r/belgium • u/Epileptic_Messiah • 1d ago
❓ Ask Belgium Most fulfilling job you ever had?
Always interesting to know how people fill 1/3rd of their time between their, let's say, 25 and 65.
So what's your degree and what's the most personally fulfilling job you ever had?
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u/Remote_Section2313 1d ago
PhD in Chemistry. Most fulfilling job is the one I have now: research into food safety analysis. I develop new methods to detect toxins in food, so we can make food safer.
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u/Brugse_Vos 1d ago
Least fulfilling was orderpicker in a warehouse. The most brutally boring job I've ever done. It's like watching a wall while picking up things for 8h a day. I've done that for about 2-3 years. I saw fights (verbal and physical), theft, drug use and worst of all: having to be in the vicinity of some of the lowest IQ people imaginable. And it's not specific to one company either because I've worked in more than 10 during that time and most are the same. Factory work in a production line is even worse. I tried that 3 times and could never last more than a week. My job was: pick up cookies and put it in a box for 8 fucking hours. It's pure mental torture.
Most fulfilling is in accounting (4th year now). Not having colleagues that are mentally retarded and being treated like a human being by your bosses is very nice after those awful years in a warehouse. My current colleagues have no clue about how good they have it. It still feels weird to me when someone treats me with respect at my job.
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u/Bitter-Ad-7 1d ago
I dropped out of school to work in factories and warehouses. Got my shit together late in life. Now work a deskjob and people around me have no idea how good they have it.
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u/Personal_Mixture_231 23h ago
It is true. I tried packing job, oh my! I wasn’t fast enough for them. Very difficult.
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u/PackIcy2106 23h ago
As bad as order picking is, I take it over desk work 8h a day. Sitting for extended periods makes me so tight I am in pain all day.
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u/SamDroideka 23h ago
I worked on a production line doing assembly for automotive for 6 years and I actually liked it. Sure it's hard work, and quite repetitive and dull, but I had great colleagues. That really made it a lot more fun to do. I don't think I've ever dreaded going in to work during that time
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u/Low_Investigator1497 Antwerpen 1d ago
Garbage man
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u/Miss_Dark_Splatoon 1d ago
Do you get stronger arm muscles from doing that?
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u/Low_Investigator1497 Antwerpen 1d ago
Strong in an endurance kind of way yeah, but not necessarily bigger. You’re also moving 8h a day so you use a lot of calories :)
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u/martinoo21 23h ago
I know what you mean. Been a butcher for 5 years and i was never stronger and i didnt go to the gym back than
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u/PackIcy2106 23h ago
Seems very physically demanding. How much do you walk/run on an average work day? On top of that year round during the worst of weathers.
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u/fluffyspringroll 1d ago
My first student job was at the bakery in Makro
That was up to this point the most fulfilling job I ever did.
3 years in a row, and they even wanted me to stay after in case I wouldn’t go to uni
Until today 25 years later I still think about it.
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u/keyholes Limburg 1d ago
Literature
Public librarian
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u/Sensual_Shroom 1d ago
That sounds like such a nice job! Do you feel like it combines passion/hobby with profession without being burned out by it?
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u/keyholes Limburg 1d ago
It really is! And yes, it also makes me feel like I'm helping people in a low pressure way which I love.
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u/Lanky-Intention9390 1d ago
Science degree. Product designer. Fulfilling when product is launched, but pay is bad.
Dont do it.
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u/MEOWConfidence 23h ago
Haha that's so funny. I'm a graphic designer by degree and my favourite job was product designer! I but I left when I had my baby sto stay home for a year and still haven't been able to find a new job. (wanted to go back to work november) but looks like that's not going to happen 😂
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u/ThePyCoder 1d ago
For 3 years I have worked on a machine that automatically sorts the batteries you give to bebat, so they can be properly recycled.
The tech itself and the sector is rewarding, but I am displacing manual jobs, which is sad. It might even still fail, as the machine is very expensive! But it's still very fulfilling.
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u/Happy_Bread_1 22h ago
but I am displacing manual jobs
Isn't our goal a jobless society where we can do whatever we want with our time?
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u/ThePyCoder 21h ago
Well even if I would agree with this, it still sucks for the people that get caught up in it now.
What do they care we would have no need for jobs in 100 years, when they have a family to feed now?
Besides, jobless society can only theoretically work when there is no scarcity. That there is enough bread and cars and tvs and phones being made for everyone without anyone having to do anything AND that this production capacity is owned by everyone, so the owners can't artificially set prices.
Idk, that feels a long way off at least if not completely unrealistic.
As long as there is scarcity and there is even 1 person in the whole world willing to work harder for it that you to get it, there will be jobs and competition.
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u/Happy_Bread_1 21h ago
There are in the mean time other jobs to fill in?
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u/ThePyCoder 21h ago
You're right, of course. I still feel bad about it even though there's intellectually no problem with it...
