Turn dreams into job satisfaction

What did you want to be when you were growing up? If you fancied becoming an astronaut, you aren't likely to have fulfilled your dreams. However, if, like most children, you dreamed of becoming a teacher, footballer, police officer, vet, fireman, hairdresser, nurse, dancer, doctor or driver, you are far more likely to achieve your dream job. 

In a study of primary school children carried out by Jobcentre Plus, it was revealed that boys are most likely to aspire to sporting or "protection" professions and girls to caring or nurturing professions. One in ten boys dreams of being a footballer and seven per cent a police officer or fireman. For girls, 13 per cent would like to become a teacher and nine per cent a nurse.

If you are looking to change your career, whatever your age and experience, Jobcentre Plus advisers can help you take a fresh look at how your childhood dreams can translate into career reality. They can help you assess your interests and hobbies and look at job opportunities that relate to these. 

Jobcentre Plus adviser Jenni Vardy says: "Many of us have childhood dreams of what we want to be when we grow up, often related to our interests, hobbies or natural skills. However, as we reach adulthood these aspirations often get forgotten or appear unattainable. 

"When looking for work it is often worth considering hobbies and interests, as we are more likely to be good at something we enjoy and which comes naturally. There are often lots of opportunities which can incorporate hobbies or interests."

Vardy advises: "If football is your passion, coaching training courses can be available at local football clubs, in particular for jobseekers aged 18-24, or opportunities working as a groundsperson or in hospitality at a football club. 

"If you're interested in getting into teaching, one way might be to offer to help out at your children's school or look into becoming a classroom assistant, which can lead to a qualification. 

"Those who aspire to be vets could start by trying voluntary work at their local RSPCA or animal sanctuary to see what it's like before looking for a job working with animals. Jobs could range from an administrator at a veterinary surgery to being a stablehand. 

"There are lots of different options available; it's just a question of thinking laterally around where your interests lie." 

Jobcentre Plus helped Ruth Jordan, aged 62, turn her love of cross-stitching and découpage into a successful business. 

Jordan said: "When my arthritic condition worsened, I took up cross-stitching and découpage as a hobby. Then I started to make greeting cards, which were very popular locally. My daughter, Catherine, suggested I could develop my interest into a small business and that's when I contacted personal adviser Ivan Wright at Broker North East, part of Jobcentre Plus, who helped me turn my hobby into a really successful business." 

Vardy gives some tips on what to think about when considering making your hobby your job or realising your childhood dreams. Ask yourself if a job already exists that involves your hobby, she says. It might be something that would require you to start your own business. 

Does the job you are thinking of require specific qualifications? If so, don't be put off. There are many opportunities to train or retrain to obtain these. 

If you don't have a specific hobby, think about what you enjoy doing in your spare time. If you like spending time helping out at your children's school, you could obtain a teaching qualification to work with children. If surfing the internet and computers are your thing, consider web design or IT. 

Talk your thoughts through with a friend or an adviser at the Jobcentre to sound out different ideas and work out how a new job would really fit in with your life and best suit your interests. 
 

 Picture caption: So you wanted to be the next Becks? Kids' dreams can lead to real jobs.