19 Myths About Different Careers You Need to Stop Believing

Navigating your career can often seem confusing, especially when influenced by common career myths. These misconceptions can divert you from your professional progress and impede your aspirations. 

We’ve gathered well-established career fallacies that need debunking. Let’s shed light on these myths to empower you toward more profound career success.

1. Rebooting Magic

Confused Office Worker Looking At The Computer Holding A Card
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Don’t underestimate the power of a simple reboot. It may seem an interruption, but this useful trick can resolve various tech issues. The next time your system is acting up, remember that rebooting isn’t a waste of time. Instead, it’s a quick, efficient step in troubleshooting that takes moments to work its magic.

2. Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologist preparing surgery - MSN
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Anesthesia is not a synonym for sleep, and that’s a key point many misunderstand. When under anesthesia, it’s a medically induced state where one doesnโ€™t respond to pain.

This is opposed to being in a deep sleep where the body can be jolted awake by pain or sudden discomfort. The next time an anesthesiologist talks to you about going “to sleep,” remember it’s more about being anesthetized.

3. The Tough Truth About Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarian Carrying A Dog In A Clinic MSN
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A career in veterinary medicine is not all about joyfully romping around with adorable pets all day. It often involves treating ill, terrified animals and helping their worried owners. If you’re considering a veterinary career, be ready to navigate a sea of complex emotions, challenging cases, and occasional heartache.

4. Aircraft Manufacturing

Woman In Pink Dress Posing Next To Airplane MSN
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Something that may surprise you is that a vast majority of aircraft manufacturing is done by human hands rather than machines. About 96% of the construction process is performed by skilled craftsmen and women, with minimal automation involved. That’s right, commercial aircraft are more handcrafted art than machine-made products.

5. Emergency Room Priorities

Medical Emergency with Ambulance in front of hospital clinic emergency center
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Arriving at the Emergency Room (ER) via ambulance doesn’t guarantee faster treatment.  It’s a common but incorrect idea. ERs prioritize the sickest patients, no matter how they get there. Next time you see an ambulance, remember: the ER staff is all about helping the most in-need patients first.

6. Limits to A Teacher’s Influence

Teacher in class MSN
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Teachers may seem like the individuals holding the reins at school, but they don’t control every aspect of education. For instance, the decision to hold back students who are struggling is often out of their hands. While teachers are crucial in shaping classroom environments, the key educational decisions are frequently made at higher levels.

7. School Custodians: Jacks of All Trades

Workman holding electric drills
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Custodians aren’t simply overpaid cleaners. In addition to cleaning duties, many custodians excel in various tasks such as painting, concrete repair, equipment operation, and lots more. In other words, that school custodian you see might just be a multi-talented professional who deserves the utmost respect and proper compensation.

8. Humans in Hospital Labs

Women donates blood at the Zakarpattia Regional Blood Transfusion Station, Uzhhorod, Zakarpattia Region, western Ukraine.
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Contrary to popular belief, hospital labs are far from automated ghost towns. Instead, they’re lively spaces filled with dedicated professionals physically processing tests and generating results. When you think of a hospital lab, visualize a team of skilled professionals carefully analyzing and diagnosing to ensure optimal patient care.

9. The Modern Librarian

Schoolgirl in the library MSN
Image Credit: DepositPhotos/ArturVerkhovetskiy.

Librarians do a heck of a lot more than just stocking books on shelves. In today’s digital age, they often act as database managers, program developers, and public educators. So when you visit the library the next time, don’t hesitate to tap into the librarian’s vast expertise.

10. Speech-Language Pathologists’ Versatility

Pediatrician with sick kid - MSN
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Speech-language pathologists are true linguistic lifesavers. Not only do they work with children who stutter, but they also assist a wide range of individuals. Whether it’s an adult with dementia, a child struggling with language development, or someone trying to modify their accent, these professionals help everyone communicate clearly.

11. Emergency Services Dispatch Priorities

Female firefighter talking on portable radio set with colleague behind.
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It’s a misconception that setting off an alarm guarantees faster emergency response. The reality is much more nuanced, with confirmed ongoing emergencies typically taking precedence over alarms. Emergency service professionals are expertly assessing the severity of every situation to determine the proper response.

12. Unfair Judgment on Minimum Wage Jobs

Retail Worker - 12 Jobs That Demands a Lot, But Pay Very Little
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Think all minimum wage workers are uneducated or devoid of ambition? Guess again. People working in these roles come from various educational backgrounds, personal histories, and life goals. These hardworking individuals often provide essential services, demonstrating diligence and ambition in their own right.

13. The Proactive Therapy

A therapist in session with her clients.
Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia.

Therapy is often wrongly thought of as a passive process. In reality, it’s an active, challenging practice that pushes individuals toward goal-setting and personal change. Therapy isn’t a casual chat or a venting session, it’s a proactive process built on mutual respect and shared commitment to personal growth.

14. Stay-At-Home Dads in Action

Dad snooping at his son's phone MSN
Image Credit: DepositPhotos/Mikos

The job of a stay-at-home dad is a far cry from endless relaxation and midday napping. They’re up and down managing various chores, caring for the kids, and ensuring the house runs smoothly. So, let’s change the narrative and give credit where it’s due. Stay-at-home duties are real work!

15. Lawyer Salaries Demystified

Lawyer eyeglasses taking bribe workplace laptop documents office.
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Not all lawyers spend their weekends on yachts or buying up penthouses. Many lawyers lead balanced lives, earning salaries that might be considered typical. It’s important to remember that within any profession, there are ranges of income, lifestyle choices, and professional goals.

16. Changing Application Text is Not That Simple

Man transferring files on the computer MSN
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A common misconception is that system administrators can magically and quickly alter application text. The truth is that updated text files need compatibility checks across different platforms, multilingual translations, and a potential ripple effect on thousands of employees. Essentially, even a minor task can have significant implications in the tech world.

17. The Barriers Disabled Job Seekers Face

A woman giving a high five to a woman in wheelchair MSN.
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Disabled people who are jobless often want to work, but various barriers slow them down. Challenges like discrimination, lack of accessibility, and limited opportunities tailored to their abilities often stand in their way. Instead of making assumptions, let’s work towards more inclusive work environments.

18. The Challenging Fashion Design Life

Coco Chanel Fashion Show Final Runway Models Walking MSN
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Though the fashion industry may seem consistently glamorous, the reality can be much different. Designers often face grueling competition, contribute to significantly polluting processes, and work in less-than-collegial environments. The world of fashion design isn’t always glossy magazine covers and couture gowns – it’s a tough job filled with challenges.

19. OBGYN Career Realities: Debunking Postpartum Misconceptions

Woman doctor talking with woman patient MSN
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OBGYN careers extend beyond childbirth and routine checkups, also encompassing treatment for complex postpartum conditions. Common misconceptions suggest that bodies return to “normal” post-delivery. 

However, OBGYN professionals regularly treat significant post-childbirth changes. Recognizing this aspect of the profession is essential for fostering healthier discussions about postnatal health.

10 Commonly Believed Myths Debunked by Science

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I recently saw this question online, โ€œWhat is a popular belief that is scientifically proven wrong?โ€ 

Are you thinking of something you know now? Here are the responses that received the most upvotes.

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