Five Career Myths
It’s not always easy to decide on the career or education you want to pursue. Whether you’re considering numerous options or are still undecided, you often have to wade through a lot of misinformation first. Because many career myths still persist, choosing a college major is stressful and confusing for some people. If you feel so anxious about the choices in front of you that you can’t move forward, it’s time to challenge some of those false beliefs.
Common College Major and Career Myths
When you feel pressure from your family, society, and even from yourself, making an informed decision about college is especially challenging. It’s important to take a step back and evaluate each statement objectively. You may be internalizing some or all of the following messages:
- I need to choose a major and know exactly what type of work I want to do for the rest of my life. This is unrealistic for anyone, but especially for people in their late teens or early twenties. You may train for a career and discover a few years later that you want to do something else. There is nothing wrong with changing careers, even several times throughout your working years.
- There is a perfect career for everyone and it’s just a matter of figuring out what it is. In reality, you may be interested in several different careers or college majors. Exploring several different options gives you the chance to clearly define your interests and strengths as well as learn a wide variety of marketable skills.
- It’s more important to choose a major and career based on employment trends rather than my personal interests. While a certain field may be growing now, markets can change quickly due to reasons that are beyond your control. If you choose to major in something you don’t enjoy, you may burn out and have to pursue education in an entirely different field anyway.
- I should choose a major that is directly related to my desired career field. In reality, today’s employers are seeking applicants who have completed college coursework in a variety of majors. Most are more concerned with the skills you developed in college rather than your declared major.
- I can figure everything out by taking a career assessment test. It’s important to keep in mind that this type of test is only a tool. It can help you learn more about your interests and skills, but it can’t tell you the exact career you should consider pursuing.
Brighton College is Here to Help
Brighton College is an Arizona-based distance learning center offering several online career training programs. Many of our students are working adults who are interested in making a career change, although we enroll people of traditional college age as well. If you are just starting to evaluate your options, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about what we have to offer. Our representatives are available by phone, email or live chat to help you begin the career exploration process.