It is terribly common for many to talk about landing a dream job, but what is talked about less, is how to parlay that into a dream career that can last. When you think about how many years of our lives will be spent as a working professional, it is hard to ignore the fact that one dream job is not going to necessarily dictate thirty plus years of a dream career overall. Don’t let that discourage you, however. Instead think about the steps you need to take to create your ideal professional path. You should also keep in mind that it is natural and quite common for trajectories to ultimately look vastly different from what they thought at the beginning of their journey. Below are a few strategies to consider when you are mapping out the needs and wants of your professional dreams and aspirations.
Prioritize your education
A college degree is not required in order to have a career that you love, but for many people, college is the jumping off point to finding and developing their passions regarding work. If you are someone who wants to focus more exclusively on a trade, than that is great data to have. Use that information as a means to seek out vocational schools and any necessary certifications or licenses that you may need to work in the sector of your choice. In some cases, apprenticeships or logged practice hours will be a part of the requirements to eventually apply for a job.
For the college minded individuals, choosing a school and declaring a major are important steps. But before you can even think about those two items, you need to determine how you will fund your education. The ROI of a college degree can be positive if you plan and execute carefully. Many people take out student loans to allow them to earn their degree in the time and at the stage that they want to, as most people do not have the disposable income available to pay out of pocket for a university education. Different lenders will have different terms, interest rates, and repayment plans so make sure that you research all the options in advance and that you are clear on your responsibilities as this is a sizeable loan that will impact your financial health down the road if you do not handle it properly.
Cultivate your teamwork skills
Even entrepreneurs who make a career out of being sole proprietors need teamwork skills. Developing a set that is unique to you is an important element of creating a dream career. As you walk through different phases of your professional journey you are going to work with all different types of people, some with whom you will share a vision and some that present a challenge for you. Many times, it is the challenging environments that will help you develop the strongest skills. Leaning how to be a positive leader in the workplace shows that you are dedicated to collaboration and not just to the individual responsibilities and expectations of your specific role.
Interestingly enough, building your teamwork skills will also teach you a lot about yourself. You will learn through experience how you react to pressure, the habits you form when giving and receiving feedback, and what it takes for you to thrive in terms of support from outsiders. All this data will help you seek out positions, and companies to work for, that match your strengths. You will also be able to speak honestly to these strengths in interviews and meetings where you are required to self-reflect in a semi-public capacity.
Build your network
You have probably heard the adage that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. While this is not entirely true, it is also not entirely false. When you build a professional network, you are giving yourself an opportunity to be exposed to individuals who can mentor you and share ideas with you without the implications that come with having certain conversations with bosses and co-workers. The best part about building your professional network is that you have so many options to do so.
You can use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people from all over the world both inside and outside your specific sector, or you can find local groups in your town that meet in-person to network and share ideas, or both. These connections are going to be great resources down the line when you need advice, references, or even assistance finding a job. Having an opportunity to have real life conversations with people from all walks of the professional world is truly invaluable. Challenge yourself to add networking to your daily routine. Even ten minutes a day spent on an online networking platform can help you build your dream career.