Posted By: Staff Editor In: Business Professional Many of us are still trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up. We may have good jobs and nice paychecks, but we are not really happy in our work. We daydream about the “what if’s” in our life and long for the chance to discover and explore the job of our dreams. Identifying your dream job and the path that will take you there is both a challenge and an opportunity. But by following a realistic step-by-step “vocationing” process, you can pursue your interests and passions to the job of your dreams.
Many of us are still trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up. We may have good jobs and nice paychecks, but we are not really happy in our work. We daydream about the “what if’s” in our life and long for the chance to discover and explore the job of our dreams. Identifying your dream job and the path that will take you there is both a challenge and an opportunity. But by following a realistic step-by-step “vocationing” process, you can pursue your interests and passions to the job of your dreams.
Define Your Dream Job(s)
What are your passions and your interests? What activities give you a sense of purpose and satisfaction? Can you envision yourself in a job that fully engages your heart and your mind? You may still be trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. That’s okay. The “vocationing” process gives you the opportunity to explore, experiment, and discover what your dream job is and how to pursue it.
Address Your Fears
Financial instability, family disruption, giving up an identity, failing at something new. These are all fears that may stand in the way of pursuing your dream job. The biggest thing you can do to get past these fears is to meet them head-on. Bring these deepest fears to light and examine them with reason; talk about them; play each one out to its most irrational end. What is the worst thing that could happen?
Do Your Research
Internal and external research helps you discover who you are and what kind of work meshes with your deepest self. Do your homework and access resources ranging from the Internet to one-on-one contact with people on-the-job to determine if what you think is your dream job, truly is your dream job.
Find a Mentor
Inspirational, experienced, realistic, forthcoming and optimistic. A good mentor is all of these things and eager to help someone else get started. Recruiting a mentor who is a good match for you requires following a plan of action, asking the right questions, and building a relationship that is mutually satisfying. Having a mentor is the crux to the vocationing process. Whether you’re 20-something, 30-something, 40-something, 50-something or even 60-something, you need a mentor!
Test Drive Your Dream Job
There’s no better way to learn than by doing. Test-driving your dream job with a mentor provides a hands-on experience that has the potential to change your life. This is the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the job, how you feel about the day-to-day activities, and what it takes to succeed. Whether your mentorship proves your perceived dream job is indeed your dream job or if it is a reality check illuminating that the job is not the one of your dreams, the mentorship experience gives you the required personal and professional due diligence you need prior to making a career decision.
Create an Action Plan
Pursuing a dream job is less a leap than a series of incremental steps that move you closer to your goal. What is critical to reaching that goal is making sure the steps you follow are the right ones. An action plan is needed. If you make a list of all the things you need to learn and do in order to realize your dream job, you will have mapped out a plan for moving ahead. A knowledgeable action plan provides you with the power to forge ahead.
Establish Thresholds
The biggest reason we pursue our dream job is to increase our life satisfaction. It is important to understand how much risk, challenge, and uncertainty you can tolerate before the life satisfaction goal becomes blurred by the process. The vocationing process is as much about what you learn on the journey as the rewards when you reach your destination.
Think Big, Start Small
You don’t have to quit your nine-to-five job to pursue your dream job. Obligations and concerns may take you down a less-than-direct path. It may take months, not weeks….years, not months. If you are patient and creative, you can keep your career transition moving forward. The vocationing process will get you from Point A to Point B.
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.
For more information on VocationVacations, visit www.vocationvacations.com
Comments
Posted by: Beverly Weaver
I am 55 and will be 56 years old in March. My only experience is in the reception field with data entry filing and clerical. I also have mail room experience. I have very limited experience on the pc which I have been told holds me back from many opportunities. I know a little bit about software and if there was someone there showing me how it works and would be accessable to me I have no doubt all of it would make sense along with day to day repatition it would sink in. Employers do not want to wait which leaves me and many like me out in the street. I do not want to go to college or a trade school because of my age. What do I and thousands like me do?
Posted by: Gretchen
Advice to Beverly: Put yourself in the employers position. Why should they "wait" and spend time training you in basic skills when there are hundreds of already computer-trained individuals ready to take the job? You've just answered your own question. You are putting the responsibility of training on the employer when it really should be on YOU. The reality is that you need to take control of your situation. If you want to work in an office environment, then you need to take some classes at your community college to at least learn Microsoft Office (this includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Trust me, the experience will be nothing like going to "college" with 18-year olds. Many of the classes in my locality meet for a few hours twice a week for 3 weeks, or 8 hours on a Saturday and cost about $120 to enroll. You can also check with your chamber of commerce, public library or even AARP to find out about possible computer training classes in your city. Within a few months you could have some very marketable skills. Don't have the money for classes? Do some networking and ask a potential employer if they might let you "intern" at minimum wage for 2 weeks to learn the business (and computer skills), with the option of hiring you on full-time. Get creative! Using your age as an excuse makes me think you are just ready to "coast" for the next 10 years until retirement, and would rather have it handed to you instead of making an effort. 55 is not old unless you make it so. If you're not willing to try some things to better yourself then you don't belong in the modern business world.
Posted by: Deborah
Gretchen in so right on! I am 56 years old, and I made a lot of mistakes in the past, but I did keep up with my computer skills. Depending on where you live, you could go to your local adult school and take basic computer classes way less than $120.00. In fact, you can train yourself for free by going on the Microsoft website and search for their training/tutoring area. You can train yourself in Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook which are the basics. Don't let your age hold you back; I just applied to go back to school to get my B.A. degree. Times have changed; 55 is not old anymore - it's the new 30! Best of luck!
Posted by: Brenda McAllister
This article was great for me. I really enjoyed it. I went back to school at the age of 44 and got my GED. Then went back 6 months later and got an Associate Degree in Human Resource. It's was fun and fulfilling. Now I have choices. I don't have to take the first thing that comes along.I continue to work as a seamstress because I love it, but I can get other jobs if I need too. I continue to study computer skills, because my typing is just a little slow, but I love to research the internet. So go for it! Going back to school was great for me, you just might enjoy it TOO!
Posted by: Glendora Claybrooks
Yes, going back to school is frightening, but the outcome is well worth it... Even though I am unable to land my dream job, I feel great knowing that I have skills that are transferable and academically relevant. My KSAO'Cs (knowldege,skills,abilities & other characteristics) are useful in any environment. I have attained my Master's Degree in Health Administration and have over 36 hours toward my Master's in Public Administration. I have grantwriting, leadership,management, administrative,problem-solving, implementation,program evaluation, project management,conflict resolution,excellent writing & verbal communications,interpreting, analytical, and data tracking skills to name a few.Yes I am over the age of 55. I'm loving learning!
Posted by: Kandace Morrow On: 9/10/2009 1:59:09 PM
Yes, I am a 43 year old administrative assistant, who decided to finally go back and finish my bachelors degree. It was interesting that it only took 25 years from when I actually graduated high school. Just enrolled in my masters program and just embracing the learning that comes with it. Never too late to learn and make changes.
Posted by: Glynis Mcduffey On: 10/12/2009 7:43:28 PM
I am 45 years old and just got an AA with no focus. I would like to continue my education and get a degree in social work, but my housing contract insists that I can't be a full time student. They insist that I obtain full time employment. If I can't go to school full time, I don't qualify for grants that pay my tuition. If I don't qualify for grants, I can't afford to attend school. So, I am stumped with an AA and no job.
