How to Find Your Dream Job and The Happiness You Deserve |
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Posted By: Staff Editor In: Changing Careers
by Brian Kurth
The Declaration of Independence states everyone is entitled to certain "inalienable rights," including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." We all love and fight for the first two…so why is that third one so hard for so many of us when it comes to our careers?
The authors of that famous line were all wealthy men. For them, the "pursuit of happiness" did not come into conflict with mortgages, kids, bills, and everything else that hinders people. Be that as it may, it does not make that statement any less worthwhile.
However, many people, myself included, reach a point in their lives when we realize the career we have chosen for ourselves is just not right anymore. There is something in us that yearns for more. Perhaps it’s an unfulfilled wish from our past that gnaws at us, or maybe it’s a recently discovered passion. But the question that faces so many of us is, I’m not happy and what now?
It’s a good question. There comes a point when that job that makes someone so unhappy is also the one that provides a comfortable lifestyle for them and their family. This is the classic "rock and a hard place" scenario: staying in a bad job leads to misery and heartache, but leaving it – even to pursue a dream job – is risky and terrifying. Given this choice, most people opt for stable misery over unstable risk. It’s sound thinking…but also flawed.
Here’s the truth: successfully switching careers is not a fast or direct process. It’s an incremental and multi-faceted course of action that takes real time to see it through to fruition. It is not an "all or nothing" option. You don’t have to just take a leap of faith and quit your job and hope you have made the right decision. In other words, there are lots of things that can be done while still employed to test out that dream job, and make sure the potential reward is worth the expected risk.
Find a Mentor – Perhaps the most important step in pursuing a dream job is to find someone who already works in that field who can offer guidance and advice as you proceed. Believe it or not, this is not as difficult as it might sound. In my experience, many people express fear at the prospect of asking for help from a prospective mentor.
Why would they want to help you, after all? The answer is easy: people like helping other people! By asking a prospective mentor for help, they are being told they are admired for what they do, their career is in demand, and their experiences and insights are valuable to others. Not everyone will see it this way, but once you start asking, you’ll be surprised how receptive people are.
No matter what your dream job may be, there are other people out there who are doing it, but not all those people would be good mentors for you. How can you find a good mentor?
- Research the field and find out about the people who are in it.
- Create a list of people who seem like good fits with you
- Start contacting them slowly at first – a polite and formal email, for example – and see who responds.
- Try to form a relationship, and get to know their personalities even as you try to exhibit yours. Like so many other things, when you find the right mentor, you’ll know it.
Plan a Mentorship – Once you’ve found a mentor, the next step is to plan a brief trip to their workplace, to shadow them and learn the "ins and outs" of your dream job. As we all know, while things may be perfect in our imaginations, in reality even the most perfect jobs have their downsides. It would be awful to dive headfirst into a new career, only to discover a few months in that it’s not for you. By having a mentorship you can:
- Get hands-on experience in the field
- Learn about it from someone you respect
- Get a taste for whether or not it’s really the field for you
All of this can be accomplished without giving up anything more than a few paid vacation days. No rules would be broken, and no one at your "real" job even has to know what you’re doing.
When planning a mentorship, make sure to make your mentor’s availability your first priority, and take the time to prepare your questions in advance. When you’re there, keep a notebook with you at all times, scribble notes throughout the day, then fill them out in detail each night. With so much to learn, you want to get it all, then retain it for later.
Attack the Situation Head On – At the conclusion of your mentorship, one of three things will have happened:
- You’ll have realized the job you’re in is the right one for you, in which case you have risked nothing and ended up feeling better about where you are.
- You’ll come back still determined for a career change, but with the realization that this one wasn’t the right one either. In that case, no harm done, just start over!
- You return from your mentorship determined to proceed, then you can move forward knowing that the path ahead is the correct one.
Keep asking questions, and move forward one step at a time.
Life is a constant stream of choices, some harder to make than others. Changing careers can be one of the trickiest, especially when there are obstacles in the way. But if you can arm yourself with enough information and experience to be able to know that a dream job is possible and attainable, it goes a long way toward the pursuit of your very own sense of happiness.
Brian Kurth is the founder of VocationVacations and the author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job." Kurth is a sought after expert on how to pursue and attain one’s dream job. He has shared his wit and wisdom in appearances on NBC’s TODAY Show, CNN, and FOX News, and has been featured in articles in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine. Many more regularly turn to Brian for his comments, advice and insights. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Kurth lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Comments
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Posted by: Joyce S.
I'm dedicated to my career of massage therapy, it is a rewarding profession, clients very certainly rise with a positive attitude, it is beneficial, restoring and re-energizing as well as healing; massage therapy is an excellent ingredient to the wellness life style.
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Posted by: Boly L.
what is website? google.com is not website?
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Posted by: Magda
Great post!
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Posted by: A.Cox
I was recently laid off from a large Biotech company in SSF as an Accountant. Being laid off gave me the opportunity to do a few creative things that I was unable to do such as exercise, going to the gym,etc. I would like to start looking for another job in about 2 weeks. It is so refreshing. I would love to work for another company like that. Does anyone know of any recent openings.? God bless.
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Posted by: C. kKing
Looking for any work at home jobs.
