8 answers
David
Student
Alabama, NY
1
Question
Asked
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What's the worst career decision you've ever made?
I have made decision for myself although, I don't think it'll work out well for me that's my reason for asking this question about career matter, and i need a good answer
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8 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Listening to what other people thought that I should be doing in life, and following their subjective thoughts, when I made a selection for a career.
Instead of following my instincts and doing what I knew was right, I listened to the wrong people, who did not know my goals and aspirations, and I proceeded to lose eight years of my life in a career that I did not want to be in.
For example, when I wanted to exit a job, that I did not like and was causing a lot of stress, and was researching going back to college and getting more technical training to increase my chances of getting a job I wanted, I encountered a person in the training office, who thought I should pursue a direction that was not in the direction I preferred, and would cost me an enormous amount of money and resources to achieve.
This caused me to become dissolutioned, and it was many years before I did go back to college and entered the program that I wanted to pursue.
Subsequently, I went on to achieve a great amount of success, but it should have occurred much earlier, if it was not for the bad advice and career direction I had previously received.
Instead of following my instincts and doing what I knew was right, I listened to the wrong people, who did not know my goals and aspirations, and I proceeded to lose eight years of my life in a career that I did not want to be in.
For example, when I wanted to exit a job, that I did not like and was causing a lot of stress, and was researching going back to college and getting more technical training to increase my chances of getting a job I wanted, I encountered a person in the training office, who thought I should pursue a direction that was not in the direction I preferred, and would cost me an enormous amount of money and resources to achieve.
This caused me to become dissolutioned, and it was many years before I did go back to college and entered the program that I wanted to pursue.
Subsequently, I went on to achieve a great amount of success, but it should have occurred much earlier, if it was not for the bad advice and career direction I had previously received.
Kathleen Rezek
Laboratory and compliance
62
Answers
Stanwood, Michigan
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
David,
You might be surprised snd find the decision to be a good one overall. You won't know unless you try it. And if it's not right, you will learn much about yourself and others and what you really want to do. My worst decision was leaving a big, busy hospital lab for a small clinic lab that offered no weekends or holidays or evening or night shifts! But it was a bit boring and the supervisor was a terror. I had more education and experience overall than she did, so maybe she resented that, but she made every day completely miserable and would yell and throw things for no reason. I honestly don't know how she kept her job, but I was fortunate to find another really good one in an oncology lab close to home very quickly. The new job also had no nights, evenings, weekends or holidays, a great staff, meaningful work for grateful patients and I became the lab manager within 6 months. I tell this good part so you will know that things could work put well for you, too. Best of luck.
You might be surprised snd find the decision to be a good one overall. You won't know unless you try it. And if it's not right, you will learn much about yourself and others and what you really want to do. My worst decision was leaving a big, busy hospital lab for a small clinic lab that offered no weekends or holidays or evening or night shifts! But it was a bit boring and the supervisor was a terror. I had more education and experience overall than she did, so maybe she resented that, but she made every day completely miserable and would yell and throw things for no reason. I honestly don't know how she kept her job, but I was fortunate to find another really good one in an oncology lab close to home very quickly. The new job also had no nights, evenings, weekends or holidays, a great staff, meaningful work for grateful patients and I became the lab manager within 6 months. I tell this good part so you will know that things could work put well for you, too. Best of luck.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, David !
Wow, yes, we all have questioned at least one decision that we have made, but ironically, the disappointing decisions I have made were done for a better reason than not. If you make these "icky" decisions for logical and beneficial reasons, when you are older, you will move on and not regret it, but of course the memory of it will come to your mind once in a while.
So, here's a career decision that I made that was greatly difficult. I am an actor and I went to L.A. to pursue my career after graduating college with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre. Everything was going great except after two years in L.A., I recognized that my personal life was at a standstill. I stayed in L.A. for two more years when it hit me that I should move back to my original State of New York if I wanted a personal life and to settle down. Well, just when I decided this - things started happening for the career ! This was a hard decision which till this day I am very happy I made. I was in my late twenties. I kept getting this gnawing feeling that I should move back to New York. After all, New York is also a hub for actors, too. But I was worried. What made it worse was that just when I made this decision, I received a call from Anna Romano, the then casting director at Hanna-Barbera in response to my demo reel to possibly do cartoon voice overs. I had to tell her I was moving to NY at this time. Then I had lunch with an agent who liked me and this would have probably led to representation and signing on with her.
