Image courtesy of The Marmot
This question is asked many times in our lives, whether verbally or subconsciously. For many of us this is an unending journey that often times never seems to find a satisfactory answer. When I finally got sick of working J-O-B’s I screamed this very question, “What career is right for me?!” Sick of working for someone else, I decided to start my own computer consulting business. This lasted 5 years and turned into an excellent stepping stone to finding the answer I was looking for. Now I’m in a transition period that is presenting me with excellent insight into showing me what career is right for me.
I’ve always had two very strong personality traits that define my demeanor. I’m an introvert and a homebody. Even though I enjoy traveling on occasion, I’m most content when I’m in my own house and my own office. Blogging has helped me come out of my shell a little bit, but has also presented me with new ways of connecting with community that, unlike my consulting business, doesn’t push my introverted buttons.
My consulting business consisted of me not only leaving my home office multiple times a day, but it put me in new locations almost every time. I have hundreds of clients and many new ones each week. So both of the traits I mentioned above were being ‘assaulted’ time and time again. Though I spent my time working with technology and generally great people, two things I love, I felt the constant tapping of discomfort. So after 5 years of consulting I found myself asking that question once again, “What career is right for me?”
1 + 1 doesn’t always = 2
Let’s take a look at the guidance counselor scenario for a second. Your coming to the end of your high school years and sitting in the office of your guidance counselor. The goal of the meeting is to determine, “What career is right for me?” The counselor asks you, “What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?” You proceed to tell them about a few personal interests that you pursue when you’re not at school and that is when you get the generic answer, “Great! That is what you’ll do! Just do something related to those interests and you will not only do well, but enjoy every minute.”
This is partially true, but leaves out a HUGE detail. YOUR PERSONALITY! Just like the fact that, though I enjoy technology, I don’t like being ripped out of my comfort zone multiple times a day. Some personalities enjoy this, but I definitely do not. This is not to say that stretching yourself is a bad thing, but never feeling comfortable should not be a requirement for success.
There are some excellent books that take this very perspective. They use the Myers-Briggs test to define your personality, couple that information with your interests and then give you a large list of ideas to choose from. (‘What Color Is Your Parachute‘ and ‘Do What You Are‘ are two excellent examples. I’m an INFP if anyone’s curious. 
) The idea is to find a career that not only embodies your interests, but suits your soul as well. So for some, popping around town and meeting new people each and every day, is energizing and quite fulfilling. Maybe for them, sitting in front of their computer at their home office for hours each day would be a total bore. Thus the need to find this perfect blend of WHAT and HOW.
Keep adjusting until you find the right fit.
Many of us tend to try something out and then give up with the first signs of discomfort. What makes this worse is the fact that much advise would say to, “Stick with it!” The problem with this is that if we’re just not ‘feeling it’ maybe we’re not doing it the way that WE are supposed to. I kept pushing forward with my consulting because I just KNEW that technology was the field I was meant to work in. But after 5 years of ‘pushing’ I finally decided to push a different way. FINALLY, I’m ‘feeling it’! And momentum is following. It’s like I’ve been running with a rock in my shoe all this time. Now that that constant reminder that something wasn’t right is finally gone, I can focus all my attention on the running. I’m still in the same race, but now with a stride that feels RIGHT.
“What career is right for me?”
This is something we HAVE to ask ourselves. Not just when we’re in high school, waiting for the world to come at us like a title wave. But today and tomorrow and as long as it takes! Until we have an answer that we KNOW is right, that goes without saying, we HAVE to keep looking and keep adjusting. There’s nothing worse that living each day with that nagging feeling that our time is being spent on tasks that do nothing but drain us and make us feel dead inside. Work is called work for a reason and we will always feel the burn on occasion, but it shouldn’t feel that way ALL the time or even MOST of the time. Each day since I’ve been in this transition period I have felt THAT much more certain that I am on the right track. That my adjustments are finally hitting the mark.
Is your current job/career the right match for YOU? Are you not only in a FIELD that you enjoy, but pursuing that field in a way that fits your personality? If so, awesome! If not, what are you doing about it?!
