22 Sep 2019

Ahhh, the dream career. What we would all do to have it. To be there already, killing it in life and loving every moment. Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a trek to get to that point, but don’t they say that the journey’s the best part anyway? Whether or not that’s total bs, you’re going on a journey regardless - so we might as well take a look at what’s in store...

1. Identify what the dream is

Unless you’re one of those incredibly-rare, super-determined people who have had their whole life planned out since their third birthday, step one is always going to be the hardest step to take. If you don’t already know what the dream is, how the hell are you supposed to figure it out?

Many people go their entire lives without figuring it out and end up just falling into a career one way or another. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you ever realise that you do have a dream - get out there and chase it.

The first place to look for your dream is in your spare time. How would you fill in a day where you were free to do whatever you wanted? What are your hobbies, your passions? What are you good at? Which of these can make you money somehow? If you’re still not sure, then get asking! Ask your parents, your teachers, your friend’s aunties, your dentist, your florist, your dog. Ask everyone how they got to where they are, ask them about what they do now. Try to get a list together of potential careers you might like.

If you have more than one idea, that’s okay too. Move them all on to step two, no harm done!

2. Do your research

Now that you’ve got an idea of what the dream might be, start doing some research. Find someone in that profession already and drill them with questions. Ask them everything to do with anything and see if it still tickles your fancy.

If it’s all looking good, do some research into how to actually get there. Do you need any specific qualifications? Do you need to study? If so, where can you study it? Maybe there’s a physical test. How many years of experience do you need before you can reach the dream?

3. Get all the qualifications

Do whatever it takes. If you need a certain ATAR, try your hardest to get it. If you don’t get the ATAR, don’t stress. There are heaps of other ways to get into uni. If uni’s not the path to the dream, then don’t go to uni. Go to TAFE, or a different college, or don’t go to college at all. Maybe all you need is experience. If that’s the case, go straight through to step four.

4. Get the experience

Get the experience, any way possible! Do an internship. Work for free. Deliver coffees to the boss and shine his shoes.

It’s unlikely that the dream is going to be an entry-level job. Be prepared to be stuck doing the crappy jobs for a while, because it’s more than likely you will. But hold strong. Whenever you’re doing some mind-numbing task - some repetitive, boring, bottom-of-the-barrel chore; remember why you’re doing it. Remember that the dream is coming!

5. Start applying

Alright, you’ve done all the hard yards. You’re qualified, you’ve got the experience, you’ve delivered so many coffees to high-ranking individuals that you’re starting to have cappuccino nightmares. You’re the perfect person for the job. Start practising your interview questions and get yourself out there, you’ve got this.

But… And this is a big but.

Remember that just because you’ve come this far, just because you’re up to step five - it doesn’t mean you have to follow through with it.

Don’t be afraid to start over again. This applies to any stage of the journey. I’ve had too many mates finish a degree they hated, or feel that the amount of time it took to actually get a certain degree means that they have to get a job in the same field. There are no obligations for you to work in any specific field. Of course, even your dream career isn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Every job will have parts you hate. But if you feel like you’re gonna hate the entire thing - get the hell outta there!

I read somewhere that people should be focusing on direction, not speed. There’s no race, no rush and no comparing careers. Just work towards what makes you happy, no matter how long it’s gonna take ya.