It took four, five, maybe even six or more years to complete your degree. You stayed up all night studying for midterms, stared at your computer screen for hours writing that term paper and spent thousands of dollars on books, student fees, parking passes and late night pepperoni pizzas.

And it was all for some entry level position that has you pushing papers and sucking up to the big boss, big time.

Sometimes the job we have our sights set on while working through college is not the job we land in the first years as a working professional. But everyone must pay their dues. So here is some advice from the experts on how to find happiness at work.

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Timothy Howard has researched the area of job satisfaction. Howard said it is important to remember that an entry level position is going to be a brief time in your entire career life.

"It is only by considering the first year on the job separately from the rest of the career ladder that the world begins to make sense," Howard said.

Howard suggests some of the best ways to make it through those first few years of an entry-level position is to have a positive outlook and contribute to the job as much as possible and you will be rewarded. Looking back on his past career experiences, Howard recalled the more effort he gave in jobs, the more he got in return.

"Continue to give your all in each setting," Howard said.

Howard C. Cutler wrote a book titled "The Art of Happiness at Work." In his book, Cutler teamed up with the Dalai Lama to find out the secret of happiness at work.

The first thing the Dalai Lama and Cutler point out is that through any activity the main purpose should be to benefit other human beings. Through building relationships, individuals will have their own sense of satisfaction in anything they do.

"If we make a special effort to cultivate good relationships, with people at work-Then, whatever kind of work we do, it can be a source of satisfaction," Cutler wrote.

Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior and Environment Hakan Ozcelik has researched and studied the role of emotions in organizational life. Ozcelik says work life is not all about the activities of work. There is also a social environment that can help build satisfaction. Ozcelik said to focus on human relationships to improve job satisfaction.

Career Center counselor at Sac State, Brandon Cruz, recommends that if an individual is lacking in job satisfaction, that it would be important for them to find other avenues of satisfaction in various areas of their life. Cruz recommended picking up a hobby to find satisfaction in personal or leisure life to compensate for lack of fulfillment at work.

Cruz also suggested that individuals can find satisfaction in the work environment by exploring other opportunities. This could include taking on more responsibilities and challenges or finding new ways to express their creativity.

Ozcelik advised finding a mentor, as well as volunteering, which are beyond your normal responsibilities, to have an opportunity to experience something new.

Howard urges those entering an entry-level position to have a positive attitude, apply oneself 110 percent and have a good work ethic. Howard always tells his students, "Don't major in the minor," meaning, don't let the little things get in the way of the larger picture.

Howard reminds students that the first job they take doesn't have to be their last. Most working professionals switch jobs approximately two to three times throughout their life. The important thing is that individuals are learning from their experience while working their way up the career ladder, Howard said.

Amy Ball can be reached at features@statehornet.com

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