Don't Stop Believing-It's a Journey Song

In a business world, many young aspiring grads are looking to lock down their ideal job. In a perfect world, you go to college, get an entry level position in the industry that you studied in and move up the corporate ladder. Today, a college degree is most valuable only in certain industries and in certain geographical areas. If you want to get a job, you most likely need to know someone or start as an intern. Who can pay for college, living expenses after college or get by on your on while doing an internship?

However; this growing issue isn't the topic of our conversation today. That's just annoying and a problem that just exists. I don't have the answers. It's about figuring out what you want to do for potentially the rest of your life that is tricky, yet possible. Many educational institutes don't provide programs or "test courses" in order to find that job or career path that most of the time, you didn't even know existed. For many, bouncing around from job to job in your twenties is just what you have to do in order to make a buck. Forget about what you WANT to do, you need to survive!

I had this problem in college where I didn't know what major I wanted to focus on or what my career path was going to be.  I ended up getting a degree in interdisciplinary studies from Boston University so I could exercise my options. What options??? I didn't know the options. I started working in the beauty industry as a part-time receptionist and eventually moved up to a managerial position. This was great, but not quite the pay and creativity that I was looking for. I had so many different interests that I couldn't figure out what to focus on. I loved beauty products, especially hair, but didn't want to be a stylist. I loved fashion, but didn't want to be a designer or really anything in the industry. I was always told I had good insight to people and situations, so I thought about going back to school for psychology. Sike! No more school. 

That is when I was perused on the wonderful craigslist and found an internship for a boutique Public Relations firm. I didn't know what they did or what PR was, but I figured that if I was going to live in L.A., I might as well take advantage of the industries that thrive here. I went for an interview and loved it! 

After working in PR now for most of my post grad career, I have found an opportunity where I can include all of my interests into one job. I love food and cooking so my company has a hospitality department. I am obsessed with hair and beauty products so some of my clients are beauty brands and corresponding events. I love keeping current on fashion trends and buying techniques, so I keep it a focus. Film and music have always been my favorites so I do some bookings for bands, djs and work on some film projects. 

I never take on a project or client who I don't believe in and whose product, company, philosophy and vision do not make sense to me. This job was created for me and I am blessed to know now that it exists!! It is important to keep in mind that you have to reach for what you want to do and if you don't know what that is, then get out there and start figuring it out. Staying in a job that is secure and provides complete contentment is only going to tack on the years, energy and talent you could have been putting into your dream career. 

Figuring out what you are meant to do can't happen over night, but there is something out there for everyone. The road may be a bumpy one, confusing at times, and completely frustrating, but searching for it is all you can do. No one has the answers, but at least I can provide some insight into my journey and an outlook that can possibly help others trying to find theirs.

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