Ask four questions before you choose a career

Four things are important while choosing your career.

1. Is this the career that you cherish?

Look at and talk to the people who have built their career in the path that you are considering. Do you want to be like him/her in future? Would you like others finding you as one of them? Would you like to live rest of your life as one of them?

2. Do you have interest in the process?

Well, you would love to be a banker, you envy the respect and money the top level bankers enjoy. So, should you jump to be a banker? Sure, but ask yourself a couple of questions before you do so. Would you love to do, that a typical banker does in everyday and in his career? Talk to one of them. Ask them what it takes to be a successful banker? Ask yourself if you would take interest in the process, not only in the result.
Living a highflying corporate life, earning a handsome amount of money, riding company's car, owning apartment in condo are the results. The process includes earning degrees like FCA, CFA or MBA. Loving numbers and loving accounting. Loving to analyze in closed door in limited time and often under pressure. These aren't as bad as it sounds. There are people who love those. Ask yourself whether you are one of them.

3. Do you have required strengths?

I love the lives of lawyers. I love to read law, too. But I am not as fast reader as a successful lawyer should be. Or, I do not have strengths in reading a lot, remembering and summarizing them and presenting them in very convincing manner. That is why I did not choose to be a lawyer.

The third question you should ask yourself whether you have strengths those are required to be successful in the career you are considering. After all you don't want be a failed lawyer or not so good banker, do you?

4. Is there adequate demand in the market to absorb new professionals?

You, as a potential product, should consider the market demand, too. You may consider in a local or a global perspective. Whatever your perspective is, make sure there is enough demand for a new professional like you. In a market where there are many unemployed law graduates it would be more difficult to earn a modest living hood than in a market where acute demand is prevalent.


Probably you won't get a strong yes while answering each of four questions. But, choose the best combination. If any question answers a strong no or simple no, don't go for it.