I have been working with young people for a long while in relation to career choice.
The development of Career Counseling Connecticut has morphed from highly practical with some counseling to about fifty-fifty.
Practical coaching – counseling – is needed, not therapy in most cases.
The issues below have always been apparent but now are epidemic.
1. The Paradox of Choice
The book of the same name, written by Barry Schwartz, describes deep research on how we become paralyzed and dissatisfied when we have too much choice.
“I can do anything.” leads to a sense of overwhelm for most career seekers. “That career choice has this problem…” leads to the thought that some other choice will be better.
Sarah, a twentysomething from Guilford, CT, recently came in with this problem.
I walked her through her “endless choices” and illustrated that, in reality, she only had a few viable ones. Specifically, she was not interested in tech, health care, anything finance/operation-oriented in business and multiple other large buckets where jobs are located.
2. The Incorrect View That Something Will Change
We are conditioned by our system of K-through college that change – often massive change – just happens. From K-12, it did. 3rd to 4th grade, 9th to 10th grade… no initiative needed. I’ve written about this elsewhere. But essentially, I’ll work with twentysomethings who subconsciously seem to think that some outside force will make things better.
Ryan, a twentysomething from Glastonbury, CT, had a “click” moment when I expressed this thought. “Ahhhh… I’ve been waiting… I’m not exactly sure for what… I see I HAVE TO BE THE ONE”. He did nearly shout 🙂
3. The Worry of Locked In Forever
“I don’t know if I want to do that forever.” I’ve heard this repeatedly in the last few years. Oddly enough, this might have been the case years ago since career-changing was once frowned upon. Now career-changing is so expected that outside of specialists it’s reasonable to assume that one’s initial career path will be a decade or so.
Ethan, a twentysomething from New Haven, CT, was frozen by this thought. I don’t know if I could do that all day for the rest of my life.
The pace of work change – alone – will make such thoughts literally impossible. AI, among other tech changes, is coming. But regardless, many change jobs and careers multiple times before 40.
As it turns out, many parents understand these issues. But “I am the expert” – ha – but true. So their young adult will listen.