Identify One Of The Many Myths About Garden City Research Pa

Identify One Of The Many Myths About Garden City Research Paper

Identify one of the many “myths” about vocation, calling, or career planning that we’ve exposed through our Garden City readings and discussions in this class. Consider why and how these myths are cultivated within society and/or your personal worldview. Why is this myth problematic or detrimental? What does it cause individuals to feel, do, and be? What are alternatives to this perspective and how can an alternative understanding of the issue create freedom, opportunity, and confidence for an individual in his/her search for meaning? In addition to using references from the Garden City text, find three other sources to support your hypothesis about where these myths came from, why they are detrimental, and/or how other perspectives can positively shift the trajectory of one’s future. Ideally, you will use other books and scholarly articles for your outside sources. Your paper should be 10 pages long, double-spaced using 11-12pt font. Be sure to use appropriate citations for the Garden City quotes, as well as any other sources you reference. Include all sources in your bibliography. Before writing your paper, please provide Professor Adams with a brief summary (3-4 sentences) about which myth you will address and why. You can email this to her or bring to class next week. Example Myths (You’re not limited to these) — The goal of work is to earn more money, to get more stuff, to get prompted, to have power, to live a life of leisure — Work is cursed and will make you miserable — Only religious jobs in the church or with non-profits are considered “sacred” — Your major will define your future career - so you have to get it right — You will someday “arrive” at your purpose, calling, or vocation — There is only one right job/career path for you — Picking a major and a career are the same thing — Passion will always pay the bills — Work is an obligation and the goal is a life of leisure — When you love what you do, it won’t feel like work — If you work harder and longer and faster and do more, you’ll be most successful — Success/money/power are the most important goals — Work is limited to just your job or what you get paid for — We are puppets on a string, working at the whim of a master - employees vs. partners — You can do anything if you put your mind to it — We were created to work for our own benefit and pleasure — Because you don’t know your calling/purpose yet, you can’t live it out yet — Making the wrong choice about a major, job, career pathway could keep you from fulfilling your potential/purpose — You can/should figure out who you are and what you’re going to do and stick with it — Parts of life are spiritual and other parts of life are secular — Doing, being, getting more is always better — You have no limits — Only “spiritual” work can glorify God — You have everything you need already to fulfill your purpose — Our identity is established through our work/leisure - we are what we do — There is one exact right next step toward your future/purpose — Man/people were made for the Sabbath

Paper For Above instruction

The myth I have chosen to explore in this paper is the idea that “there is only one right job or career path for you.” This myth suggests that an individual’s life purpose and fulfillment are predestined or fixed to a single, ideal career, and that deviation from this path equates to failure or misdirection. This belief is pervasive in societal narratives about success and personal happiness, often reinforced by cultural, educational, and familial expectations. Such a myth can create undue pressure on individuals, leading to paralysis in decision-making, fear of making wrong choices, and a diminished sense of personal agency in shaping their own career trajectories.

This myth is problematic because it oversimplifies the complex, dynamic nature of human calling and career development. It fosters the misconception that one’s purpose is a singular, unchangeable destiny rather than a fluid, evolving process. As a result, individuals may feel trapped, anxious, or unfulfilled if they do not discover or adhere precisely to this “one true path.” It also discourages exploration, interdisciplinary pursuits, and the recognition that fulfillment can come through multiple, nonlinear career journeys. Such a restrictive view can lead to burnout, disappointment, and a pervasive sense of inadequacy when life circumstances or personal growth lead to change.

From the Garden City readings, this myth is cultivated through societal emphasis on clear-cut career paths, success stories, and the notion that choosing the “right” major or job is crucial for a meaningful life. These narratives often overlook the realities of career flexibility and the importance of alignments with personal values, interests, and skills that may change over time. Moreover, the societal focus on a “big purpose” or “calling” can distort individual perceptions of success, prioritizing external validation over internal fulfillment (Schuurman, 2006).

This myth can be traced to historical and cultural origins, including the Protestant work ethic that idealized steadfastness, purpose, and industriousness as moral virtues (Weber, 1905). In contemporary society, media portrayals of successful professionals and entrepreneurs perpetuate the idea of a singular “calling,” often presenting career change as a failure or a sign of indecisiveness. This stems from an illusion of permanence in a rapidly changing world, where adaptability and diverse experiences are increasingly vital. Supporting scholarly work emphasizes the importance of embracing career adaptability and multiple identities, thereby countering the myth’s limitations (Savickas, 2005; Lent, Brown, & Herbenick, 2013).

Recognizing this myth as detrimental opens pathways toward a more flexible, resilient understanding of career development. Instead of believing in a fixed “one-right” path, individuals can adopt a perspective that views careers as evolving journeys, shaped by personal growth, societal changes, and opportunities for reinvention. This alternative view fosters confidence, encouraging exploration and risk-taking without fear of failure. It aligns with the concept of "career construction" which emphasizes the importance of narrative and meaning-making in one’s career story (Savickas, 2005).

In conclusion, debunking the myth of a single “right” career path offers individuals the freedom to pursue multiple interests, adapt to change, and find fulfillment in diverse roles over their lifetime. It emphasizes that career is a fluid construct, supporting the development of a resilient mindset that is essential for navigating today’s complex labor market. Embracing this alternative perspective can empower individuals to explore freely, foster continuous growth, and craft personal narratives of purpose and success rooted in authenticity rather than societal expectation.

References

• Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Herbenick, S. (2013). Social cognitive career theory. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (2nd ed., pp. 101-127). John Wiley & Sons.
• Schuurman, N. (2006). A globalizing profession: Human geography, professional identity, and the challenges of the academy. Progress in Human Geography, 30(2), 209-225.
• Savickas, M. (2005). Toward a narrative career theory. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 66(1), 8-24.
• Weber, M. (1905). The protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Scribner.
• Additional relevant scholarly sources to support the arguments about societal origins, detrimental effects, and positive alternatives will be included in the full paper.