Is Your Dream Job the Same as Your Career Desire?

Another dubious poll recap from me. Unscientific…I make no claims about projectability…but I believe it was interesting enough to be directional, get people thinking, and if you read the comments, a source of insight and inspiration.?

So why today’s question?

We are at an inflection point in many ways regarding work. Do people want to work anymore? Do they hate their jobs? Their workplace? Just working? Do they have any dream gigs that just seem to be eluding them?

Ergo I went to you…the people, my readers…to find out. And voila!!! A poll.

This time out, I asked:

“What Was Your Dream Job Growing Up? Are You Doing It Today? “

And the poll query was:

“Is The Job You’re Doing Today What You Wanted To Be Growing Up?

Let’s start with the poll.

Almost 75% of respondents said no. In other words, three-quarters of us are not engaged in the work we dreamed of when we were young and starry-eyed.

Sad…no? NO!!!

The truth is that the job we dreamt about and our career desire are not always the same. And that’s OK! Why I asked the question—and thank you for the rich answers which are worth the read—with an emphasis on, “Are you doing it today?”?

I’ll start with myself. I wanted (like some of you, as it turns out) to be an archeologist. My passion began when I was about five, no joke. My late father (as my readers know) was a Rabbi. A congregant brought him a piece of pottery from The Holy Land. He explained where it was from, how it was found, and what it meant. I was hooked! My late mother took me to the Metropolitan Museum, where I still return. I learned every nook and cranny of the ancient world displays. I studied Greek and Roman mythology and history too. Later on, I saw Indiana Jones…but it was too late. I had already moved on. However, it is still a topic I love and follow.

Then came the race to space. I have written before about my fascination with astronauts and space flight. Bottom line, I was no longer looking down…I was looking up. Astronomy beckoned. I ground my mirror and made a telescope. I parked outside, counted craters on the moon and the rings of Saturn, and learned all the constellations. The Hayden Planetarium became a go-to. I saw every sky show. I still love looking and staying up for comets, alignments of planets, and other heavenly events.

But then I discovered advertising. I wrote copy and designed an ad for a local NY Dairy while I was a high school intern at an ad agency. The client loved it, and it ran…and I did too…I was off. The rest, they say, is serendipity, hard work, and history.?

So did I land my growing up dream job? Not even close…BTW, I didn’t even mention my other fantasy jobs. Rabbi, actor, and rock star. All part of the dream. And every once in a while, I reimagine my life if I went down one of those paths. But I can honestly say with hand to heart that I have fulfilled, and still am fulfilling, my dream career in advertising. And beyond.?

Why do I share this? Because what I learn from all the comments is that I am not alone. Many of us dream, at different stages of our life, about doing this or that…influenced by a book…a movie….a friend…whatever. We key into the romance, the fun, and the adventure, and some of us continue into reality. But, most of us move on. We save and savor the memory as we pursue other passions, one day maybe returning as our older selves to a familiar place and enjoying a second stage.?

Listen to some of our community and read the comments. Here’s a sampling:

• “Mine was solving problems, but I never dreamed I would design systems on Wall Street, then help companies develop business and technology strategies while traveling the world.” —AF
• ?“I wanted to be a doctor and couldn’t afford Medical School. Now I create technology that helps patients, physicians, and pharmaceutical.”? —AFW
• “I wanted to be a marine biologist, but my father wanted me to make money.” (Lots of that…David’s comment.) BJ and GN added, “Me too!” She continued, “But maybe I’ll do some ocean restoring volunteering in retirement.”?
• “My dream was to become a professional tennis player…knee injury stopped me…I am looking to be a coach. I love it; the court is my happy place.” —TK
• “I grew up with type 1 diabetes and wanted to be a diabetes educator. Then I discovered advertising, fell in love with it, and am now living my dream job.” —KS

And on and on.?

What strikes me is the similarity in the majority of posts. There was a minority of disappointed or bitter folks—almost none. Instead, most of us followed a route that sustained our needs for personal and financial growth while holding onto the “rock star” thought for the day we can go back, in some way or another, or not!?

As JN wrote… “I don’t think I am done with growing up – or learning for that matter – I’d have to say YES IT IS” (her dream job).

What does this mean to the younger cohort looking for purpose and fulfillment and no compromise??

To me, it means you are in good company. We all struggle and wonder from time to time (often when asked like I just did) if we are on the right track. Take heart…we are all still growing and learning…lots of room to maneuver.

• Think about your desire in its basic form. Creative; analytical; healing; solving; fixing; the list goes on. Then examine all of the possibilities that might meet your needs. You’ll be surprised. CIA agents who were adept at turning sources make great salespeople…just saying.
• Don’t be afraid to pivot. We are still growing. Learning. Take calculated risks. None of us are locked in forever.
• Like any relationship, you have to work at it. Give it time.?

Most importantly, remember…it’s your dream. No one else’s. It can’t be taken away from you. So own the dream, and you own your future.

I never became a rabbi, rock star, or actor (although I was a waiter). I never took the archeology track, although I still go to the museum, and I did work at a dig one summer…not to mention watching Indiana Jones more times than I can count. Astronomer? The math did me in, although I never miss a chance to look up at the stars.

But I do love what I do. I’m still growing, still learning, and still looking up.?

What’s your view?