2. A long resume isn’t a strong quality.
Each job demands something different of you, but it’s quite common for people to jump around from job to job without ever growing. The average Millennial is on pace to work 15-20 different jobs in their lifetime. Experience means nothing if you haven’t actually learned from it.
If Millennials aren’t careful, they’ll quickly think of themselves as well-experienced in many different fields, without becoming an expert in any of them.
When I interviewed for my first post-college job, my future boss asked me why I spent four years at the same undergrad school. I told him I valued the experience gained by staying in one place for a long time. “Loyalty matters,” I told the president of this company. He hired me before I walked out the door.
While there is certainly something to be said for being a person with a wide array of experiences, the ability to stick with something for a long time produces expertise and commands respect from others.
3. A narrow understanding of the “dream job.”
Being a pastor was not and is not my dream job. I woke up yesterday at 5 a.m. to go pray with a church member before his surgery. That was never in my dreams. My dream has always been to write one sports column a week, while getting paid to argue about fantasy basketball.
But my supposed dream affects other people. I have a wife and kid now, and my dream affects their lives.
In reality, my dream is a selfish dream. It’s all about getting my name in lights. Sure, it sounds exciting for me, but ultimately, it benefits me and makes little difference in the lives nearest me. The #1 goal of nearly half of Millennials is to become famous. And so, a “dream job” is typically about fame and fortune. Mine is no different.
So, maybe what must be re-evaluated is what qualifies as a dream job?
- Do you get to use your skills and gifts?
- Do you feel purpose in your work?
- Do you sense opportunities to view your work as ministry?
Pastoral work isn’t always sexy. I get to speak in front of people consistently, and I’m given the opportunity to build trust with people so I can speak into their lives, but the day to day of pastoral work isn’t very dream-like. It’s studying and email and meeting with new people and connecting dots.
But in many ways, it’s still a dream job. Every day, I make an impact on eternity in vivid ways. That’s stuff that dreams were made of.
I would imagine your idea of a dream job is too narrow, just like mine is.
