Life is just a game. Careers are just a part of that game. Some people take it way too seriously. Optimising their chances to get to the top of some perceived career ladder, with each rung a goal that they have set for themselves. Reaching each rung, achieving each goal, the top of the ladder ever closer. Yet everyone is playing a different game with every game both separate and overlapping. Beating the competition to obtain a job role that will help you get nearer to your end goal.
Look at LinkedIn. It’s a forum for those who play the game. Making contacts that can help you achieve your goals. Promoting yourself, talking game theory, planning, techniques. Hours spent playing the game.
Go back a generation or two and everything was different. It wasn’t all about having a career it was just about working, earning a wage in order to pay the bills, to live. True, there were some who wanted to rise to the top of their field. Probably banking or government. The rest were just happy to be earning. Work was something you did to get paid.