How to Choose a Career
#1 Choosing a career is simple
Actually, choosing a career is an involved process and you should give it the time it deserves. Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning enough about yourself and the occupations which you are considering in order to make an informed decision.
More: Choosing a Career: The Career Planning Process
#2 A career counselor can tell me what occupation to pick
A career counselor, or any other career development professional, can 't tell you what career is best for you. He or she can provide you with guidance in choosing a career and can help facilitate your decision.
More: Get Career Advice From a Pro
#3 I can 't make a living from my hobby
Says who? When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to choose one that is related to what you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire. In addition people tend to become very skilled in their hobbies, even though most of the skill is gained informally.
More: Make Your Hobby Work for You
#4 I should choose a career from a "Best Careers" list
Every year, especially during milestone years, i.e. the beginning of a new decade, there are numerous articles and books that list what "the experts" predict will be "hot jobs." It can 't hurt to look at those lists to see if any of the careers on it appeal to you, but you shouldn 't use the list to dictate your choice. While the predictions are often based on valid data, sometimes things change. Way too often what is hot this year won 't be hot a few years from now. In addition, you need to take into account your interests, values, and skills when choosing a career. Just because the outlook for an occupation is good, it doesn 't mean that occupation is right for you.
More: 10 Reasons Not to Rely on Best Careers Lists
#5 Making a lot of money will make me happy
While salary is important, it isn 't the only factor you should look at when choosing a career. Countless surveys have shown that money doesn 't necessarily lead to
Actually, choosing a career is an involved process and you should give it the time it deserves. Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning enough about yourself and the occupations which you are considering in order to make an informed decision.
More: Choosing a Career: The Career Planning Process
#2 A career counselor can tell me what occupation to pick
A career counselor, or any other career development professional, can 't tell you what career is best for you. He or she can provide you with guidance in choosing a career and can help facilitate your decision.
More: Get Career Advice From a Pro
#3 I can 't make a living from my hobby
Says who? When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to choose one that is related to what you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire. In addition people tend to become very skilled in their hobbies, even though most of the skill is gained informally.
More: Make Your Hobby Work for You
#4 I should choose a career from a "Best Careers" list
Every year, especially during milestone years, i.e. the beginning of a new decade, there are numerous articles and books that list what "the experts" predict will be "hot jobs." It can 't hurt to look at those lists to see if any of the careers on it appeal to you, but you shouldn 't use the list to dictate your choice. While the predictions are often based on valid data, sometimes things change. Way too often what is hot this year won 't be hot a few years from now. In addition, you need to take into account your interests, values, and skills when choosing a career. Just because the outlook for an occupation is good, it doesn 't mean that occupation is right for you.
More: 10 Reasons Not to Rely on Best Careers Lists
#5 Making a lot of money will make me happy
While salary is important, it isn 't the only factor you should look at when choosing a career. Countless surveys have shown that money doesn 't necessarily lead to
References: *Adapted from: Torraco, R. J. “Theory-Building Research Methods.” In Swanson R. A. and E. F. Holton III , editors. Human Resource Development Handbook: Linking Research and Practice. (San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler, 1997): pp. 114-137.