Q1. There is only one right occupation for me.
(I don't need to start thinking about my career choices at school - its too early for that)
(About laying a solid foundation to make informed and realistic choices)
Did you know that most people change occupations 5 to 6 times over the course of their working life? There will be a number of occupations that will suit you based on your values, interests, skills and knowledge at different stages of your life. Life style choices like hours of work, where you will be based and kinds of rewards both monetary and otherwise will also help you to decide the various occupations that will meet your needs across different points in your life. Although some occupations are likely a better fit than others, it’s highly probable that there are many good choices you could be happy with.
Q2. I am the only one who doesn’t know about my career choice. Everyone else knows what they want to be in the future.
(Experts like career counsellors and my parents are the best advisors on what I should do in the future)
(The students is at the centre of the decision making process and the decision itself)
Several studies have estimated that between 20 to 50 percent of students entering Yr 12 education are undecided about their academic specialisation and career. There is nothing wrong with being undecided as long as you are working on gathering the necessary information and experience that will help you make commitments at the right times. There is some evidence to suggest that the more interests and abilities you possess, the more difficult it will be to choose. As mentioned earlier, people change occupations on an average 5 to 6 times during their lives as you explore new interests at different stages of your life.
Q3. My parents, a test, or an expert knows better than me, about what I should do in the future.
(I should be sure of what I want to do in the future and then stick with it)
(About keeping an open mind)
Parents, tests, and career counsellors can be great resources, but ultimately you need to make your own decisions. It is important to realize that it is your life, and no one except you, has to live with your decisions. You must aim to build the confidence in yourself to make decisions regarding your future based on realistic and practical options. You may want to see a counsellor to help you clarify your doubts. Some level of anxiety is to be expected however, when making significant life decisions, but nothing can be resolved when you run away from them
Q4. Once I pick a specialisation, I must stick with it. Once I have chosen it, I cannot change my mind.
(My friends and I think that the best career is the one that will pay me the most)
(Losing perspective on making a holistic decision)
Your decision-making anxiety can increase by this false belief. There may indeed be a cost involved in changing directions, but it’s often worthwhile. Most people will change career paths several times over the course of their working life. As your interests, needs, skills and values change, often a change in career direction will facilitate a better fit between you and the demands of your life and chosen career path.
Q5. Most people have known since childhood what they wanted to be when they grow up.
(If I follow my passion and interests, I will automatically do well in that field)
(Skills follow passion)
Those who have known what they’ve wanted to be since they were young are a very small minority. Even these individuals will have some changes from their earlier thinking as they grow up and progress down their career path. You are in the majority if you are trying to figure out what you want to pursue as an occupation. Do some informational interviews with people working in an occupation that you think you would enjoy or do some volunteer work. These uses of time are almost always extremely worthwhile in helping you to decide what direction you would like to pursue.
Q6. I must pursue occupations in demand that pay well, even if it means doing things that are not interesting.
(Things are changing so quickly, that it seems pointless to plan, might as well go with the flow)
(About planning in the face of rapidly changing contexts)
If you go into an occupation you don’t like just because it is socially accepted or is in the “hot” sector, it will most certainly lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfilment. When we have a choice, we should be doing things we look forward to. You must determine your own definition of success. The socially acceptable definition of success often includes money, status, power, or fame. Boyd Packer in his book mentions that we may “…struggle though life, perhaps missing both fame and fortune, to finally learn that we can succeed without possessing either; or we may one day have both and learn that neither is basic to the recipe for true success and complete happiness.” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Decision of Life.” New Era. August 1989: 4).
Q7. If you can find out what you are interested in, you'll automatically do well in it.
(My parents and family expect me to follow their advice, but I am not so sure if that is what I want to do)
(About living with your choices)
Your interests do not always match up with your skills and abilities. You may be interested in basketball, but may not be an outstanding player. You may be interested in music, but not play very well or at all, or you may suffer from crippling stage fright. There are some things that we are interested in that require abilities that we may not possess or have a difficult time gaining. We need to realize that interests are important in choosing an occupation/major, but that there are other factors to assess as well, such as skills, abilities and value compatibility.
Q8. You must thoroughly analyze all aspects of your career choice before you implement it; otherwise, you're not really prepared.
(Once I have decided on the career, I must single-mindedly work only towards that goal)
(About a healthywork life balance)
This kind of thinking is unrealistic. All occupations have some positive as well as negative factors. If you set a standard that suggests that your occupation must meet all or even most of your needs, you may find yourself quite disappointed. You will have many different roles in life and different relationships that will serve to meet the different needs that you have. No one single role that you play or relationship that you have will provide satisfaction and fulfilment for all of your needs. Be careful; avoid idealizing your occupation too much. Remember there are likely many things that you could be happy doing. What you can hope for, is an occupation that satisfies many of your needs, interests, and desires while allowing you to make a contribution and develop your talents.
Q9. Once I pick a specialisation, I must stick with it. Once I have chosen it, I cannot change my mind.
(If I have second thoughts about my career decision later on, I am a loser and I made a bad choice in the beginning)
(More than one choice is the norm)
We can’t know everything there is to know about an occupation before we go into it. We can, however, gain a reasonable understanding of our options by relying on both primary information sources (talking to people who are doing what we hope to be doing in our career) and by checking out secondary sources of information (written and on-line resources regarding various occupations. The world of work is changing rapidly and some jobs are disappearing altogether and new interesting jobs may be available to you that do not exist today. At some point you will need to just take a step forward and put a foot in the water and move in the direction of your career choice.
