Top 4 Biggest Career Mistakes You'll Ever Make

A while ago, I was asked to speak to a group of young, eager, and aggresive post-studies executives who have just landed their first jobs but still unsure about their future. I was asked to talk on someting about Career Planning and stuff like that.

During the session, I was asked a substantial amount of questions concerning what would be the 'wrong' steps to avoid while climbing the career ladder. As a summary, I noted these 4 biggest career mistakes they'll ever make:

1.Keeping a career in line with your education
This is the first that came to my mind. I have seen and counseled many people whom were in despair halfway through their career lives, saddened by the fact that they are stuck where there are because of a wrong decision made concerning their education many years back.

My simple advice is this - look at the successful career professionals around you. You will notice that the common thing about them is that they are mostly doing something which is not directly tied to their paper qualifications (except for thos in professional jobs e.g. lawyers, accountants).

Do not ever let your education (or lack of) tie you down. Work on the career you want.

2.Getting career advice from your parents (or relatives)
This, to me, is mistake NUMERO UNO. Most parents have no clue to what a good career is and many parents (though out of good intentions) still insist on advising their children what to do.

Question: If you want to be a successful Engineer, who do you ask - your parents or a successful Engineer? The answer is obvious. Take advice from professionals. Parents should only give general advice - study hard, work hard, be honest etc.

3.Changing jobs without long-term strategy in mind
This is simple. The 500 dollar increment from another company may look interesting but may also kill your career in the long run. Change jobs only when you are very very very very sure that it is a strategic step to your overall career plans.


4.Letting your Boss (or company) manage your career
Never forget this one. You are your own boss and your own master. Manage your own career. Invest in yourself. Don't cry if your company does not send you for training. Save some money and go for your own training.


If you can take care to avoid these "Top 4 Biggest Career Mistakes You'll Ever Make", then you are on your way to a satisfying career.

-TURD-