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Does your family support your career decision?
I feel like whatever you choose to do in life, your family should always have your back. #career-path
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Garrett’s Answer
Hi, Jessica. I think everyone here would agree with you - It is important for your family to support your personal decisions - career and otherwise! But I think the real question here is, "What if some family members don't share your opinion or support your decisions?"
This can be very complicated and frustrating, but I would start with the assumption that your family wants the best for you, and you want the best for yourself. If those things are both true, how could there be disagreements? In my experience with disagreements between two competent people, it is usually it is one of two things:
1) There is a difference in information. Maybe you want to pursue a profession that seems very interesting to you, but your family member knows that there are very few job opportunities in that field. In this case, the family member may say, "That is a bad choice." without telling you why. A good strategy is to ask the reason behind their answer and then really listen to the answer.
2) There is a different in priorities. Maybe one person believes that making a difference in the world is the most important thing, and the other believes that having a stable job with health insurance is the most important thing, and this results in different conclusions, even if everyone has the same information. Again, the solution is to talk about the reasons behind the opinions and try to understand the other side.
Understanding the other person may not change your mind, but if you approach a disagreement with a true desire to understand and learn, it will lead to a genuine conversation that will improve your relationships, even if you don't agree on everything!
This can be very complicated and frustrating, but I would start with the assumption that your family wants the best for you, and you want the best for yourself. If those things are both true, how could there be disagreements? In my experience with disagreements between two competent people, it is usually it is one of two things:
1) There is a difference in information. Maybe you want to pursue a profession that seems very interesting to you, but your family member knows that there are very few job opportunities in that field. In this case, the family member may say, "That is a bad choice." without telling you why. A good strategy is to ask the reason behind their answer and then really listen to the answer.
2) There is a different in priorities. Maybe one person believes that making a difference in the world is the most important thing, and the other believes that having a stable job with health insurance is the most important thing, and this results in different conclusions, even if everyone has the same information. Again, the solution is to talk about the reasons behind the opinions and try to understand the other side.
Understanding the other person may not change your mind, but if you approach a disagreement with a true desire to understand and learn, it will lead to a genuine conversation that will improve your relationships, even if you don't agree on everything!
Morgan Dauphinee
Operations Leadership Develeopment Program Participant
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Morgan’s Answer
Hi Jessica, I definitely agree with you. It is super important to have your family support you in what you do. If you are happy, they should be happy as well, and if not, maybe it is time to take a look at the people you are closest with and evaluate if they are helping or hindering your success.
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Gina’s Answer
Hello-- I agree. If your family is your strongest support system and they have a negative outlook, you should surround yourself with people who support you. Or speak to a counselor--
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Blake’s Answer
Absolutely. Most likely, your family just cares that you make enough money to take care of yourself. However, you won't make everyone happy. Do what makes you happy.