When I was in third grade, I was in a performance called “When I Grow Up….” and while I’d like to say that I got to pick my ensemble for the concert (which at the time would have been a glamorous movie star with a big feather boa and sparkly jewelry….okay who am I kidding, I’d love that right now), I had to go on as a cowgirl.
A COWGIRL in the early 90s (no offense Lori)?!?! That was by no means my dream. EVER. I’m a VEGETARIAN. Whatever that means…
Fast forward to the early 2000s and for years I knew exactly what my dream job was – to open up a center for abused and neglected women in El Salvador. For years I had read horrible article after horrible article about the conditions for women in that country. It pained me. But as I dived deeper into my research and read more and more about the instability of the nation, I got discouraged. I doubted my ability to make a worthwhile impact, so I localized my efforts, and sought ways to improve the lives of women in my own community. I began my career in the public relations field doing pro-bono projects at the Women’s Resource Center.
Since then I’ve had a number incredible challenges and unbelievable opportunities. I’ve been the face of major brands, I’ve launched national campaigns, I’ve toured with bands, I’ve worked with celebrities, I drove national campaigns to support our nation’s abused and neglected children. I guess I “grew up.”
But after a conversation a few weeks ago with my friend, Jeff Pulver, it got me back to my early hopeless romantic/save the world college mindset. It got me singing the songs from the concert in third grade.
When I grow up I wanna be, the very best that I can be.
To do the jobs that have to be done, and to do it well and have lots of fun!
I know in order to be happy at work, I have to be making a difference or impact the lives of others. And knowing that, I’ve never worked for a company that did not have a philanthropic tie or nonprofit account. I’ve been so fortunate, and what’s even better is I’ve had FUN doing it.
But, it got me thinking. What makes my friends happy? When they dream about work, what do they dream about? So, I sent out a survey to 100 folks asking them three questions: What’s most important to you at work, what is your current employment status, and what is your dream job.
The answers blew me away.
70.4 percent said what kind of work they do is most important
29.6 percent are employed and happy (and/or not seeking)!
But the absolute best (as you may have expected), was the open-ended response for “What is your dream job?” This is raw, and I’m giving it all to you. It’s just TOO good, so scroll through if you will (I’ve highlighted the ones that caught my eye, whether that’s for their passion, hope, hopelessness, or humor). Please keep in mind some of my friends cannot spell, but that doesn’t mean they don’t dream. 
Enjoy.
1.Something equal parts challenging and rewarding, making enough to make how much I’m making not an issue, working with people who respect me, in a field I find interesting. Something with numbers and maybe some students.
2.Film director. Filming my stories and visions into reality- having the masses be changed and evolved by them. And to paint- oil on canvas
3.My dream job is work somewhere with experienced professionals that I can grow from and will challenge me intellectually and get my creative juices flowing!
4. Be a mom.
5.Writing for a fashion mag
6.The person who creates television show microsites, like Lost’s Oceanic 815.
7.Multiple Interesting challenges on a daily basis. Working in a collegial family friendly environment. Good life work balance. growth job/growth or stable industry. Light travel. Telecommuting
8.Genetics research
9.Matchmaker
10.My dream job would include part challenge, part innovation, part research, part teaching. Definitely have flexi time and work from home option.
11.A job in a field i love, with great people. I’m appreciated and I consistantly have new challenges. I’m busy but I still have time for my personnal life.
12.To be a stay at home mom to my daughters.
13.Lawyer
14.My dream job involves using my brain and creativity to solve complex problems. Oh, and a pat on the back for a job well done from time to time.
15.Something easy with nice pay….of course!
16.Doing the work I do now, but working with supportive people and making enough money to not have to keep my student loans in forbearance.
17.My dream job would be to balance my time between film and theater, without excluding rare quality television appearences. I would like to star/co-star/have juicy supporting roles in darkly funny and quirky independent movies with incredible scripts, supportive and intellectually curious casts and genius directors. I would like to to star/co-star/have juicy supporting roles in intelligent and funny plays on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater.
18.I enjoy helping people find their strengths and learn to apply them in a work setting to improve their overall job satisfaction. I can do that many ways. Mostly I do that as a summer camp director where I hire and supervise 130 young people each summer.
19.I enjoy helping people find their strengths and learn to apply them in a work setting to improve their overall job satisfaction. I can do that many ways. Mostly I do that as a summer camp director where I hire and supervise 130 young people each summer.
20.Writing for movies and TV
21.I’ve worked in IT for 12 years. My dream job would be to do something where I can be creative, even tho in general I’m not, and not to bake under florescent lighting every day!
22.Self sufficient fine artist
23.WWW.AskaNewYorker.com is my dream job
24.My dream job is truly working for myself, where my income is determined by the amount and quality of work I do and by the quality of my relationships. It’s about control and choosing your environment.
25.One that would utilize my talents, allow me to stand out, and make a difference
26.Being able to create what i want, for who i want, when i want.
27.it’s all about the environment and people for me. commraderie, partnership, accountability, goals alignment, rewards for work well done not just political savvy.
