The Career School

We often say we enjoy a role, but rarely do we pause to examine why. We hold vague ideas about dream jobs - “I think I’d love to run a hotel” or “It’d be amazing to be a wildlife photographer” - but those are only the headlines. The truth is, our enjoyment often comes from very specific moments at work: little spikes of joy, pride, or fascination that align with who we are at our core.

By naming these “joys”, we can make better career decisions, redesign our current roles, and stop chasing one mythical “perfect job.” Here are 12 to explore. As you read, notice which speak the loudest to you right now.

1. The joy of freedom

The satisfaction of steering your own course, deciding how and when things get done. Having space to think, act, and work without constant oversight. The ability to set your own rhythm and create in a way that feels natural to you. Without it, even exciting work starts to feel like a cage.

2. The joy of beauty

The pleasure of working with elegance, harmony, and things that please the senses - whether that’s a well-designed product, a thoughtfully crafted report, or the view from your desk. Beauty can also come from nature: the endless charm of trees, light, colour, and form. It’s more than decoration; it’s nourishment for the spirit.

3. The joy of creativity

The thrill of taking a spark of an idea and turning it into something new, useful, or delightful. Creativity invites play, experimentation, and the pursuit of better solutions. It’s about leaving a unique fingerprint on your work - doing things in a way that only you could, leaving a unique fingerprint on whatever you produce.

4. The joy of wisdom

The deep satisfaction of understanding how things work - and knowing you can work them. The quiet confidence that comes from skill honed over time.. The quiet confidence of someone who has honed their skills to a fine edge. It’s the comfort of saying, “I’ve got this,” and meaning it.

5. The joy of self-expression

Seeing work as a stage, a page, a canvas - a place to show the world who you are. The thrill of performing, acting, singing, speaking, or writing when people are paying attention. Communicating your ideas, personality, and perspective in ways that are uniquely yours.

6. The joy of belonging

The comfort of knowing you’re part of something bigger - a team, a culture, a shared mission. The trust and mutual respect that make work feel like a community. Building relationships, deepening and broadening networks, and being there with other people and for other people.

7. The joy of influence

The energy that comes from shaping direction and taking decisions. The satisfaction of leading others - having authority, being in charge, and setting the course when it matters most. Being asked for advice, solving problems, and carrying responsibility with confidence. It’s the sense of status and trust that comes when your voice has weight and status.

8. The joy of teaching

The pleasure of seeing someone grow and succeed because of your support, inspiring confidence, sparking curiosity, and unlocking potential. Having patience, empathy, and a belief in the possibilities that others might not yet see. Coaching, mentoring, supporting and guiding, and celebrating their progress as if it was your own.

9. The joy of order

The pleasure that comes when things are organised, structured, and in their right place. Clear systems, logical processes, and attention to detail, the confidence that nothing is overlooked and everything is running smoothly. Stability and reliability, clarity, structure, and a sense of control. A quiet joy in knowing everything is running smoothly, reliably and predictably.

10. The joy of learning

The thrill of insatiable curiosity and discovering new ideas, skills, or perspectives. It’s the deep satisfaction of mastering something - honing your craft, building confidence, advancing in skill, confidence, or capability. Enjoying the journey from not knowing to becoming the expert - even more than the destination itself.

11. The joy of variety

The buzz from new experiences, fresh ideas, and unexpected opportunities. Thriving on change and the unexpected. Energised by different tasks, people, and environments. Each new challenge or perspective sparks curiosity and creativity, turning routine into discovery. Work feels vibrant and alive when no two days are exactly the same.

12. The joy of challenge

The pleasure of solving tough problems, conquering new challenges, climbing steep learning curves, and achieving goals that push your limits. Seeing each obstacle as an opportunity to grow, test your skills, and stretch what you thought was possible. Problem-solving, exploration, and the excitement of tackling the unknown.

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Your challenge: Rank these from most to least important for you, right now.

Some will shout. Others will barely whisper. You may be surprised. And you’ll find that your priorities evolve over time - what matters most in your 20s may not be what drives you in your 40s.

Spot a joy that’s missing? Go ahead and add it in! Your personal pleasure points are unique, and noticing them is half the magic.

Then ask yourself:

• Which of my top joys do I experience most often in my work - and which are missing?
• Which pleasure points, if amplified, would make the biggest difference to my satisfaction?
• Which joys could I create or seek out, rather than waiting for them to appear?
• How might my top pleasure points influence the types of projects, roles, or teams I pursue next?
• If I could design my ideal workday around my top joys, what would it look like?

Start shaping your career around your top joys. Because loving your work isn’t about chasing the perfect job title. It’s about engineering more of the moments that make you say: I'm loving this.

Best of luck. You've got this.