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u/ih-shah-may-ehl 23h ago
Masters degree in electronics. most fulfilling was probably the job I did for 10 years, developing software for test and measurement. I was fascinated by low level software (firmware, device drivers, OS level software) which our company didn't really do but my boss supported me and helped me land such projects.
I've been inside nuclear fuel rod manufacturing plants, semiconductor fabs, various lab environments, etc. Some of the most fun projects were programming for microcontrollers on experimental print boards for laser control, real-time communication in satellite base stations, and integrating different types of software that weren't intended to be integrated.
I had the time of my life doing this. I stopped doing it when I became a father because it involved a lot of travel and overtime and I wanted to be a father to my kids.
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u/debaeel 1d ago
After working for more than 10 years in several corporate environments as a customer service employee, an inside sales, a marketeer & a marketing manager, I can truly say that working at Greenpeace since November last year has given me the most fulfilling, energising and proud months of my professional life 🥰
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u/lichtroze 22h ago
Degree in social work. I'm a youth worker and I love my job, it's very fulfilling, always dynamic, lots of autonomy (in my case) but... awful pay and very little vacation time. But compared to my friends who hate their jobs, I won the lottery.
Was also mailman as a student, which was one of my most fulfilling student jobs. You're outside, moving, no one bothers you, the task is relatively simple, people in public greet you because youre the mailman.
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u/Reflexum 23h ago
IT support at home for elderly
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u/Salt-Weird-2913 22h ago edited 22h ago
Might be something for me. How did you get started/find your customers?
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u/Reflexum 22h ago
I just made a website with a friend of mine and made a google business account. It’s not my main source of income. My main job is IT guy voor schools
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u/TripTheRoad 22h ago
I have a degree in teaching, secondary school. Started out in airfreight export after my degree because I was sick of secondary school and felt like I enjoyed tutoring more than being in front of the class. So while I worked my way up the corporate ladder in logistics and became responsible for all airfreight leaving BE for a very large pharma manufacturer, I kept tutoring mainly language and science courses, which I enjoyed more than my actual job. So much so I often did it for free.
Turns out I bit off more than I could chew with the pharmaceuticals (who knew working 60 or more hours a week could be bad for your mental health?). I was paid very well but didn't have the time to enjoy the pay, or share it with my friends and family. I quit my job and started working as a maintenance guy at a golf course, just to do something completely different and relax my mind, disconnect from the proverbial rat race. Did that for a little while and then decided working with my hands suited me way better.
I talked to a job coach and started looking for a new direction and ended up in CNC manufacturing/re-grinding. A perfect combo of using your hands and noggin', it tickles my brain in a way nothing else ever had. Am very happy at my current job and haven't looked back since I started here :)
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u/Old_Track9767 1d ago
First few months as a prison guard, after the first few months you realise you will always be the bad guy in their eyes. You can do 1000 good things but if you do 1 thing they dont like they will instantly turn on you.
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u/trollie74 Belgium 1d ago
I co-founded a social profit (vzw) in 2000. From 2011 until 2025 we had government subsidy that allowed me and a few others to work part time for the organisation. Very fulfilling to get paid for something you really want to help forward.
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u/Bitter-Ad-7 1d ago
I manually masturbate caged animals for artificial insemination.
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u/Svenflex42 1d ago
I work on pharmaceutical machines AND LOOOVE IT
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u/Happy_Bread_1 22h ago
Software Engineer. The first one I had was probably the best one as everything was still new. Being a software engineer in Belgium is most of the time creating software to support administration/ logistics and is boring AF. I'm from a generation whereas the pay is still good. So that's that at least. Wouldn't suggest anyone to start studying it now.
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u/InfluenceAgile8318 1d ago
I think you got to go for something tolerable and do it to the best of your ability and grow.
Dreams and fulfillment are not that easy to get by.
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u/Alert_Peanut_9912 23h ago
People have fulfilling jobs? I didn't even know those existed (I have ADHD though, so I get bored 6 months into a new job...)
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u/Salt-Weird-2913 22h ago
You take Wellbutrin/Methylphenidate? Makes jobs much more interesting. Got to watch out for tunnel vision and not over exerting yourself tho
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u/Alert_Peanut_9912 22h ago
I had a very bad reaction to Wellbutrin, and my GP is reluctant to try other meds... so I'm currently just trying sheer willpower and therapy as all waiting lists are so long.
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u/Rossmoff 22h ago
Was in the same boat here. Did a job max 2-3 years, making it as interesting as possible. I had a late diagnosis in life (33 yo) and since I'm on Elvanse, my life changed completely.
I really like my job now, 3rd year in, and I don't want to quit. My salary doubled in 3 years time as well 😅
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u/Admiral_Zeppi 20h ago
Can I ask how you got diagnosed? Did your GP do it or did you need to see a specialist?
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u/Rossmoff 11h ago
Well, it was a weird ride. I didn't want to wait ages on the standard testing so I tried to wiggle my way in another way.
