What’s your dream job?
The content discusses the evolving concept of a “dream job” for today’s youth and the challenges they face in pursuing it. It highlights societal pressures, financial needs, and a lack of guidance, contrasting the limited job choices of the past with today’s diverse career paths. The piece emphasises the necessity of self-evaluation, determination, and diligent effort in realising one’s dreams. Despite the increased opportunities, modern youth still experience intrinsic issues and materialistic thinking that complicate their pursuits. Ultimately, it encourages a proactive approach, suggesting that with proper training and effort, youth can not only achieve their dreams but also become job creators.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The concept of a ‘dream job’ faces challenges due to societal pressures, financial needs, and a lack of guidance.
- Historically, limited job choices led to frustration; yet, today, youth have diverse career paths.
- Determination, goal identification, and diligent effort are crucial for achieving one’s dream job.
- While opportunities have evolved, modern youth still grapple with materialistic thinking and intrinsic problems.
- The changing scenario empowers youth to pursue their passions and even become job creators in various fields.
Utopian
The urgency of taking a job or the degree of its urgency is the basic factor that affects a person’s dream job. For most of the youths, it has no meaning or sense. Almost every youth has a dream of doing something of their choice. There are several options available to them, but it requires toiling, concentration and above all, time. Youths get entangled in the doldrums of job seeking or pursuing their dream job. With the kind of system people have, pursuing a dream job is difficult, if not daunting. One reason is that youths lure with the glamour of their “Dream Job” without evaluating their calibre in that field. Soon it fades leaving them in a lurch.
“Dream Job”, in a sense, is a misnomer and utopian. The reality is different and requires a different level of preparation.
Is “Dream Job” is Pessimistic outlook?
It may sound pessimistic and disheartening. Though it appears harsh, it points to personal ability and calibre. One must not expect a fish to fly. It is, therefore, desirable to know about one’s strengths and weaknesses. To save oneself from becoming disheartened, a serious introspection is necessary, and if the need be, an expert second opinion is also necessary. Apart from the emotional appeal of a “dream job”, a moment’s pause and consideration is necessary. It does not mean that it is that difficult to pursue and get a “Dream Job”.
Different “dreams” and “Dream Job”
People are different, so are their wishes and preferences. It varies from person to person. Some have a penchant for building construction, while some have a wish to become a performer. Some want to become an academician and some love the field of diplomacy. Choices and wishes to fulfil them are many. But, people often end up in a completely new job, altogether different from what they dreamed or wished. Lucky are those, who get their dream job and have excelled in it. (80,000 hours)
A perfect screw
The society is a strange mix of fit and unfit, with the balance tilted towards the latter. Seemingly, every screw is a misfit. It is either too tight or it is too loose. Only the perfectly tight screw serves the purpose properly. Why this discrepancy? Let us see it in a bit of detail.
(1) Difficult to decide
Human life expectancy in India is a little above 72 years. Thus, ordinary Indian people live up to 72 years or more. Barring a few exceptions, the active life spans between twenty and sixty-five years. Before that, a teenager is in a formative stage. They easily swayed by many lucrative alternatives. It is difficult for them to decide on their dream job.
(2) Unprepared jump: Impediment in “Dream Job”
A common thing across every section and individual member of society is money, comfort and status. They want them all instantly, without struggle. Considering that not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, it is not possible. The teenagers swayed by the glam of fashion or the film industry, for example, want to join it. They try to jump on the bandwagon unprepared. It ends up in frustration. After self-evaluating their abilities and niche, proper preparation yields desired results. Most of the youths become confused and often directionless for various reasons. The dearth of money and resources plays a crucial role.
(3)Self evaluation: Practical knowledge
The result of plunging into a swimming pool without learning to swim is obvious. First things first. One has to have practical knowledge of swimming. That knowledge can be perfected after jumping into the pool. Now, the question is how and where to get basic swimming training. It is easy for those who live near a river. It is also easy for those whose families work in river-related jobs. For others, it is an expensive venture.
Determination is key
Determination is the key. It is not necessary that only the resourceful get the exposure. The have-nots, with determination can achieve the goals. It requires time, patience and hard work. It is time-consuming and requires a lot of patience. With approximately forty years of active work life available, most people become impatient. They face the significant challenge of earning a living for themselves. Societal pressure, scathing and jeering compel a youth to opt for other alternatives.
