Beware of Bad Career Advice: 16 Professionals Share Their Worst Experiences
When it comes to career advice, it’s essential to be discerning and honest with each other. Well-intentioned but misguided advice can lead to confusion, stagnation, and even career regrets. To shed light on this issue, we asked 16 professionals to share the worst career advice they’ve ever received.
Following Passion vs. Financial Feasibility
Raquel, a professional in her field, was torn between following her passion and pursuing a financially stable career. She was advised to choose one or the other, but ultimately found a happy medium by honing in on her skills and finding a field that allowed her to excel financially.
Don’t Wait for Opportunities
Lauren, on the other hand, was told to stay at every job for at least two years, regardless of opportunities that may arise. She disagrees, believing that if a better opportunity comes along, it’s essential to take it.
Grad School: Not Always the Answer
Sameer, a copywriter, was advised to pursue graduate school to get the job he wanted. However, he found that it wasn’t necessary for his industry and that a portfolio school would have been a more suitable option.
Career Goals Shouldn’t Be Defined by Personal Choices
Melonie, a professional who doesn’t plan to have children, was frustrated by people implying that her career would eventually take a backseat to motherhood. She believes that career goals should be separate from personal choices.
Gaining Experience Over Family Ties
Claudia was advised to work for her parents’ business right after college, but she chose to gain hands-on experience in other countries and markets instead. She believes that this decision has made her a better professional.
Don’t Let Others Define Your Potential
Meghan, who had a rocky start in college, was told that her GPA would hold her back. However, she decided to ignore these warnings and apply for opportunities she previously thought were out of reach. She got into top-10 law programs and landed jobs that aligned with her professional goals.
Negotiating Salary: A Must
Laura was advised not to negotiate her salary, but she soon realized that this was bad advice. She believes that it’s essential to negotiate salary and not let corporations define one’s professional worth.
Paying Your Dues: A Misconception
Grace was told to “pay her dues” by working hard and waiting for recognition. However, she found that this approach doesn’t always lead to success. Instead, she advocates for asking for promotions or raises regularly and being proactive in one’s career.
Trust Your Instincts and Research
Emma was asked to lie about being laid off and tell people she had resigned. She trusted her instincts and researched the situation, ultimately deciding not to comply with her employer’s request. Although this decision has damaged her career, she believes it was the right thing to do.
Staying at a Job for Too Long
Matt was told to stay at a job for at least a year, but he disagrees. He believes that it’s okay to move on from a job if it’s not fulfilling, especially if it means gaining new experiences and skills.
Unpaid Internships: Not Always Worth It
Tom was advised to take an unpaid internship, but he didn’t get the job afterwards. He believes that unpaid internships can be a waste of time and energy.
Academia: Not the Only Option
Brenna, a PhD student, was told that the only career path for her was academia. However, she realized that this wasn’t her dream and decided to pursue other options.
Talent Isn’t Everything
Kendra was told that “you can’t teach talent,” but she disagrees. She believes that hard work and dedication are essential to success, even if one has natural talent.
Quality Over Quantity
Tania was advised to volunteer for as much as possible, but she believes that quality over quantity is key. She advocates for taking on challenges that align with one’s strengths and goals.
Staying in a Position for Too Long
Abby was told to stay in a position for three to five years, but she disagrees. She believes that if a position isn’t fulfilling, it’s okay to move on and explore other opportunities.
Resumé Objectives: Outdated?
De was told to include an objective on her resumé, but she was also advised by others that objectives were outdated. She believes that it’s essential to stand out with a modern and trendy resumé.
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