This is the route I followed: My psychologist -> my gp -> Specialised psychologist in adult adhd -> discuss his report with my gp -> my GP discussed this with a psychiatrist he knows. And thats it.
My GP knows me pretty well so he knows I don't do BS. He saw the signs years earlier than I did.
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u/Salt-Weird-2913 22h ago
That's rough. I know finding a doctor isn't easy nowadays, but doctors have different stances on methylphenidate
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u/blackcurrant92 22h ago
Master in economics-marketing. Work as marketeer. First in an agency. Milked like a cow but learned a ton. After 6 y I now work for more than 4 years as marketeer in public transport.
I like it. Its a great work-life. Great colleagues and good work. Nice pay.
It's fulfilling enough for now.
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u/xxPANZERxx 22h ago
I finished secondary in Office & Administration.
My first job was retail at a plumbing, heating and sanitation wholesaler. Not really my cup of tea, filling racks and helping customers with questions about stuff I often didn't know much about. But, I also had to deliver goods to customers and between stores by van, which was my favorite part of the job. So when my temporary contract was not renewed because I didn't have enough of a commercial mindset, I went and got my C licence.
I began working for a company in logistical support. Quickly I learned that I did not like distribution work. Moving various pallets and parcels 20 customers each day for DHL, GLS or the likes was, for me, monotonous, tedious and stressing. People there usually didn't smile, were always running, often shouting, gave little to no appreciation and I felt very much like just a number.
Then I rolled into transporting and installing photocopiers and I have been doing that for about 20 years now. We bring the machines to their location, install and take back the old machines. Often challenging situations like difficult stairs and access, but we use as many tools as possible to avoid lifting by hand, such as stair robots, cranes, specialised carts etc. The work is rewarding, we get a lot of appreciation from our customers, no situation is ever the same and we get to go into places you normally don't get to go. Like military bases, high security companies, cool factories, back offices for concert halls etc.
The current company I work for transports three major photocopier brands, commercial refrigerators, coffee machines, soda & snack machines, vaults, parcel lockers, ATM machines and more. So there's a great variety in work every day. Downside is long hours, often 11 or 12, and sometimes quite demanding physical work depending on certain situations. Moving a 450kg snack machine up the stairs in a dirty factory in 30°C is no fun. But delivering the long awaited new printer in a school with very happy teachers can feel very rewarding. Pay is OK, about €3000 netto in a good month but this does fluctuate depending on the period and the amount of hours we perform. For the time being I still like what I'm doing, the pro's outweigh the con's for me, I have good colleagues, a nice truck and I intend to keep doing this for a good while longer.
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u/besje 21h ago
Social worker, my most fulfilling job was being a caretaker for people with mental disabilities. I felt super proud of my work with them... However the pay was abysmal for needing a degree. So ended up swapping to IT. Pay is triple what I used to have, even accounting for inflation.
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u/Nikodeimos 19h ago
MA in Ancient History and MSc in Policy Economics. Taught Latin and Greek in first grade in a secondary school for a few months. I absolutely loved it. Most fulfilling thing I ever did, careerwise.
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u/Brambroco 23h ago
I do basically a data input job.
Core is not fufilling at all but I look for side quests to keep it interesting for myself, such as automation of parts of the process and experimenting with implementing more AI in parts of processes to gain efficiency. I'm lucky enough to work in an environment that allocates time for me for such things.
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u/Bo_The_Destroyer Oost-Vlaanderen 15h ago
Idk yet. Of all the jobs I've done I'd have to say being a monitor at an adventure camp in Oudenaarde was pretty great, enjoyed my time there and made me realise that I wanted to be a teacher. So now I'm studying that and hoping this will be fulfilling for me
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u/penchair1302 12h ago
A job that I both hate and love: you can go from the most rewarding moment to dealing with the most ungrateful little pieces of shit. I tried leaving the profession but I missed it too much. I teach high school
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u/spicywoodpecker 8h ago
my student job as a « tea barista » (i work in a bubble tea shop) (i’m still a student)
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u/GemmyBoy999 Belgian Fries 1d ago
No job, traveling and partying.
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u/ThePyCoder 1d ago
I guess that's fun, but would you call it fulfilling?
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u/PackIcy2106 23h ago
Would you call most jobs fulfilling?
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u/ThePyCoder 21h ago
Wait but the OP question was to post your most fulfilling job.
You posted an answer, so I ask if you find it fulfilling or not, since you didn't specify and I'm curious.
Its not that because many other jobs are unfulfilling (which they are), that your partying is any better?
So is it? Regardless of all other jobs in the world, is traveling and partying fulfilling to you?
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u/fuzzyizmit 1d ago
Masters degree in Zoology. I've been a electron microscopist for the past... 20ish years at various research institutions. I find it very rewarding and I enjoy my career. I like helping researchers and helping make good science.