is there such a thing as a dream job?

TL;DR: not really.

it’s great to have a goal or dream that you want to achieve, but i would advise against obsessing over the idea of a single “dream job.” you might be thinking: geez, nina, you’re so cynical. but to me, i’m being honest and realistic.

having done 7 internships across different roles and industries, i’ve spent a lot of time searching for my so-called “dream job.” i thrived for the perfect role, the perfect company, the perfect environment that would make me wake up every day excited to work. but, here’s what i’ve learned:

1. no job is perfect, even at your dream company

when i landed an internship at one of my dream companies, i was absolutely thrilled. the name looked incredible on my resume, and i felt like I had "made it.” but a few weeks in, i started noticing things that made me question whether this was actually the right fit for me. the work wasn’t as exciting as i had expected and i realized that brand prestige doesn’t necessarily equal career fulfillment.

the truth? every job has trade-offs. no company, no matter how prestigious or well-known, is going to check every single box.

2. your “dream job” might shift over time

when i first started my career journey, i was convinced i wanted to work in the beauty industry. then i did a few internships in it and… turns out, it wasn’t for me. so, i pivoted and then i kept pivoting because i realized that the kind of creative work i’m interested in doesn’t require me to be in one specific industry.

what i thought was my dream job a year ago isn’t even something i’d apply to today and that’s okay. your interests evolve, your priorities shift, and you learn more about yourself throughout time. keep following what makes you feel excited.

3. a “dream job” is just a job, but your skills and experiences stay with you

a job is just one part of your career journey—it’s not the journey. instead of obsessing over landing the perfect job, i’ve started focusing on something much more important: building skills and experiences that will help me grow no matter where i go next. because here’s the thing: you can land your "dream job" and still feel unfulfilled if the work doesn’t challenge you, if the company culture isn’t a fit, or if the industry doesn’t align with your values.

rather than chasing an idealized version of a job, focus on asking yourself these questions:

• does this role allow me to learn and grow?

• am i surrounded by people who inspire me?

• do i feel challenged in a way that excites me?

because those are the things that actually make a job great—not just the job title, not just the company name, and definitely not the hype of landing a "dream job."

what are the takeaways?

if you’re job-searching right now, don’t stress about finding the one perfect role. focus on finding a job that gives you opportunities, growth, and the ability to explore new possibilities. because the best career isn’t about landing one dream job—it’s about building a career that lets you create new dreams along the way. wow, that’s so corny but anyways, i hope that was somewhat helpful.

🫶 nina