Growing up, we were all asked what we wanted to be when we were older. By the time we reach high school, the old “ballerina” and “firefighter” responses quickly fade and the typical “stuck behind a desk” office job seems to dangle above our heads. However, a part of us will always aspire to follow our dreams, and honestly, it’s not as hard as it seems. Attaining your dream job is quite simple if you go about it the right way.

• Shoot for the Moon! At this point in our lives we start to discover new interests and possible career paths. Figuring out what you want to do with your life is the first step before considering any job. Making goals and looking at the benefits you hope to obtain from it is one way to start. The part that makes it a dream job is that it won’t feel like the agonizing cookie-cut office job, but instead follows the quote: “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”

“Personally, high school has made me lean into engineering. It’s important for us to start thinking about our future because when it comes to applying to colleges we’ll have an idea of what subjects and majors we’re interested in, which will narrow down the options. Goals are important to have a successful future because you know exactly what you want to do with your life. You focus on some things more than others, and build yourself up for the future and life ahead of you,” freshman Joshua Manrufo said.

• Study Your Stuff! After choosing the path you’re going to take, making a game plan is necessary. If your dream job requires certain skills, work towards acquiring them. If a college degree is required for you to excel, look into schools that offer what you need. Nothing is handed to you; if you want your dream job, you’ll have to work for it.

“I think everybody has their own dream job, and high school not only helps strengthens what you want to study (which for me would be Sports Medicine), but also guides you to the right college that you should apply to. It’s important to do research regarding what you want to do because you must know the full package that comes with what you want to study in the future as well as everything you must do in order to reach your dream job,” junior Nicole Sanchez said.

• Get an Internship! We all start from the bottom. Internships are the pathways that can jump-start our success in the ‘real’ world. They allow you to gain experience which will benefit you later when applying for a job, especially your dream one. The skills you gain will help you understand your dream job better as well as give you recognition. Most internships do not require much experience or full knowledge on the area they are in. However, your chances of getting the internship increase if you’re suited for the position.
• Get to Know People! Connections are everything when it comes to achieving an endeavor. Building a strong social foundation can come in handy when going after your dream job. Knowing who to lean on when facing an issue or whom to ask for assistance will definitely benefit your career path, so get social and make great first impressions-as they are everything.
• Climb to the Top! Starting a career at a lower position leaves room for improvement and promotion. Working hard towards what you want and showing the right attitude will get you closer to your dream job in no time. As you work your way to the top, gain experience that will help you excel when you’re finally there.

“I think it’s a matter of focus and commitment. We get caught up in doing so many things that we lose sight on what we truly want. In my opinion, the most important thing is prioritizing,” senior Julian Falconi said.

Although the process seems long and draining, your dream job is not far from reach. Just keep focus and persevere; you won’t regret it when you’re being welcomed in on your first day of work!