When choices are few, there’s no much confusion in selecting the right career. Most individuals from earlier generations, or even to a great extent people from my generation, chose their profession based on the “scope.” However, times have changed, and so have the vast array of opportunities available today.
With so many professions waiting to welcome you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The key is knowing where you truly belong. While career growth is important, this article focuses on selecting a profession based on three criteria: Interest, Intelligence, and Personality.
1. Interest
No matter what you do, you’ll only find true satisfaction if you have a genuine interest in it. Your interest in a job is the most crucial factor when choosing a career—provided you’re not choosing it merely for the paycheck or social recognition. These factors can be balanced in any profession, but they shouldn’t be the sole reasons for making your decision.
To determine if you’re truly interested in a job, ask yourself: Would I be able to do this work for a long time without pay or frustration? While working without payment isn’t realistic, especially in the long term, at the beginning of your career, if you value the skills and experience more than the paycheck, you’re on the right path.
For instance, one of my acquaintances started his profession with a mere salary of ₹4,000 per month, barely enough to support himself at the time. Yet today, his salary is 100 times greater than his initial package.
2. Intelligence
We all agree that passion for your job is essential, but many overlook the importance of intelligence. In our education system, only two types of intelligence—Linguistic and Logical—are formally tested. Based on these, students are often pigeonholed into certain careers.
However, there are several other intelligences that are vital for success in different professions. These include
- Interpersonal Intelligence
- Intrapersonal Intelligence
- Physical Intelligence
- Visual Intelligence
- Musical Intelligence
- Naturalistic Intelligence
Success in a profession often depends on a combination of these intelligences. Identifying where your strengths lie can help you choose a career that aligns with your natural abilities.
3. Personality
Each profession demands a specific personality. For example, an introvert may struggle in sales or marketing, while an extrovert may find research tedious. Some personalities naturally thrive in leadership roles, while others prefer formal structures or informal connections.
Human beings are unique, each born with distinct personality traits. While some traits can be adapted through training, it’s ideal to choose a profession that aligns with your natural personality.
Broadly, personality types can be classified into four categories, known as DISC:
- D for Dominant
- I for Influencer
- S for Steady
- C for Compliant
Understanding your personality, in combination with your interests and intelligence, will help you make a well-informed career choice.
The combination of Interest, Intelligence, and Personality forms the core of the Holy Trinity of Career Choice. In my upcoming articles, I’ll explore each intelligence and personality type in more detail. If you enjoyed this article, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!
