With nine in ten people claiming that they aren’t working in their dream job (The Independent, 2018), this does beg the question: why not?
As a student in school or college, you are led to believe that as long as you work, you can get any job you want. For many, this idea is unpicked at university, highlighting the realities of getting your dream job (or not!) straight after graduation.
So, what do we mean by ‘dream job’?
Usually, a dream job is something rewarding, with nice hours, and a great pay slip at the end of the month. Of course, everyone wants this, but is it attainable straight after university? Here are some questions that you need to ask yourself when considering stepping from the classroom into your dream career.
What is your dream job? Is it the same one you had when you were five? Have you changed your mind since then?
It’s natural to have had the same answer to this question for as long as you can remember. But with time, research and experience, is the job that you thought was your dream job still right? Take some time to re-evaluate your priorities and your passions. You might always have wanted to be a doctor, but suddenly realise that the hours are absolutely not your thing, and that’s okay.
Have you had work experience?
It’s all fine and dandy to have a ‘dream job’ but, if you haven’t actually experienced the pace and structure of your potential future lifestyle, maybe it’s time to. This would not only help you decide for certain, it would also show any employers that you have the relevant experience and are capable.
Have you done your research?
Speaking to a careers advisor can be incredibly beneficial, even if you are certain of what you need to do to get your dream job.
It might not even be possible to jump right in, you might have a ladder to climb. Make use of your university’s careers’ service while you have it. It can offer you gateways into your chosen career through graduate schemes and voluntary positions.
Is it the best decision to step straight into your dream job?
Although it might sound like a great ‘set for life’ plan, stepping straight from university might not actually be the best idea for everyone. Experiencing the feeling of not getting jobs on the first interview, and spending some time working in other sectors, might be more beneficial to you. This teaches resilience and patience and might give you skills that you hadn’t realised you had needed to succeed.
Whether you know exactly what you want and how to get there, or you’re reconsidering what you thought you wanted, the first few months post-university can be incredibly stressful. The pressure that students are put under (and put themselves under) is phenomenal. But sometimes expectations of what was ‘supposed’ to happen can be skewed at the last moment. Embrace spontaneity and remember to continually check-in with yourself and re-evaluate what you want now.