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Posted by: Luisa Rodriguez
I was laid off after 17yrs in a factory. I went to school for medical office specialist, I did learn a lot but I can't seem to keep a job because my employer says I don't pick up the computer system. What can I do?
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Posted by: Karen
My passion is real estate photography. I'd love to find a mentor for that field!I've been reading "48 Days to the Work You Love" by Dan Miller. It has helped me so much. I strongly recommend it.
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Posted by: B Corcoran
This is in response to Rosario Veschusio. You mentioned that you like to sell. I may have an opportunity that would interest you, and would like to share the information for you to see and make a decision. May be for you, maybe not, but wanted to share the information. Please contact me at corcoroni@yahoo.com. Also, to Linda Williams - I feel your pain. When I was looking for a job the response I received from so many "scam" jobs was so depressing. Don't give up and be careful what you sign up for - I couldn't believe how many scam jobs there were - even on reputable sites. Good Luck and trust your gut feelings ALWAYS.
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Posted by: Norma
Only yesterday I was thinking about finding a mentor, so was very happy about this article, it gives me the encouragement I need to go ahead and find one.I trained at a medical college and graduated last September as a Medical Assistant, but having a very hard time finding my dream job. I did the required extern, but it was at a place that was not hiring. Every posting I find wants previous experience. Where can I find an entry level position? Yes, finding a mentor may be my only hope.
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Posted by: Gwendolyn
I need a job. Presently, I do not need more education because that will create more debt. Therefore I am interested in a regular 9 to 5 job in management or in any area that does not require to call people or going door to door randomly requesting people speed more. I am not interested in those types of jobs.
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Posted by: Kenneth Marchal
Very informative and enlightening article. having been laid-off twice in the last 2 years, I'm searching for a career in which I can help others, such as social work, but I'm finding that these jobs are hard to obtain without that background. Your insight in the mentoring procedure was very helpful.
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Posted by: Dave Semones
Very Interesting Mentor Idea !!
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Posted by: irene alfaro
I am looking for a Medical Office Specialist job. I am a hardworker very motivated in what i do.
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Posted by: Russell
Looking for a inspiring career.
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Posted by: Maria Panameno-Bailey
Spend time knowing who you are and what motivates you. Pray, think and act know yourself intimately and honestly and never compromise your values for "money." Answer the big question: why are you on this earth, what is the purpose of your life? After you answer the big question, draw a plan for your life (five year goals) based on what you love to do, act on it and then let it roll! Live life to its fullest, be passionate, compassionate, loving and grateful for your life!
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Posted by: Linda Williams
I have retired and would like a data entry or transcription job that I can do from home. I've been an admin assistant/data entry specialist for many years and now want to work from home so I do not have to commute. There are so many scam's on the internet about working from home! Where can one go? How can one know?
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Posted by: Victoria D. Blocker
I'm trying to find a job within the criminal justice field while i'm in school.
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Posted by: Rosario Veschusio
After 12 years of a happy employment I have been laid off, last year. I found another job after two month close to my house well paid, but since the first day I started working I was not happy, after 12 months of unhappiness I decided to quit my job. I would like to change career, but I do not know what to do. I know I must work, and I know I like to sell.
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Posted by: Debbie Andraska
Wonderful article. Very encouraging and good advice.
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Posted by: Jose Rivera
I have been laid off amd I know several thousands have been also, but I have not heard back from any companies. I would like to know if I am doing something wrong or if my resume is not strong enough.
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Posted by: Walter Wells
After 40 years in the banking industry and unemployed, I am persuing my passion for sports. I umpire and get paid... I coach and don't. Not yet anyway... the local school put me in line for a coaching position when current coach retires. Not the money I made before but it's a start!
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Posted by: Brian Caviness
great article. Good help. Thanks.
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Posted by: Tiffany
When reading this article u answer a lot of question that run though my head daily and it only made me want to work harder but my question and worries are where do u go and meet your mentor when no one around you is working on the same goal or is even in that field.
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Posted by: Mechiko Harris
I enjoy helping others and this happens in my everyday life naturally, I would like to do social work and get paid. I am getting ready to start classes on line. I do volunteer work and I find it very fulfilling.
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Posted by: Robert Carlson
Great article, as always
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Posted by: Elizabeth Cabral
thank you so much for the wonderful advice in seaching for the right career for me. I really have so many questions in which path am i really taking to fulfill what i desire. This will serve as a guide for me to find one. Thank you!
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Posted by: Patsy
The article definitely caught my attention because it speaks my story. My current job creates security but not fulfillment. I'm definitely not happy. I do share the fear of approaching someone and asking them to be a mentor, but you gave me a new perspective on the approach. Your knowledge is very useful. Thank you.
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Posted by: Donna
Thank you for such a worthwhile article. Great advice too! I think the author is speaking directly to me and to find a mentorship would be a goldmine for me! Thank you for your insight and wisdom.
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Posted by: Rosemary
Thank you so much for posting such a valuable web article. It will be put to use in many ways and the outcome will be of enormous value.
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Posted by: Michelle Holmes
Sometimes it is hard to imagine change actually happening or you making it happen but this article confirms what I have been trying to accomplish, by trying to sort through what is best for me. I know what it is that I do well, enjoy doing and sharing with others now I must find a way to accentuate it and build on it to reach my goal. Thanks for the inspiration.
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