Remember when you were about ten and every time someone asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up you would get that far away, starry look in your eyes. You wanted to conquer the stars, start your own band, create art, music or literature, or be a revolutionary leader of the free world. The world was full of possibilities.
Now, you’re older and wiser and things probably haven’t turned out the way you thought they would. You’re working 9 to 5 to pay the bills and maybe your dreams have taken a back seat. They shouldn’t have to, though, in the technologically advanced world of today it’s easier than ever to get a jumpstart on your dreams.
Make your dreams come true with these 7 tips on getting your dream career
1) Know What You Want
The first thing you need to do is figure out where your interests lie. It has to be a viable career option - no one’s going to pay you to sleep. It also has to be something you know you will invest time and effort in. If you decide you want to be a chef, then you have to practice at it. You have to do research, experiment and perfect your trade.
You also have to make sure you are actually good at what you want to do. Many of us have pipe dreams and we need a reality check. We can’t all be good at everything. Get a second and a third opinion from people you know will be honest.
You also have to make sure you are actually good at what you want to do. Many of us have pipe dreams and we need a reality check. We can’t all be good at everything. Get a second and a third opinion from people you know will be honest.
2) Career Option
Figure out what career your interest could translate into. If you find you enjoy meeting and interacting with new people maybe something in PR management is for you. If you like to plan and throw elaborate parties you could look into Event Management. A music or movie buff could do reviews for other people.
3) Invest in Yourself
You have to accept that this might be a long road. Blind luck has a part to play and sometimes it’s just about biding your time. This doesn’t mean you should sit around waiting for something to happen. Take the bull by the horns and become proactive - technology is at your disposal. You’re in a band? Upload your music to Youtube. You want to be a writer? Self publish your book and make it viral. Want to be a photographer? Make a FB page and start uploading your awesome pictures for people to see and ‘like’.
Also keep updating your skill. Carry out research, learn new tricks, and invent something totally unique to you that would make you stand out.
Also keep updating your skill. Carry out research, learn new tricks, and invent something totally unique to you that would make you stand out.
4) Know the Right People
It might sound cliched but it not just about what you know, it’s also about who you know. Networking will help open up a lot of doors for you, so get in touch with the right people who can help you start your career, be persistent and get your foot in the door.
5) Volunteer
Until you can get started on your dream job it’s a good idea to garner some experience at it. There’s nothing better than volunteering to get the required experience, even if you don't make any money. Your band can volunteer to do some concerts for charity, to create goodwill for the band. If you like to cook you could try a charity bake sale where you teach some easy recipes. Photographer? Cover some events for free and build your portfolio. Events like these will also help you with your networking - you never know where a source is going to come from.
6) Keep your Goal in Mind
You might have to get a little side tracked from your career path, because there will always be bills to pay. Chart a graph of your career evolution and where you plan to be and how much time you want to give yourself to get there, and try to stick to this plan as closely as you can manage.
7) The Silver Lining
Just remember that even if things don’t quite workout the way you thought they would and you didn’t get to work at your dream job, there’s nothing stopping you from doing it on the side. Don’t give up the things you love altogether just because it’s not making you money. You can continue to make music, cook, write, photograph, travel; whatever it is you love, even if it’s not your career. Seanbaby, a famous video game blogger and reviewer, says that when you have to do something you love day in and day out, in his case playing video games, it gets real old, real fast. Everything works out in the end. .
