When Dreams Shift: How I Learned to Keep Moving Forward

I’ve been working since I was 15 years old. My first job as a dietary aide at a nursing home sparked something within me. Serving residents brought joy—not just to them but to me as well. Their smiles and the lightness I could bring to their days were deeply fulfilling.

This early experience taught me that service-oriented work was meaningful to me. Over the years, I discovered different ways to channel that passion. After working as a dietary aide, I became a summer camp counselor, a role I worked hard to earn. To afford the leadership training courses required, I raised my own money—my first real lesson in integrating goals and work.

Being a camp counselor was transformative. It gave me rich friendships and personal growth that shaped my teenage years. From there, I moved on to roles as a cashier, a warehouse packer, and a student worker in dining services, the student newspaper, and the student TV station. My parents instilled a strong work ethic, and I embraced the value of putting in a full day’s work. Working three jobs at a time wasn't rare during my college years.

When the Stage Isn't Yours: Learn to Persevere

At the same time, I was nurturing a quieter dream: becoming an actress. In high school, I was involved in every play, musical, and creative extracurricular activity you could imagine. I was committed. (You decide in which way.)

When I auditioned for my university’s theater program, the feedback I received felt disheartening. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity to grow, I let it close the door on a dream I’d held since I was 10. Looking back, I wish I had given myself the grace to keep going—to see that moment as a challenge rather than a conclusion. Like any creative path, acting demands perseverance, and I regret not allowing myself to explore it fully.

I share this experience as a reminder to young professionals: never give up on yourself. As cliche as the saying is, there's a reason it's used so often in our society. If you harness the power of believing in yourself fully, you are unstoppable. Truly! Consistency, patience, and an openness to feedback are essential for growth. Believe in your potential—the moment you stop believing, the world might stop believing in you. You are capable of showing the world how you want to be received.

I was too young to know this then, but the earlier you learn it, the more open you are to yourself and the world. Don't close the door on your dreams even when doors close for you. There will be openings if you keep at it. Additionally, keep building connections as you go, and don't burn bridges—who you know and the relationships you nurture make a world of difference.

Turning Rejection into Redirection

Still, at 31, I have no regrets about where I’ve ended up. Creativity and self-expression have always been constants in my life, even as my dreams evolved. Writing, in particular, has been a steadfast outlet. In my early 20s, I ran a successful blog, Miss Trend She, and while I often wonder where it might have taken me had I stuck with it, I’m grateful for the experience it gave me. I'm grateful for the connections as well, especially Paul Brockmann of 55,000 Dresses. Perhaps I'll republish my interviews with him here at some point. Additionally, with Her Campus—I'll never forget getting to walk in their college runway show at 22. I have so much to be grateful for along this 16-year journey; these are just some of the highs and lows I'd like to share.

When I entered the workforce full-time, I put my creative pursuits on pause to focus on new challenges. My early 20s tested my confidence often, and I wasn't always prepared for the task. My first job in wholesale fashion on the East Coast was eye-opening. I poured everything into it, but ultimately, the culture wasn’t the right fit for me. From there, I explored niche beauty, fragrances, and entertainment before returning to the Midwest to be closer to family. Being in New York was another dream, but Carrie Bradshaw's version was laughably unrealistic, and being out there on my own from 21 to 23 (as an introvert, mind you) was more isolating than I could've ever predicted.

Back home, I worked part-time for a magazine and took on event gigs with the Green Bay Packers, where I interacted with fans before games. While enjoyable, part-time and freelance work wasn't sustainable. Managing type 1 diabetes meant I needed stable health benefits, and I found a role at a professional services firm focused on CRM and marketing automation. I stayed there for years until the pandemic encouraged me to pivot toward work I felt more connected to—serving people with diabetes.

The Path to Contentment: Stay True to Your Core

Today, I work in healthcare, helping those impacted by diabetes in new ways. It’s fulfilling to see how my professional path has come full circle, combining service and creativity in unexpected ways. On that note, my advice to young professionals is to enjoy each shift and step in your journey. Yours may be full of peaks and valleys like mine. Don't let them get you down—fail forward. Be okay with failing. It's the only way you can grow. Listen to your gut along the way. The answers you are seeking are never too far away.

Reflecting on this 16-year journey, I want to share a key takeaway:?Don’t give up on who you are and want to be; channel your core wherever you land.?Success often requires time, persistence, and a willingness to adapt. Whether your goals shift or stay the same, the most important thing is to honor your voice and passions. You will never find contentment in life or your career if you don't show up intentionally as your authentic self.

At 31, I feel more content than I ever thought possible. I have a job I’m excited about, a loving home with my boyfriend, dog, and cat, and a life built on the values I hold dear. Wherever you are in your journey, trust that each step—no matter how small—can lead you closer to the person you want to become.

Disclosure: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of any other individuals or organizations.