The Dream Job Appears

What is a dream job? How do you know if you have one? How do you know if you should apply for that dream job?

Recently, I had the opportunity to apply and interview for a job that one would consider a “dream job.”

This job has it all:

• Working for a NFL legendary team
• Working with the coaches, the players, and the NFL itself
• Doing what I do now as an IT Systems Engineer for an NFL team!? With free tickets to games, and even the ability to sit in the broadcasters booth during the game.

This seems like a dream job! It’s got all the things that a young IT professional might want. It sounds super cool, its fulfilling work, and its a chance to work with some really amazing people.

What is a Dream Job?

I withdrew myself from the final interview. The opportunity is quite literally a once in a lifetime job, but it’s not the right fit.

What is the right fit? I’ve found that I have a desire to constantly grow in my IT career. I never want to be stationary in my career growth.

What does this job lack for me?

• Growth opportunities: The team hardly deploys newer technologies and must stick with technologies that are proven. Thats good business, but I do want to work with new automation stacks, infrastructure as code, and many more things that this job wouldn’t provide.
• Culture: This opportunity doesn’t seem like it has many boundaries. You’re always on call 24/7 and that just isn’t healthy.
• Future of the business: Sure, the team is going to be around for a long time, but I want to be apart of something that makes an impact outside of entertainment.
• Pay: I have a family to provide for now. A little 5 month old baby and a wife. This might be the dream job for me, but the salary cut can’t be justified.

I Have the Dream Job

I already have a dream job. I have a job that offers me endless opportunity. Every day when I go to work I touch a new technology stack, solve a new problem, or create a new standard for future growth.

I’m supported by amazing managers who let me go to tech conferences, pay for skills, and have my back in every opportunity. They constantly are asking me if I want to “implement this applications” or “learn that skill.”

I’m busier than I’ve ever been at work. I sometimes feel overworked. BUT, I’m surrounded by those that have my back. My manager gives me “comp” days off the record and constantly says “Family, Self, Work” in order or priorities.

You just don’t get that in many other places.

The dream job is what I already have.

• Good growth opportunities
• Great management
• Great pay and benefits
• Great work life balance

I’m thankful for what I have already. Thankful that I have a job that takes such good care of me.

Sometimes it’s easier to see that the grass is greener “over there” and totally miss the good things that you have here.