How To Find Your Dream Career: Myths & Realities

Most people make assumptions about careers. Often these assumptions are based on impressions they get from relatives and friends, from television shows and from workers and jobs that they see in their daily lives.

Impressions are a good place to start when looking for a career because they help people to identify possibilities. But at the same time, impressions can be misleading. They show only a small portion of reality, or worse: no reality at all.

That's when career impressions become career myths.

People make all kinds of false assumptions because they have limited information. For example many people think that there are no opportunities in the manufacturing trades, that all high-paying jobs require a college degree, and that most teachers earn below-average salaries. Non of these myths is true. And believing myths like these limits career choices unnecessarily.

Some career myths are less about occupations that about the working in general. Myths like these can derail a career search and sap motivation.

Here are five common myths and realities, about careers:

Myth 1:

There Is One Perfect Job For Me

Reality:

There are many occupations and many jobs that you could enjoy. Focusing on finding a single, perfect career is not only intimidating, it's limiting.

Myth 2:

I will use all my talents and abilities in this job.

Reality:

No one job uses all of your talents. And trying to find one that does will derail your career search.

Myth 3:

No one will hire me because I lack experience, have low grades, have gaps in my work history etc.

Reality:

People overcome all kinds of challenges to find satisfying work. Experts say that how you handle adversity is a good indicator of your ability to persevere.

Myth 4:

My job has to match my college major or vocational training.

Reality:

You need not to restrict your job search to careers related to your degree or training. Most jobs do not specify which college major is needed, even if they require that workers have a college degree.

Myth 5:

It's too late to change my career.

Reality:

It's never too late to change careers. Workers who change careers come from many backgrounds, age groups, and situations.

Here's what you should know when trying to find your Dream Career:

1. What are Your top 3 "Fields of Work"

2. Which is the Career Personality Type you fit into and what types of work you are best suited to.

3. What are your dominant career abilities and career intelligences

4. What are your 6 key skills.

Always bear in mind that discovering your true vocation is a journey of self-discovery.