(1) Goal identification by self evaluation
Every individual is intelligent and has potential, but one should not expect a Whale to live on land. Individuals have their niches. The crux is to identify that and self-evaluate capacity and abilities. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can’t climb Mount Everest. They should have preliminary capabilities. Dreaming according to it acts as a catalyst. Goal identification is followed by hard work. A congenial environment and proper guidance are an added advantage.
(2) Diligent effort for Dream job
Dreaming for a goal to achieve is good, but it is not enough. Excessive dreaming and no work can be detrimental in achieving dream goal and lead to daydreaming. The mantra is diligent work. There is no alternative to it. A “hawk-eyed” approach and undistracted unifocal effort bring close to goal.
Earlier scenario
The scenario was different seven decades ago. The job choices were limited. Social stigma and taboo hindered any work choice.
(1) Limited options
White collared job, especially a table job was considered respectable. People opting for a career other than the beaten one were few. They were mostly the prerogative of a select few, belonging to higher strata.
(2) Dream Job: Unaffordable luxury
In such a situation taming an idea of “dream job” was an unaffordable luxury. At the most, they could choose the path of competitive examinations, a portal for “covated” government jobs. The tough competition and the great number of aspirants were a great impediment. Many brilliant ones could not get through because of neck-and-neck competition.
(3) Lack of alternatives
The youth lacked proper alternatives and guidance. As a result, they often ended up in petty jobs. Compromising with the situation and accepting it as their destiny, they would half-heartedly do their work. Their talent was misused in non-productive work. They faced persistent problems. A disturbed family and work life often resulted in frustration. This often led to an abusive relationship.
(4) Linear education
The education was linear and almost incongruous for the job market. A postgraduate in History or Physics lacked practical knowledge. They also lacked extra skills needed for a job. In the absence of any experience, they would struggle to get a decent job.
(5) Passion vs hobby
Passion for art was a “hobby” in the old days. It could not earn money for sustenance. A poet was considered hopeless and worthless who had no work. His poetry was considered rubbish pieces of paper. Similarly, barring a few, writers were also considered worthless. Earning a decent livelihood using writing or other such art forms was impossible to imagine. It was difficult to live with a “dream job”.
(6) Far Cry
There was no scope for their dream job. During the interview, they were asked about their “hobbies” and grilled on that. Failing to answer satisfactorily, they were sorted out and deprived of the job. The interviewers lacked empathy and mostly behaved sternly. The obvious result was exasperation and dissatisfaction.
Changed scenario
With changing times, the situation and mindset changed considerably. Things which were considered useless suddenly became important. Kite flying and playing with a spinning top, for example, were considered the play of brat children. It has now become an important cultural activity. Those who play them call themselves cultural ambassadors!
(1) Modern youth
Today’s youth have many avenues. They have a variety of subjects to choose from and ways to upskill themselves. It has opened a new vista for youth to pursue their dream job. Yet, the common thing stays the same, that is wish for more wealth.
(2) Intrinsic problems and Dream job
The new scenarios brought a few new problems. It is the family disintegration. Nuclear families are the order of the day. Parental care is limited. Busy youths have no time for their children and aged or worn-out family members. A feeling of uselessness and being unproductive among the aged population is fast rearing its head.
(3) Materialistic thinking
To cope with the yawning demand of a costly lifestyle, more money is needed. Couples have no time for themselves or their progenies. Money is considered an easy solution to every problem. The materialistic thinking occupies the central stage. The mad rat race appears endless. Options are available but they brought many more complications. It was bound to happen and it did.
In the end
It is good that the situation has now changed. With proper training and learning, youths are gaining skills. They can pursue their “dream job” and earn a decent livelihood or even better. Time has gone that a poet used to live and die as a pauper. The right amount of effort in the right direction and diligent action can change the future of a youth. It can be any field like a start-up creation, building construction, Artificial Intelligence, computer graphics or anything under the sun. The future is bright and youths are energetic and enthusiastic. They are ready to take initiatives and calculated risks. They are not pursuing their “dream job” but also acting as job creators.
Further reads:
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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