Dream Jobs Do Come True

“You need to know what the exact dream job is before you begin. Not everyone is a match for [his or her] dream. That’s the biggest pitfall for people,” says Pamela Mitchell, CEO and chief vision officer of The Reinvention Institute, an organization devoted to helping people transform their careers. “People think it’s a dream but they never think how one’s personal makeup matches the dream.”

This examination helped Tracy Johnson* establish a new professional life in social work. After working as a trader at a large financial firm for years, she left that industry to become a mental health therapist for children and adults in the Bronx. “I was sitting at my friend’s house one day, thinking about how I didn’t care if the market went up and down. I knew I loved kids and working with people. I felt this need to make a difference,” she says.

Your introspection during this time may not lead to a specific dream job, but this self-reflection will pave the way for your future career path. It may take time and a few years of experience in various fields to figure it all out.

That’s exactly what happened to Jason Dorsey, who prepared for a life in finance while in college. Instead, he decided to follow his dream of helping his peers enter the workforce. Jason says he listened to his head and told himself, “You have control over what you choose to do.” His career change altered his life forever.

After two years, $50,000 of debt and pinching pennies by sleeping on the floor of his friend’s garage, Jason’s determination paid off. At age 18, he penned his first book, Graduate to Your Perfect Job, and his professional expertise generated the buzz he needed to become one of the most sought-after speakers in America.

Do Your Dream Job Homework

There is a very good chance that your dream job is in a field completely different from the one you’re in currently. Once you have a career trajectory in mind, focus on becoming intimately acquainted with your chosen field during this month. You’ll want to get a feel for the job’s responsibilities, salary range and future career prospects, among other aspects.

Research is essential during this phase. If there’s a particular company you are interested in, learn about what they do, how they do it and how you can help them do it better. When you’re able to articulate why this employer needs you and how your passion can translate into success for the company, your research will have paid off.