Career Choice: Would You Be Happier Working Behind a Desk Or Not?
Some people love the feeling of getting to the office in the morning, sitting down with a cup of coffee and starting up their computers for the day ahead. But for others, a day filled with moving around, traveling, delivering, going outside or staying active indoors is what makes their workday so enjoyable.
Which one sounds more like you?
According to a new CareerBuilder survey, workers who either do or don't typically work behind desks have plenty of reasons to love and loathe their work environments.
"Everyone has a different definition of the ideal work experience," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "For some, it's being in the thick of the action in the office. For others, it's the flexibility of not working behind a desk. There are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios. With any job, it's important to find a work environment that is suited to your work style and interests and where you can thrive."
Read on to learn more about the pros and cons to each workplace, and maybe get a better picture of each role and if you're in the right one for you.
Job satisfaction and compensation
If another day at the office sounds like a total bore to you, it can sometimes be what desk workers are thinking, too. While workers in desk and non-desk jobs were equally likely to report being happy in their current roles (76 percent), workers in desk jobs were more likely to report complaints about their work environment.
And when stress comes along, your environment may help or hinder how you cope. Workers in desk and non-desk jobs were equally likely to experience high stress levels at work (30 percent and 29 percent, respectively), but workers in non-desk jobs had a somewhat higher tendency toward burnout. Sixty-one percent of workers in non-desk jobs said they have felt burned out at work compared to 57 percent of workers in desk jobs.
If money's the primary focus in your career, you may be better off behind a desk.
People who work in desk jobs reported earning higher salaries and felt more content with their paychecks. Those working in desk jobs were twice as likely to earn six figures annually, while those working in non-desk jobs were twice as likely to earn less than $35,000. Half of workers in desk jobs earn $50,000 or more compared to one-third of workers in non-desk jobs. Seventy-one percent of workers in desk jobs said that they currently earn or are close to earning their desired salary compared to 61 percent of workers in non-desk jobs.
Earn less than $35,000
Workers in desk jobs – 20 percent
Workers in non-desk jobs – 40 percent
Earn $50,000 or more
Workers in desk jobs – 50 percent
Workers in non-desk jobs – 32 percent
Earn $100,000 or more
Workers in desk jobs – 13 percent
Workers in non-desk jobs – 7 percent
What desk workers think of their jobs
If you're considering your career options, take note of what desk workers enjoy in their roles. When asked to identify some of the perks of their work environment, workers in desk jobs pointed to:
Access to technology/Internet – 72 percent
Having a job that is not physically demanding – 60 percent
Having a routine – 59 percent
Ability to communicate with company leaders and peers more easily – 33 percent
Opportunity to build closer relationships with company leaders and peers – 25 percent
Ability to stay in the loop on new developments in the company – 22 percent
But also be aware of their criticisms -- when asked to identify shortcomings of their work environment, workers in desk jobs cited the following:
Not enough physical activity – 56 percent
Staring at a computer screen most of the day – 56 percent
Stuck inside most of the day – 51 percent
Doing the same work every day, not enough variety – 24 percent
More distractions/disruptions from co-workers – 23 percent
What non-desk workers think of their jobs
Workers in non-desk jobs have their own reasons to love their work. When asked to identify some of the perks of their work environment, workers in non-desk jobs pointed to:
Ability to stay more physically active – 68 percent
Variety in their workday – 54 percent
Not being stuck in front of a computer all day – 51 percent
Having more flexibility – 41 percent
Not having to get dressed up to go to work – 39 percent
Not having to deal with office politics – 33 percent
Non-desk workers also had their own cons
When asked to identify shortcomings of their work environment, workers in non-desk jobs cited the following:
Exhausted from working on my feet all day – 35 percent
More prone to injury or illness – 24 percent
Less recognition for my efforts – 17 percent
Not as informed about new company developments – 15 percent
Less chance for upward mobility – 11 percent
Less face-to-face interaction with leaders and peers – 9 percent
> Cool Jobs That Take You Outdoors
Weighing the pros and cons of each role and gaining experience and information can ensure that you find the right work environment for you -- a smart career move for any worker.
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