Career Advice

What Should You Avoid When Deciding On A Career Path?

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People decide on a career path for different reasons. While some have recently graduated from high school and want to establish the right job, others may be bored with their current jobs. Irrespective of the various reasons, determining the right career path is no small feat, and for good reasons. Statistics indicated that approximately 4.3 million workers quit their jobs in August. Moreover, a 2019 Gallup research revealed that over 80% of U.S workers were unhappy with their jobs. If you desire to have a fulfilling career, here are some things to avoid. 

Going for the money

Indeed, monetary compensation is important when deciding on a career. However, going in solely because of how much you earn may set you up for unhappiness, unproductivity, and dissatisfaction. According to Professor A. Smith of Howard University, many college students are currently unhappy with their choices because they choose careers that make much money. Seeing that you’d spend most of your life working, it would suck to be in a career that brings you misery. Not only will you feel forced every working day, but you may feel more stressed, which can adversely influence your mental and physical health. 

People decide on a career path for different reasons. While some have recently graduated from high school and want to establish the right job, others may be bored with their current jobs.Click To Tweet

That said, it’s prudent to find the career that you will enjoy and be more productive in the long run. That isn’t to say that you should go for one that wouldn’t pay well. After all, you have to pay for food, utility bills, accommodation, leisurely activities, and the likes. The key is to find a career with the right balance of decent pay and job satisfaction. 

Picking a career of your parents’ choice

Except your desires align with your parents’ desires, going into a career because of them can be a mistake. It’s not uncommon for parents to impose specific career choices on their kids for various reasons. However, this may cause the children to succumb to a job they hate, causing career burnout.

“A lot of people choose a career that is based on their interests at the time, and this is great, but you also need to know that over time, things change. It’s not uncommon to find yourself in a profession that just doesn’t fit you anymore. The great news is that it is more than possible for you to change paths. These tips will help you to make the most out of your career change.” – Choosing a New Career Path? Here’s What You Need to Know

While it’s not wrong for you to look up to your parents and walk in their footsteps, it should be because you desire to choose that career. That said, it’s best to relay your strengths and passions to your parents, helping them to understand why their choice wouldn’t work for you. By all means, resist the urge to be an extension of your parents, and work hard at your choice irrespective of their approval or disapproval.

Picking a career randomly

Indeed, a decision as important as picking a career shouldn’t be left to chance. The fact that an option seems okay doesn’t mean that you would excel in it. Peradventure you are able to carry on without problems, you may find yourself in a career rut, regretting your choices. Therefore, it’s best to carefully evaluate yourself to determine what you really want to do. For instance, if you’re a medical student looking for what field to branch into, you can work with Clerkship America to help you figure out what you want.

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