It was a hot Thursday afternoon at the Singapore Management University Administration Building and within an hour’s registration before the start of WITnext Summercamp at the Mochtar Riady Auditorium, it became visually clear that this inaugural event had brought together a mash-up of types and individuals.
There were educators and students, corporate types and entrepreneurs or entrepreneur want-to-bes. There were Gen X folks and Gen Y guys and gals. But lets not talk about age! There were hirers and job seekers (potential hires), mentors and mentees potentially, sponsors and those seeking support. Then there were just a few seeking coffee, and some perhaps looking forward to food and drink and some music when evening came around eventually.
WITNext Summercamp – a travel job camp – kicked off with a very pointed question. “What is your dream job?”
It is almost always true that the hardest questions to answer are usually the shortest ones. And so it became inevitable that this question was met few or no answers, just with even more questions. Is there such a thing? Can I really be honest? If I am upfront with my response, will I just be labelled a dreamer? What if I have too many passions? Can I work with people I hate? Are you sure you’re really in a dream job? Don’t bluff! Even Tim and Eammie interviewed in the opening video, never answered that question too! I mean, come on! Your dream job is to live on Siew Hoon’s couch and to be her dog? “Srsly?”
Aligned with Web in Travel’s roots in the travel industry, hospitality and travel professionals made their pitch during WITNext Summercamp that the industry is great and fun to join and be in. And it could very well be, someone’s dream job too! For sure!
However, true to the way Web in Travel is always produced, the focus is always on a “bigger picture” or a more worthy subject. And in the case of WITNext Summercamp, the subject happens to be the participant himself, or herself. They could be new graduates, new job seekers, but funnily enough it could be me, it also can be you. Regardless what stages of our lives we’re in too!
The two days unfolded with a series of panels, speaker sessions, bootcamps, meet-the-exhibitor (or potential employers) for perhaps some job opportunities and networking. The soundbites captured were awesome and were motivating takeaways for all (see it all on the Pinterest board), and oh yes, there was food, drink and some music too. Hence entertaining.
But it was interesting too, how everything fell into place as WITNext Summercamp ran its course. (Tried to capture it in the doodle tree on right) 
Most of the speakers and panellists who took to the stage at WITNext Summercamp, insisted that they were in their dream jobs. A few said they were in good enough jobs at present point in time, and a couple stated categorically that they were not in their dream jobs presently. Yet. That’s good, they are truthful.
Everything else they eventually shared, became precious fodder to help ground participants into appreciating how important it is to first realise, then actualise and subsequently, be.
The importance of first knowing oneself is paramount. And when the big guy Martin Symes tells you that, you need to listen. Know who you are, how you are, what type you are, what suits you, where you want to be and who you want to be with.
The other nuggets of foundation block advice prescribed was also resounding: be yourself always. Take a good hold of your relationships, education, your VISA (values, interest, skills, ambition). Keep friends and family close and surround yourself with smart people, in your networking and in your communications.
These will form the foundations or building blocks for you on the road ahead – your self being the only one entity you should always be loyal and answerable to. Good instruction for some, good reminders for others too!
Throughout the two days, participants were also encouraged to always remain social and compassionate, dynamic and creative, engaged and curious, yet unplugged enough to focus, to keep learning and to also remain creative and (somewhat) dreamy. To stay passionate and romantic even. Passion will drive life’s meaning and allow progress. And do not be surprised if stress can drive some innovation too. Carpe diem.
On the surface of this travel job camp, some sessions seemed to sort the searching-participants into two distinct groups. Corporate types (probably suited for jobs) vs entrepreneur types (probably suited for ventures and start-ups). If only the sorting was as easily done as the sorting of students in Hogwarts. I mean, really, who’s to say that corporate types do not yearn or possess the spirit of entrepreneurship, and who can vouch that entrepreneurs do not (eventually) “aspire” a corporate cloak?
But back to the question, “ What is your dream job”.
For me I would probably find it easier somewhat to answer this question of a dream job if it was expanded just a little and perhaps answered in parts. “What suits me, pleases me, becomes me, is right for me, and pays me comfortably or better yet, pays me well?”
Lets not be mistaken too, that the “dream job” should necessarily be devoid of problems, issues, shortchanges and troubles. Sometimes they may just be racked with all these very issues too, just because it is precisely, a dream job.
And that’s where all the nuggets of advice from WITnext summercamp may just come in handy for dream job seekers or holders to fall back on. A buffer.
And is the “dream job” the be all, and end all?
I’m probably also not personally convinced that we will ever be satisfied with one dream job. After all, with and after every dream, comes new dreams. And a job may be right today, wrong tomorrow too. The bed of opportunities change and lady luck sometimes throws curveballs. Truth is, no one said a dream job would always be forever.
I cheer any rally call to harness your passion but I believe its more pertinent to harness your strength and energy for resilience (of self and passion) over time. Heaven knows we need fuel for such a journey in life. Not everyone gets it smooth sailing and they don’t call life the “school of hard knocks” for nothing too.
