Having a job you love can enrich your life. Research shows that people who are happy at work and love what they do are more likely to be optimistic about the future, motivated to reach professional and personal goals, and report feeling generally happy with their lives¹.

But finding a job you love — one that is personally and professionally fulfilling — can be a challenge. In this interactive discussion, experts from Toyota, The Coca-Cola Company and Major League Baseball join Boys & Girls Clubs of America to share their best advice with today’s young people for achieving career success and finding a job you love.

This discussion is geared toward college students, those at the start of their careers and Boys & Girls Club alumni.

Top Experts Share 6 Tips to Find a Job You Love

Here are a few of our favorite pro tips from our expert panelists to help every young person find a job they love. 

1. Learning what you love starts with understanding what you don’t.
   “I didn't always have a job I loved, and I hope everybody will have that experience. Not only does it give you a good appreciation for a job you do love when you have it, it also helps direct and guide you to find your right path. It’s important to check out different opportunities and try different things. It’s not only about discovering what you like to do, but also what you don't like to do to find a job you love.” — Tiffannie Hedin, corporate communications analyst, Toyota Motor North America


2. Embrace failure.
   “Failing at something along your journey is not the end of the world. In fact, it's necessary. What you do after that actual moment or situation will define your career path. Reflect on what you learned from it, and put a plan in place to ensure you don't repeat the same mistake twice.” — Erika Von Heiland Strader, director of community marketing and engagement, The Coca-Cola Company


3. Seek a career that aligns with your values and beliefs.
   “A company’s culture plays a big role in your career and career path. Simply stated, do you believe in the mission of your company and what they've hired you to do? Is making money or a positive impact more important to you? Do your research and find out what the core mission and goals are of companies you want to work with and ensure they meet your ideals and values.” — David James, vice president of baseball and softball development, Major League Baseball


4. Be open to the unexpected.
   “If you always play it safe, you're going to have regrets. Don't count anything out, because you never know where you'll end up or what surprises you'll find that you think you wouldn’t enjoy or couldn't be good at, but you really are ... Instead, try to look at everything as an opportunity, even if it's a change or challenge. Find the good in those situations and lean in, throw every talent and every resource you have into it and stretch yourself. Don’t discount anything.” — Tiffannie Hedin, corporate communications analyst, Toyota Motor North America


5. Sit in the front row.
   “Imagine walking into an auditorium at a national conference to grab a seat. Where do you sit? The majority of people will sit toward the middle or the back. Here's my advice. Get out of the balcony and get a front-row seat in life. Start by physically sitting in the front row at an event. Create your own opportunities. Get out of your comfort zone. Head to the front row. Over time, your confidence will grow.” — Erika Von Heiland Strader, director of community marketing and engagement, The Coca-Cola Company


6. You can never have too many mentors.
   “Having a strong mentor is crucial to your success, but make sure you identify as many people as possible. Having multiple mentors across multiple disciplines based upon your career goal ultimately creates a network that will help you move forward and find your path to success.” — David James, vice president of baseball and softball development, Major League Baseball

Meet the Experts

Tiffannie Hedin, Toyota  

Tiffannie Hedin is a corporate communications analyst for Toyota Motor North America with nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and communications. She oversees Toyota Motor Manufacturing, community partnerships and outreach, volunteerism and the Toyota4Good giving platform. Prior to joining Toyota, Tiffannie was an editor for Woodward-White Publishing.

Erika Von Heiland Strader, The Coca-Cola Company

As part of The Coca-Cola Company for more than 20 years, Erika Von Heiland Strader is currently the director of community marketing and engagement. Among her many responsibilities, she leads strategic nonprofit partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Ryan Seacrest Foundation and United Service Organizations (USO) to ensure Coke and consumers make a quantifiable difference in local communities. Erika was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Southern California in 1985. She is also a two-time U.S. Olympian, having competed in badminton in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

David James, Major League Baseball

David James is the vice president of baseball and softball development for Major League Baseball (MLB), where he is responsible for the grassroots youth programming administered by the Commissioner’s office. This includes PLAY BALL, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), and MLB’s two national youth skills competitions, Pitch, Hit, & Run and & Jr. Home Run Derby. Prior to joining the MLB in 2008, he worked for Little League International for 10 years in his hometown of Williamsport, Penn.

Moderated by Dorian Holnes, Vendr and Club Alum

Dorian Holnes is an employer brand specialist for the Boston-based tech start-up, Vendr. He grew up as a Boys & Girls Club kid and was a two-time South Carolina State Youth of the Year winner and the 2016-17 Southeast Military Youth of the Year winner.

Get More Tips & Resources for Your Great Future

Starting as early as age 6, Boys & Girls Clubs help young people explore their passions and interests, develop employability skills, and apply knowledge in real-world settings, so they can become anything they can dream. Be the first to get tips, free resources and inspiring stories from Boys & Girls Clubs of America to make your great future possible as we work together to prepare all young people for college, careers and life.

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