A recent study by Wiley has found that the number of students who have difficulty choosing a career field has been increasing. Even among those already in post-secondary, 21% were still unsure about what field to pursue. Students made their career choices based primarily on their interests, followed by the potential career opportunities offered in that field, as well as their ability to make a positive impact in that career.*
Clearly, choosing a career is very difficult for many students, and making a mistake can feel like a waste of time and money. No life experiences are wasteful; in fact, negative experiences can be the most educational. That said, there are several mistakes that are commonly made when considering which career path to pursue.
1. Not researching the career you’re considering
Sometimes students make career choices without really knowing much about what they’re choosing. The courses required for a certain career may sound interesting – you may even feel passionate about the field – but what would you actually be doing when you complete your training? What would your day-to-day work life involve? Where are you likely to be, and what would your working conditions be like? A lot of research is needed. Better yet, ask for help finding someone already working in the field to give you some insight. Learning about all aspects of a career will help you avoid making an uninformed choice.
2. Not researching the potential of the industry you’re considering
There are many online resources describing expected career trends for the future. Is the career you’re considering in an industry that will continue to thrive, or one that is likely to decline due to changes in technology, social attitudes or global economic changes? You won’t want to be out of a job soon after entering the field. And even if the industry itself is stable, will this career path provide you with opportunities to grow and shift within the industry, to avoid boredom?
3. Choosing a career based on the money you will earn, rather than your interest in the work
Yes, we do need an income to survive, but having cash but being miserable in your day-to-day job is not worth it. For greater life satisfaction, find a career that will give you some balance, with a decent income as well as a decent sense of fulfilment in your work.
4. Prioritizing external motivators over internal ones
Are other people (parents, teachers, coaches) suggesting a career pathway that just doesn’t feel right to you? Having a skill or certain attributes does not mean that you have to use them in your future career. Are you considering a career simply because your friends or relatives are doing it? Are you expected to continue a family career tradition that you don’t really find appealing? Choosing your career just to please others or to be like they are will likely leave you unsatisfied in the long run – make a choice that’s right for you.
5. Avoiding making a decision
Procrastinating on figuring out what this path will be instead of researching the options and putting effort into making a viable choice may let great opportunities pass you by. Don’t get stuck in a rut because you’re waiting for something perfect or looking for something to feel passionate about.
There are very few careers that don’t have a single negative aspect to them: some careers require lots of education to get there; some may have a long ladder to climb to get where you really want to be; some may require unstable or long work hours or may not pay quite as much as you’d like for the first few years. Not many jobs are perfect, but if the career interests you and will allow you to pay the bills, then you’ll be on the path to success and satisfaction.
6. Believing their choice will bind them for life
Choosing a career is not forever – many students change plans mid-stream, and most are likely to experience many job changes and even several career changes over their working lives. All your learning and experiences are valuable and can take you in many directions in future decades. Choose an initial career direction that interests you now, and take life one day at a time. Who knows where you’ll end up!
*Wiley. (2023, February 13). The State of the Student: Adjusting to the “new normal”…and all that comes with it. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/network/trending-stories/the-state-of-the-student-adjusting-to-the-new-normal-and-all-that-comes-with-it.