Myth:  There is one perfect job for me — Real: There are many jobs that you will enjoy.  
To focus on finding a single, perfect career is intimidating (scary) and limits your choices.  You will have 
several jobs in your life, and each job will have positive and negative things about it.  In addition, your job 
likes and dislikes will change over time as you gain work experience and skills.  It is a position of strength 
to keep your options (pathways) open to different types of jobs during your life..
Myth:  I will use all my talents and skills in a job — Real: Jobs rar
ely use all your talents and skills.  
Two things cause you to overlook good job openings:  1) Trying to find that one job that fits all your talents 
and skills.  2) Ignoring a job opening because your skills do not match every skill wanted in the job opening 
post.  Life is not perfect.  You will use many of your skills in a job, and learn new skills.  Employers may 
not find  that perfect job seeker who has every skill wanted.  If you like the job, apply and you may be hired.   
New workers start in entry-level jobs and need to be willing to do  routine (simple, over and over again) 
tasks even if  boring.  As you gain experience, new tasks will be assigned to add interest and variety.
Myth: My job has to match my college major — Real: Many jobs accept different majors.  
The important thing is that you are a person who did what was required to earn a Certificate,  Associate (2-
year) degree, or Bachelor (4-year) degree.  Certificate and degree related to one job area  can lead to new 
job, raise, and promotion in a different job area.  Computer technician jobs may be filled by workers with 
degrees unrelated to computers.  Electrical technicians may be hired to repair hybrid cars, and veterinary 
technicians may be hired as pharmaceutical (medicine) sales persons.  
Myth: No one will hire me because I do not have work experience and have low grades.
Real:  People overcome all kinds of challenges to find work they like.  
Experts say that how you handle adversity (hard times) shows if you have the  ability 
to persevere (overcome problems by keep on keeping on).  Need experience?  
Volunteer, work in part-time job, or enroll in classes related to your desired career.  
Are low grades a problem?  Highlight other parts of your resume such as skills.  
Employers look for job seekers with: 1) Communication skills (listen, speak, read, 
write); 2) Human relations (one-to-one) skills, and 3) Positive attitude and ener gy.
QUICK CHECK
1.  a) Why should you not focus on finding a perfect career?  b)  What will change 
over time?  c) What is a position of strength?
2.  a) List 2 things that cause you to overlook good job openings.  b)  What may employers not find?  
  c) What must new workers be willing to do?  d) As you gain experience, what will happen?
3.  a) What is the important thing?  b) To what 3 things may certificates and degrees in one job area lead? 
4.  a) How you handle adversity shows ability to what?  b) Define "persevere."  c) List 3 things you can do 
if you need experience.  d)  Employers look for job seekers with what 3 things?
5.  a) List one job that you think you will enjoy in the future.  b) List 3 skills that this job requires.
  c) List 2 classes at your school that you can take to help you learn these skills.	
Career Myths (False Ideas) & What Is Real
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.