Dream Job Not Reality for a Surprising 92% of Us

A few months back I discussed a survey about dream jobs. The study compared childhood dream jobs to their current jobs and industries they work. It found that most of us are not doing our childhood dream job because our dream job has changed. Some said they hadn't pursued their dream because of financial reasons, and others said it was due to their schooling or education.

Unfortunately, many realized they would not pursue their dream job by the age of eighteen.  However, the majority agreed that it’s never too late to think about or continue to pursue their dream job.

When you’re a kid you can grow up to be anything. As you get older you realize that may not always be true. Think about your dream job and what you’re doing now.

I dreamed of what I do now when I was a little kid. I was obsessed with music and had tapes of myself playing DJ when I was 11. When I was 18 I got an on-air job at my favorite New Jersey radio station, and decades later, I haven’t looked back.

Now, there’s a new study by Voicenation that shows only eight percent of us are working in our dream occupation. But why? What are the true reasons that many of us have given up?

Related: Cities in the Northeast With the Best Quality of Life

Most of those polled, about a third, say it’s because of financial restraints. If you have all the money you need then you can do whatever you want, but that’s not reality for most of us. Others said they would be pursuing their dream if it weren’t for the lack of opportunities. About one-fifth of those who participated in the study say it’s because of family obligations. Then some felt it was their fear of failure, lack of self-confidence, or issues with their health.

In New Jersey, nearly half of the respondents reported that financial limitations prevent them from pursuing their dream jobs. That makes New Jersey the state with the highest percentage of residents feeling held back by money concerns.

Check out the full study here.

Pop culture always has a HUGE influence on what people will dress as for Halloween every year - whether those costumes be for superheroes, horror icons, celebrities, and more.

We included some of our favorites from Good Housekeeping's list of costumes that should take the Halloween season by storm this year. Maybe one of these will spark an idea for you.

Head to goodhousekeeping.com for their full list and suggestions on what items to purchase for each costume.