3 answers
Patrick
Student
Roosendaal, North Brabant, Netherlands
2
Questions
Asked
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What are common pitfalls when planning their career?
This could be any kind of career in general
#JULY20
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3 answers
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
234
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Patrick,
This is a really interesting question.
The most common pitfall I've seen are people that think they know themselves pretty well and commit to a career before finding out what it's really like. I have a friend who went into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and who spends years in grad school to become a lawyer, before realizing that it's not what he wanted (his father wanted that career for him) and that he was really meant to be a software developer (loves coding). I have another friend who graduated college and got a job in biotech for her to realize that she hated the job and wanted to help people (she's now a physical therapist and loves her job). Lastly, I have another friend who worked in the software industry for a few years, and didn't like it, and he's been trying various different jobs to see what he really wants to do for the rest of his life.
Of course, also, don't assume that you are a finished product (in terms of mental/physical growth, morals, etc). You will change more than you think you'll change as you live life. Accounting for that change is hard, so it's best to plan for your needs with a reserve chute. Think of committing to a career is jumping out of an airplane. The landing zone is your career, and your main chute is the skills you acquire to help you land there safely. I would advise, if you can do it, have a reserve chute and a reserve landing zone. You never know if the winds of history will change on you.
I wish you the best of luck!
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Dexter
This is a really interesting question.
The most common pitfall I've seen are people that think they know themselves pretty well and commit to a career before finding out what it's really like. I have a friend who went into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and who spends years in grad school to become a lawyer, before realizing that it's not what he wanted (his father wanted that career for him) and that he was really meant to be a software developer (loves coding). I have another friend who graduated college and got a job in biotech for her to realize that she hated the job and wanted to help people (she's now a physical therapist and loves her job). Lastly, I have another friend who worked in the software industry for a few years, and didn't like it, and he's been trying various different jobs to see what he really wants to do for the rest of his life.
Of course, also, don't assume that you are a finished product (in terms of mental/physical growth, morals, etc). You will change more than you think you'll change as you live life. Accounting for that change is hard, so it's best to plan for your needs with a reserve chute. Think of committing to a career is jumping out of an airplane. The landing zone is your career, and your main chute is the skills you acquire to help you land there safely. I would advise, if you can do it, have a reserve chute and a reserve landing zone. You never know if the winds of history will change on you.
I wish you the best of luck!
--
Dexter
Michelle Mcgill
Engineering Analyst
8
Answers
Russellville, Arkansas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
A big pit fall I see with people...Don't think your degree is THE job title. I have a degree as a Mechanical Engineer. I have maybe worked 1/10th of my career as a true ME. I have worked in all kinds of fields from Civil to Environmental to Sales to Fire Protection...now I'm in Performance Improvement :)
If you enjoyed what you studied... open your mind to the possibilities. Use your character strengths in conjunction with your knowledge. NEVER underestimate experience or place experience below education, yours or others. Technical knowledge and skills are pieces of our economy and should never be undervalued.
Most degree programs and technical schools are trying to teach you more than just subject matter... complex problem solving, leadership, importance of preservation, etc.
Your field of study does not define you. Your degree or certificate just gives others a small glimpse at your potential.
If you enjoyed what you studied... open your mind to the possibilities. Use your character strengths in conjunction with your knowledge. NEVER underestimate experience or place experience below education, yours or others. Technical knowledge and skills are pieces of our economy and should never be undervalued.
Most degree programs and technical schools are trying to teach you more than just subject matter... complex problem solving, leadership, importance of preservation, etc.
Your field of study does not define you. Your degree or certificate just gives others a small glimpse at your potential.
Kim van Ramselaar
Inside Sales Representative [Account management]
2
Answers
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Patrick,
In my opinion the biggest challenge is the planning itself. Of course it is important to have a 'stip op de horizon' to grow to. However, it happens sometimes that one door closes, others will open. Or the other way around, if you think you stay somewhere for at least 2 years, but within 1,5 you get an offer which suits even better. What I did myself when I was studying is to picture myself within 10 years. In my example this was some sort of (HR) Manager who aranges all kinds of departments. I wanted people to connect, a company to look at the same direction and make sure finance and HR are as alligned as sales and marketing. With this in mind, I thought of what I needed to learn at least: HR - Sales - Marketing. So I started doing recruitment for 1,5 year. Than I wanted to live abroad and found an opportunity to work in sales (current position). After around 3 years of being a professional now, my horizon view changed. I want to work as an account manager. So not only helping the company I work for, but also other customers. Currently I am in the healthcare segment, selling IT infrastructures. But the perspective got much bigger.
To conclude: The downfall is that you will say no to something because it was not your initial plan. To overcome this, have a broader picture for yourself, and adjust yearly or with every step you make within or outside your company.
Groetjes Kim :)
In my opinion the biggest challenge is the planning itself. Of course it is important to have a 'stip op de horizon' to grow to. However, it happens sometimes that one door closes, others will open. Or the other way around, if you think you stay somewhere for at least 2 years, but within 1,5 you get an offer which suits even better. What I did myself when I was studying is to picture myself within 10 years. In my example this was some sort of (HR) Manager who aranges all kinds of departments. I wanted people to connect, a company to look at the same direction and make sure finance and HR are as alligned as sales and marketing. With this in mind, I thought of what I needed to learn at least: HR - Sales - Marketing. So I started doing recruitment for 1,5 year. Than I wanted to live abroad and found an opportunity to work in sales (current position). After around 3 years of being a professional now, my horizon view changed. I want to work as an account manager. So not only helping the company I work for, but also other customers. Currently I am in the healthcare segment, selling IT infrastructures. But the perspective got much bigger.
To conclude: The downfall is that you will say no to something because it was not your initial plan. To overcome this, have a broader picture for yourself, and adjust yearly or with every step you make within or outside your company.
Groetjes Kim :)