With global unemployment on the rise, economy on the down spiral trend and lifestyle just pushing you way up the comfort level, people are now trying to be very careful at choosing the right career. It is wise to begin with the end in mind, but most of us need to be guided in choosing the right career for us. There are just too many myths that try to blur fact from fiction. Well meaning friends and relatives would be the most likely source. Let me tell you what the top ten myths are to date:
#1 Choosing a career is simple
#2 A career counselor can tell me what occupation to pick
#3 I can’t make a living from my hobby
#4 I should choose a career from a “Best Careers” list
#5 Making a lot of money will make me happy
#6 Once I choose a career I’ll be stuck in it forever
#7 If I change careers my skills will go to waste
#8 If my best friend (or sister, uncle, or neighbor) is happy in a particular field, I will be too
#9 All I have to do is pick an occupation… Things will fall into place after that
#10 There’s very little I can do to learn about an occupation without actually working in it
Avoid believing any of those listed above. It would be in your best interest to be wary of these things so you can make your first career step, the RIGHT step. Let me give you the top ten steps in choosing the RIGHT career.
#1 Begin with your values.
#2 Identify your skills and talents.
#3 Identify your preferences.
#4 Experiment.
#5 In your first job, opt for experience first, money second.
#6 Aim for a job in which you can become 110% committed.
#7 Build your lifestyle around your income, not your expectations.
#8 Invest five percent of your time, energy, and money into furthering your career.
#9 Be willing to change and adapt.
#10 Become broadly literate.