How to find a career that suits one?

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The famous psychologist Maslow once said, “A person must become what he is capable of becoming; he must be faithful to his own nature.” ”People need to “listen to their inner voice” and “choose what is truly suitable for them” in order to achieve self-actualization. On the contrary, if a person’s talents are not developed and utilized, there is often a subtle sense of unease and disappointment. It is evident that the choice and development of a career are crucial aspects of personal growth, worthy of our in-depth consideration. If one is simply looking for a means to make a living, the main things to consider are one’s own abilities, the available external resources, and the amount of money that can be earned from that profession. These are indeed some very practical issues that need to be considered when making a career choice. However, if one wishes to make a career a way to achieve life’s aspirations and satisfy the emotional needs deep within oneself, then these factors alone are not enough to consider. Even from the perspective of an individual gaining financial rewards and social status through a profession, \"there’s a master in every trade\" – the best performers in most professions can receive substantial rewards. The problem is that if you simply enter a career that seems popular at the moment, you won’t necessarily become an expert in that field, nor will you necessarily receive substantial rewards. Moreover, who can guarantee that the currently favorable job market conditions will not change in the future? On the contrary, if you choose a career that matches your personality, abilities, and interests, you will not only be more likely to succeed, but the work itself often brings you a great deal of satisfaction. It can be said that having a career in which one feels competent and happy is a form of luck and happiness. How can one find a career in which they can be “competent and happy”? Psychologists believe that a person’s personality traits are important factors in determining which occupations are suitable for them. Different occupations have varying requirements, and career counseling helps a person identify occupations that suit their characteristics, making it easier for them to be successful and satisfied in those roles. In career counseling, personality assessment is an essential component. Holland’s six personality types theory, Jung’s personality theory, and others are theoretical frameworks that are frequently used in career assessment. For example, Holland classified personality into six types based on people’s occupational interests: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Each personality type has its main characteristics and suitable occupations; for example, people with a social personality prefer jobs that involve interaction with others, such as teachers, nurses, and counselors ； They enjoy interacting with people and have personalities that are enthusiastic, friendly, kind, patient, and responsible. The unique characteristics of a person include not only their personality but also their abilities, motivations and interests, as well as their values. In psychology, motivation is divided into external motivation and internal motivation. If a person chooses a certain job mainly because of their parents’ expectations or for the financial income it brings, these are examples of external motivations; in other words, the reason why a person takes on a particular job lies in factors outside of the job itself. If a person chooses a certain job because they like the tasks involved and the way in which that work is carried out, these are internal motivations at play; in other words, the reason why a person does a particular job lies in the job itself. Confucius said, “Those who know it are not as good as those who love it; those who love it are not as good as those who take pleasure in it.” Those driven by internal motivation are the true \"enjoyers\" – people who truly have an interest in a certain task. Where does true interest come from? True interest in a job, the persistent pursuit of it and the difficulty in giving it up, often stem from the fact that certain aspects of that job meet some underlying need within a person’s heart. Some people desire to share in and alleviate others’ suffering, so they may choose careers such as doctor, nurse, or even psychological counselor. We might say that such people have a noble spirit of dedication at work, but in reality, the meaning and satisfaction they derive from being close to suffering and alleviating it are not merely about sacrifice. Some people desire to pursue truth, so they may choose to engage in scientific research. For them, discovering the patterns behind a changing world is a fascinating endeavor; since they desire a just and predictable world, they pursue it with diligence without considering it a tedious task. In life, if we see someone pursuing a cause with determination and perseverance, it is likely that this pursuit meets their deep-seated needs, needs that they may not even be fully aware of themselves. But sometimes, people can discern certain things that can be called a person’s core values. Therefore, reflecting on our values and upbringing helps us discover the work we truly enjoy. True interest can also arise from \"doing well\". Among students, we often see that some prefer to study a certain subject because they are good at it; by preferring to study it, they perform better and develop a great interest in that subject. Compared to the previous source of interest, this type of interest is more influenced by the current environment, making it easier to cultivate consciously. Interest from the former source can sometimes manifest as persistence rather than rationality: a person might face difficulties in pursuing the career they desire due to real-world constraints, or their abilities may not be suitable, yet they insist on taking this professional path regardless. Personality, interests, abilities, and other aspects related to a profession usually influence each other, but they are not entirely consistent. To determine one’s own position and find a career path that suits them, it is necessary to take these various aspects into consideration. What is particularly important is to conduct in-depth reflection on one’s own motivations and interests: on the one hand, there is no rigid correspondence between personality and career, and if it is possible to find a job that truly aligns with one’s interests, certain skills can also be developed further ； On the other hand, if one persists in craving an unattainable job, it is also necessary to address this issue through self-reflection and psychological support.