It is common to assume that achieving our dream job will be the ultimate success and will bring us joy and satisfaction. However, Soma Ghosh, a careers advisor, suggests that in some cases our dreams and expectations may not match the reality of the job, leading to disappointment and unhappiness. As we age, our goals and dreams may change and our previous dream job may no longer be what we expected. In some cases, our dedication and hard work may be taken advantage of and lead to physical and mental illness. Therefore, it is important to remember that while having a dream job is admirable, it isn't the end.
Soma believes that the concept of a "dream job" can be misleading and does not always take into account the realities of certain industries. She uses the medical profession as an example, as many people may aspire to become doctors only to eventually drop out at the junior doctor level. People often prioritize money, status, and job titles when choosing career paths, and schools can contribute to this way of thinking by placing too much emphasis on certain fields, such as medicine, dentistry, and law. This can lead to disappointment, as well as feelings of despondence when it comes to choosing the next step after investing a significant amount of time, energy, and resources into education.
Soma suggests that when it comes to achieving a dream job, it is important to first determine if the issues are company-specific or if they are related to the industry. She then uses the fields of law and finance as examples, noting that many people find that jobs in these fields do not necessarily match their expectations. She explains that these jobs can involve long hours and require hard work and dedication to achieve success, which can cause people to feel disconnected from their dream jobs. Finally, Soma states that when the reality of a job is not that exciting, it can cause a person’s vision of a dream job to be squashed.
If you feel like it is the right time to move on from your current job, Soma recommends understanding why you are feeling this way. Are you not progressing in your job? Does it not match your expectations? Once you have identified why you don't like your current job, you can plan and research your next steps. Talking to others for guidance and advice can help you with this process. Additionally, if you need to pay off debts, try to find a way to do this while still in your current role or take on freelance work.
Soma advises not to let guilt stand in the way of pursuing something new. Changing jobs or industries does not mean failure, it means you made a different choice than expected. When making your next move, be mindful and take your time. Don't let negative thoughts get in the way.