Personal Opinion — Most jobs rarely add any meaningful value to society.
This can open a can of worms but I’ll try to be honest without hurting anybody. [Opinions are my own]
It’s a harsh truth, but one that I’ve come to accept: most jobs out there don’t add much meaningful value to society. We’re often caught up in titles and roles that seem important, but when you really think about it, they don’t always make a significant difference in the grand scheme of things.
Lazy Girl/Boy Jobs
Take, for example, the rise of what some call “lazy girl/boy jobs.” These include positions like administrative assistants, SEO specialists, marketing coordinators, project managers, social media managers, and advertising professionals. Sure, these jobs keep the wheels of commerce turning, but are they truly impactful? Do they create something tangible that benefits society as a whole? It’s debatable.
Administrative assistants often juggle schedules, answer emails, and manage office logistics. SEO specialists tweak websites to rank higher on search engines. Marketing managers/coordinators plan campaigns to sell products we might not even need. Project managers oversee tasks that often shuffle paper/tickets rather than create something new. Social media managers curate content to boost online presence. Advertising professionals craft messages to persuade us to buy more. While these roles are not without their merits, they often feel more like cogs in a machine rather than engines of change.
Yet, many in these roles carry a sense of ego about their work.
It’s as if the titles and responsibilities inflate their perception of the value they add. It’s totally fine to be proud of what you do, but I doubt anyone recognizes the actual impact of the work. The ego seems to come from the corporate culture that glorifies busyness and importance, rather than meaningful contribution. It’s easy to get lost in the prestige of job titles and forget to question if what we’re doing truly matters.
On the other hand, think about the jobs that do make a real difference.
Teaching is a prime example. Teachers shape young minds, instill values, and foster knowledge that can transform lives. [And they’re rarely paid well for the same] Medicine, too, is undeniably impactful. Doctors, nurses, and medical researchers work tirelessly to save lives, cure diseases, and improve our quality of life.
Consider the field of research, especially in areas like genomics, DNA, cancer, and cross-species genetics. The advancements made here have the potential to change our understanding of life and offer solutions to some of humanity’s biggest challenges. Engineering, too, holds immense value, particularly in fields that address physical infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental conservation.
Noble law and humanitarian jobs are other areas where the impact is clear. Advocates and activists fight for justice, equality, and human rights, often putting themselves at risk to make the world a better place. These roles aren’t just jobs; they’re callings that require passion, dedication, and a profound commitment to societal welfare.
Our education system plays a big role in this.
Schools and universities often promote careers based on income potential rather than societal impact. They prepare us for the job market but don’t always encourage us to think about how our work affects the world. This can lead to a workforce filled with people in jobs that pay well but don’t necessarily make a meaningful difference.
Technology has created many new job categories, like influencer marketing and a lot of tech roles, that might not add much value to society. These jobs can be lucrative and popular but often focus on consumerism and online presence rather than tangible improvements.
On the other hand, technology has the potential to create meaningful work. Advances in healthcare technology, renewable energy, and online education can lead to jobs that genuinely benefit society. For instance, medical researchers using new technology can find cures for diseases, and engineers developing renewable energy solutions can help combat climate change.
It’s not that the other jobs are worthless, but rather that their impact is often less direct or profound. They support the economy and offer employment, but they rarely lead to groundbreaking changes or improvements in people’s lives. I doubt anyone reflects on what we value in our careers and whether we’re truly contributing to something larger than ourselves.
But I am no one to judge. Most people are perfectly fine with living a normal life without having anything to show for it — and the thing is, in some way, I am jealous of them. Sadly, being the opposite often puts me in a bad mental state which makes me question — Am I doing enough with my life?
