As we start a new year, we’re all beginning to feel the excitement! What will the new year bring? What plans can we make now to help set us up for success?
We love looking forward to new and exciting things, but the end of the year is also a chance to let go of any ideas that no longer serve us, ensuring we stay focused on the positives.
The world of youth employment and careers is shrouded in outdated ideas and misconceptions that are no longer relevant. We thought the start of a new year was the perfect chance to throw some of them out once and for all!
5 Career Myths to Leave Behind
Career myths are thoughts or ideas that you might have about careers, finding work or landing your dream job that aren’t necessarily true. Maybe they’re based on old ways of doing things, or they’ve been repeated so much they’ve become the stuff of urban legends!
The world is constantly changing, and the ways we can get on with work and careers are changing too.
Here are five career myths we can leave behind as we head into a new year:
Myth #1: There is One ‘Best’ Career For Everyone
We’re bombarded with ideals like ‘follow your passion’ and ‘find your purpose’ to find the work that’s ‘best’ for you.
All the work or jobs we do should be treated as an opportunity to learn, helping us uncover the things we’re innately good at that we can use to motivate us towards the career that fits us best.
You don’t have to be wildly passionate about your job if it’s a stepping stone towards helping you develop your career ideas. Your ‘best’ career also doesn’t have to be just one thing – portfolio and freelance careers are usually highly rewarding and made up of all different types of work!
Myth #2: ‘Love What You Do & You’ll Never Work a Day in Your Life.’
You can love what you do AND still find it a bit stressful, boring or frustrating sometimes!
In fact, it’s a good thing to feel challenged sometimes – without feeling challenged; you’re probably not growing and learning. Which just seems a bit boring to us.
Feeling like you’re actually working, learning, progressing and growing while enjoying your work is a great sign you’ve found a career path that challenges you in the right ways.
Myth #3: You Have to Match All the ‘Requirements’ to Get the Job
You don’t have to meet every requirement listed in a job advertisement – especially if you’ve got additional skills or experience showcasing your adaptability and capability.
If you can do the job and are a good match, save for one or two requirements, you should absolutely put yourself out there.
Make sure you’re realistic about the difference between being almost qualified and not even close!
Myth #4: If You Don’t Get Good Grades, You Won’t Be Successful
Getting good grades is always helpful, and yeah, it feels good, but grades are only one small part of building a career you love.
There are so many options available for young people to get onto the pathways that feel right for them. Whether it’s a traineeship, apprenticeship, school-leaver-based career role or something else – don’t let grades define how you approach your career.
Myth #5: Once You Pick a Path, You Have to Stick to It
If you start a career and decide it isn’t for you, don’t panic.
It’s something we hear about time and again in our talks with some of our amazing employer partners and their staff. So many people share with us that where they’ve ended up isn’t where they started and how thankful they’ve been for the chance to change course and find their passion in a new area!
We don’t have to stay in one career for our entire lives. You’ll never be too old to start something new or change direction.
What Career Myths Do You Want to Let Go?
We know there are heaps more career myths out there, but these were the ones that we kept hearing time and time again.
If you’re feeling stuck, indecisive or unsure how to move forward with your career ideas, it might be worth considering what career myths might be shaping your thoughts.
Letting them go could be just what you need to start moving ahead!