I really do feel that the field I’m in is one I’m good at. But, I no longer enjoy it. As you probably know I’ve a huge interest in Christian Counseling at this point in my life. I’m planning on taking the Meyers-Briggs test but, if it comes back that Counseling does not fit my personality does that mean I don’t need to pursue it?
I suppose that’s my first step toward this new career. I’ve already checked into schools and have a good idea where I will be getting my online courses.
Is a computer consultant the same as a computer counselor?…hmmm
Scott’s last blog post..Use The Force: Telekinesis
Dude, I have the BEST guidance counselor story for you later today!
We should always be asking ourselves which career is right for us, and be willing to shift midstream. Life is short, we should never spend any of it any less happy than we need to.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Yes, You Are a Writer
@WD
I agree, life is short, and it is important to get the most out of every moment. The bottom line is, each moment is either triumphant or a learning experience. Either way, it prepares us for what lies ahead.
As for me, I used to chase money doing mortgages after film school only to wind up with a big pile of debt. Since then, I have altered my path, and am determined to make the most of my love of film. The biggest obstacle is believing in myself and my talent, something I work more on each day.
Peter Normandia’s last blog post..Video Friday: The Rarity Of Loyalty
This is a tought question. I enjoy what I do, I get to help people get out of debt and succeed with their life goals by establishing good saving and debt management habits. However, much of my job is repitious and there is way too much paperwork and compliance that I need to follow. I detest those aspects of the job and it drains me.
I know that there are other things I would rather do, however doing so requires an upgrade to my skills which would put me back at school for 3 years. While I will eventually do this as it’s part of my long term plan, it will have to wait as I’ve begun the exciting path of building my family.
I’m a firm believer in the journey and enjoying all aspects of that journey. As Lennon said “Life is what happens when your busy making plans.”
Neil’s last blog post..Hope
@Sean – Now you gotta tell us ALL your guidance counselor story!! pretty please?
Eric, great post. This one hits home for me because I’m still searching for the career that’s right for me. I think my eventual answer will be that “many” careers will end up being right for me. I want to be able to make money and grow while persuing my various passions and strengths: music, computers, entrepreneurship, writing, and design. Whatever career(s) I find that mix any of those with my personality traits should turn out to be very successful for me.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy’s last blog post..Computer Guy’s Corner #4: Plus An Update On My First Customer
Eric! I completely agree. You’ve got to dig deep and find what moves you in life. Looking at the broader picture of life…like “do I want to travel…how do I want my life story to look when I’m old?” We are constantly creating our own lives and work has got to align with your life goals and passions. Thanks for the insight as always!
Amber’s last blog post..Why I Live And Breath Pilates
Hi,
Nice advice. Im a INFP myself and right now im in exactly the career transition phase. Ive been doing product management for 2 years now and it just doesnt feel right. I was looking for some fantastic answer to come suddenly. but maybe looking at slight changes and moving towards the right answer is a better way.
Thanks,
Karthik.
@Scott: Hey Scott, I totally think using the Myers-Briggs test is a good thing, but don’t let that ever keep you from doing what you love. If it’s a right fit, it’s a right fit. From what I’ve read on your blog and getting to know you a little over the months I can TOTALLY see you as a Christian counselor and I know it would be much more fulfilling that what you’re doing now (from what you told me thus far). And there’s no reason you can’t integrate your tech knowledge into the scenario somehow.
@Sean: You’ve told me that story before, but feel free to share it with the rest of the class if you’d like. I think Matt would appreciate it.
@Peter: Believing that you CAN do it is certainly important.
@Neil: I hear you about the starting a family thing! It sounds like you’ve got a good game plan. Patience is a good thing if you have the right goals set in place.
@Matt: I’m totally with you there! I’ve done many things and plan on doing many more. It’s just that the older I get, the more those things allow me pursue my passions and not JUST a paycheck.
@Amber: Well said! Aligning our careers with the rest of our lives needs to happen if we are to really enjoy our days.
@Karthik: YAY! INFP! INFP!
