Career exploration can be challenging at times but it is important to stay motivated and not fall subject to common myths that often sap motivation and derail the career exploration process. Below are some of the stop myths that often stop people from continuing their career search.
MYTH: There is one perfect job for me.
Reality: The are MANY jobs that you would enjoy. Focusing on finding a single, or “prefect” career can be very limiting. In fact, most people have several jobs throughout their lifetime, each with both positive and negative aspects. Furthermore, your job preferences are more than likely to to change as you gain more experience, skill, self-knowledge, and awareness. Do not limit yourself to just one job when you are more likely to be satisfied having multiple kinds of jobs throughout your lifetime. There are always opportunities to grow and expand your knowledge so take advantage of that continue to explore your career aspirations as they change overtime.
MYTH: My job has to match my college major.
Reality: You do not need to restrict your job search to careers related to your college major. In fact, most jobs do not specify which college major is needed. More often than not, technical skills or knowledge gained through your degree can be applicable to many settings. Additionally, most workers learn the specifics of an occupation while working on the job. Therefore, you should not be afraid to apply to positions that are not quite aligned with your college major as you will have plenty of time to learn while working. Experience is one of the best forms of learning!
MYTH: No one will hire me because I lack experience, have low grades, have gaps in my work history, etc.
Reality: There many ways to overcome all kinds of challenges to find satisfying work. How you handle adversity is a good indicator of your ability to persevere. Need experience? Try getting it by volunteering in a related occupation of interest or by taking on school projects that may be relevant to your desired career. Low grades? Try highlighting other parts of your resume and focus on emphasizing your strengths. For most entry-level jobs, employers are looking for general attributes such as communication skills, interpersonal abilities, and enthusiasm, so try to bring out those skills in your application.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall 2005