How to decide on a career path

Many of us have been sold the same story: go to school, get good grades, pick a career you love, and work your way up the ladder. Supposedly, if you follow this path, you’ll achieve success and happiness. But the reality is much messier.

Too many people pick careers based on what sounds prestigious, what their parents want, or what seems “fun” without considering long-term consequences.

Others throw themselves into the rat race, chasing titles and promotions in jobs they hate. They make their careers and jobs their entire identity and think that financial success alone will bring fulfillment.

The truth is, self-actualization, education, and work are three separate things — and they should be treated as such.

• Self-actualization is about growth, purpose, and fulfillment. It’s not necessarily tied to your paycheck.
• Schooling is just a tool to gain credentials and skills — it’s not an automatic path to success.
• Work is about making a living and providing for yourself. Ideally, it aligns with your interests, but it doesn’t always have to be your life’s passion.

Decoupling these three concepts can help you make better career choices instead of falling for the idealistic idea that your job needs to be your identity.

“Follow your dreams” only works if you can afford it

Let’s be real — “Follow your dreams” is advice that only works if you have financial security. If you come from a working-class background and struggle with finances, you need to prioritize financial stability first. That doesn’t mean giving up on your interests, but it does mean being strategic.

I learned that the hard way. I was once close to choosing a major in earth sciences just because I found it fascinating. It seemed like a great idea — until I realized that passion alone doesn’t pay the bills.

Unless you have wealthy parents who can let you afford to be unproductive or connections that can get you a job in a very niche area, choosing a degree with little return on investment is a financial trap.

I’ve seen people take on $80,000 to $100,000 in student loans for degrees that don’t lead to high-paying or stable jobs. Many got stuck in low-paying jobs completely unrelated to their degrees, unable to climb out of debt. Some of them ended up relying on a wealthy spouse to bail them out. A lucky few were able to transition into other career tracks that offer better job prospects.

So before you commit to a field, do your research:

• How much will your education cost?
• What’s the average salary in your field?
• How long will it take to pay off your student loans?
• What are the job prospects like?

I wish I had been told these things instead of being fed feel-good advice about “doing what you love”. For what it’s worth, I now have a stable office job and a happy life, and I still have time to pursue my passions in earth sciences in other ways while not impacting my financial situation.

If you have a passion, you don’t necessarily need to turn it into a career — but you can find a job that supports it. Instead of going all-in on an unstable field, consider jobs that use related skills but offer more financial stability. For example:

• Love art? Become a graphic designer or UX/UI specialist instead of struggling as a freelance artist.
• Love writing? Work in marketing, communications, or technical writing instead of chasing a dream of being a full-time novelist.
• Love music? Get into audio engineering, production, or even teaching music instead of banking on becoming a rock star.
• Love sports? Get into sports science/medicine, sports analytics, coaching, or teaching physical education rather than banking on becoming striking big as a professional athlete.

A stable job with a good salary, reasonable hours, and benefits gives you the freedom to pursue your passions on the side — without financial stress.

I always tell people to avoid monetizing their passion directly. The pressure of making a living can kill your love for it.

Many people start out loving something — whether it’s sports, painting, photography, music, or writing — until it becomes their only source of income. Suddenly, their creativity is tied to deadlines, demanding clients, and financial survival. What once brought joy now feels like an obligation.

Turning a passion into a full-time job often means dealing with burnout, frustration, and loss of creative freedom. When money becomes the primary motivation, the passion itself can become secondary. Instead of creating for enjoyment, you’re now creating for survival, which can drain the very thing that made it fulfilling in the first place.

By choosing a stable career that complements your interests, you can protect your passion from the pressures of financial dependence. A stable job with a good salary, reasonable hours, and benefits gives you the freedom to pursue your interests on the side — without stress.

On the other hand, I see too many people tying their entire identities to their careers.

They spend decades climbing the corporate ladder, chasing titles and promotions, and collecting accolades — only to wake up one day feeling unfulfilled. It’s not uncommon to see people who gave their whole lives to a job, only to realize too late that it didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.

Work can provide purpose, but it shouldn’t define who you are. You are not your job title. You are not your LinkedIn bio. And you are certainly not the number on your paycheck.

When your self-worth is tied solely to your job, any failure, layoff, or career change can feel like a personal collapse. And even if you “succeed,” you may find that the rewards don’t justify the sacrifices — missed time with family, neglected hobbies, or a growing sense of emptiness.

Jobs come and go. Companies lay people off. Industries change. If your identity is wrapped up in your work, what happens when the work disappears?

That’s why it’s crucial to separate your career from your sense of self. A job is a tool — it should support your life, not become your life. You’re allowed to have interests, passions, and values that exist entirely outside of what you do for a living.

Fulfillment comes from building a life that’s well-rounded. That includes meaningful relationships, hobbies you enjoy, time for rest, and a sense of purpose that doesn’t rely on performance reviews or professional achievements.

Remember, you can be ambitious without letting your career consume you. And you can take pride in your work without letting it define your worth.

If you’re unsure about picking a career path, think about these three key factors:

1. What You Are Good At — Your natural skills, abilities, and strengths. What do people recognize you for? What do you excel at with less effort?
2. What You Enjoy — What kind of work do you find fulfilling or interesting? Even if your job isn’t your “dream,” it should at least be something you don’t dread doing every day.
3. What You Don’t Dislike — This might seem like a low bar, but it’s important. Some jobs seem great on paper but have aspects you might hate — long hours, poor work-life balance, toxic environments. Make sure your career path doesn’t come with deal-breakers.

A good career sits at the intersection of these three things. It doesn’t have to be your life’s greatest passion, but it should be something you’re good at, don’t hate, and can make a stable living from.

Choosing a career isn’t about chasing prestige or blindly following your dreams. It’s about finding a sustainable and rewarding path that allows you to build a good life — without being trapped in debt, stress, or regret.

• Prioritize financial stability first. Passion is important, but it won’t pay off student loans.
• Research your options. Make informed choices about education, job prospects, and salaries.
• Find a balance. Your career should align with your skills and interests but doesn’t need to be your entire identity.
• Use your job as a tool. A good career supports your passions, even if it isn’t directly related to them.

At the end of the day, a fulfilling life is about more than just work. Choose a career that allows you to build stability, grow as a person, and have the freedom to pursue what truly matters to you.