Work Beyond the 9 to 5 to Pursue your Dream Career

For many of you who’ve taken entry-level jobs after college, you may feel as though it’s nowhere near your dream career. While our first jobs may be more enjoyable than others, in this tough economy, we usually take what we can get. At the same time, though, there’s much to be said for gunning for your dream career, even when you’ve just starting out in the working world. And the best way to accomplish just that is by making use of your time outside of working hours to continue developing skills needed for that eventual career of your dreams. Here are a few tips:

Come to terms with the fact that your current job is just a bill-payer.

Many Gen-Yers stuck in dead end jobs often begin feeling hopeless about their career. There’s such a deep connection between our feelings of self-worth and the technical jobs we hold that it can be difficult to realize that you are not the work that you officially get paid to do. If your dream career is a far cry from your current job, don’t get discouraged. Just learn to separate your professional life from your personal dreams. Understand your current job as a gig that helps you live life and be grateful for it.

Start looking for contract work.

If you are hoping to get on a completely different career track, one that is so far removed from your current line of work that you can’t think of one valuable skill you are gaining, then your best route out is contract work. One undeniable trend in the job market today is an ever increasing demand for project-based work. Not only will you be offered ample opportunity to do contract jobs considering the high demand, but it will also give you the opportunity to spend time working on what you really want to do while still holding a job that materially provides.

1. Schedule your time effectively to make room for different projects.

Of course, holding a steady job while planning and developing an entirely separate skill set, is not easy. And only the most passionate and driven can truly make it happen. But if you want your dream career badly enough, you’ll enjoy the contract gigs you find outside of your normal working hours. While this enjoyment is the key to success, you’ll also need to hone your time management skills. To consistently find and complete enough projects  in your off hours, you’ll have to learn how to get home, rest some, and prepare yourself for more work before going to bed. You’ll have to learn to make the most of your weekends. These habits may be difficult to develop, but once established, they’re often solid.                                                           

2.  Put yourself out there!

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online courses.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7 @gmail.com.