Rajeev had been working as a Software Engineer for 5 years. He was happy doing his job until one morning he woke up with a thought “Is this what I wanted to be?” After spending 4 years studying Software Engineering and working in the IT field for 5 years, he felt something was missing in his life. This is not where he wanted to be. He was passionate about singing and enjoyed it during his college life. He wanted to be a playback singer. However, his parents saw no future in his singing career and persuaded him to take up Engineering. Today after 9 years of struggle and hard work, Rajeev is successful as an IT professional. However, he is not happy. He always felt a strong call for his passion to be a singer. He finally decided that he would take up his passion once again and start from where he had left.
One Question that most of the youngsters deal with day in and day out is which career they should go for. A question that experienced people also struggle with at times, making them wonder, is this what they actually wanted to be? Cambridge Dictionary defines career as “The job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money:” A career is often composed of the jobs held, titles earned and work accomplished over a long period, rather than just referring to one position.
Most of us go through this phase in life, where we take up various Jobs/responsibilities without thinking much. We are passionate about something, but then we take up a Job that has nothing to do with our passion. Those who bring passion to their career usually outperform others.
When we are born, we start with a clean slate, full of possibilities without any tag attached saying, ‘I must become a Doctor/Engineer/Lawyer…..etc..’ However, as we grow, we tend to pick up tags for ourselves, so that we can survive in this world full of competition. We get into this race of being someone.
Now, who decides what you become?
The opportunity to decide your career path, as a young adult, rests with you. However, there are times when you are stuck in a dilemma as to which path to choose. In such situations, you can talk to your parents for their guidance. You are the driver of your career; your parents are your guide and support.
This leads us to our next Question.
How important is it to have a career, to be specific, a good career?
What can we do to choose a right career? Is there a magic wand that we can sway and have our say? Unfortunately, NO.
Based on experience, here is a 7-D formula that can help you chose your dream career:
By discovering your passion, dabbling with opportunities, deciding early in life, dodging the obstacles, dealing with emotions and determination, never to give up, you will definitely dance your way through your dream career with the 7D formula.
As Seth Godin aptly said, “Instead of wondering where your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from”-