Career Dreams

There's been a lot of talk about ideal jobs in my general vicinity.

A quote was posed to me recently. I knew I heard it before, but couldn't place it... To hear it actually spoken by Alan Watts gave it a bit more weight. I pondered it more than I have in a while. What would I do if money were no object?

Someone I asked earlier said he would travel. Another said he would sleep and party.

"But then what?" They both looked at me and neither responded. How can they honestly think those simplistic responses will be enough? Ennui is not only a vocabulary world from Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game."

We all have things that make us tick. My husband loves analytic thinking and applied science. He has a problem with authority and rigid, archaic modes of thinking. He will only work for smaller companies, where he can be as effective as possible. It's not the salary or benefits that motivate him - it's the challenge of the job, which he thoroughly enjoys. Fixing things that don't work, creating alternative solutions quickly, he LIKES doing that. My best friend is also at core an engineer who fixes and installs electronics in her home. Corporate wasn't the right fit for her, though she loved civil engineering. As a young minority woman, working in a small firm was more awkward than it ever was fulfilling. She thrives on interpersonal relationships and would rather spend the majority of her days positively impacting youth, and I know she's making a difference.

As for myself, I need to create. Leadership is a role naturally suited to me because I've taken on adult responsibility since I was a child who had to be brave to help those around me. Therefore, I derive some of the greatest satisfaction in life when I help others. That feeling of accomplishment translates to the workplace seamlessly. To assist with a project, offer a good idea, edit someone's email and suggest or create appropriate text are activities I really enjoy. I've written a few blogs recently and they have not required a significant amount of time to create. It felt good to express myself and share my observations with others. An old school friend chooses not to utilize her MS in Library and Information Science, but instead, she blogs for various web-based companies because it allows her the freedom to focus on her artwork. So, I considered going rogue. Churning out a few blogs a day seems like a breeze when compared to a thankless 9-5.

But I'm not entirely introverted. (To be quite honest, most assume I'm 100% extrovert, though I don't think that's an entirely accurate assessment.) My perfect job allows me to use my skills, for which I have innate ability, formal education, and various types of experience, in a professional environment in which I can interact with others, grow, and improve. Networking is something I do even when there's no direct/business benefit for me. It is a natural skill. I love meeting new people and am genuinely curious to know a bit about every interesting individual that crosses my path.

I very much look forward to, one day, wake up and live my career dream by beginning a work day in a position that is not a means to a paycheck, but a satisfying part of my life.