So, I moved to New York and everything I came back to was the reason I left L.A. I had tons of family again, social life was vibrant, and eventually I did settle down with a great guy. But the career suffered. I was not the type they look for in New York and there's less work here, so I transitioned to a new career in Social Services work which was very satisfying. Seven years ago, I happily transitioned back to acting, though. One thing that always got me through this was the realization that you can act at any age so there'd always be work.
So you see, if your decisions make sense completely to you and you have benefitted from the decision, there's no regret. We have to take a chance in life. The feeling I was getting to go back to New York was visceral - more like my brain predominated my heart. Even though my acting career was missing in action for a long time, it came back ! But this may not apply to all careers and this time around acting is not as consistent as it was or could be in L.A..
I think you've said it all - you've made a decision for yourself that you don't think is right. Can you reverse this decision ? Your instincts are telling you something. Is it a long-term decision, permanent, can it be temporary ? All of these things matter. If you can return here and be a little more specific, you could possibly get advice for your specific situation. Other people's difficult decisions will not be anything like yours, although it's interesting to hear other people's different paths. Do consider returning here and being more specific about what you're going through and we can focus on the important issues of your situation.
Remember, decisions can be scary but if they are for a good reason, they are not "bad" decisions.
Wow, yes, we all have questioned at least one decision that we have made, but ironically, the disappointing decisions I have made were done for a better reason than not. If you make these "icky" decisions for logical and beneficial reasons, when you are older, you will move on and not regret it, but of course the memory of it will come to your mind once in a while.
So, here's a career decision that I made that was greatly difficult. I am an actor and I went to L.A. to pursue my career after graduating college with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre. Everything was going great except after two years in L.A., I recognized that my personal life was at a standstill. I stayed in L.A. for two more years when it hit me that I should move back to my original State of New York if I wanted a personal life and to settle down. Well, just when I decided this - things started happening for the career ! This was a hard decision which till this day I am very happy I made. I was in my late twenties. I kept getting this gnawing feeling that I should move back to New York. After all, New York is also a hub for actors, too. But I was worried. What made it worse was that just when I made this decision, I received a call from Anna Romano, the then casting director at Hanna-Barbera in response to my demo reel to possibly do cartoon voice overs. I had to tell her I was moving to NY at this time. Then I had lunch with an agent who liked me and this would have probably led to representation and signing on with her.
So, I moved to New York and everything I came back to was the reason I left L.A. I had tons of family again, social life was vibrant, and eventually I did settle down with a great guy. But the career suffered. I was not the type they look for in New York and there's less work here, so I transitioned to a new career in Social Services work which was very satisfying. Seven years ago, I happily transitioned back to acting, though. One thing that always got me through this was the realization that you can act at any age so there'd always be work.
So you see, if your decisions make sense completely to you and you have benefitted from the decision, there's no regret. We have to take a chance in life. The feeling I was getting to go back to New York was visceral - more like my brain predominated my heart. Even though my acting career was missing in action for a long time, it came back ! But this may not apply to all careers and this time around acting is not as consistent as it was or could be in L.A..
I think you've said it all - you've made a decision for yourself that you don't think is right. Can you reverse this decision ? Your instincts are telling you something. Is it a long-term decision, permanent, can it be temporary ? All of these things matter. If you can return here and be a little more specific, you could possibly get advice for your specific situation. Other people's difficult decisions will not be anything like yours, although it's interesting to hear other people's different paths. Do consider returning here and being more specific about what you're going through and we can focus on the important issues of your situation.
Remember, decisions can be scary but if they are for a good reason, they are not "bad" decisions.
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1738
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
David,
Once we've made a decision, part of that should be a commitment to giving it a chance to work out. So, you say you don't think it'll work out well for you. Second-guessing yourself doesn't help. It's time to move on and commit to following through, doing everything possible to prove that it was in fact a good decision! Now, if, deep in your heart, you just know it was wrong, that's another story. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you made a mistake and making a "course correction." Without more information, we really don't know what this is all about.
A mistake I made? Changing from the midnight shift (10 p.m. to 6 a.m) to the daylight shift (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Why was it a mistake? Because I had been on midnights for 18 years. Given the fact that there was no "management" around, we had become accustomed to making our own decisions, and basically doing what we felt was the right thing to do. We were independent. However, dayshift was micro-managed. I couldn't work that way. (I was a police officer in a small department.)
Why did I do it? Because my body was getting older. I was about 45. I could no longer manage my sleep-wake cycle the way I had for the past 18 years.
Please feel free to share your situation, if you are so inclined. Life is a series of adventures. Growth requires taking chances. Usually these are chances where you weigh the pros and the cons, and make a decision based on logic and rationale judgement. Of course, there are also those times where we just throw caution to the wind and "go for it." I've never been able to do that, although I do somewhat admire people who can!
