1. Why isn't it working?
If you went to a college similar to mine, you left feeling inspired, encouraged, and equipped. Something about getting A's and nods from professors creates the illusion that you can achieve anything—with a little hard work of course. While this is not a bad ambition, it can lead to false conclusions and paralyzing questions.
[Photo cred: my husband. I recently posted my thoughts on this issue here.]
Don't be fooled. No amount of hard work and networking will land you the perfect (dream) job. While these things are not wrong or harmful, putting your faith in these things will lead to anxiety, stress, and disappointment. Instead of faulting the system when you end up working at Carl's Jr. instead of The New York Times, remember Who is leading you in the first place.
As Christians, walking forward is the only thing we know we are supposed to do. Trust God's leading, without a 5-year-plan (which personally I find kinda ridiculous and impossible—who can know five years from now anyway?) or guarantees of a particular future. Work with what you have, do what's in front of you, and give everything up to God every day, all day. He blesses obedience, I promise.
2. How do I catch my illusive dream job?
I am not speaking from the experience of having the dream job. In fact, my first job out of college was actually kinda crappy. I worked in an office, answered phones, updated paperwork, filed—mainly I sat in a rolly office chair for eight hours a day so that I could be paid; not what a budding English major might have imagined. But I learned something working in this small, unfeeling office that I won't soon forget: my job does not have to define me.
As a student (and one who cared about good grades and her education) for so many years, much of who I was was tied to what I spent the majority of my time doing: school. My relationships, mental space, down time, first jobs—heck, even my sleeping and eating schedule—revolved around my education. Again, this is part of college and not an inherently bad thing. But it is something that will—has to—change out of school. If I let my life continue to be defined by my work, I become a dull, nonsensical, stressed-out professional. If I choose to value the life that work allows me to live outside business hours, I am a relaxed, loved, joyful individual.
All this is to say, finding a dream job would probably be really cool, and some people will find that eventually, but as Solomon said so well,
"There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 8:14-15).
If your chief concern is finding contentment in your workplace—respect, creative freedom, a great boss, best friend co-workers, etc.—you will always be looking. Instead, look for a contented life outside of toil alone. Often, that contentment bleeds into your workplace anyway, showing up unexpectedly like joy always does.
3. How do people do this?
Honestly, I don't think anyone really know what their supposed to be doing. I think people just start heading in one direction and see where it takes them. I took the first job I was offered outside of college because I was getting married in three months and needed to pay rent. My decision, as I assume many people's, came from necessity. While at the time that was a good financial decision, only three months later I was offered a different job in a completely different field. Was this second job more of what God had for me than the first? I don't think so. I think God has used both jobs in my life to care for me physically (paychecks are necessary) and spiritually (I could write reams on how God has grown my faith through hard work and patience—but for now I'll stick to this). Don't be afraid of making the wrong decision and foiling God's plan for your life. Trust His leadership and know that you can always start over or change course.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again because 1) I think its true and 2) my very wise husband said it first: I think God is far more concerned with posture of your heart than the circumstances of your life.
[True contentment is found in sharing rice and beans three times a week.]
Don't fall prey to the illusion that anyone has it figured on the first try. No one does. Look to God's character and know Him as your Shepherd—the rest will come together.
4. Where do I start?
I started with a resume.
Not only will you need one for almost every job you apply for (come on Sprouts, I thought we were cooler than that), but it serves as a bit of a confidence boost when you are blindly surfing the tidal waves of job opportunities. Just about every job description asks for someone just like you but with far more qualifications that you could possibly be expected to have. Reflect instead on the things you have accomplished—projects, good grades, that relationship you nurtured that can now recommend you for the job. Job hunting can make you feel insignificant and unqualified. But know that you will find work eventually, it just takes time.
Next, try LinkedIn. They have great jobs and will help you understand how to market yourself professionally (although don't worry about this too much; your best Advocate is working for you regardless of your online profiles). Also, I found Glassdoor super helpful when a job didn't list a salary. Just resources to help you begin.
[Also, there is no shame in Googling the answers to anything. I found my first resume template, cover letter, and letter of resignation online. Works like a dream.]
5. Will life always be like this?
Life outside of college is radically different from life in college for one simple reason: it is uncharted. You have never been there before and the change can feel daunting. Two months of job hunting without luck or feeling stuck in a dead-end job will point to the difficult truth that "real life" will not offer the constant relief from the mundane that college can. I'm talking about new subjects every hour, last-minute trips to the beach when homework becomes mind-numbing, and a new crop of potential friends every semester. Compared to that, life out of college can feel pretty monotonous.
But remember that life will not always feel like this. Life will never always be like anything. Life is full of change (good and hard), opportunities, and the unexpected. It only remains stagnant when you close off the inflows and outflows that make life interesting. Grasping for the perfect equilibrium, seeking to balance everything—the perfect workout routine, an adequate sleep schedule, friendships, pursuing your passions, having "me-time"—will never allow for that creatively wonderful force called change to shake up everything and bring a fresh start. Have faith that no change is without purpose.
[My husband, who is a constant reminder of life's true priorities.]
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