28.Ideal “dream job” would incorporate all of the following: 1. Being able to work from home 2. 10 to 20 percent travel (domestic & international) 3. Makes use of my skills including foreign languages 4. Great co-workers – we can work together remotely 5. Open communications with everyone I work with 6. Decent money (of course)
29.Creative work highlighting real issues that face us
30.Consultant/Coach; helping others while still having time to do things for me.
31.idea maker
32.continue to connect with ideas and people.
33.Working for a tech charity – I really enjoy working in the public sector. I want to work with cutting edge technology and connect with influential people and be influential. I want to work for an ethical company. I want most of my job to be non-admin and working directly with people, bringing a positive difference into people’s lives.
34.one where i’m appreciated, able to work hard, be challenged, help others, work with non-idiots, compensated appropriately, and where i can where my tiny nose stud
35.I do have it – I own a marketing agency and also do consulting on the side. I love working for myself and being able to fulfill my own ambitions with my company.
36.Director of non-profit
37.A balance of serving my stakeholders, doing passionate work, giving back to the community, a solid work/life balance and just a bit more money than I need…am I being too picky?
38.outdoor industry, working with eco-conscious people, doing work to help the environment or help people get active outdoors.
39.I have two:
1. Run my own non-profit
2. Travel writer
40.Being my own boss for a company that helps women achieve greater levels of success.
41.A PR agency in Chicago- so long as I have fun and it’s enough to help me support myself and the people I need to support.
42.My dream job is to travel the world; writing and photographing my life and experiences and living off my reputation as a talented and brilliant writer.
43.Unlimited budget, lots of creative flow and a good salary.
44.Working in house for an exciting and interesting consumer tech brand, something related to music.
45.Freelancing as a book designer/layout artist
46.Right now I am focused in the technology industry, but would rather move into the wine and/or travel industry. Something that is closer to my interests and what I could get more passionate about.
47.It’s in a company where i can have discussions with high level of complexity and importance, receive a great pay, and allows me to have a personal life after normal work hours most time of the year.
48.One where I feel like I am making a positive difference in the world and not just shoveling papers. One where I feel satisfaction and not burn out.
49.To help give a voice and public presence/awareness online and in future communication technologies to individuals, companies or businesses looking to make the world better
50.A publicity or event coordinator for a creative company or projects, with an entertainment and good-will aspect
51.Direct and edit films. and be a a teacher or counselor at a high school or college
52.Working at a mid sized PR firm that loves non profit clients, music, sun, and family.
53.It doesn’t exist. Not in this world.
54.connecting brands to consumers via integrated campaigns utilizing multiple platforms including social media, events and PR.
55.I would like to work in the sports industry as a public relations consultant.
56.My dream job would be to do PR for either the Yankees or MTV.
57.i very nearly have my dream job. i’m an interactive designer in higher education. my coworkers are terrific and my day-to-day is challenging in a great way.
58.Sports Public Relations & Media
59.i DO NOT have it
A job that provides a good balance of structure and creativity– gives me tools to better myself professionally and the flexibility to learn from my failures. One that is in the marketing space and politics are not affecting me directly (of course they will always be there..)
Actually. now that I am typing this. I want to coach softball for a comfortable amount of money.
60.I currently have my dream job. I have long-term clients who trust me to fulfill their strategies without micro-managing my time. I get to speak with people all over the country, hear their opinions, and produce relevant copy from it.
61.At this point in my life, I absolutely have my dream job. I work with an amazing agency doing social media monitoring and measurement, and I LOVE it! Measurement is my passion, and I get to work on it every single day. No two days are the same, and yes, I have some monotonous tasks, but I have ownership over some projects and that makes me understand the big picture. And that makes all the silly little tasks worthwhile.
62.Working for a company I believe in and succeeding in making an impact on society.
63.Working in PR, managng clients, planning events and managing others
64.A place where I get to write all day long, *and* play with technology. And I’ve got it
65.Great team, creative environment, great clients, travel, challenging/thought-provoking work, ethically centered, well paying
66.Proofreading or editing fiction. Helping to shape books is my dream.
67.Working hard where the work directly affects your personal success. Never repetitious, fun and engaging atmosphere and always challenging.
68.Male hand model.
69.Hitman
70.Allows me the opportunity to succeed and grow in directions that fulfill/interest me, with a paycheck reasonable enough to live on!
71.Leading a branding team where holistic marketing is the focus for a consumer brand.
72.I can see myself either writing or working an animal shelter.
73.To do something I love with people that make me laugh.
74.I’m pretty close — wish I could demonstrate more
75.A collaborative laid back job where I get to blog about TV all day long.
76.hearing or seeing the “thank you” in peoples reaction to what i do. be it a technological experience, a good meal or a work of art.
77.to own a business and not have a boss
78.My dream job involves being a leader, creative, and able to work on my own time.
Unfreakingbelievable. The answer got me thinking. What new adventures can I take to make sure that I’m living my life the best that I possibly can? Am I really spending time to think about my dream? And am I living up to those standards? Why can’t I open a resource center in El Salvador or be a movie star, if that’s still my dream?
