CAREER

Definition of CAREER

CAREER Noun and Verb

Career is a noun and can also be used as a verb, referring to a person’s professional journey or the pursuit of specific work over an extended period. As a noun, career generally refers to the accumulation of experiences, jobs, or positions that form a person’s vocational trajectory, often reflecting one’s passion, skills, and aspirations. As a verb, career means to move swiftly in a particular direction, often used metaphorically to describe someone’s rapid progress in their field or life path. The term career is widely used in discussions about professional development, personal growth, and life goals.

CAREER as a noun

As a noun, career signifies the long-term pursuit of professional endeavors that often involve formal education, training, and continuous development in a specific field. It can refer to a person’s chosen occupation or vocation, which they work in over time, aiming for advancement or mastery. A career might involve moving through various job positions, gaining experience, and developing specialized skills or expertise. For instance, a “medical career” may involve becoming a doctor, working in various specialties, and constantly evolving within the healthcare sector. In this context, a career often signifies an ongoing commitment and dedication to one’s chosen work, including its achievements, challenges, and professional milestones.

Occupation and Employment: Career also refers to an individual’s primary occupation or employment. This definition emphasizes the focus on a person’s role within the workforce and the work they perform as part of an organization or business. The term can include a broad range of fields and industries, such as finance, technology, education, the arts, or public service. In this sense, career is closely linked to the concept of long-term employment, offering a means of livelihood and self-fulfillment. People often use the term career to describe their professional role in a broader societal context, reflecting how their work contributes to their identity and personal goals.

Advancement and Development: A career often includes a focus on growth, development, and progression in one’s professional life. This could involve promotions, achieving higher positions within a company, or gaining specialized skills and certifications. The idea of career advancement is central to discussions about job satisfaction, personal fulfillment, and financial security. For example, a person working their way up from an entry-level job to a management role is progressing in their career. This aspect of career emphasizes upward mobility, as well as the pursuit of expertise and leadership within a chosen profession.

Lifelong Journey: A career can also be seen as a lifelong journey that encompasses the broad spectrum of a person’s work-related experiences and personal growth. It is often viewed as a narrative that evolves over time, reflecting changes in interests, goals, and aspirations. In this sense, a career is not just about the specific job one holds but the overall path they take in their professional and personal life. As individuals gain more experience, they may choose to shift their career direction, explore new industries, or take on different roles, emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of career.

CAREER as a verb

When used as a verb, career means to move swiftly and often uncontrollably in a particular direction, typically in a physical sense. This verb form is often associated with rapid motion or action, such as a vehicle “careering” down a road. For instance, “The car careered down the hill” means the car moved swiftly and with great speed, possibly out of control. Metaphorically, this sense of rapid movement can be applied to a person’s progress in life or work. Someone could be said to “career through life” if they are advancing quickly in their professional or personal pursuits.

Rapid Progression in a Profession: Metaphorically, career can also refer to the process of rapidly advancing or making significant progress in a profession or field. When someone is described as careering in their career, it often suggests that they are moving quickly and decisively up the professional ladder or making notable strides in their industry. For example, “She is careering toward a leadership position in her company,” highlights her swift and successful rise within her professional sphere. This sense of the verb emphasizes momentum and achievement.

Career and Personal Identity: A career is often closely linked with personal identity and self-worth. Many people derive a sense of purpose, pride, and fulfillment from their professional lives. The career choices a person makes, and how they navigate those choices, can significantly shape their overall sense of identity and achievement. For instance, individuals in fields like medicine, education, or the arts may view their career not only as a job but as a calling or a personal mission. In these cases, career transcends mere employment and becomes central to the individual’s life story.

Work-Life Balance and Career: In contemporary discussions about work, the idea of balancing one’s career with personal life has become increasingly important. Achieving a healthy work-life balance, where professional demands do not overwhelm personal time or relationships, is a common concern for modern workers. The challenge of balancing the demands of a career with family, hobbies, and rest has prompted many to rethink traditional notions of success. Career satisfaction is now often viewed not only in terms of professional advancement and monetary gain but also in terms of well-being, personal time, and fulfillment outside the workplace.

Career Planning and Development: For many, career planning is an important aspect of personal and professional growth. It involves setting goals, acquiring the necessary skills, gaining experience, and identifying opportunities for advancement. Career counseling and coaching have become essential services to guide individuals in navigating the complexities of the job market, particularly when considering career changes or advancements. Through strategic planning, an individual can align their personal interests, values, and goals with suitable career opportunities, ensuring a fulfilling and successful professional life.

