4 Mistakes When Choosing a Career

Contents:

• Why do people make mistakes in choosing a profession?
• Focusing only on interests and ignoring your needs and character traits
• Idealizing the concept of a "good choice"
• Ignoring your real conditions and limitations
• Believing in your calling and looking for it
• How do you know if your professional crisis is temporary or if you made a mistake in choosing?

Career guidance specialist Veronika Vinokurova shared her experience and knowledge in the field of career guidance. She emphasized the importance of choosing the right profession for achieving personal and career success. Veronika noted that a conscious approach to choosing a profession will help avoid disappointment and increase job satisfaction. Career guidance includes an analysis of interests, skills, and personal qualities, which allows each person to find their calling. Veronika Vinokurova recommends seeking help from specialists to receive professional advice and maintain confidence in your choice.

• Why do people make mistakes in choosing a profession?
• What should not be taken into account during career guidance?
• And what can and should be taken into account!

Why do people make mistakes in choosing a profession?

• Because they don't know what the modern labor market is like. Where does a person get their ideas about professions? Mainly from the world around them. This idea can be very limited if you are not specifically interested in the topic, do not read thematic publications, public pages, and blogs.
• Because they are under the influence of stereotypes imposed by their environment. There are many such stereotypes: "You need to work where they pay more," "Creative professions don't bring in money," "It's not a female / male profession." We may not even realize how much these stereotypes influence our choices.
• Because they have incomplete or incorrect ideas about themselves, their needs, strengths and weaknesses. For example, a person may think that he likes working with people because he easily communicates with friends. He chooses a job in sales - and is disappointed, since regularly communicating with a lot of strangers turns out to be not at all easy.

Focusing only on interests and not taking into account your needs and character traits

Different fields of activity have their own unique characteristics: some require perseverance, attention, and patience, while others are based on mobility and a willingness to take risks. Sometimes it's difficult for someone to independently determine which of these characteristics best suits their personal qualities and preferences. Understanding these nuances can help them choose a career path that will bring satisfaction and success.

Sergey is an energetic and goal-oriented young man who showed an interest in mathematics from an early age. After successfully entering the mathematics department, he graduated with honors and began a career as a teacher. However, over time, Sergey became increasingly dissatisfied with his job. He feels that routine procedures, such as grading and conducting tests, do not bring him satisfaction, and the salary for this activity seems insufficient.

Idealizing the concept of a "lucky choice"

"Find something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life" is a common myth. Work, like life itself, is not always filled with interest and joy. We often have to perform routine tasks, and sometimes face serious difficulties. When the problems become too many and the energy is not enough, we may begin to doubt the correctness of our choice. However, this is not a mistake, but part of reality. It's important to realize that any difficulties can become a stepping stone to growth and development. Embracing both routine and challenge is key to a successful and fulfilling career.

Katya always dreamed of becoming an actress, possessing all the necessary qualities - attractive appearance, energy, and natural artistry. She excelled in the student troupe, participating in experimental performances. However, after graduating, the harsh world of art awaited her: supporting roles, corporate events, and seasonal work as Snegurochka. This reality was unexpected for Katya. She was convinced that an actress's life was a constant holiday, and now she begins to doubt whether this is truly her calling.

Ignoring your real circumstances and limitations

Studying and changing jobs require not only a conscious approach but also a significant investment of time and money. It's important to soberly assess your situation to understand how much time and money you can realistically devote to studying and finding a new job. You need to think through your financial resources in advance and organize your time in a way that allows you to successfully cope with new challenges.

Natalya worked in banking until she was 30, but after maternity leave, she realized she wanted a change. Her interest in art inspired her to enroll in a master's program in art history. She chose a university in the capital, despite realizing it didn't offer online classes, only distance learning with sessions every three months. Natalia decided she could handle the challenges. She traveled to the first session with her infant, her mother helped her with the second, and by the third, there was no support. Frequent flights and rent for study significantly impacted the family budget. Natalia didn't consider how family obligations and a small child would limit her mobility. Ultimately, online learning could have been the optimal solution for her.

