Inner Conflict of Career Choices: Personal Growth vs. Societal Approval

As a young professional hailing from the small town, I’ve often found myself at a crossroads, struggling to align my career choices with societal expectations.

My journey has been anything but straightforward, transitioning from a background in computer science to finding my true calling in marketing.

Here, I share insights from a conversation with Devesh Sood , a mentor who helped me navigate these tumultuous waters, offering guidance that might help others in similar situations.

Reflecting on Societal Pressures and Personal Aspirations

Growing up in a society that holds certain professions in high regard, I’ve felt the weight of expectations to pursue a path well-trodden and respected—like public service. However, my passion and skills lie elsewhere.

Personal Insight from Devesh: "Unless you have very intrinsic motivation actually to crack this exam and get into that service... it's really difficult to come with a result."

Devesh reminded me that career decisions should be deeply personal and intrinsically motivated. External pressures, while significant, should not dictate the course of our professional lives if they steer us away from our passions.

Evaluating the Feasibility of a Career Shift

The idea of switching to a career in public service, while prestigious, involves rigorous preparation and uncertain outcomes. This path demands a commitment that should only be undertaken if one is deeply passionate about the field.

Advice from Devesh: "It's at least one and a half to two years of your time where primarily this is what you will be doing, and there won't be a lot of time to do other things."

This advice hit home for me as I realized that diverting my focus from a flourishing career to preparing for public service exams might not align with my natural inclinations or professional strengths.

Confronting Inner Conflicts and Societal Perceptions

Living in a smaller community intensifies the scrutiny over unconventional career choices. It's a challenge I face every time I step outside, feeling the judgment of traditional expectations.

Perspective from Devesh: "If you do not have a lot of intrinsic motivation, then I think it's really difficult to come with a result."

His words reassured me that the validation I seek should come from within, through achievements and fulfillment in my chosen field, rather than from adhering to societal norms.

Devesh’s Challenges and Learnings

Devesh shared the challenges he faced during his own career pivot, which resonated deeply with my experiences.

Devesh’s Experience: "I was disillusioned by the entire bureaucracy and how it works. And seeing my friends get there, and then they even they were, some of them were not very happy with what they saw as opposed to what their expectations were, while some where doing great"

His journey underscored the importance of aligning one's career with personal values and interests rather than external expectations.

He emphasized the disillusionment that often follows when reality doesn't meet our expectations, highlighting the importance of being true to oneself.

Overcoming Doubts and Embracing Personal Choices

Choosing a career path that diverges from the norm is fraught with doubts and what-ifs, especially when it involves leaving perceived stability and respect behind.

Guidance from Devesh: "Try studying for some time. Maybe that will give you a better idea because right now you may think, yeah, I'll have fun studying and reading, but then when it actually gets to the grind, it could be that, you know, it's not what you like."

Experimenting with study materials and engaging in preliminary research provided me a low-risk way to explore my interest in public service without committing fully to a drastic career change.

Conclusion

Navigating the complexities of career decisions against the backdrop of societal expectations is challenging.

Through my conversation with Devesh, I learned the importance of prioritizing personal satisfaction and aligning career choices with my skills and passions.

His mentorship helped clarify that while external approval is gratifying, true success and happiness stem from pursuing what genuinely resonates with our personal aspirations.

This journey has taught me to value intrinsic motivation over societal pressures, a lesson I hope can inspire others facing similar dilemmas.