The biggest mistake most make in their careers? Many times the
individual will fit themselves into a job rather than finding a job or
career that fits them and subsequently fits into their lives.
Career
planning makes all the difference. Thinking about what you need at each
stage of your career, putting it down on paper, thinking in terms of
progress in 3 months to a year to three year intervals and frequently
reviewing your progress are all necessary ingredients to planning and
developing a satisfying and rewarding career.
It’s no mystery that
many people surrender themselves to less than satisfying careers, not
working up to their potential and having never fully explored all their
options. For example, peer or family pressure guides some into college
when entrepreneurship or a technical school education may be better.
Others elect college majors or fall into jobs based on the earnings
potential and then later find they are unhappy.
Recently a survey
revealed that almost half of college-educated workers between the ages
of 25 and 50 polled said they would choose a different major if they
could do it over. The majority of college graduates will have switched
careers at least once, and about one in five expect to switch in the
future. Chalk it up to indecisiveness, economic or societal changes, or
fate, but more than likely it’s because many didn’t have a plan.
It’s never to late to develop a career plan, even after 50, you can find work in a satisfying and challenging new career.
Regardless
of where you are in your career, it’s important to do informational
interviews with people in the field or the company you want to enter.
Also, expand your research to libraries and the Internet. There are, for
example, over 20,000 job titles listed in the Bureau of Labor
Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Let’s face it. It’s
cheaper to do your career planning up front than stay in the wrong job
too long or change college majors halfway through school. Having a
documented and well thought out plan early on helps you discover your
career-related interests and abilities.
It will also guide you to help identify occupations
that match your interests, knowledge and personality. From here you can
develop areas in which you need further education and study. What are
the demands of the job and how well will you handle the work demands are
just some of the questions you need to ask yourself as you research
your opportunities.
Whether it’s a first career or a later change
in careers, or even a career change after 50, many people have sought
out the services of a career counselor or coach. Keep in mind that there
aren’t any universal requirements for career coaching. Depending on the
state, some counselors must undergo rigorous state licensing
requirements and have advanced degrees in counseling or social work. On
the other hand, some coaches draw on years of work experience and simply
hang out a shingle. Ask around for recommendations if this avenue seems
promising. Bottom line: whatever career plan is developed it’s your
responsibility to work the plan.
There is nothing wrong with doing
the job you really want on the weekends or part-time. You can hold down
the job that pays the bills and pursue your entrepreneurial or artistic
goals during your off time until you determine how to do it full-time.
Career
development and planning is a constant effort and never really ends.
Your written goals should look ahead in reasonable blocks of time.
Equally important, you do not stop your career planning once you get
your dream job. Society and the global economy is constantly changing,
you must have a flexible career plan that adapts to whatever comes
along. If so, it’s clear you’ll be much better prepared than your peers.