The question is just a dull way to get to know someone. I mean a job is just a job or a career is just a career. Is really shouldn't define us. There are so many assumptions that are made after you tell someone what you do for a living. And what about if you don't do anything, that's when you get the best reactions.
I was at my brother's wedding a couple of weeks ago and probably five different people asked me what I was doing now for work. My response? NOTHING. I don't have a job. Their response? OH.
That's it. OH. Then they didn't know what else to say. Why should our jobs be the first thing we talk about? I mean, they are what we do with most of our time, but so many people just go to work to make money (they don't actually enjoy them), so we are different people during the time we have off.
We have hobbies and interests that have nothing to do with what we do for work. Why can't this be a question that starts a conversation?
What makes you smile? What really excites you? Where do your passions lie?
I guess if you're lucky, these questions could be tied to your career, but for most of us, our job does not even come close to our real interests.
I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't want to be defined by a job title. Or any title for that matter. Who I am is not a college degree or a position at some company. Who I am is my personality, my likes and dislikes, my passions, the things I care for. Who I am is me at my core, without any attachments of work or other duties.
I understand that some people will disagree with this, they want to be known for certain career accomplishments, and that is fine. We all enjoy feeling successful. I just don't like how some people respond when my job title doesn't match others expectations.
But I don't have to have a reason for the choices I make or the kind of job I have. If other people don't like it or think I should be doing something more, That's their problem, not mine.