They say that millennials look for purpose over paycheck. In the last decade, there have been surges in startups as the generation abandon traditional jobs for more ‘meaningful’, purpose-bound work. And yet only 30 percent of women report currently working in their dream jobs, according to a survey by Toluna, who interviewed 1,000 women aged 25 to 35.
Although money and having a stable job is important, the perfect jobs align with passions, in arts, healthcare, academia – but also practical needs.
Nearly 80 percent of respondents expressed a desire to work from home, while 64 percent were keen to work for themselves. Interestingly, only 36 percent of the women surveyed had an interest in working abroad.
But what constitutes a dream job?
It’s unlikely that the woman interviewed still want to be what they wanted to be when they were younger. If dream jobs are susceptible to change, how likely is it that our circumstances will correlate with the requirements of jobs we dreamed of decades ago?
For example, if a woman wants to grow up to be a pilot when she is younger, by the time she’s completed her education, has she done the right courses and got the experience needed to get into the profession?
Could it be that women may be swayed by other circumstances such as financial worries, family responsibilities, and a lack of training? Are men more likely to be risk-takers?
Perhaps it’s that women face more obstacles when attempting to get involved in their ideal careers.
Credit: Ella Byworth/mylo
Across the board, women face more challenges as they go up the career ladder, which is one reason why there are less women in leadership roles. There are also fewer leadership opportunities for women. These could be some of the reasons that stop them pursuing their career goals.
It is also likely that some of the women participating in the survey did not have a particular dream job they had envisioned for their lives.
Furthermore, these women may report that they are not currently in their perfect positions but are working towards it.
But why do people stay in jobs that don’t fit their dreams?
What’s holding them back?
Tiffany Rolland, from Paris, left her native France to pursue her aspirations. But instead, practical requirements left her doing a job she didn’t enjoy. The 25-year-old told Metro.co.uk: ‘I feel too trapped between my poor network here and the lack of time and money I have to quit this job and do what I love.’
Kirsteen Rees, 35, who is using the new year to publish her own book, says the main setback in achieving her aspirations was illness. She said: ‘I have a chronic health condition called Fibromyalgia (same as Lady Gaga), and it impacts my energy, sleep, and general health’.
Credit: Ella Byworth/ Shutterstock
Some women bravely make a drastic change
Some women have put up with less than satisfying jobs for long enough, and bravely make a drastic change. They may end up with less money or more hours working, but they’re happy they chased their dreams.
Neena, 33, used to work in law but wanted something that had a greater impact in shaping people’s lives. So she turned to Teach First, a charity that pays for the PGCE training qualification.
Although she works longer and harder in teaching, she says it has better rewards and is more meaningful. She ‘wouldn’t change it for the world’.
Zoe, 30, also felt she wasn’t in the best job, working as a lawyer for four years. The West Londoner found herself watching the clock until home time on most days.
‘I had got to a stage in law where I felt like I wasn’t being challenged anymore,’ she told Metro.co.uk. ‘I couldn’t imagine sitting behind a desk doing law for the rest of my life. I really felt like it was now or never.’
Having turned to teaching, she said: ‘I love working with the kids and feeling like I’m making a positive difference to their lives’.
Regardless of the reasons for sticking around at a job you don’t love, a new year heralds a new beginning, so if you feel you’re not in the right job maybe now’s the time to evaluate what you’re doing and work towards fulfilling your dreams – whatever they may be. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.
By Faima Bakar – Originally Article
Feature Image Credit: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk
