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In Search of the Dream Job
5:21Dream jobs often represent the hopes and aspirations we have for ourselves. But while some of the dreams we had as kids might not be realistic now, it doesn’t mean you can’t find something amazing today, and inspire some others in the process.
So my dream job when I was a kid—
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When I was a kid, I think my dream job was—
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Well, you know it starts off with the ridiculous.
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I wanted to be a firefighter and then I wanted to drive trains.
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My dream job when I was a kid was either being James Bond as a spy
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or being Indiana Jones.
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When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut.
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I definitely wanted to be a superhero.
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Probably making video games.
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If you asked me when I was 3, I was like, "Fireman."
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That wasn't really realistic. I don't like fire.
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When we're kids, we're inspired by our heroes—
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individuals and groups that accomplish things we love and are proud of.
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As we grow and learn more about ourselves,
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we identify our interests and gain skills.
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But figuring out what we should be doing for a living can often be frustrating.
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Sometimes we have things we're good at but wouldn't want to do all the time.
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On the other hand, there are things we'd love to do
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but we just wish we could be better at them.
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Dream jobs often represent the hopes and aspirations we have for ourselves.
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But while some of the dreams we had as kids might not be realistic now,
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it doesn't mean you can't find something amazing today
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and inspire some others in the process.
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When considering any job or career, it's important to identify
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and hold true to the values that are important to you.
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[Ryan Carson - Founder of Treehouse] Do I love my job? I'm insane about my job.
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I mean, I feel like my job is a religion.
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I mean, I've never felt more strongly about something in my entire life.
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I feel lucky. Not every job you're going to have in your life will be the one.
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But this is the one.
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I've run 4 companies, I've had multiple jobs, and this is the one that matters.
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And I think sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't with those jobs,
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and you happen to be in the right place at the right time.
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I think you can find those jobs by seeking them,
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like, "What is something I really care about that I can get paid to do?"
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And probably people undervalue the passion value.
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It is so much more satisfying doing something that you're passionate about
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than something you're well paid to do you don't care about.
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Almost everybody at Treehouse probably could make more money somewhere else,
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like in Silicon Valley or in the movie industry or something we could do more.
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And I think we pay well here, but the point is that I believe we're all happier here
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because we're doing something that matters and we're passionate about.
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And it goes so far.
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Every day I turn to my wife Jill and say, "I can't believe I do this."
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"I get paid to do this. It's insane. I'd do this for free."
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I feel very lucky.
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[Mat Helme - Design Teacher, Treehouse] So my job as a designer is literally a dream job.
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I almost feel bad telling people what I do and how much I love it
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because I feel like I'm making them feel bad.
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I find myself working constantly, but it's out of just love for the industry
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and just love for design.
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I'm constantly thinking of different stuff to make, create, build,
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and even collaborate with other people.
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For some people, a dream job means working on a specific type of activity
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or in an environment they love.
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It doesn't matter if it's coding or graphic design, car repair or gardening.
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If they're able to do a certain kind of work, some people will be absolutely content.
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Many of them would do it for free if they could,
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and that is a sign of true passion.
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Other dream jobs involve working for a specific company or cause they believe in.
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Whether it's a nonprofit, education, raising money for charity or curing a disease,
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many people need a mission with a driving force behind it.
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It brings meaning to their work, which they can look forward to every day.
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In some cases, a dream job means working in a flexible situation
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as much or as little as you want from wherever you want.
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Many freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs
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avoid the office environment altogether and work out of their home,
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on the road, on their phone, wherever they are.
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It allows people to constantly stay on the move, meet others,
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attend events, and network.
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And sometimes the dream job is all about being compensated.
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But finding a job that pays well doesn't necessarily mean you're being greedy.
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Some people are looking for financial stability,
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a way to pay important bills and pay off debts, to save for the future
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and receive benefits that will help them care for family and loved ones.
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So what's your dream job?
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Everyone's needs and obligations are different,
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but at its core, the dream job is really all about our greatest passions,
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both professionally and personally.
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Subject matter that excites us, working with amazing people and important causes.
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It's about the life we hope for and the dreams we hope to realize.
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The dream job might sound like something only kids should hold out hope for,
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but if you think realistically about the opportunities available today
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and what it takes to get there, the dream is something we all have a chance to achieve.
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