Q10. People are either successful or complete failures in their career pursuits.
(If I score well and get into the right course at the right institute, my life is made !)
(A good education is a solid foundation but not the key)
Success and happiness do not depend upon being the best in your field, but rather doing your personal best. Each of us will have our share of personal successes and failures. It is often the failures that provide the most significant learning lessons and plant the seeds for future successes. Perhaps you have chosen an occupation that matches your interests but not your skills. Either work toward developing the skills needed or move towards something that both will hold your interest and in which you have some skill. Learn to evaluate your career in relative terms rather than all-or-nothing definitions of success.
Q11. If I get away from the pressure to decide by taking some time off from college, or if I wait a little longer, I'll make a better decision.
Some think that escaping from the pressures to decide on a major/occupation will clarify their perspective and make their judgment sounder. Unless the break is designed to be a time of gathering relevant information and first hand experiences, it is unlikely that getting away from the pressure will help you make a decision. It will just prolong the decision-making process without making it any easier to decide.
Q12. Go where the money is, regardless of the type of work it involves (money/security/status = happiness).
Research suggests that money, security, and status in and of themselves do not ensure happiness. Some people think it really doesn’t matter what they do as long as they get rich, since money will provide the things that make them happy. Lack of money or security can interfere with happiness, but an abundance of money or security does not ensure happiness. It appears that happiness comes more from a sense of achievement, satisfying interpersonal relationships, opportunities to influence, and being able to meet a certain level of your interests, needs, and aspirations.
Q13. The world of work is changing so rapidly that I can't really plan for the future.
The world of work is constantly changing, but you can take advantage of opportunities by preparing and planning. Knowing about yourself can help you determine which opportunities will best meet your needs and understanding the world of work and future work trends can help you to position yourself for opportunities. You must continually develop an array of skills and an attitude of flexibility. Those who plan will have an advantage over those who are unprepared.
Q14. If things don't work out the way I expect, I'm a failure.
Success and happiness stem from building on the foundation of toil, persistence, and rising every time we are knocked down. Many of the great successes have come after a history of many failures. Most of you may have a only a vague idea of where you are going to be in terms of a career at this early time in your life, but you may find that even when things don’t work out as planned, you may be experiencing things that are even more valuable. Some of the most valuable lessons come from early failures and challenges. Don’t give up on your dreams, for you will achieve more than people without them, even if your dreams are not all fulfilled. Setting goals is half the work of achieving them.
Q15. I can feel good about myself only if I am competent, sure of my future, and achieving my goals in all possible respects.
This is a form of all-or-nothing thinking that suggests you cannot feel good about yourself until you are a finished product. If this is your standard, you might find it difficult to ever feel good about yourself, since most of us never feel completely and consistently competent, adequate, intelligent, and achieving. We all are in many ways “work in progress”. Some of our sense of worth should come from our efforts and striving themselves, not just from the outcome.
Q16. Having a career is the only real way to personal fulfilment.
Leading a balanced life is one of the keys to a sense of well-being. It will help keep you from allowing undue pressures to make your career more important than it should be. Research has shown that people who often invest a large part of their identity in their careers, sometimes suffer a loss of confidence during times of unemployment or work-related difficulties. If you invest in your self-esteem in other ways in addition to your career, you will experience a greater sense of well- being even if you experience a period of joblessness.
Q17. I can't go against the wishes of my parents or other significant people in my life who support me and know what's best, because I'll be ungrateful and insensitive.
“It is often wise to seek your elders’ counsel and advice. Your parents are usually interested in what you do and will often provide both emotional and financial support towards educational and occupational preparation. In some cultures, the family wishes are central and making a choice that is different than theirs would be viewed as disloyal. In this framework it is important to communicate with parents and let them understand your desires while still listening to them. If you feel that their wishes will provide greater happiness than following your own desires, then you may want to follow their counsel. But either ways, it will be your decision.
Usually when there is a conflict between your desires and the wishes of your parents or other significant people in your life, you may try to make a convincing case of choosing what you think would be best for you. This means doing the research and showing them evidence of how serious you are and that you know what you are doing. Allowing others to decide your life’s direction at the expense of ignoring your aspirations could lead to dissatisfaction, frustration and resentment later. Your parents and loved ones would truly want what is best for you. Helping your loved ones know that you appreciate them and their support and that your choice is not meant as a rebellion is the best way to resolve this situation.”
Q18. A person should be in total control of his or her career.
False. There are many things that you can control in your career, but some things you cannot. Some factors outside of your control may include the following: unemployment if your company fails or downsizes; poor health, economic crises, natural disasters, war, technological and other world of work changes, and legislation. You may find that your career will take unexpected twists and turns, which can be seen as either opportunities or as burdensome roadblocks. Develop flexibility and adaptability with a wide range of skills that can be applied in numerous settings.
Q19. Life is always unfair to me.
You will experience things that are not right, just, or fair. Someone may get promoted because they are a relative or a friend of the boss, although you are more qualified. You may work much harder than others and still earn less or receive less recognition than they. You may do all you can do to remain physically fit and still experience sickness and disease. To a certain degree, we create the realities we experience. The more you see the negative in life, the more likely you will experience negative things in life, while those who look for the good, wholesome, and healthy, will in all probability experience more of those things. If you mistakenly think I called you a “cheat” when what I really said was “sweet”, you will most likely have a negative view of me even though in reality I was saying something positive about you. Create a reality that allows for the possibility that life is both fair and unfair.