Kim
Once we've made a decision, part of that should be a commitment to giving it a chance to work out. So, you say you don't think it'll work out well for you. Second-guessing yourself doesn't help. It's time to move on and commit to following through, doing everything possible to prove that it was in fact a good decision! Now, if, deep in your heart, you just know it was wrong, that's another story. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you made a mistake and making a "course correction." Without more information, we really don't know what this is all about.
A mistake I made? Changing from the midnight shift (10 p.m. to 6 a.m) to the daylight shift (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Why was it a mistake? Because I had been on midnights for 18 years. Given the fact that there was no "management" around, we had become accustomed to making our own decisions, and basically doing what we felt was the right thing to do. We were independent. However, dayshift was micro-managed. I couldn't work that way. (I was a police officer in a small department.)
Why did I do it? Because my body was getting older. I was about 45. I could no longer manage my sleep-wake cycle the way I had for the past 18 years.
Please feel free to share your situation, if you are so inclined. Life is a series of adventures. Growth requires taking chances. Usually these are chances where you weigh the pros and the cons, and make a decision based on logic and rationale judgement. Of course, there are also those times where we just throw caution to the wind and "go for it." I've never been able to do that, although I do somewhat admire people who can!
Kim
Kristin Lillywhite
Research Assistant
1
Answer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Kristin’s Answer
I wish that I would have majored in Chemistry instead of Chemistry Education. It’s easier for a scientist to become a teacher than for a teacher to become a scientist. I spent 12 years as a high school science teacher and now I’m finding I have limited options. At least that’s been my experience in the United States.
Anthony Tran
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello David,
I don't think I have a "worst career decision I ever made moment" yet, but I would offer this advice. Nothing you choose to do will be permanent and there will always be something you can take away from the experience. I moved to Augusta, GA to work my very first full-time opportunity. I had never been there before and there was a lot of uncertainty on how life would turn out. Sure, there were things that were not ideal, but in my time there I got to meet some amazing people, got to work on cool projects, and experienced life as a functioning adult. That opportunity gave me great life experience and helped me become the person I am today.
I don't think I have a "worst career decision I ever made moment" yet, but I would offer this advice. Nothing you choose to do will be permanent and there will always be something you can take away from the experience. I moved to Augusta, GA to work my very first full-time opportunity. I had never been there before and there was a lot of uncertainty on how life would turn out. Sure, there were things that were not ideal, but in my time there I got to meet some amazing people, got to work on cool projects, and experienced life as a functioning adult. That opportunity gave me great life experience and helped me become the person I am today.
Molly R.
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
17
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Each decision I have made has shaped my career, therefore, each decision bad or good has gotten me to where I am today. Nothing is permanent, take the leap!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6179
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi David,
Reflecting back to 1981, my first wife issued an ultimatum - abandon my master's in biochemistry and start earning a substantial income, or she would leave. She was discontented with the meager $50 a week I was making from tutoring and lab demonstrating in biochemistry, especially when compared to her weekly earnings of $210. Dr. Peter Nixon later suggested that I should have let her walk away. Instead, I traded my biochemistry degree for a taxi driver's job. This decision led me through a tough journey in the early 1980s, filled with physically demanding jobs and constant back pain.
Two decades later, I attempted a Master of Public Health, but faced another roadblock. The course coordinator rejected my project, which was an evaluation of the nutrition education software I had developed. He labeled it as a 'financial conflict of interest,' arguing that a positive evaluation could potentially earn me a million dollars. Consequently, I was only granted a Postgraduate Diploma. Blocked from a Masters again.
I work 100 hours a week. I have done that since 1994. I earn a pittance.
Stay blessed,
JC.
Reflecting back to 1981, my first wife issued an ultimatum - abandon my master's in biochemistry and start earning a substantial income, or she would leave. She was discontented with the meager $50 a week I was making from tutoring and lab demonstrating in biochemistry, especially when compared to her weekly earnings of $210. Dr. Peter Nixon later suggested that I should have let her walk away. Instead, I traded my biochemistry degree for a taxi driver's job. This decision led me through a tough journey in the early 1980s, filled with physically demanding jobs and constant back pain.
Two decades later, I attempted a Master of Public Health, but faced another roadblock. The course coordinator rejected my project, which was an evaluation of the nutrition education software I had developed. He labeled it as a 'financial conflict of interest,' arguing that a positive evaluation could potentially earn me a million dollars. Consequently, I was only granted a Postgraduate Diploma. Blocked from a Masters again.
I work 100 hours a week. I have done that since 1994. I earn a pittance.
Stay blessed,
JC.