Why not getting the dream job is the best case scenario.

SAY WUTTTTT?

But…. I thought the goal was to get a dream job? I thought we are all striving to love our work so much that it never feels like work? I thought I can only be happy doing purposeful life changing work?

How many of you have hear one of sayings listed above?

**raising my hand**

In some ways, this “only settle for your dream job” mentality is paralyzing young professionals. It gives the impression that if birds aren’t singing when you walk into the office or you don’t fist pump during your conference calls you’re not doing a good work.

This is a dangerous assumption because for many people (including those IN their dream jobs), it took many years, many in between jobs, many failed entrepreneurial attempts, to get to their end all be all.

Now, I say all of this because although I think striving for your dream job is a great mentality, it’s not always realistic (especially 1, 2, 3, or even 5 years out of college). It takes experience, reporting to the boss, being the lowest on the totem pole, enduring difficult clients, to fully understand what it is you actually want.

If you have a dream in your heart and the stars align for you to go after it right after college, more power to ya!

However…. if you are like the large large majority of us who simply is looking to lock in a position after graduation, give yourself some perspective and a lot of grace. Your career is a long and *winding* road that will take you many places you just can’t even imagine.

Take the job. Do the work. PAY ATTENTION to what you like and what you don’t. Invest in your company. Show up each morning ready to learn and learn again. You will navigate your way to find / secure your dream job. And most likely, it’ll be different than your 22 year old self thought.

Go Forth, fam!