By | Abhijit Bhaduri |Keynote speaker, Author and Columnist
“My classmate from Business School wanted me to address the students about building a career in Fintech. Back then I was working for one of the most prestigious Fintech firms that was in the news for some cool products. The students were delighted and one of the students stood up and said, ‘I wish we had you as our professor. That would be amazing.’
Be careful what you wish for
What happens if your wish comes true?
My friend joined academics and loved teaching and working with youngsters. The pace of academics was distinctly different from what he was used to. Teaching was one of the many things he had to work on.
- Get published in prestigious journals besides doing research. Present my research at conferences.
- Mentoring students and working with other professors on departmental committees.
- Participate in curriculum development and program assessment.
- Interview candidates
We often make career related decisions with very little information. Having a good view of the road ahead can help someone make an informed choice.
Everything that you can do, you may not WANT to do
I know someone who is a terrific cook. He does not want to be a chef or have his own cafe. That comes with many other responsibilities.
“Just because I can cook well does not mean I want to be a chef.” I agree.
I enjoy drawing cartoons and illustrating my articles. But I don’t want to be an illustrator.
Talking to someone who is in the role you wish topursue can be a very good way to make that decision.
There are 5 common reasons for disillusionment
Opportunities to explore one’s potential: People hate hierarchies but love to climb the corporate ladder. Not having enough opportunities to grow can lead to people losing motivation.
Too much or too little stress: A nurse who works long shifts and frequently deals with difficult patients may feel exhausted and lose the passion for her job. Jobs in emergency services, military, law enforcement and paramedics often burnout because of the high stress environment. Low levels of stress can be equally bad. A museum guard’s job can be stressful too. It is not the job, but our fit with the job that creates stress.
Unsatisfying work-life balance: People may stop enjoying a career if it interferes with their personal life and they can’t find a balance. Missing out important moments of their loved ones often leads people to question if it was all worth it.
Poor relationships at work: According to a Gallup study, having a friend at work can have a significant impact on employee engagement, job satisfaction and overall well-being. The study found that employees who have a “best friend” at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs and are more likely to report positive well-being measures such as satisfaction with their lives and happiness. Additionally, having a friend at work can also provide support, motivation, and a sense of belonging which can help to reduce stress and improve employee retention.
Not getting feedback: Feedback is a reflection of the impact of the job on others. A fundraiser for a scholarship fund may be told that thanks to their efforts, a student from a low-income family was able to attend college and is now on track to graduate. This type of feedback can be incredibly powerful and motivating, as it helps the fundraiser to see the direct impact of their work on someone’s life and how it makes a real difference. Not getting feedback tells the person their work does not matter.
The career must provide the right level of change, opportunities, social needs, etc. Career is our journey through life. As life unfolds, new pathways appear and older pathways get blocked. Being self-aware helps in making choices that meet our needs. The other options is to follow the crowd. That is very often the basis of disappointment.
Republished with permission and originally published at Abhijit Bhaduri’s LinkedIn