Well, just from the paragraph you typed I can tell you’re not where you want to be. We should definitely make small adjustments when we’re close, but just not quite there, but if we’re not even close to our desired work situation, than much bigger steps need to be taken. Eric
Eric
I’ve written a couple of blog posts about finding the job/career that fits best. It’s such a journey. We have thoughts about what fits – then try it out. Some things work – most don’t. Right now, I’m working on the blog and writing and photography. I may not be great at any of them yet, but I will find the path to greatness. It’s just a matter of time and persistence.
kathy’s last blog post..Happy Birthday Parker! Your Arrival Marks a Very Special Day
Great article, I would like to add my two cents.
I think that its important that we learn by doing. Don’t ever tie yourself down to one career. Maybe you go to work at Burger King, and there are certain aspects of that job that make you feel good? Awesome, note those aspects, so that you can look for them in future jobs.
I’m not aware of anyone who hit their stride with their first job outside of high school. So don’t think that once you make that first step in your career, that you have to follow that career path until you retire. That’s silly.
It’s important that you find fulfillment in your job, regardless of what you pay is. For most careers, the money will come if you truly become great at what you do. And you will become great if you are fulfilled by what you do. Even that minimum wage job at Burger King can lead to greater things if you do wonderful work.
Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment’s last blog post..Live and Let Live
@Kathy: Time and persistence are certainly key ingredients. Combine those with a good fit and you’ve got yourself a solid career ahead of you.
@Trey: If you check out my ‘About Me’ page you’ll see that I’ve worked ALL KINDS of J-O-B’s so I know what you’re talking about. Each one taught me something that I’ve been able to use in my latter endeavors. So I completely agree with what you’re saying. Eric
It’s just so difficult!
After getting my degree, I had to wait some time before getting offered the job I wanted…full-time dietitian in a hospital.
However, I got the job after my husband and I were already preparing to move to Australia for two years. Typical.
Being in Australia opened up the opportunity to blog, and now I’m really enjoying helping people online, although I’m still maybe not aware of what is ‘right’ for me.
Melanie Thomassian’s last blog post..7 Ways You Can Encourage Your Friends to be Healthy
Hey Eric
I agree, it is a question to ask yourself and I think the answer changes as you do. Nowadays a career can involve a range of role and tasks, who says we have to pick one. Letting go of the need for a static career can be very liberating.
Right now I’m a Coach and I love it, but I can feel this is not it but I am enjoying it for now. That’s a better position to be in than hating what you do and wanting something different but don’t know what.
The days of a job for life have gone and I think that’s exciting and great, it means we can do what we like and create opportunities for ourselves.
Lola Fayemi / Nourishment ……’s last blog post..Get it off Your Chest
Eric,
I identify with this post so much. I am a very strong INFT and in my past, I have worked in jobs that drove me crazy.
At one point, I was a Communications Director for a large nonprofit, meaning I had give press conferences and meet with the media frequently. Not my best thing to do! I found these types of jobs exhausting! Once I realized my own preference for working at home, I felt much less stress. I may not make as much money, but I feel a lot healthier and happier.
Also, I highly encourage people starting out in their careers to take the Myers-Brigg Inventory and not the short cut one. It really does give you a lot of information about career possibilities.
Great post!!!
Sara’s last blog post..Blogging: Choosing Your Avatar
That cubicle picture makes me think of cubicle warfare and this cubicle rocket launcher I saw the other day that plugs into a USB port!
Very true that what you thought you wanted to do when you were still in high school could have change drastically since you became an adult. Always good to keep asking yourself the question.
Danelle Ice (Homemaker Barbi)
Danelle Ice (Homemaker Barbi)’s last blog post..Hot Dog Buns Turned French Toast Sticks
I don’t think there really are a lot of people who can answer that question successfully. It seems everyone is on that journey. I used to think that most people knew but then soon realized that no one does and once in a while you will find someone in their perfect niche, but that is rare. Good luck in the future
Hey Eric,
Only by going through trials and errors than we can find out what we really want and it is also important for us to find a career that we really want. There is nothing worse than dragging ourselves to work everyday just for the paycheck.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Vincent’s last blog post..Why Multi Tasking Is Bad
@Melanie: Well it definitely sounds like you’re flexible which is VERY important. I’m glad you’re able to enjoy the blogging gig. I know I do!
