Society lied to us. It promised us that if we worked hard, got educated, and played the game, we’d be gifted a cushy office job.
The work would be easy yet meaningful. The skills we learned in school would transfer quickly to the company, so we could dive in head first with minimal training. We’d learn what we didn’t know on the job through a trusted mentor who wanted us to succeed.
We’d take care in our work, ensuring we turn in high-quality products, which our bosses would greatly appreciate. They’d give us the appropriate time to complete our assignments and offer guidance throughout the project should we get stuck on something.
Our colleagues would become our second families. We’d enjoy chatting with our colleagues around the water cooler and even attend the annual company picnic. Maybe we’d make friends with some colleagues and invite them over for summer BBQs.
It was all a lie.
Those Jobs Never Existed
Though some people claim they work their dream job, the vast majority of Americans only work for one reason: to get paid.
The idealistic image of a cozy office filled with passionate people driven to help each other (and the company) succeed exists only in our imaginations.
Office Jobs: The Dream or Nightmare?
Millennials’ life goals included nabbing a great office job. We all knew factory, retail, and manual labor jobs sounded awful, but we thought office jobs would be different.
They’re not.
Granted, office jobs aren’t physically demanding. People working in offices don’t have to worry about breaking their backs toiling under harsh weather conditions or standing for hours on end, repeatedly completing the same menial task.
But they aren’t the dream we’ve been sold.
The Downsides of Office Jobs
Office jobs are awful because everyone expects them to be good. Bosses deride employees and then say they should go flip burgers if they don’t like it.
Managers expect ever-increasing output. They track employees’ time to the second, even installing tracking software to ensure no one enjoys even a second of downtime.
The work itself destroys the soul. People in offices spend their hours trying to siphon every last dollar away from their fellow citizens, whether through upsells or creating new products no one ever asked for.
No One Dreams of Work
Society pulled a massive whammy on Millennials, convincing an entire generation that dream jobs are real.
They’re not. No one dreams of work.
People dream of enjoying life, spending time with families, creating art, learning new things, and exploring the world. Sure, some folks luck into a career offering them these opportunities, but that’s not the reality for most people.
Time To Change the Script on Work
It’s time to change the way we think about work. Work isn’t the ideal; it’s a means to an end. In a society of plenty, not everyone should need to work to survive and thrive.
We can celebrate people’s non-monetary contributions to society, including the arts and caring for others.
Everyone will be happier once we stop elevating dream jobs and the idea that life revolves around our work.