Comments on: To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:59:21 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Losing a Job, Gaining Perspective | TalentEgg Student Career Incubator http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-181626 Losing a Job, Gaining Perspective | TalentEgg Student Career Incubator Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:38:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-181626 [...] accepted the position with fervor. I was only three weeks out of university and my dream job had been handed to me with gift wrap and [...] [...] accepted the position with fervor. I was only three weeks out of university and my dream job had been handed to me with gift wrap and [...]

]]> By: F http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-176167 F Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:53:58 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-176167 <i>The reason so many young people are starting companies is not because jobs are hard to find; it's because dream jobs are hard to find.</i> I can totally relate to this. During my time at university I built an online community with others, which was in hindsight very much like a start-up company. Long story short, it was a terrific 'job' (I'd have worked on it 24/7 if that had been feasible). The great, varied, even priviliged Fortune 500 corporate job I held after graduating, was rather bleak in comparison. I soooo relate to the "slow", "little to say", ... and other comments by Google defects referenced in your article above. So now I'm looking for a new (corporate - ouch!) job. I may found or work in a start-up one day. Until then, the corporate world seems the path to go (I am following your twists & turns advice) but I am extremely sceptic whether this path holds any chance of a reasonably fulfilling job after what I have tasted... Anyway, thank you for your articles which do shed some light for me in these troubled times! The reason so many young people are starting companies is not because jobs are hard to find; it's because dream jobs are hard to find.
I can totally relate to this. During my time at university I built an online community with others, which was in hindsight very much like a start-up company. Long story short, it was a terrific 'job' (I'd have worked on it 24/7 if that had been feasible). The great, varied, even priviliged Fortune 500 corporate job I held after graduating, was rather bleak in comparison. I soooo relate to the "slow", "little to say", … and other comments by Google defects referenced in your article above. So now I'm looking for a new (corporate – ouch!) job. I may found or work in a start-up one day. Until then, the corporate world seems the path to go (I am following your twists & turns advice) but I am extremely sceptic whether this path holds any chance of a reasonably fulfilling job after what I have tasted… Anyway, thank you for your articles which do shed some light for me in these troubled times!

]]> By: Pimping Bookmarks: Finding Your Dream Job | money news blog http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-138708 Pimping Bookmarks: Finding Your Dream Job | money news blog Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:45:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-138708 [...] To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns by Penelope Trunk [...] [...] To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns by Penelope Trunk [...]

]]> By: Pimping Bookmarks: Finding Your Dream Job http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-138691 Pimping Bookmarks: Finding Your Dream Job Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:17:08 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-138691 [...] To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns by Penelope Trunk [...] [...] To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns by Penelope Trunk [...]

]]> By: hugh http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-109671 hugh Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:54:08 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-109671 I agree with this article completely. I would also add that there are many paths to get to where you want. I know most about the MBA route because that's the route I took and now I'm in a typical post-MBA job. The way I got here, though, is very unconventional - a stint in executive recruiting, then the Peace Corps, then a top MBA, and now investment banking in Latin America. I never worried about what to do next; I just had faith it would work out. While some colleagues spent their mid-20's working until 2 a.m. as investment bank analysts, I was living in Nicaragua and surfing every weekend, yet we ended up in the same place (I just think I had more fun!) I agree with this article completely. I would also add that there are many paths to get to where you want. I know most about the MBA route because that's the route I took and now I'm in a typical post-MBA job. The way I got here, though, is very unconventional – a stint in executive recruiting, then the Peace Corps, then a top MBA, and now investment banking in Latin America. I never worried about what to do next; I just had faith it would work out. While some colleagues spent their mid-20's working until 2 a.m. as investment bank analysts, I was living in Nicaragua and surfing every weekend, yet we ended up in the same place (I just think I had more fun!)

]]> By: Greg Rollett http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-105943 Greg Rollett Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:34:25 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-105943 Being in an entry level position in the field that I love and chose, I feel like I am getting paid training or schooling. Everything that I learn on the job, I take home and implement into my own start-up. It's not an overnight process,but it is one that I believe in, and one that also pays the soon to have (Sept 1st) mortgage payment. Thanks for the reassurance and motivation! Greta writing as usual! Being in an entry level position in the field that I love and chose, I feel like I am getting paid training or schooling. Everything that I learn on the job, I take home and implement into my own start-up. It's not an overnight process,but it is one that I believe in, and one that also pays the soon to have (Sept 1st) mortgage payment. Thanks for the reassurance and motivation! Greta writing as usual!

