3 Questions to Help Young Adults Create Meaningful Work

Newport RI

25 August, 2021

2:56 PM

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This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch. With unemployment ending in just a few weeks and thousands of young adults heading back to college classes, demand for work will soon be surging. Realizing that most side jobs aren't that interesting (unless you work for Surv), many young adults struggle with finding meaning in work and staying motivated. This can affect them not just at work but in other areas of life such as academics, relationships and long-term career planning. These days, young people are chronically advised to "follow your dreams, hearts and passions." But not every job will feel like a dream...sometimes you just need a paycheck. In those situations, it's essential that one knows how to make work meaningful even if it's boring on the surface. It's been quite a few years since I've been in college, but I'll never forget my memories of working around classes, whether it was helping people find the right shoe at a running supply store, making lattes at a French café or shuttling children around the busy streets of Manhattan as a nanny, I knew that the only way to stay motivated at work was to find a way to make it meaningful on purpose, whether or not it fit my dreams or my passion . Here are three questions you can ask the college-bound young person in your life to help them turn "any old job" into a meaningful one: 1: How does your job connect with your strengths and interests? So often work feels boring and uninspiring because we're not doing work that interests us and we're not able to use our strengths. Asking your young adults how work fits their strengths and interests can help them realize that their job is meaningful. On the other hand, it can also help them realize that they need to make a change and find a job that better aligns with these aspects of who they are as a person. 2: Are you being challenged to grow in a good way? Work is more meaningful when we're being challenged in a healthy way. If young adults are bored at work, encourage them to look for opportunities to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities. Doing so will not only allow them to learn new things, but will make work more rewarding and boost their confidence. We see this all the time at Surv. As part of our certification program, our Locals are constantly learning new skills; they're constantly being asked to step out of their comfort zone to serve their neighbors and they constantly step up to the plate. 3: Which relationships at work are meaningful and how can you invest in them? As inherently social beings, we thrive most when we have meaningful friendships and relationships. If a young adult you know is struggling with work, encourage them to build relationships with the people they work with. Establishing healthy work friendships can not only make work more fun, but it will add to their overall motivation and sense of purpose. At Surv, our workers are always seeking to build relationships with each other and with the Neighbors we serve. "It's more than an Odd Job" is one of our company mottos because we believe that every job is a chance to connect on a deeper level with the people in our community. Conclusion Even though college jobs are just side jobs to earn extra cash, that doesn't mean they can't be meaningful. Encouraging young adults in your life to intentionally create meaning at work rather than waiting for it to magically feel meaningful will equip them with an important skill that will serve them well through college and into adulthood. This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here