Related Sponsors

What hazards should I be aware of in career planning?

Home » Careers » Career Planning » What hazards should I be aware of in career planning?
Posted by Your Guide on September 21, 2005 12:28 AM

What hazards should I be aware of in career planning?

For every good reason to choose a career, there’s an equally bad reason to choose a career. It’s very important to know how not to choose a career:

1. Don’t plan a career based on money. Some of the richest people are the most miserable people—money cannot buy fulfillment or meaning.

2. Don’t plan a career because you think you should choose it. Take it into consideration if your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all had the same career, but don’t think it fits you just because it fit them.

3. Don’t plan a career on a whim. This is a big decision, so take some time with it. Get opinions from people who know you and guard against rash, emotional, decisions.

Each of these “don’ts” is based in some good reasoning. You do want your career to eventually provide money for you and your family. It can be very wise to consider what your background is and what others suggest. It is important to include emotion and passion as factors in your career planning. Just don’t make these factors the only bases for planning a career.

Even after you make a career plan, it’s important to confirm it over time. Evaluate your plan after a month or a year or ten years. Consider an internship or part-time job that will give you insight into the career and whether you really want to go down that path. Talk to people who are already in the field about what they like and don’t like. Look before you leap, and then keep on looking.

It’s also important to remember that a past mistake does not mean you are doomed. If you are years into a career plan that you are just realizing you chose for the wrong reasons, your career is not beyond repair. Although the word “plan” implies that a career plan is something that is prepared and then enacted, in reality, career planning is a process that never ends, it just changes phases. You may even make several career plans throughout your life. Just make sure your next career plan is based on sound rationale.



Next Page: When should I consider changing my career?

Related Articles