]]> By: Selfmademom http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-105894 Selfmademom Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:22:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-105894 This post scares and excites me all at the same time. I don't know if I'd say I'm in my "dream job" right now, but I'm at a job where I have the most flexible schedule I could ask for, challenging work and a supporting team. Now that I'm a mom, I think that I look for different "dreamy" options from employers. I think even though I may not be in the field I want to be in forever, I know that I'm living the dream of a lot of mothers out there looking for meaningful flexible work options. I'm here to tell you it's possible too! Great blog, btw, I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you at BlogHer! This post scares and excites me all at the same time. I don't know if I'd say I'm in my "dream job" right now, but I'm at a job where I have the most flexible schedule I could ask for, challenging work and a supporting team. Now that I'm a mom, I think that I look for different "dreamy" options from employers. I think even though I may not be in the field I want to be in forever, I know that I'm living the dream of a lot of mothers out there looking for meaningful flexible work options. I'm here to tell you it's possible too! Great blog, btw, I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you at BlogHer!

]]> By: links for 2007-08-07 : Greg Palmer http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-105690 links for 2007-08-07 : Greg Palmer Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:42:04 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-105690 [...] To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk Really good column on the value of taking unexpected twists and turns in your career. (tags: career jobs) [...] [...] To find a dream job today pick a path with twists and turns » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk Really good column on the value of taking unexpected twists and turns in your career. (tags: career jobs) [...]

]]> By: Tom http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-105680 Tom Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:25:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-105680 I agree with Nataly, I've started and done about 4 businesses from years 20 to 30 and I don't regret doing those things one bit. For anyone who's never been an entrepeneur, it's a trip you'll never forget, I promise ;) I agree with Nataly, I've started and done about 4 businesses from years 20 to 30 and I don't regret doing those things one bit. For anyone who's never been an entrepeneur, it's a trip you'll never forget, I promise ;)

]]> By: Jay Hargis http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/comment-page-1/#comment-105679 Jay Hargis Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:24:38 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/05/to-find-a-dream-job-today-pick-a-path-with-twists-and-turns/#comment-105679 <p>Loved this post and the energy is stirred in me. As I think about it, I couldn't do the type of talent management consulting that I do today if I hadn't had my crummy entry-level jobs. That was where I learned, first hand, why talent management was so important. I think that at each step, I always kept in mind...what can I do in this job for my people that I wished my boss had done for me. I, to this day, think that is why I've always been a good manager (or at least tried to be a good manager). </p> <p>I got some good advice as I was doing some sole searching a year or two ago. Create a trajectory for yourself...it doesn't have to be perfect and it can change and morph but create one (it can be your final job or a step towards the kind of work you want to be doing). Then, whenever you have a new opportunity, compare it to that trajectory and see if it fits. If it does, go for it. If it doesn't, pass it up.</p> * * * * * * * <I>I love the idea of examining one's trajectory. We should all do this constantly. Becuase I think a lot of people don't even have a trajectory to examine. They are sort of treading water. The exciting/scary part of a trajectory is you can never be sure where it is catapulting you to. But it is more scary to not be going anywhere. -Penelope</I> Loved this post and the energy is stirred in me. As I think about it, I couldn't do the type of talent management consulting that I do today if I hadn't had my crummy entry-level jobs. That was where I learned, first hand, why talent management was so important. I think that at each step, I always kept in mind…what can I do in this job for my people that I wished my boss had done for me. I, to this day, think that is why I've always been a good manager (or at least tried to be a good manager).

I got some good advice as I was doing some sole searching a year or two ago. Create a trajectory for yourself…it doesn't have to be perfect and it can change and morph but create one (it can be your final job or a step towards the kind of work you want to be doing). Then, whenever you have a new opportunity, compare it to that trajectory and see if it fits. If it does, go for it. If it doesn't, pass it up.

* * * * * * *
I love the idea of examining one's trajectory. We should all do this constantly. Becuase I think a lot of people don't even have a trajectory to examine. They are sort of treading water. The exciting/scary part of a trajectory is you can never be sure where it is catapulting you to. But it is more scary to not be going anywhere.

-Penelope

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