Maybe you’re just starting out in life. Perhaps you are completely reinventing yourself after a job loss or other devastating event. Maybe you are bored with your job and are thinking about making a career change. The seemingly limitless number of career choices available may cause you to feel a bit overwhelmed, adversely affecting the decision-making process. No matter what your situation, it is important that you choose wisely, avoid pitfalls, and carefully consider all aspects of the career you are considering.

Common Career Path Dangers

Many people have had difficulty picking the right job. All too often, we simply take what’s available. While you may end up taking an unsuitable job due to financial pressure, it’s important that you keep looking for something more suitable as your situation improves. Also, it is vital that you prevent any job or career from completely taking over your life, particularly if it’s unfulfilling.

You can take heart in knowing that most people have had bad jobs, and in knowing that it’s up to you to decide what to do next. If you are at a crossroads now, you can avoid making decisions that could prevent you from achieving success.

Some mistakes people commonly make when deciding on careers include the following:

• Looking at the ease of obtaining the job, rather than looking at the potential for advancement within the career.
• Choosing a career based on expectations others have for them. Many people have fallen into this trap, ultimately ending up in jobs they hate.
• Choosing careers without end goals, or without having clear strategies for moving up a specific career path.
• Not taking job environment and daily activities into mind.
• Taking a job just because it is available, even though it is most likely a dead-end job.
• Deciding on a career because it requires little education, rather than choosing a career that will lead to financial independence and personal fulfillment.

When deciding what to do with your life, it is important that you keep the distant future in mind. Will the career you are considering pay you well and provide you with important benefits? Will you be required to work shifts that conflict with your ability to enjoy a rewarding personal life? Will you like everything about this job, or will it cause you to feel depressed and unfulfilled? Be sure you answer these questions honestly. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, keep looking for a career that will bring you fulfillment.

Know What You’re Getting Into

Before selecting a career, learn all you can about what the job entails. Know exactly what you are getting into before signing up for classes. In addition, be sure to find out whether you’ll be able to advance in your chosen profession without the need for further education. The last thing you need is a dead-end job.

Some entry level jobs that might seem appealing at first, but which don’t normally lead to career advancement without additional training include:

• Bank Teller – Many banks hire tellers with high school diplomas, though some do prefer to hire college graduates. A bank teller must deal with customers face-to-face, and this is not always pleasant. They often work 40 hour weeks, though in some cases the workweek extends to include Saturdays, or even Sundays. The position can be mentally and physically demanding.

  The job of bank teller has a high turnover rate; part of this is due to the fact that the next rung on the career ladder is to bank officer or supervisor. Not everyone can advance up that ladder so many tellers become frustrated and ultimately quit. In order to obtain a more desirable job in the financial sector, more education is required.

• Phlebotomist – A phlebotomist works directly with people, many of whom are ill. They find themselves in close proximity to veins and blood, day in and day out. They may also collect stool samples, urine samples, and sputum samples. Many work at hospitals, blood banks, and clinics. However, many health care facilities are asking nurses and others to double as phlebotomists, reducing the number of opportunities available to new phlebotomy graduates.

  Though many people who are interested in health care jobs sign up for phlebotomy courses and spend time working as phlebotomists, the profession has a high turnover rate. Partly, this is because this is a job that does not pay as well as most other health care jobs. In addition, the hours can be demanding, and the risk of coming into contact with infectious bodily fluids can lead to excessive stress. Also, the odds of promotion are not good. People who find they enjoy phlebotomy and want to continue working in health care often go on to obtain more education, usually with a focus on nursing.

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – A certified nursing assistant is one step below Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and two steps below Registered Nurses (RNs). They often work around the clock in environments such as nursing homes and hospitals, performing a variety of functions. CNAs monitor vital signs, collect urine and fecal specimens, aid patients with hygiene, and transfer mobility-challenged people from beds to chairs and back again.

The job is physically demanding, and it is mentally challenging as well. Even so, CNAs are not typically well-paid, and in order to advance their careers, they must normally go back to school. To become a CNA, one needs a high school diploma and just a little specialized training. The job can be a good “test” for someone deciding whether the health care field is for them, but opportunities for advancement are severely limited.

These three examples describe jobs that are in demand, but that are not necessarily good careers. They are, in essence, jobs that lead to a dead end unless additional training is obtained. All these jobs are demanding in terms of time and energy. The likelihood a person holding one of these positions can make a successful career change is fairly small, as their time and money tend to be in short supply. Unfortunately, many bank tellers, phlebotomists, certified nursing assistants, and others like them end up feeling trapped in stressful lives. They often find themselves working hard for little pay and wishing they had made better career choices from the outset.

Right now, you have an important decision to make. It’s true that the lure of a steady paycheck can be compelling. However, it is vital that you look into the future and consider the proverbial big picture before deciding what the next step ought to be. Conduct thorough research about various career paths that interest you. Ensure you understand exactly what you will be getting into as you decide where to focus your efforts. Taking these important steps helps ensure that you remain true to yourself and make your life your own.