As I was reading the news one morning, I came across an article where the author recounted their first work experience and how it shaped their thinking about work going forward in their career. As part of a school program, they spent a week at a small law firm. The experience was, in their words, some of the most boring days they had ever endured. Filing papers, staring at the clock, pretending to read legal journals – it felt meaningless. Yet, it was also transformative. They left that week with a newfound clarity: they did not want to become a lawyer. That experience shaped their career direction in ways they didn’t expect.
It struck me how such a seemingly mundane moment could lead to such profound insight. Not all work is fun, but every job, task, or challenge offers something to learn. This is particularly important today, as many students entering the workforce lack significant in-person work experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote work. Without exposure to the day-to-day realities of a job, it’s easy to hold onto overly grandiose ideas about what a career should look like. Experiencing work – even in its most routine and unglamorous forms – can provide invaluable perspective.
In today’s culture, we often hear that the goal is to find work you’re passionate about. It’s a beautiful idea, but one that can also set up unrealistic expectations. Passion doesn’t always come first. For many, it’s through the act of doing the work – trying, failing, learning, and growing – that purpose and fulfillment begin to emerge.
I have often heard students say they wanted to work in “policy.” It’s an admirable goal, but when I ask them to explain what that meant, their answers are often vague. I encourage them to explore the real-world settings behind the policies they cared about – whether in public schools, government agencies, or healthcare systems – before diving into policy itself. Initial work experiences like writing briefings, attending meetings, or even managing tedious tasks gives students the clarity to refine their goals and a deeper understanding of what the field entails.
For younger students, especially those in high school, taking on a variety of part-time jobs can provide similar lessons. Working as a camp counselor, in retail, or at a local restaurant helps build practical skills and introduces them to workplace realities. These experiences teach responsibility, communication, and adaptability – qualities that prepare them for future roles in any field. Early exposure to work also helps students explore what interests them while discovering what they may not want to pursue.
What do you say to students who find certain tasks boring? I tell them that direction often emerges from the mundane. Routine work gives you the chance to master essential skills – how to organize your time, collaborate with colleagues, and manage expectations. These are foundational for any career and can lead to opportunities for more nuanced, meaningful work in the future.
For example, students who spend semesters or summers immersed in internships often start with tasks like logging data, responding to emails, or proofreading reports. While these might feel mundane, they are moments where critical lessons take root. Internships teach professionalism, resilience, and how to adapt to a workplace environment. These experiences often help students clarify what they want to pursue – or avoid – in their future careers.
One of the most transformative aspects of experiential learning, a key tenet of a Pace University education, is that it allows people to connect their studies with real-world implications. When you see the concepts you’ve learned in class play out in a professional setting, it deepens your understanding. It makes the work feel purposeful, even if it isn’t always thrilling. And when you contribute to a project or solve a problem, the sense of accomplishment can be profound.
The reality is, not every day at work will be exhilarating. There will be moments of boredom and tasks that seem repetitive. But these moments are part of the bigger picture. They are stepping stones, building resilience and shaping your ability to find meaning even in the mundane. That’s the real secret of work—not that it’s always fun, but that it challenges you to grow into someone who can find fulfillment in the doing.
As educators, mentors, or managers, our role is to help others embrace this mindset. We need to remind them that every experience, no matter how small, has value. Learning by doing – whether through internships, volunteer opportunities, or first jobs – is a way to build both confidence and direction.
The author of that article may not have loved their week at the law firm, but it gave them direction. It showed them what they didn’t want – and sparked curiosity about what they might pursue instead. Real-world experiences do the same. They provide clarity, build character, and prepare people for lives of purpose. Work may not always be fun, but with the right perspective, it can be deeply rewarding.
As for the author…he went on to become a writer.