@Lola: “The days of a job for life have gone and I think that’s exciting and great, it means we can do what we like and create opportunities for ourselves.”
I TOTALLY agree. It’s now our responsibility to make sure that the endeavors we pursue are right for us.
@Sara: Your comment made me cringe. Seriously, the thought of having to deal with press conferences for an introvert is just scary and nerve racking to say the least. I’m glad that time has passed for you.
@Danelle: You’ll have to tell me more about that USB rocket launcher thing! Definitely sounds interesting.
@Click and Inc: There’s no doubt it’s an ongoing journey. I think that knowing what you want is hard, but know what you DON’T want is much easier to recognize. It’s also a great step in finding what works for you.
@Vincent: “There is nothing worse than dragging ourselves to work everyday just for the paycheck.”
I HEAR THAT!!! Yet it’s something many of us do. Eric
I hope you don’t mind a late addition to the comments!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, I’ve been working as an administrator for several years, which makes sense because I like organising stuff and problem solving. But like you I’m an introvert, so being in a quiet office and working alone is important too, I’m lucky at the moment to be in a quite autonomous education admin role, I basically stay at my desk all day organising things (like assignment papers etc.) or emailing students, and sometimes deal with student queries in person (well, it’s good for us introverts to be taken out of our comfort zones occasionally!).
I too have had experiences in jobs that are not so great for introverts, like sales, marketing, PR etc. which stressed me out and left me feeling ungrounded, but saying that they’ve given me some useful learning experiences and brought me out of my shell a bit.
p.s. I think I may be one of the few people in the world who actually wouldn’t mind having their own cubicle, I’d prefer that than the ubiquitous busy, noisy open plan spaces
This blog has inspired me and has fueled my disgust for my current job. I’m quite young and am fearful of the future epiphanies of life’s little woes… but thank you for letting me know that I am not alone.
Oh, you’re definitely not alone! Welcome to the club.
Independence is a lot of work, but slaving away, day after day, at something you don’t care about, well, that’s just stinks! So I hope you’re able to find your way to a job/business/career that gets you excited and fuels great work.
Oh, and keep reading this blog!
Eric
I’m not sure how I got on this blog and read this article, but I’m glad I did. I’m aware I’m 2 years late, but I’ll post a comment anyway.
I picked up the “Do What You Are” book and I’m amazed by the content so far.
I’m an INFP too and it’s comforting to know that the career I’ve been trying to pursue so far with no success just isn’t for me, while stuff I wanted to do but never considered because I’ve studied for something else so far, would be just perfect.
Finding your path in life is an hard process. I envy a lot those people that were born with their mission printed in their minds, but for me it hasn’t been the same.
This year I turned 28, and just now I’m seriously asking myself where do I want to end up in life.
Two things I’d like to say: people should never give up looking for their place in life, and thanks for this article Eric.
Wow, this is definitely an old post!
But the message hasn’t changed, for sure.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it to be relatable to your own situation.
Us INFPs have to stick together.
Eric
I want to be in the Law Enforcement field (as a special agent) I don’t know what to do because the college that I am going to (that I am not transferring from) doesn’t offer a Law Enforcement major, so what should I do? Major in Sociology?
Hey Bonnie, you think you’re late on the comment? Well I’m SUPER late on my reply… Oops!
I totally here you about the introvert part. The cubicle can be a safe place for us intros. I just can’t stand being tied down to the idea of a cubicle. The idea of restriction. I love my freedom and even though I get anxiety when I’m around too many people I don’t know, I’d rather go through those pains than lose my freedom to my fears.
I’m not saying that what you’re referring to, it’s just what comes to mind when I think of working in a cubicle for years on end.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. You’re ALWAYS welcome, even if you’re late.
Eric