We have recess and lunch breaks and by 3:15pm the kids are gone. Now it's time for even more paperwork! If I was teaching a full class, then I would have more on my plate, but since I'm working directly with 15 learning-difficulty kids per day, it isn't as exhausting. So I'm usually leaving the school by 4:30pm which is great considering I know some teachers who need to stay back longer."
7. Plant Operator in her 40s, working in the mining sector.
What do you love about your job?
"It's something different every day, and I am treated equally, and I get to drive big trucks which is so much fun."
How much do you earn annually?
$180,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"My day starts at 6:30am. I have a pre-start which details your job for the day. It also provides the opportunity to have a chat if you have any concerns or safety issues. Then I get into my truck, go get loaded under the digger, take the load to the dump and go back and forth all day till about 5pm/5:30pm."
8. Doctor in her 30s, specialising in cardiothoracic surgery.
What do you love about your job?
"Patient interactions, the fact I have a fantastic hard-working and diverse team, the interesting stories, life-changing surgical procedures... no day is predictable or the same as any other! I love the fast-paced, high acuity environment and find immense satisfaction in the outcomes that can be achieved with surgery."
How much do you earn annually?
$135,000 plus overtime.
What does a typical work day look like?
"I start with ward rounds from 7am to 8am. Then I'm operating and/or running the clinic through the day until 6pm. I do have a lunch break if there's time between operations. I then do another post-op ward round, review new admissions, consults and notes for the following day, then home!"
Listen to 8 Minutes To Change Your (Work) Life. Post continues after audio.
9. Sales Consultant in her 20s, working in the retail industry.
What do you love about your job?
"It's little stress and I work with an amazing group of young women. Plus, I get a hefty staff discount on the items in store – which is fabulous."
How much do you earn annually?
$40,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"I get to the shopping centre at 8:30am, getting ready for the shop to open at 9am. The day involves lots of stock checks, customer service, shop assistant work, plus emails and admin."
10. Assistant Director in her 40s, working in regulatory policy at a federal government level.
What do you love about your job?
"It is intellectually challenging with just the right amount of pressure to keep it exciting. The government agency I work for is quite small so you feel like you have access to people at all levels without an imposing hierarchical structure. I am given the time and space to do my job well. I have a lot of flexibility which gives me a great work-life balance."
How much do you earn annually?
$115,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"Every day is different which is why I love it. But generally, I start around 7:30am by catching up on emails and identifying any work (new policies or advice requests) that need prioritising, and then brief my team. I will have numerous internal meetings and external meetings on bigger government policy initiatives. I will block out time for research and writing on different projects. I work about 50 per cent in the office and 50 per cent at home throughout the week. I normally finish up about 4:30pm after a debrief with my director."
11. School Teacher who is in her 30s.
What do you love about your job?
"I love seeing children smile and having fun in my class. If money was no object, I would still volunteer to teach."
How much do you earn annually?
$89,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"I arrive at 8am after two school drop-offs with my kids. Playground duty is between 8:30am to 9am. I teach between 9am and 11am. At 11:30am we have debating practice, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm I teach. After a lunch break I got back to teaching, marking and emails before school pickups at 4pm."
12. Clinical Nurse Educator in her 30s, working in a neonatal intensive care unit.
What do you love about your job?
"I get to teach new nursing staff how to care for some of the most vulnerable babies in NSW. I get to support families when they're having some of the best and worst moments wrapped up in one. I get to provide love for little people and try and make their first few weeks of life a little more comfortable in a not-so-comfortable environment."
How much do you earn annually?
$80,000 part-time.
What does a typical work day look like?
"I start with a safety huddle, getting handover with my student nurses patients. I plan my shift, check my emergency equipment. I plan an education shift based on the nurse's needs/desires and what's happening in the unit. I seek out learning opportunities. I help out others when they're stuck or busy. I liaise with managers for upcoming education, do admin for the nurses I'm working with, all while messaging my husband about our children!
"My job is HARD and healthcare is HARD at the moment. There's no end in sight. We're tired, disillusioned, and need support. But every day we show up and get the job done because the patients are worth it and because we love it."
13. Emergency Services Communication Operative who is in her 20s, working in the healthcare sector.
What do you love about your job?
"I'm proud to be able to support people in their most vulnerable state and genuinely make a difference."
How much do you earn annually?
$80,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"The shift patterns vary. It always involves sitting in front of three screens and constantly taking calls from the public and police officers."
14. A Small Business Owner (dietician and personal trainer) who is in her 30s.
What do you love about your job?
"I love the variable hours, my days are spent helping people who are grateful for the help, the satisfaction of seeing people's lives improve and the ability to be a science nerd and a creative. I was stood down during the pandemic and it gave me the courage to start my own business and I've never been happier or more satisfied. Sure sometimes it's stressful, but it's worth it."
How much do you earn annually?
$70,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"Seeing anywhere between four to nine clients per day for exercise and nutrition. I see some at home on Zoom and some at a studio. I make time for my own exercise and health routine every day."
15. Feature Software and Innovation Manager in her 30s, working in the auto industry.
What do you love about your job?
"I love the work I do day to day. It's all about designing cars for the future that are kind on the planet. I also love the 2,500 people I work with!"
How much do you earn annually?
$200,000.
What does a typical work day look like?
"The days are long but it involves engineering, problem solving, lots of meetings and strategy development."
Do you love your job? Let us know about it in the comments below!
Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.
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