There’s a lot of pressure around landing the perfect, dream first job. Something that ticks all the boxes: interesting work, great pay, inspiring team, great office culture, impressive title… the list goes on. The kind of role that makes you feel like you made it and that your studies and effort weren’t all for nothing.

The brutal truth is that for most people, that’s far from how it unfolds.

Your first job might feel underwhelming. It might be unrelated to your studies. It might involve more admin than creativity, or more waiting than doing. While that can be frustrating, it’s also completely normal… and in due course, you may come to realise that even this, is a part of your path.

So this blog post is here to tell you: your first job doesn’t need to be your perfect, dream job… and how to make the most of it anyway.

1. Every job teaches you something

Even if you’re not where you want to be long-term, you’re still building skills: how to manage your time, communicate with colleagues, stay organised, or deal with unexpected challenges. You might not notice it right away, but these are the foundations you’ll carry with you into future roles… including the one you do love.

Sometimes, the things you learn from your “not-quite-right” job end up being the most valuable.

2. You learn what doesn’t work for you

Your first job is often just as much about figuring out what you don’t want as what you do. Maybe you realise you prefer structure over flexibility, or that you enjoy working with people more than you thought (or less!).

These discoveries help you make more informed choices down the line. It’s part of narrowing your focus, and that’s a good thing.

3. You’re not locked in

One of the biggest misconceptions about starting work is that you’re committing forever. You’re not.

Your first job is a starting point.. it’s definitely not a sentence. You’re allowed to try things, change direction, and grow out of roles. No job is forever. Most people switch jobs, industries, or priorities more than once in their career. You don’t need to have it all figured out now.

4. Progress isn’t always linear

You might look around and see people landing roles that seem more exciting or prestigious. It’s easy to compare, but everyone’s timeline is different. Resist the urge to compare.

The job that looks perfect on paper might not be what it seems behind the scenes, and the one that feels slow or basic right now might be giving you solid ground to build on. Keep going.

5. You’re building your path… even if it’s not obvious yet

Careers often make more sense in hindsight. That admin role might lead to a project you didn’t expect. That support role might put you in touch with someone who opens a door later.
You don’t have to stay stuck in a role that doesn’t serve you, but it’s worth recognising what it is giving you while you’re there.

This is only the beginning

There’s nothing wrong with wanting meaningful, fulfilling work… who doesn’t? It’s also okay if your first job isn’t quite there, yet. It’s okay if it feels like a stepping stone, or if it’s more practical than perfect.

The important thing is that you’re learning, showing up, and starting to shape your working life: one experience at a time.

Your dream job might not be your first one, but it might come sooner than you think, and this one might be helping you get there.

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