I recently completed the dreadful journey of job searching. I turned down a full time salaried job offer for an internship with no benefits and low pay in order to follow my dream. In the end my dream wasn't what I wanted to do anymore and I had to do a lot of soul searching to figure out what exactly I wanted to do. After five years of engineering school I thought I would have my life figured out- this was not the case. As most of my friends began getting amazing job offers for their "dream jobs" and I continued to work at an internship I did not love I began to feel very depressed. I think the hardest part for me was that what I thought was my dream job was not at all what I enjoyed doing. This was truly shocking when I was so confident before.
I suppose you can't truly know until you try it, but I think we all have the hope that if we do get the opportunity to pursue our dream job- it will make us truly happy. In the event that it does not, you need to get back on your feet and try again. If you are having some trouble figuring out what it is that you would truly enjoy doing, read some of my tips that helped me.
1. Look to where your mind goes when it wanders: maybe this will lead you to the correct path. Do you craft baking recipes? Imagine a room with better furniture? Think about how processes could be more efficient? For me it was constantly thinking about global climate change and how buildings could save energy. Styrofoam coffee cups in the break rooms made me cringe and I never understood why so many lights were left on throughout the night. This day dreaming helped lead my path to the job I want to have, and the person I want to become.
2. Figure out your strengths: I'm not talking about your "organizational skills, multi-tasking, and passion" that you describe in job interviews. Get real with yourself, what are your strengths? Do you find yourself a natural leader and excellent project manager? Are you creative and able to imagine finished products before they are even created? Find out what you are good at and write it down.
3. Stop worrying about your 5 and 10 year plan: You cannot plan for ten years ahead from now, you have no idea where you will want to be or what will make you happy so stop worrying about it. Many professionals I have interacted with were doing something completely different in a polar opposite industry 10 years ago. Give yourself the freedom to do what makes you happy today and this year.
4. Be open to try something new: Don't limit yourself to the strengths you listed earlier, simply use them as a guiding light. If you have absolutely no idea what you want to do then you shouldn't limit yourself. Try something new and out of your comfort zone, it may be perfect for you. If not shake it off and try again.
5. Consider a year of service: I considered joining the AmeriCorp for a year while I did some soul searching, before I stumbled across the job I will be starting in the next month. There is nothing more humbling or mentally clarifying then service in your local community. If you can't commit to a year, consider volunteering a few days a week while you are job searching. It will keep your spirits up.
But most importantly...
6. Dont give up hope: When you become mentally defeated, it shows. People can sense when you lose your spirit and zest for life. Do not let this happen to you. Job searching is stressful, terrifying, and frustrating. But it is also exciting and the beginning of something wonderful. You will only find your dream job when you are happy and optimistic, so try to keep a great attitude throughout the grueling process.
I suppose you can't truly know until you try it, but I think we all have the hope that if we do get the opportunity to pursue our dream job- it will make us truly happy. In the event that it does not, you need to get back on your feet and try again. If you are having some trouble figuring out what it is that you would truly enjoy doing, read some of my tips that helped me.
1. Look to where your mind goes when it wanders: maybe this will lead you to the correct path. Do you craft baking recipes? Imagine a room with better furniture? Think about how processes could be more efficient? For me it was constantly thinking about global climate change and how buildings could save energy. Styrofoam coffee cups in the break rooms made me cringe and I never understood why so many lights were left on throughout the night. This day dreaming helped lead my path to the job I want to have, and the person I want to become.
2. Figure out your strengths: I'm not talking about your "organizational skills, multi-tasking, and passion" that you describe in job interviews. Get real with yourself, what are your strengths? Do you find yourself a natural leader and excellent project manager? Are you creative and able to imagine finished products before they are even created? Find out what you are good at and write it down.
3. Stop worrying about your 5 and 10 year plan: You cannot plan for ten years ahead from now, you have no idea where you will want to be or what will make you happy so stop worrying about it. Many professionals I have interacted with were doing something completely different in a polar opposite industry 10 years ago. Give yourself the freedom to do what makes you happy today and this year.
4. Be open to try something new: Don't limit yourself to the strengths you listed earlier, simply use them as a guiding light. If you have absolutely no idea what you want to do then you shouldn't limit yourself. Try something new and out of your comfort zone, it may be perfect for you. If not shake it off and try again.
5. Consider a year of service: I considered joining the AmeriCorp for a year while I did some soul searching, before I stumbled across the job I will be starting in the next month. There is nothing more humbling or mentally clarifying then service in your local community. If you can't commit to a year, consider volunteering a few days a week while you are job searching. It will keep your spirits up.
But most importantly...
6. Dont give up hope: When you become mentally defeated, it shows. People can sense when you lose your spirit and zest for life. Do not let this happen to you. Job searching is stressful, terrifying, and frustrating. But it is also exciting and the beginning of something wonderful. You will only find your dream job when you are happy and optimistic, so try to keep a great attitude throughout the grueling process.
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