In addition to various factors that can influence career choices there are certain motivational factors that play a major role.

One will have common questions like:

• How much money can I make?
• What skills do I need?
• Will this career suit my attitude?

The following is a list of factors that I have identified as most common motivation factors.

Money: You want to earn enough for a leading a peaceful life. You are not ambitious or worried about social status at this stage. Any job that will pay regularly is enough. Then you look for low profile jobs.

Authority: You aspire to be powerful in your career. IAS, IPS and other civil service jobs carry the authority.

Fame: You want to be famous. Acting is most preferred in this. With advent of TV and other popular media you can become famous without being actor. Professions like Anchors, Modeling are becoming more attractive.

Wealth: You want to be VERY rich. Will this career make me become very rich?

Humanistic Goals: You want to serve your community. Professions like Doctor, Nurse enable people to serve such goals. Social Work is also gaining popularity as a career option

Satisfaction: Job satisfaction is what everyone looks for.

Skills and Qualifications: What is skill set needed for the job and how you can match up with your qualifications and personal attitude.

Challenges: What kind of challenges one can take up

Risks: Risks associated with the career.

Sometimes minor factors also play a role in which career you want to choose. Some examples are:

Preference of place: You want to be near your family and friends

Preference of being independent: You don’t want to work in an office so you decide to start your office.

And each career choice has its advantages, disadvantages one will need to understand.

Starting next week I will be taking various career options and evaluate them on the factors mentioned above. Comments and Questions can be sent to cskishore@yahoo.com with Subject: Career Guidance.

Next week topic: Software Careers