Believe in Your Calling and Seek It

Many people make the mistake of believing that there is an ideal job that completely meets their expectations and requirements. They dream of a position that will provide a high salary, will always be interesting, and will not require any sacrifices. However, in reality, the ideal job is rare. Instead of waiting for such an opportunity to arise, it is important to be prepared to compromise. Accepting that work may be challenging and sometimes not meet all expectations can lead to a more realistic outlook on your career and help you find satisfaction in your chosen field.

The ideal profession, like the ideal love, does not exist. However, there are many career options that may suit you if you take a realistic view of the situation. Choosing a career is an important step, and it is important to consider your interests, skills, and abilities to find the right direction. Don't be afraid to explore different fields and try yourself in new roles, because that's how you can find a profession that will bring you satisfaction and joy.

Alexey works at a factory, following his family's traditions. Although he's not happy with his choice, alternatives seem unavailable to him. Music attracts him, but he doubts its financial stability. The idea of ​​owning his own business also piques his interest, but it seems too risky. A friend suggested he consider training as an artificial intelligence engineer, but this prospect seems boring and doesn't align with his humanities inclinations. Nevertheless, he continues to work at the factory, hoping that one day he will be inspired and find the profession of his dreams.

I value my work because it brings me a lot of joy. However, sometimes when I am working on large projects or juggling several tasks at once, I experience significant fatigue.

The relationship with work is similar to the relationship with a loved one. It's important not to make excessive demands, but to focus on what's truly important to you and where you can make concessions. As in a romantic relationship, your interactions with work won't always bring only positive emotions. Understanding your priorities and a willingness to compromise will help create a more harmonious atmosphere and improve the quality of your professional life.

Even the most beloved job can sometimes seem boring or tiring. At such times, it's important not to waste energy doubting your choice. Instead, focus on what's most important—remembering the reasons why you chose this profession and this place. This will help restore motivation and interest in work, and will also allow you to see it in a new light. Focusing on your original goals and values ​​can be the key to overcoming a temporary crisis.

Veronika Vinokurova is an experienced psychologist and career guidance specialist, as well as the co-founder of the international career choice school "Point B." She specializes in helping people determine their professional path and choose a career that matches their interests and talents. Thanks to her experience and knowledge, Veronica successfully conducts consultations and training sessions aimed at developing career skills and realizing personal goals. The "Point B" School provides unique resources and methods that enable everyone to find their calling in the professional world.

How can you tell if your career crisis is temporary or if you've made the wrong choice?

Your relationship with your job can be complex and far from ideal. It's important to determine whether current difficulties are temporary or indicate systemic problems. To understand the situation, it's worth analyzing your feelings and observations. Pay attention to the frequency of conflicts, your level of satisfaction, and the support you receive from your colleagues. If problems recur and affect your productivity, you may want to consider changes in your work or approach to it. This analysis will help you understand how to move forward and what steps to take to improve your professional life.

Career guidance specialists recommend paying attention to your values ​​and needs. It is important to remember why you chose this profession and evaluate how relevant these reasons remain. This will help you better understand whether your current professional activity aligns with your life goals and expectations. Regularly reflecting on your motives and desires promotes a more conscious career choice and can lead to a more satisfying and successful professional life.

• Values ​​are the ideals that a person focuses on in their life. They directly influence what will be a priority for each of us and what will be unimportant.
• Needs are needs that help a person maintain life or develop. A need can be something essential for survival (food, water, and shelter), or a more general concept (respect, friendship, love).

Miroslava began her career in real estate immediately after graduating from university, when family and relationships came first for her. Her desire to buy her own apartment as soon as possible prompted her to choose the real estate profession, which offered the opportunity to earn money quickly. For eight years, she successfully developed her career, securing a stable living. However, over time, her needs changed. Miroslava began to consider a more creative profession that didn't require constant interaction with clients. Although she hasn't made a final decision yet, she's already started saving for a career break and is considering switching to design.