When I was a little girl I remember going through a million different careers ranging from singer to horseback rider to interior decorator.
My parents never discouraged me from pursuing what was interesting to me, even though they knew that in a week I would probably change my mind. If I was talking about being an astronaut, my dad would take me to the library to borrow books and movies on space. If I was into stand up comedy, my mom would listen to my endless jokes on elephants no matter how annoying it got. What they taught me by doing this was that if I have a goal, I need to take steps in order to achieve it. What can I do right now that will better prepare me for that ultimate dream job?
This thinking really shaped the way I now view dreams/goals in my own life. As someone who had to work really hard to finish school, I did not let the fear of failure to reach my goals keep me from pursuing them. Instead of viewing my goals as huge ideas that maybe one day I'd accomplish, I broke them down to better suit where I was at in my life. I created a game plan for mastering one piece of the giant puzzle that was my dream, and this is how I managed to land myself in a career that matches with my vision. There isn't some perfect formula for achieving this, but there are some tips you can follow to make it happen.
1. What is your vision?
Everyone has a different truth that is valid for them. If your truth is that running a food truck would make you the happiest person on earth, wonderful. Maybe your truth is that working for a non profit is what would fill your heart the most, that's great! Whatever it is, figure it out and be proud of it. No one is here to judge your goals, and if they are then they are probably struggling with their own issues. And hey! If your goal changes in a year, that is totally fine. Life happens, and it's okay.
2. Break it down
So you want to be a veterinarian? Good for you! Now what? What steps do you have to take to make that happen? Do some research on whatever you're interested in. Maybe you have to take a few classes, a training seminar, or get a certification. Figure out what it is you need to do and map it out. Which brings me to my next point!
3. Game plan time!
Now that you know what you need to do, it's time to create a time frame. Whether you write it down, type it out, or create an elaborate chart, it doesn't matter. Be realistic and understanding that it may not pan out exactly how you'd imagined. Life gets in the way sometimes, but if you give yourself a rough estimate of when you would like to get that certification or class done, this will serve as an encouraging reminder that you have big and important things to get done!
4. Set yourself apart- build your resume
I'm not a genius. It doesn't take much to figure out the first three tips I gave you. Everyone who also wants that job you have is well aware of them and is more than likely pursuing them just like you are. But what I do know is that even though they are doing the same things you're doing, they aren't you. You are you and there is no one like you. Now you have to prove that to the person with the keys to your job. Set yourself apart from the crowd! What can you do to prove that this is what you want whole heartedly and that you've been working hard to achieve it? Maybe it's sucking it up and doing an unpaid internship for a year. Maybe it's taking some leadership courses at your college. Maybe it's reading and researching books in your field during your normal Netflix binge time. Whatever it is, add as much to your resume as you possibly can to set yourself apart from the rest of those applications.
5. Use your connections
When I first figured out what it is I wanted to do, I reached out to as many people as I could that I knew could potentially know a bit about it. Whether it was my college professors, my high school teachers, my coworkers, I asked everyone! You never know who you already have in your corner, and who they know. Even if they don't know anyone, they might know someone who does.
6. Re-write your resume
No, the resume your career counselor helped you write in high school is not valid anymore, and adding your college degree to the top doesn't make it better. Take some time out of your day to attend a resume workshop or visit your school's career center. There are tons of people who have mastered the art of resume writing and are more than willing to help if you just ask. You've laid out all of the groundwork for your dream job, now you have to sell yourself on one sheet of paper. And yes, there is a right and wrong way to do it.
7. Create your professional profile
Nowadays, everything is about the internet. Even jobs are using websites like LinkedIn and Indeed to find potential candidates rather than accepting e-mailed resumes. Take a few minutes to set up your professional profile, and make sure to include your resume and contact information. I shouldn't have to tell you that duck lips selfies and inappropriate e-mails aren't going to work, but in case you forgot here's your reminder.
8. Bet on yourself
Now that you know what you can do to get yourself closer and closer to your dream job, here is the biggest piece of advice I can offer you; bet on yourself. You are so capable and worthy of all that comes to you. Do not be afraid to submit applications to jobs you'd never think your qualified for, because someone else might think you are. Work hard, stay on your grind, and never forget the hustle. It's not going to happen overnight but if you follow these steps and continue to push yourself, one day you'll have that job.
