Boilerplate career advice will only take you so far
By
Jessica Hagy
We're told to be passionate, dedicated, educated, and focused. But boilerplate advice will only get you so far before you begin to doubt it, and see what's really determining your career path.
Myth:
Your work is your deepest passion, your truest love, and your reason for being.
Fact:
Even when you like what you do, work is called work for a reason. Don't feel too terrible if you love your spouse more.
Myth:
If you work hard and make yourself useful, you will be rewarded. Your status and position is entirely up to you.
Fact:
Life happens. Politics happens. Recessions happen. Setbacks will occur. Not every talented person is rewarded, and some dim bulbs scamper up the corporate ladder with ease. Don't take any of it personally.
Myth:
Your education, skills, experience, and dedication are the foundation of your career.
Fact:
It's not about what you can do. It's about who you know. You can be brilliantly impressive on paper, but without connections, you will languish in the dark.
Myth:
You need to specialize early and focus on a very narrow skillset, so that you can become an expert in your chosen field.
Fact:
Times change. Markets change. People grow. Technology advances. You need more options than a tiny niche affords you. Give yourself room to think so that you can adapt to all these things.