Interview with Dr. John Krumboltz(3)
Z: Sometimes people get trapped in an occupation that makes them miserable because their tunnel vision prevents them from seeing other alternatives. I would also like to add: even if they see the alternatives, they still need guts to get rid of their current status, which means a possible abandon of their past achievement. Do you agree?
K: No. You never abandon past achievement. You learn something from everything you did in the past—whether it was successful or not. The past is gone. The question is always, “What is the best thing for me to do now?”
Z: You gave a statistics number indicating that only 2% of adults you interviewed claim to be working now in the occupation they had planned when they were 18 years old. Very surprising result! The goal of naming a future occupation seemed to be an exercise in futility, isn’t it?
K: Yes, it is not only futile. It is also dangerous. But most of the people I have interviewed could see that sticking with an occupation chosen at age 18 was ridiculous. They had the good sense to move on to something better. Maybe the 2% of adults who are still in the originally chosen occupation like it. Great! I am not advocating change just for the sake of making a change. I am arguing for remaining open-minded about alternative courses of action at all times.
Z: Your advice would be useful for people who are 20 or 30. Might be useful for people who are 40. But do you think they will be that useful for people who are above 50?
K: Yes, absolutely. The advice is also useful for those who are 80 or 90. As long as you are alive, you have options about how you spend your time.
Z: In your opinion, how should students take full advantage of the resources that a university can offer to make networking with the “real world”?
K: Every professor and every fellow student is a valuable learning resource. Get acquainted with as many people as you can. Share ideas and skills with them. They learn from you. You learn from them.
Z: Have you ever been to China? Now the job market in China is increasing intensive. Millions of college graduates compete for limited job offerings. What is your advice?
K: Yes, a wonderful and exciting place. My suggestion for your readers is to read Luck Is No Accident. Think about the ideas you learn there and then take appropriate action.
Z: What else would you like to add to our Chinese readers?
K: I wish each of you much good luck—but remember that you have to make it happen yourself.
