People can end up taking the wrong career path simply based on false or faulty assumptions.
5 career path myths to stop believing
1. To succeed, you need to stick to one thing
Many people falsely believe that they must stick with the career they start out in. Old advice was: “Start at the bottom and work your way up.” Business doesn’t work the same way today that it did 20 years ago or earlier.
In fact, you could start at a lower position and end up stuck there.
2. Stay in the career you focused on in college
There’s no reason you need to stick with a certain career, even if it was your college major or minor. If you don’t feel a career is a fit for you, look for something that is. There is nothing wrong with changing paths.
3. You need to lock your career down by a certain age
Many people falsely believe that by their mid-20s or 30s, they should have their career path set. That’s simply not true. An opportunity for success can arrive at any age.
Secondly, interests and passions evolve as we age. You could reach your 30s and realize that a certain career path simply isn’t for you. There’s no reason at that point, you cannot start on a new path. You have plenty of time to succeed at something else.
4. You always need to aim high
Setting your expectations on a particular goal can limit your vision for other opportunities around you. There may be other positions, even in different fields, that require similar skills you are a perfect fit for.
Additionally, positions lower on the ladder may offer a better opportunity for you to learn and grow, or receive mentoring. Such positions may provide the vehicle for developing a mastery of your skills (or developing new skills) – which will be much more valuable later on, eventually allowing you to rise perhaps even higher in your chosen field.
5. You need to choose the career path that pays the most
Money doesn’t always equal happiness. For a growing number of people, especially millennials, they find more satisfaction in careers that offer a sense of purpose or personal reward – rather than monetary significance.
Another trap people fall into is the pressure to compete with their family, friends or peers when it comes to salary. Your salary does not equate to your own value. Money can be a poor substitute for true happiness and fulfillment.