# 136 06/03/02 Career decisions often made for wrong reason

I have always been interested in how people choose their careers. Many of us made this important decision without enough information. In my years as a high school counselor, I helped students as they struggled to choose college majors. Often, decisions are made for the wrong reasons.

They might choose a career because they admire someone in that field. The number of applicants to be fire fighters has increased, because fire fighters were heroes in New York City. They might choose a career because they like the teacher who teaches a related subject. A respected biology teacher at a school might be the reason that many students want to be physicians. Many students seek a career that pays well regardless of whether they will enjoy it. One of the worst reasons for a career choice is that a particular career is spotlighted in a successful television series.

In the next few weeks, I will be writing about how we can equip our children to make good career choices. Right now, I want to convince parents of the importance of that choice.

I once saw a sign that said something like, “If you love what you do for a job, you will never work a day in your life.” Would that not be a wonderful gift to give a child - that he could love his career so much that he never thinks of it as work? Do you know anyone like that?

A person who loves what he does for a career is eager to get up in the morning because he wants to get started doing what he loves. He is able to survive the difficulties that come with the job because he knows that the good outweighs the bad. He returns home at night tired, but satisfied. He wants to work at that job beyond the normal age of retirement. He would love to see his child enter the same career. He will make enough money to be content even if he cannot buy everything that his neighbors buy. He will go through most days with a bounce to his step, a smile on his face and a good word for everyone he meets.

I know that all parents want their children to be happy in their chosen careers. For that reason, we must actively do what is necessary to equip our children as they make important decisions about their future.