ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > August > 22 > Entry
Career path still in the air?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Deciding what you want to be “when you grow up” is no easy task. And many of us, even after we’ve grown up, still don’t know what we want to be!
I remember having a conversation with my mother when I was a senior in high school, trying to decide where to go to college and what I might major in. I clearly remember the anxiety I felt and how overwhelming the pressure seemed. I knew that at eighteen years-old, I had the capacity to make decisions that would either propel me toward success, or that would “mess up” my life in ways that I could never change.
I remember saying, “How am I supposed to make a decision that will affect what I’m doing when I’m forty years old? I don’t know what I want to be when I’m forty. I don’t even know what I want to do this weekend!”
As I grew up and dedicated my own career to helping people make career decisions, I have learned that the truth is: Most of us don’t know exactly what we want to do when we grow up. And that’s okay.
Narrowing down career options can be especially tough for people who come from families where everyone else has always known exactly what they wanted to do for a living. It’s important for both parties to understand that career indecision is very normal.
Other people are so afraid of making a career mistake, that they avoid making a career choice at all. They often float from one job to another, they may or may not enjoy their jobs, but deep down they never really feel fulfilled.
Even though it’s normal, indecision shouldn’t be ignored. Invest in yourself and in your own happiness and do a little research on career options. Talk to people who have experience in the areas that you’re interested in to learn more about what they do. Look into meeting with a career counselor or taking some career assessments.
People who are the most fulfilled professionally are often the same people who aren’t afraid to get out there and make their own happiness. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By james belk
August 24, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
My comments are directed to “career path still in the air’. I have had many jobs since I was a teen in the same field, and went on to college to try to reach those goals.In the mist of school had a change of heart toward these endeavores. So, I had to revaluate what it was I wanted to do. I have narrowed it down to a few things that I am good at and enjoy in the job field. But I am having some promblems with working career counselor’s and making my mark in the work force. Opinions are many and hard to find a valued opinion. I am currently looking for a job, and opinions are valued. james belk