Written by Cosme Lozano

Career success is an interesting thing. Everyone for the most part is striving to have as much career success as they can. People are brought up in different areas and conditions, so for some, their definition of career success varies. Today I want to take a look at a Forbes article written by Terina Allen. In the article, Allen goes over what she believes is career success, and why so many people fail to experience it.  

We start by looking at the difference between career accomplishments and career success. The two are often mixed up. Career accomplishments are credentials you earn during your career, or it can include a high paying salary. People can have all the titles in the world or can be making a ton of money, and they still feel empty inside. It is a feeling that can’t be filled unless you have true career success. In her article, Terina Allen describes career success as,

                “Career success is a combination of achieving a reasonable level of financial stability while doing work you enjoy and then finding that you are also happy and fulfilled with your life and career choices as well. If you love your job but find that it doesn’t lead to financial self-sufficiency, career success is diminished, and if you get paid very well but lack joy or interest in your chosen career field, career success is diminished. True career success requires that there is alignment between the two.” (Allen, 2020)

I have to agree with Terina Allen on this discussion. Making a lot of money is great but if you don’t enjoy the work you do, eventually, you are going to grow more frustrated and upset. In order for people to be on their A-game, it requires people to be fully committed and locked in. How are you going to perform at a high level if your whole heart isn’t even in the job?

People fail to find career success for a multitude of reasons. Part of it involves the individual failing to outline what career success means to them. For a lot of the youth, the decision to figure out what you want to be or do comes at you fast. In the commotion of going to school and figuring that out, people can sometimes fail to look ahead in the future. It is crucial that we all be mindful of the future and the goals we want to achieve. It is important that the goals you make are YOUR own goals, and not someone else’s; like a parent, friend or a teacher. It is also important to remember that your own happiness should be a priority. You won’t find career success in a job you hate doing the work for. Yeah the money may be good, but you will not be passionate in the work you are doing. It is people who do not have that passion for their jobs or career that end up getting stuck or upset with their job.

For my closing thoughts, I want to advise people to do what makes them truly happy. Be brave and courageous in new endeavors you face. Those situations can open doors and possibly take you where you want to go. As long as you are truly happy in what you are doing, you will find a way to make it work and have success. Your passion for the job will take you to new found heights. I know all of you out there are capable of so much, and I believe in you!

Leave me a comment down below if you want to have a discussion about this topic!