Five Myths About Having a Career

One of the big phrases in the working world these days is “pursuing your career.” Rather than just having a “job,” employees are encouraged to pursue a career which they will have for the rest of their lives. Now, having a career is not a bad thing, but being convinced of one the myths surrounding having a career can be damaging, both to your work life and your emotional life. Here are five untrue tales we tell about having, searching for, or attaining a career:

1. There is one perfect career waiting for you. It is the only thing you will ever be really good at. This is profoundly untrue. For many, many people, there are lots of jobs that would be a great fit for their skills. Additionally, sometimes the job you think will be your “career” doesn’t end up being that enjoyable after all. Even if you have your “dream job,” things like a toxic work environment, a too heavy workload, or any number of other factors might mean that this isn’t the career for you. If this happens, it’s not the end of the world. It just means you get to look for other opportunities!
2. A career is based on your college education. This is becoming increasingly false. There are some majors (nursing, for example), which lead more clearly into one profession. However, a college major does not lock you in to one profession. Being a psychology major in college doesn’t necessarily mean you will end up becoming a therapist. Don’t feel like your career has to align perfectly with your educational background.
3. Follow your passion, and the money will come. This one isn’t a myth so much as an outlier. It’s true that, ideally, you would do what you are passionate about and get paid a living wage for it. But the reality of it is that this scenario involves a lot of chance and luck. This is not to say you shouldn’t pursue your passion; you absolutely should. But maybe find a job that will support you and allow you to pursue your interests at the same time.
4. Once I have committed to one career path, I can’t change my mind. This is one of the most damaging career myths out there. In life, there are very few things you can’t change your mind about, and a career isn’t one of them. If you’ve been in the same job for five, ten, or even thirty years, you are still allowed to change your mind and look for a new profession. Nowhere is it written that you are locked in to the same career for the rest of your life, especially if you are unhappy with it. Career Solutions Group can help you execute a successful career change, if you’d like to discuss your ideas in a free initial consultation.
5. I don’t know what I want to do, so I will go to graduate school to find my career. If you are interested in pursuing a career which requires a Masters or Doctoral degree, then please do go to graduate school. However, if your reasoning behind graduate school stems from uncertainty surrounding what job you want to pursue, then grad school isn’t the place for you. Going to graduate school can sometimes decrease marketability and increase debt. Instead, give yourself permission to explore careers. Career Solutions Group can help you with this exploration.

The ultimate thing to know here is this: most people don’t have just one career or job for their entire life. Most people have to explore in order to figure out where their passion and interests lie. A career is not the end-all, be-all of your working life; it is, instead, a path that you chart for yourself, and often leads to unexpected places. Embrace the journey, and don’t feel like you’re racing towards the conclusion. For more guidance on creating a career you love, please visit us at www.CareerSolutionsGroup.net

Are you considering making a career change, but don’t know where to start? Consider emailing us at info@careersolutionsgroup.net. We have proven methods to help you make career changes that will help you achieve the life you want to live.

By: Julia Pillard, Career Solutions Group