Myths Of Having A Career

Career. It’s the one word we hear about when we’re students in high school and college. What is it and what myths should you know before planning one? Let’s find out. The definition of career, in the modern sense of the word, is a job that will fulfill you financially and emotionally, giving you a sense of purpose, meaning, and happiness. Although we’ve been given many means to explore how to get a career, many students are confused about what an actual career really is. Here are some myths to think about.

1. You will have only one or two careers in your lifetime.

Obviously, this is false. The more the world changes, the more the work world changes. Most individuals will have between five and seven careers and possibly more depending on economic circumstances.

2. College prepares you for a career.

The only thing college prepares you for is having some of the basic knowledge needed to survive. It does not give specific skills or insights on how to actually have a particular career. Most colleges promote liberal education more than their specific majors. The number one reason is that general knowledge is deemed more important for academic purposes rather than work and business purposes (the real world).

3. Careers allow us to live the lives we want.

Careers only give you what the career can give, nothing more. That is, it gives financial ability to pay the bills and survive, and it may give some emotional satisfaction. What we want and what a career can give may not match.

4. Planning a career can be done in a classroom with a teacher.

The actual planning of a career is not a skill usually done in a classroom. A career is usually born out of past experience and actual present desires and skills. If a student has spent all his life in school with minimal out of school experiences, he or she will not be able to plan for a career until they graduate and get a job.

5. A career is the path to happiness.

There is obviously no guaranteed paths or methods to happiness. By focusing on having career so much, students lose the ability to realize the happiness they have with friends, family, and relationships, not to mention the hobbies or leisure activities that actually give them real happiness. Careers give minimal happiness if not chosen well, and careers chosen well is still not a guarantee of a life of happiness.

These are just some of the myths surrounding having a career. If any of this makes sense, and/or you have some comments or questions please let me know at bw00@dslextreme.com

Ben Wong is a personal trainer, alternative health writer, and part time lifestyle design coach.

Author: Benjamin Wong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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