Reach Your Goals – Realistically!

Caroline M.L. Potter’s article titled “10 Questions to Create Your CareerVision,” posted on Monster.com raises many key points about discovering what you are interested in, and what foundation can be used to start the exploration of career choices. The entire article basically quotes a career coach, Deborah Brown-Volkman, as she outlines basic questions one must ask themself in order to decide the path of their careers. That is all fine and well, but what I have an issue with is how the article implies that once you know what you want (and the article puts heavy emphasis on one’s wants), it will be much simpler to progress, and to embark on the journey to a dream career.

“I believe if you write down your vision and look at it on a daily basis, it's more likely it will happen,” declared Brown-Volkman. Really? In my opinion, the tips in this article should only be taken with a grain of salt; something that should be kept in mind, but not wholeheartedly depended on. Deborah Brown-Volkman doesn’t take into account other factors that may or may not interfere with one’s success – like financial stability and credentials. She would be absolutely right…if this were a fairy tale, and everything went according to plan all the time. My opinion isn’t to discourage anybody. By all means, work for your accomplishments! But do just that – keep working at it, and don’t believe that only wanting something will make opportunities fall into your lap. Good luck!

-Ashley Rodriguez

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