6 Things I Learned About Job Satisfaction From Interviewing More Than 500 People

6 Things I Learned About Job Satisfaction From Interviewing More Than 500 People 6 Things I Learned About Job Satisfaction From Interviewing More Than 500 People Through these conversations, Thach has gleaned six crucial insights about what makesa successful and genuinely fulfilling career.1. Be CourageousAfter conducting interviews with more than500 professionals, Thach estimates thatmore than 50 percentchanged the direction of their career path at some point.Thach himself never created a video until after graduating from college. Initially, he planned to enter the teaching profession. This led to him working at a community college, where he was given the opportunity to shoot and edit his first video. His newfound passion quickly blossomed into a viable career path.If you discover a new interest or an unexpected opportunity later in life, be open to pursuing it. Its never too late.2. Dont Just Work for the MoneyThe average person spends more thanone-thirdof their life working, s o its imperative that you spend your time doing something that means more to you than just a paycheck.A six-figure salary might seem like it should be at least one major driver of career satisfaction, but in the long run, it really isnt.According to the Harvard Business Reviews list of thetop five career regrets, the biggest regret people report is I wish I hadnt taken the job for the money.3.You Have Many, Many OptionsDid you know that you could make a living as a professionalbeekeeper? Or as ahot air balloon pilot? You are likely only aware of a tiny fraction ofthe hundreds of careers that might be the perfect fit for you.As a professional interviewer, Thach has seen the myriad opportunities that are available to people of all skill levels and educational backgrounds. For instance, maybe you dreamed of one day becoming a doctor until you realized that you couldnt afford the time and money such a goal requires. Whatyou may not have realized is that there are multipleopportunities in the medical profession aside from being a doctor that offer you the chance to help others. You could instead becomea nurse practitioner,a physicians assistant, or ahospital administrator.Start investigating the vast world of career possibilities. Pretty soon, youll find the job thats perfect for you.4.Consider Being Your Own BossThroughout his career, Thach has observed that the individuals who aremost enthusiastic about their work arethose who started their own business or were working to bring their own ideas to life. Venturing out on your own can seem risky, but according to the U.S. Census Bureau,400,000 new businesses are born each year in the U.S.In the end, seeing your own vision bear fruit can be an incredibly rewarding experience.5. The Internet Is Your FriendThere are many resources available that are just a mouse click away. Thach himself learned many of his video production skills through tutorials onLynda.com,YouTube,andCreative COW.Some sites even provide courses th at offer degrees or certificates upon completion. For instance, if you want to pursue a career in marketing, but lack formal marketing education,UC Berkeley Extensionoffers online certificate-earning courses like Introduction to Marketing, Creating An Advertising Campaign, and Implementing a Brand Vision, all of which could help you break into the field.6. Follow Your Dream. Seriously.In every single interview, Thach asks, What do you wish you had known when you were first starting out in your career that you know now?By far, the most popular piece of advice he hears is to follow your dream. While this advice may seem clich, that might be because it is simply the best way to achieve true job satisfaction and success.However, if your appetite for risk-taking is low, thats okay, too Not everyone is able to take financial risks such as starting their own business or chasing their dreams of Broadway stardom. Many people dip their toes in the water by freelancing in their spare time. Oth ers have found lucrative outlets for their creativity on sites like Etsy or eBay. In reality,there are many ways to test the waters.Whatever your dream, someone has probably already made it a reality for themselves. Now its your turn.-Rubina is marketing manager atPathSource, a career exploration company that aims to transform lives by connecting people to their ideal career paths. She enjoys hiking, traveling, and all things food-related (including cooking it, eating it, and watching reality shows that revolve around it).*Brandon is a senior at the University of Minnesota, where he studies strategic communication and Spanish. Following a string of odd jobs, including waiting tables at not one, buttwoIndian restaurants, he now finds himself interning forPathSourceas their social media and marketing intern.