during an interview “to fit in better.” Some have even dissuaded people from their career choice for lack of a skill that easily could have been acquired later.

Some career counselors also peg people too narrowly based on one or two standardized tests. This, in my view, represents a misuse of tests and is a lazy way of giving advice. Tests are only the starting points in a conversation -- like clues to a detective.

Here are four tips to finding your career path and keeping on it:

1) Don't choose something boring because it is the profession most needed, such as computer programming, or because it pays well, such as the law. If you are good at what you do and have a positive attitude, you can reach the top of any field you select. So choose one you will enjoy from day to day.

2) Look at the reality of the work instead of the glamour. For example, many people become flight attendants because of the profession's romantic aura, only to discover it's like being a waiter or waitress in the sky.

3) Do not let others dissuade you if there is something that you really want. I knew a young woman who was discouraged from becoming a medical assistant, which she wanted dearly, because her spelling wasn't great. That's foolish counseling. She could always use a dictionary and, in today's market, a spell checker.

4) Set goals. Without them, you don't know what to focus on and where to put your energy and attention. Goals help you decide the steps you need to take to move forward on your career path. Without them, you will wander aimlessly and let others decide your fate.

ArLyne Diamond, Ph.D., is a professional development and management consultant with a doctorate in psychology. Specializing in people and processes in the workplace, she has more than 30 years' experience helping individuals and organizations of all sizes with management, marketing and business and people development. She lives in Santa Clara, Calif., and may be reached at ArLyneD@aol.com or (408) 554-0110. Her Web site is http://www.DiamondAssociates.net . This article was written with Bernie Silver, a freelance writer, editor and coach and the owner of Write-Hand Man in Sedona, Ariz.