Jennifer Jason Leigh

I've never really been a careerist; I've never been able to step back and look at anything in that way. I though this is just what happens. I did take my work very seriously. I loved immersing myself in a character. I loved getting the opportunity to do that. I didn't realize how extraordinary it was, how lucky I was, because I was young.

American Actress

Peter York

Tabloid discussion of bad children always blames baby-boomer liberals, careerist mothers and fashion-crazed Nathan Barley types who think it's all enormously funny. But the centre-leftish psycho-thinker Oliver James says it's all down to the Thatcher-and-after culture of turbo-capitalism, making people acquisitive and unsatisfied.

British Journalist

Arundhati Roy

I think people ease into this careerist professionalism, so if you're a writer it's your job to manufacture books as opposed to writing them and to go to festivals and spend your life emotionally invested in reviews or the awards. You have to shrink your universe in a way. To me, it's the opposite.

Indian Novelist

Matt Taibbi

This idea that you can't be an honest man and a Washington politician is a myth, a crock made up by sellouts and careerist hacks who don't stand for anything and are impatient with people who do. It's possible to do this job with honor and dignity.

American Author

Mike Mills

One good and bad thing about New York is there's so much exciting stuff and so many people doing something interesting. I actually find in New York that you become more careerist and more focused on what's the newest, hippest thing.

American Musician

Jess Phillips

Regardless of how people love to deride politicians, democracy is not an easy gig. My decisions, views and heartfelt principles are dismissed by so many as careerist, opportunist or attention-seeking.

British Politician

Harmony Korine

Here's the thing that people don't understand: I don't really care. I've never been a careerist. It's not a strategy. I react to certain characters and story lines and specific mode of filmmaking.

American Director

Zac Goldsmith

I can't be bought. I don't need to be bought. I'm not a careerist. I don't need to have a career in politics. I'm in a very, very luxurious position, but I am in a position of strength.

Jacob Anderson

I watch films and TV almost like as a hobby - not even as a hobby: it's bordering on careerist. It would be easier to tell you what I'm not into than what I am.

British Actor

Ben Howard

I don't think I've ever been particularly careerist about music.

English Musician

Careerist often implies someone is selfishly ambitious, disregarding others for personal gain.

Negative Overtones

Use careerist in professional contexts to describe someone's approach to their work life.

Context Specific

The term careerist is often associated with advancing in job positions, not just having a job.