After 4.5 years of working, I think I've finally figured out what's most important to me in a job: the right mental stimulation. It is in my current project that I've found this and can probably say I've experienced the highest job satisfaction since working out of college.
The right mental stimulation for me is comprised of 2 main parts: the opportunity to master multiple subjects or "spheres" of knowledge, and the opportunity to connect these "worlds" to solve complex problems.
Subject mastery
What do I mean by mastery over a subject? The most memorable Final Jeopardy question I know is "This state's last four letters in its name are the same as its capital's first four letters".
It's a great question because obviously every Jeopardy contestant has studied state capitals. But this question truly tests if they know it well enough. I can outline 3 levels of understanding:
1) Someone names any state, you can name its capital (mastery over samples)
2) You can systemically recite all 50 states and their capitals in a row without any guidance (mastery over the population)
3) You are so comfortable with the population that you can quickly "search" that database of knowledge, draw connections, see patterns and trends, and answer questions like the above. (answer is Vermont).
The depth of understanding that the third level provides is one that adds true value in a work setting.
"Spheres" of knowledge
In my current project there are many "spheres" of knowledge with layers of complexity, for which "third levels" of understanding require a considerable amount of time and effort:
Workstreams (~15 different subgroups of main tasks)
Client/industry terminology
Finance/accounting concepts
Our proprietary application (financial data aggregation tool)
SharePoint (file repository navigation)
Alteryx (data analysis software)
Microsoft Excel
Within each of these "sphere" is a natural progression in which you slowly work your way up. For example, for Workstreams:
Competency pyramid
Can barely do workstream, need a lot of help
Can do workstream with minimal help
Can implement ways to optimize/improve workstream
Can quickly run analytics/identify issues in workstream
Can correct prior work accurately and thoroughly, no gaps and no overlaps that create new issues
Can do any workstream with minimal guidance
Can oversee multiple workstreams at once
And each of the "spheres" of knowledge has a similar path of advancement.
Connecting all the dots
Often, an issue that will come up that requires a solid base in many or all of the above "worlds" of knowledge, and solving a complex problem at this intersection is when a job has felt the most fulfilling and internally rewarding.
The second most important thing in a job to me is being respected and valued by peers. But with accomplishing the above, that surely comes naturally. So now I know what is truly important to me in a job going forward, I guess...
