What you think it is, and what it actually is.
We are always the heroes of our dreams careers and think pretty much outside the box, but that should not make us fall into the myth vs reality trap. Featuring some of the careers we think are the best ones for us based on myths around us about them. What we don't see that it has it's own set of difficulties and demands which we need to weigh before acting on it. This can help you assess the career you want to take and see what fits you, rather making choices based on perception and false facts.
Being a frequent flyer and visiting beautiful locations worldwide is a fantasy one can easily grow from the outside. But when it comes to enjoying it, in reality, you, as an airline hostess are mostly taking care of the highly important business class passengers and making sure nothing goes wrong. All such plans take a back seat when you get on the job and find pressure handling and being on service for most of the flying time. You don't get much time for enjoying those places and one is mostly tired and occupied. But there are people who enjoy and take out time for personal travel separately, having a realistic expectation is always wise!
Oh! That moment when you are all set for a vacation, one call from your commander and you have to be present at the line of duty in few hours, to check some disturbance in the frontline area of the country. That Rang-De-Basanti moment when the family is sad and apprehensive about the event and they have tears in their eyes. There is always a risk of life and facing terror strikes. But when you thought about pursuing this career, all you thought about guns, warfare, tanks, fighter planes, planning missions and fighting for the country. At times of war, when terror and warfares threaten the national security, you feel proud of being a part of one of the largest professional armies in the world and doing something for your motherland. Indian defense jobs are one of the most prestigious jobs one can have and with time the advancements in defense will take multiple changes to make it more secure and risk-controlled. Future looks good for those who can persevere.
You always thought that teaching is an easy and a less demanding job for a few hours everyday, to interact with young minds and inspire them for future. Every year there would be batches passing out from your institute unders your supervision leaving you emotional about it. But then you find that there is so much of handling and care that students need, with a lot of monitoring. And did we forget about managing the teacher's activity logs every day? Teachers need to keep the discipline intact at all times in the school. And they need to be on their toes to manage kids, their education, class decorum and what not! Even though inspiring kids is your true calling, but it takes mountainous patience to manage them. The challenge is open for you to be inspired despite the responsibility that comes with it.
When one buys a ticket for a movie with a lead actor like 'Nana Patekar,' one always thinks that their career would be full of heroism and bravery, taking the bull by the horns, and maintaining peace. But wait! When we come out of the reel-life, the reality is much much different. You might not have air conditioned cars for your executions, you might not get a team that cooperates, you might not identify an assassin and might catch the wrong suspect on-raids. In Reality, there are many facts that are different than one think from the outside about this career. And there's is a safety angle when dealing with such criminals and offenders. But to keep the city corruption free, someone will have to keep them under check. Career is full of thrill and only for those who have the bone.
When it comes to entrepreneurship, the restaurant business is one that has witnessed more failures than success. Many are bleeding with working capital going down every day with a high cost of operation and wastage. It's not all easy when one has to manage the show on his own and make a profit. The reality, which only a few who know through experience and risk, are able to launch a right product with right brand building around it and run it profitably. So when you think of opening one, do check your risk appetite well and get real on day one. Rewards are ample for the ones who crack it right.
It looks all great seeing the limelight and attention from the fans and media an actor get, but they personally need to work excessive hours to be in this competitive business and the schedules are beyond tiring from 12-18 hours a day for shooting films, meeting, networking with producers and industry people. A dedicated actor would go that extra mile in his career to be successful, so be prepared for the hard work.
All the memorable ads that you see out there is not an easy effort of a 9-5 job. That you may see for yourself, but it takes a lot more. It takes all your conscious and unconscious to come to up with a great idea, you might pull your hair for producing an idea before a deadline. But it gives a lot of kick to work on creative ideas and see them come to light if that is your true calling.
Earning in 6-7 figures and more, one feels great about being in the merchant navy, but it does need the sacrifice of being away from family and friends. There will be months before you see them. People develop temporary sea sickness and they are exposed to highly difficult water based conditions and lifestyle. But being a successful merchant who manages well in the midst of difficult situations, you can make all your dreams come true with the remuneration it earns. But knowing the criteria before is more important to decide.
Our #1 list maker, Prateek makes everything tick at MINDLER. Double MBA from ISB Hyderabad & MDI Gurgaon, his track record includes experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy & education advisory. He dreams to replicate the mentoring experience he received throughout his academic & professional journey for millions of students across the country.