How long did it take you to get to where you are today?

I will celebrate 30 years with AT&T in May. In that time, I have gone from being a pager tech, to customer service, to Human Resources, back to technical as a cell site field tech, to quality control to project management. I have worried less about getting ahead and more about getting what I could out of each job.

I have been with my current employer close to 5 years, however, it took me a while to get here. The one thing I can advise someone who is looking to find a dream job, if you don't succeed the first time, try again. It took me about 9 applications to get in and the 10th was the lucky one. I was not going to give up. Don't give up!

I graduated from college in 1990 so 28.5 years.  That said, my career path is unique (as are all) so it is not necessarily reflective of how long it would take someone else.  I have seen others get to a similar level in less time, and in more time; it really depends on the timing of opportunity and your personal level of risk tolerance.  For example, I chose to stay "close to home" in my early years because my mom was sick and I wanted to spend the time with her.  If I had not wanted to make that choice, I could have been more aggressive in finding new opportunities and moving around in those years.

It's taken me 30+ years to find my dream job, but I finally found it.  I took all the wrong roads, didn't have a plan, but I worked hard and learned a LOT.  I finally got my degree - AFTER I started with my current company.  I raised a family as a single mother, and taught my children to have a strong work ethic.  That's the one thing I always maintained.  Remember, your employer only owes you a paycheck for your time - beyond that, it's up to you to become a valued employee.

I've been with the same company for the last 17 yrs. During this time I have watched an industry evolve and was prepared to grow with it. Ultimately what I do today was never something I envisioned in my 20's but its been such a growing experience along the way. Is this my dream job, honestly no but does anyone really know what their dream job is? You may aspire to achieve a certain title in a specific industry but when you are put in those shoes and past the cloud 9 stage, will you still regard it as your dream job?  Life is short and I say...challenge yourself. Work towards a goal and if unexpected things happen and change the course, that's ok because you'll figure it out. Remember, don't be afraid to take risks, if you are uncomfortable you are growing.