Is it Possible to Land your Dream Job straight out of College?

By: Zoey Woldman

Growing up, we always have a dream job in mind. Of course it changes as we age, but a dream is always on the horizon. When I was five, I wanted to be a teacher. When I was eleven, I wanted to be a Disney channel star. When I was seventeen, I wanted to be the most successful editorial model under 5’9”. Now, I am twenty-two, and I want to be a successful style blogger and freelance writer, but IRL I’m a Junior Account Executive, working wholesale for a luxury Italian brand. Yes, I know it may sound glamorous, but it is definitely NOT my dream job. Needless to say, I am one of the many that didn’t land their dream job straight out of college. Now, I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but I could probably count on one hand the recent college grads that I know with their dream jobs. So, the big question is, what’s their secret?!

I clearly did not have my stuff together in college, but my roommate obviously did because she landed her dream job and hit the ground running as soon as she graduated. So, what did she do, that I didn’t? The easy answer is that she tried things. For the most part, we think trying new things is scary, but if we never branch out, we may never find what we’re really capable of, and even better, what we love. Oh yes, the “L” word. That’s the goal, to find a job that you love, one that makes waking up and going to work exciting. Imagine? It really does exist, my friends!

My roommate and I both interned in college. The difference is, she interned at several different places, and made as many connections as she possibly could. I, on the other hand, interned at the same place for two college summers in a row. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with interning for the same company twice, it only makes sense if you actually like it and if you can actually see yourself doing it every day. At the end of the first summer, I knew wholesale wasn’t for me, but I kept doing it because I had gotten used to the routine, and I really liked the people I worked with. Not to mention that I would be lying if I said it didn’t terrify me to apply for an internship that I had zero experience for, so I stuck with what I knew: wholesale. Now look at me. I wake up every morning less than enthused for the day ahead.

*sigh*

I should have tried things. I should have pushed myself into situations that I wasn’t comfortable in. I should have forced myself into growth. I shoulda, coulda, woulda. My suggestion to you, and pretty much my motto for 2018, is to try things you wouldn’t usually try! I promise, even if you don’t have experience on paper per say, you most likely have a lot more than you think. Do not be afraid of the unknown. It’s pretty likely that you will grow exponentially the second you step outside of your comfort zone. The worst case scenario is that you learn that you don’t like something, and even then, you’re at least one step further in the right direction.

It is A-okay if you somehow ended up like me, a statistic in the world of dream jobs. You are not alone. It is never too late to land your dream job! No, it may not happen straight out of college, but be patient.

You know how the story goes. The turtle always wins the race.

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