In conclusion, career is a multifaceted concept that encompasses one’s professional journey, growth, and experiences. Whether viewed as an ongoing path of achievement, a personal identity, or a series of professional roles, career plays a significant role in shaping a person’s life and aspirations. From advancement and development in a chosen field to the dynamic balance between work and personal life, career is central to the pursuit of self-fulfillment and success. Through thoughtful planning, dedication, and adaptability, individuals can cultivate a career that aligns with their passions, skills, and long-term goals.

Examples of CAREER in a sentence

CAREER as a noun in a sentence

• She decided to pursue a career in medicine after volunteering at a local hospital.
• His career as a software engineer took off after he graduated from university.
• Many people switch their career paths later in life, seeking new challenges and opportunities.
• She’s built a successful career in marketing, working for several high-profile companies.
• After years of teaching, he felt ready to retire and enjoy the fruits of his career.
• He’s dedicated his career to helping underprivileged communities through nonprofit work.
• Starting a career in technology requires a solid foundation in computer science and problem-solving skills.
• She’s considering a career change and is exploring options in the creative industry.

CAREER as a verb in a sentence

• The car careered down the hill, narrowly avoiding the trees along the roadside.
• He careered through the hallway, late for his meeting and trying not to bump into anyone.
• The ship careered across the rough seas during the storm, struggling to stay on course.
• She careered into the room, excited to announce the good news to her colleagues.
• The cyclist careered around the corner at high speed, narrowly missing the curb.
• The athlete careered into the finish line, overtaking his competitor in the final seconds.
• The child careered down the slide at the playground, laughing all the way down.
• The motorcycle careered off the road after hitting a patch of ice, but thankfully the rider was unharmed.

Origin of CAREER

The word career has a rich etymology, tracing its origins from meanings related to movement and speed to its current association with a person’s professional life and ambitions.

Semantic Context: Career is a noun that refers to a person’s course of professional life, encompassing their work, development, and achievements within a specific field or occupation. It can also describe the pursuit of long-term goals and the advancement through various roles or stages of employment.

• Etymological Roots: The word career comes from the Latin “carrus,” meaning “a wheeled vehicle” or “cart.” The term evolved through Old French “carrière,” meaning “a road or track,” and later came to refer to a fast-moving course or path. The term “career” entered English in the early 16th century, initially used to describe a journey or a course of travel, often a swift one, as in “a career of action.” Over time, it came to refer not only to physical movement or paths but also to metaphorical journeys, particularly one’s professional or occupational trajectory.
• Historical Development: Initially, the word career was used to describe a course or a path, often referring to a fast-paced journey, particularly in the context of a vehicle or journey that involved speed and direction. By the 18th century, the term started to shift towards describing one’s professional trajectory or the series of steps taken in a particular occupation. In this sense, career began to take on the meaning of one’s path in life, particularly as it related to education, work, and personal development. The rise of industrialization and more formalized work structures during the 19th century contributed to the modern usage of career as a long-term pursuit of professional goals, often characterized by advancement and expertise within a given field.
• Cultural and Social Applications: In modern usage, career is widely associated with a person’s professional life and progression. The term is often used to describe one’s job history or chosen field of work, with an emphasis on growth and development. For example, “He had a successful career in medicine,” refers to the path someone has taken through the medical profession. Career can also reflect the pursuit of personal fulfillment and societal contribution, not just employment for financial gain. In the social context, the idea of a career is closely linked to personal identity and achievement, especially in societies where career success is often viewed as a key measure of personal accomplishment.
• Current Usage: Today, career is a common term used to describe both the work someone does and their long-term professional journey. It reflects both the process of gaining experience and expertise, as well as the eventual achievements within a given field. For example, “She is advancing in her career as a lawyer” indicates both her progress and expertise in the field of law. The term is also used in the context of career development, which encompasses planning and training to advance in a chosen profession. In addition, the rise of career shifts and career change reflects the modern understanding that one’s professional life can be dynamic, with people frequently changing industries or pursuing new roles based on interests or life changes.

The word career illustrates a shift from its original meaning of a physical path or journey to its modern application as a metaphor for one’s professional journey. It continues to evolve as the workplace and societal expectations change, reflecting the broad and dynamic nature of personal and professional growth in contemporary life.