I’m pretty sure that this is obvious and probably goes without saying for the vast majority of the population, but in order to do well in your career and in life, you have to be true to yourself.  I’ve seen far too many people who choose a prospective career because they think that they’re going to make a lot of money at it, not because they actually like doing that job or career.  In fact, in some cases, that career is not interesting to them at all.  I saw it quite a bit with computer science.  Kids choose computers because they have to choose something, even though they’re not interested in them at all.  Next thing, they’re miserable.  And when you’re miserable, do you do well at something?  Of course not.

So my tip to you when choosing a career, or job, is to be true to yourself.  Unless you’re going to starve, choose a path that is one that you actually have some interest in, and can be good at.  I get that not many people actually consider McDonald’s a career, and I’m pretty sure that there are plenty of other similar jobs out there.  I’m sorry that some people have to take the work that they can find.  And they have to do it regardless of feelings.  But if you can choose, please exercise that option.  If you choose something you like, you will do so much better at it, and life will be so much happier.

That’s not to say that your life is going to be all rainbows and Unicorns.  It’s not.  Being a doctor, or a programmer or whatever is hard work.  There is a reason it’s called work.  But that doesn’t mean that it will all be unpleasant.  Choose poorly, and it will be one long, slow, miserable slog.  Of course, if possible, you should choose something with the opportunity to pay well, so you can pay bills, but choose wisely.