If you were to ask youngest workers what do millennials want in a career, many of them would probably say that finding a fulfilling job is more important than the details of the job itself. But when you actually examine millennial dream job ideas, some of them are overly idealistic, and it’s possible that this lack of a realistic perspective is hindering generation Y’s job growth and professional potential. With that in mind, today we’re going to talk about how to effectively evaluate millennial dream jobs in 2018, how to make sure that your expectations are realistic, and how to avoid being disappointed by a dream job.
Moderating Millennial Job Expectations: Take Time to Be Realistic About Your Dream Job
Sometimes, a dream job is only a dream job because you haven't actually taken the time to think it through. For example, there are plenty of kids who think their dream job is being a veterinarian because it means they get to work with animals all day. But as any adult could tell you, being a vet is a difficult job that often requires tough decisions about animal welfare. When you have a dream job in mind, brainstorm and research the actual details of the job, including things like daily responsibilities, typical company cultures, career paths, associated lifestyle, and other nitty-gritty details.
A Dream Job Isn't Inherently Ideal: It Must Match Your Skills and Strengths
One person’s idea of a dream job might be a nightmare to somebody else, and this is because there's nothing intrinsically perfect about any particular job. Rather, what makes a job a dream job is that it matches your interests, passions, and skills. For instance, if you're funny, quick-witted, and love performing, then becoming a stand-up comedian may very well be your ideal job. On the other hand, if you're shy, get stage fright, and don’t perform well under pressure, then this same job might actually be terrifying for you. Figuring out if something really is your dream job is all about determining what your interests are, what strengths you bring to the table, and what jobs complement your abilities.
Even Dream Jobs Can Be Disappointing
When thinking about what you should consider when selecting a career, it’s important to remember that your dream job may not be your dream job at all. For example, you may think being a radio personality is your dream job until you realize that this career has little to offer in terms of salary expectations. It’s also good to remind yourself that even a dream job is work; even if it’s a job you love. In other words, be careful not to idealize a potential career to the point where you'll never be satisfied with the reality when it comes along.
For some gen-Yers, jobs where you do something different every day are the absolute epitome of a dream career, whereas others are looking for consistency and reliability at work. Each person is different, and everybody has their own ideas about what constitutes a dream job, but in order to avoid disappointment, it’s important to think realistically about potential professional opportunities before pursuing them. One of the most popular millennial career trends of today is entrepreneurship, and as long as you're honest with yourself about the commitment and skills required to succeed in business, then striking out on your own could be the perfect opportunity to find professional growth and success on your own terms.
Would you like to find out if you have any entrepreneurial skills? Download our guide to get some tips on how to achieve entrepreneurial success.
