05 - Job titles are not important, to me

My decision to become a bus driver delivers joy to some, and shock to others.

It’s been an interesting few weeks. Since leaving my role at Sharesies, and then deciding to pursue a career as a bus driver, people, friends, and family, have been largely supportive of my career change. Overwhelmingly, support has come from the friends who know me. 

Only a few have expressed shock, without even realising it. I had a conversation with a person last week who was, in a roundabout way, looking to offer me a job. When I said that I had plans in place to become a bus driver (I’ve signed the contract) his jaw literally dropped. I was as shocked at his reaction, as he seemed to be at my career decision. 

It got me thinking about job titles, and the status and social standing that comes with them. It’s not something that has ever interested me. I’ve never been swayed by it. In fact, lofty titles come with a lot of stress, and that stress is not left at work at the end of the day. It follows you home and keeps you awake at night.

At the beginning of each year, educational institutes start their campaigning to attract new students to begin their studies. These advertisements often employ portraits of graduating students, in a ‘they-did-it-you-can-too’ kind of way. There are billboards all over town and on the back of buses celebrating careers that sound, well, a bit precious. You see it everywhere.  It’s happening right now, in cities near you.

Whitireia is offering courses to become an automotive engineer. In reality, it’s a car mechanic. 

Look at this poster for an automotive refinisher. In my day that was a panel beater. 

A panel beater advertisement

There’s another course at Whitireia for mechanical engineering. When I went to university in the late 1970’s a mechanical engineer undertook a 4 or 5-year degree at the University of Canterbury. You’d finish that degree and build huge structures, like bridges, or hydro dams. Reading the small print on the Whitireia website, a mechanical engineer learns how to weld, fabricate, and fit. In my day that was called a fitter and turner (sorry, I’m sounding like a grumpy old man). 

Some role titles never change, and won’t ever need to. I have just spent the last 24 hours with my 94-year-old Mum in Wellington Hospital. She’s fine…thanks for asking. Doctors and nurses are blimmin’ amazing. Especially in the public health service. It’s clear that they are underpaid and overworked. There’s no need to elevate their job titles to make them feel better about themselves—but it could be fun to try.

And so, back to me. My new career as a bus driver has already, on my contract at least, been elevated to a bus operator. I think there’s a bit of a career exaggeration at play here. An operator sounds a little bit more technical. To me at least, an operator stands in front of a machine and ‘operates’ it, pushing buttons, and pulling levers. A driver gets behind the wheel and…well…drives.

So it got me thinking, that come 1 May when I begin my new career, and I’m invited to some swanky dinner with my partner, and the inevitable question is asked of me…”So Alan, what do you do for a job?”

My answer could be “I’m a bus driver”, or, “I’m a bus operator” or, if I had just completed a degree or diploma at Whitireia my response could be “I’m a transport facilitation manager”. That has a status-y ring to it, don’t you think?

Keen to hear your suggestions for alternative titles, for my new role, but also for any observations about other roles you’ve seen elevated to extraordinary heights.

Finally, I was alerted to this lovely post on Linked In by Anna Calver. I have never met Anna, but she clearly has it right in her attitude and gratitude to Wellington bus drivers:

 Have a lovely weekend everyone, and remember to thank your driver.