A Job Worth Waking Up For: Tips for Finding Your Perfect Career

This is a guest post from Axcelerate, established in 1989 and has offered both accredited and non-accredited training since the early 1990s


Being a parent involves worrying about money and work. It involves wondering whether it's time to find a new, better job that suits you.

Every little kid gets asked what they want to be when they grow up. I bet you can remember (c’mon it wasn’t that long ago.) With starry eyes and a grin on your face you said something along the lines of I want to be an astronaut/doctor/actor. Then you would imagine living in a mega mansion, lazing around on your pool toy while the butler hands you a glass of soda. Then you grew up and became something along the lines of a marketer/cremator/Lindsay Lohans personal assistant.

A far cry from your original idea. However, if you are unhappy in your current career, it’s not too late to change nor is it ever too late to change – there’s eighty year olds going back to college to study! So if they can do it, you can too. Discovering your passion and finding your dream job is something millions of people have accomplished. With a bit of hard work and a positive attitude, you could be next. At the end of the day, who wants to have a gravestone reading – lived and died for the man. Not me.

Take the Time to Learn about Yourself

© Photographer: Olga Vasilkova
Agency: Dreamstime.com

Remember, you are not your name nor your job title. You are a human with real aspirations, passions, skills and ideas. Really take the time to find out what inspires you and gets you going in the morning. Do you like busting out the chainsaw every week and making cool wooden projects for your kids? Do you write creatively in a journal every night? Do you love going out of your way to provide care packages for your friends and family who are sick? All of these things can lead to careers as an architect, writer or elderly carer. Spend an hour or however long you like, writing about the things you do that make you truly happy. When you’ve finished, analyse them and see if you can string together an idea.

Don’t Be Deterred by Lack of Experience

No one is ever really fully qualified for a new job, so don’t let that deter you from reaching your career dreams. Developing skills for your new job may take time, it could be anything from going back to school or completing a short course via axcelerate.com.au. When it comes to your career, nothing should be put in the too hard box. It might mean that budgets have to be tighter, or you opt for part-time work while you study. Find what works for you and do it.

Grow your network

The best thing you do to work towards your future goals is to surround yourself in positive people who already work within the industry. Social media is now making it really easy to get in contact with these markets and stay in touch with everyone you have met. You’ll find that people are always willing to share their story or their advice with anyone – all you have to do is ask. Remember, the worst that can happen is a no.

Are you currently in your dream job? What were the steps you took to land it? Let us know your story in the comments below.