The Psychology of career decisions

Have you ever wondered why you chose your career—or why some people feel stuck in jobs they don’t enjoy? The answer often comes from something deeper than salary, job title, or location. It comes from how we see ourselves—our personal identity.

How Our Identity Shapes Our Career

Many people think we choose jobs based on money or comfort. But often, we choose careers based on who we are inside—our values, interests, and how we want to be seen.

According to a Gallup study, 87% of employees are not fully engaged at their jobs. That means most people don’t feel excited or connected to their work. While many companies try to fix this by improving office spaces or offering better pay, the real reason may lie inside us: Did we choose the right career in the first place?

A Look at Career Choices in History

In the past, people didn’t have much choice about work. You usually did what your parents did. Your job was decided by your gender, family, and social class.

But everything started to change during the Industrial Revolutions. People moved from villages to cities, and many new kinds of jobs were created. Now, people had more choices.

In 1908, the first career counseling office opened in Boston. It was called the Vocational Bureau and helped people understand their skills and match them to local job openings. This was a new idea—helping people choose the right career for them.

Later, during World War I and II, the military needed to place people in the right jobs to support the war. They started hiring psychologists to understand people's skills and personalities so they could work in the best roles. This helped build the field of career psychology.

Career Decisions in Today’s World

Today, we have more freedom than ever to choose our careers. But having so many options can also be confusing. Some people choose jobs because of family pressure. Others follow what their friends are doing. Many simply take the first job they’re offered without thinking much about it.

But over time, people may feel unhappy or lost. Why? Because their job doesn’t match who they are inside.

As a career counselor, I see this a lot. People are often not satisfied—not because the job is bad, but because it doesn’t fit them.

Why Career Psychology Matters

The field of career psychology helps people understand themselves better so they can make smarter job choices. When your job fits your personality, skills, and values, you feel more motivated and successful.

Choosing the right career is not just about money or status. It’s about finding something that matches who you are.

Final Thought:

Your career is a big part of your life. Take time to understand what really matters to you. When your job matches your identity, work becomes more meaningful and enjoyable.